WO1994007454A1

WO1994007454A1 - Topical composition and the use of said composition in restoring hair and/or preventing hair removal

Info

Publication number: WO1994007454A1
Application number: PCT/AU1993/000507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joan Bradley; Gilbert Bradley
Original assignee: De-Novo International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1992-10-01
Filing date: 1993-10-01
Publication date: 1994-04-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a topical composition comprising at least about 85 % by volume of eucalyptus oil, at least about 5 % by volume of rosemary oil and optionally a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable additive and methods for preventing hair removal and/or restoring hair involving said topical composition. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of alopecia, baldness and/or related disorders and a method for treating dandruff, seborrhoea, scalp psoriasis and/or related dermatological disorders involving said topical composition.

Description

TOPICAL COMPOSITION AND THE USE OF SAID COMPOSITION IN RESTORING HAIR AND/OR PREVENTING HAIR REMOVAL

The invention relates to a topical composition and the use of said compositio in restoring hair and/ or preventing hair removal. In particular, the invention relate to the use of the composition in treating alopecia or baldness.

Alopecia or baldness is currently treated by topical administration of a dru which contains monoxodil as the active ingredient to the hair and scalp. This dru can only be obtained by prescription and its use requires supervision by a physician

This drug is applied to the hair and scalp twice daily and once treatment ceases, hai continues to fall out. There are also side effects associated with the use of this drug

A requirement accordingly exists for a topical composition for treatin alopecia and related disorders which is composed of natural ingredients and whic is non-injurious to the patient.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a topica composition comprising at least about 85% by volume of eucalyptus oil, at leas about 5% by volume of rosemary oil and optionally a cosmetically and/o pharmaceutically acceptable additive.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided method for preventing hair removal and/or restoring hair which comprises topica administration of the composition defined above to the hair, scalp and/or skin of subject in need thereof. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of alopecia, baldness and/or relate disorders which comprises topical administration of the composition defined abov to the hair, scalp and/or skin of a subject in need thereof.

This method is particularly useful in treating cancer patients suffering hair los following chemotherapy.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provide a method for treating dandruff, seborrhoea, scalp psoriasis and/or relate dermatological disorders which comprises topical administration of the compositio defined above to the hair, scalp and/or skin of a subject in need thereof.

The amount of eucalyptus oil in the composition is preferably about 85 to about 95% by volume, more preferably about 90% by volume. The amount o rosemary oil in the composition is preferably about 5 to about 15% by volume, more preferably about 10% by volume.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises about 90% by volume of eucalyptus oil and about 10% by volume of rosemary oil.

The eucalyptus oil may be naturally occurring or synthetically produced. The eucalyptus oil may be obtained from any species of eucalyptus, particularly Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Eucalyptus polybractea or Eucalyptus viridis. Eucalyptus cyanophylla and Eucalyptus polybractea are also known as "Blue Mallee". Eucalyptus viridis is also known as "Green Mallee".

The primary active ingredient in the eucalyptus oil is cineol. The eucalyptus oil is preferably obtained from the Blue Mallee as this eucalyptus contains a high concentration of cineol in the range of about 80 to about 83%. The cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable additive may be prese in an amount of not more than about 5%, more preferably about 1%. This additiv may be of any suitable type known in the art and may be selected from one or mor of alcohols, perfumes, surfactants, thickeners, antioxidants and preservatives. Th additives may also include other agents suitable for restoring hair and/or preventin hair removal, such as, for example, biotin or squalene.

The topical composition can be prepared by any suitable method known i the art. Preferably, the composition is prepared by mixing the eucalyptus oil an rosemary oil together. If desired, the composition may be formulated into a lotion cream, hair tonic, hair cream, shampoo, hair rinse, ointment or soap.

The topical composition is also useful for the general maintenance of hair an is particularly useful as a conditioner.

The methods of the invention involve the topical administration of th composition for a time and under conditions sufficient for the treatment to b effective. The composition is preferably applied daily to the hair, scalp and/ski over a period of several weeks.

The eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil are preferably administere simultaneously in the methods of the invention. However, it will be appreciated that they may also be administered separately or sequentially, if desired.

The present invention also extends to a kit comprising:

(a) at least about 85% by volume of eucalyptus oil; and

(b) at least about 5% by volume of rosemary oil, said components (a) and (b) being held separately for separate, sequential or simultaneous use. In the composition and method of the invention, the eucalyptus oil acts as a cleansing agent to clean the sebaceous glands thereby permitting the eucalyptus oil to act on the root hair canal.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following

Examples. These Examples are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

The eucalyptus oil used in the Examples was obtained from the Blue Mallee.

Example 1

A topical composition contaimng about 90% eucalyptus oil and about 10% rosemary oil was applied to the scalp and hair of a subject suffering from baldness, massaged thoroughly into the scalp and hair and allowed to dry. It was shown that by repeating this application daily over several weeks, significant new hair growth was observed on the scalp of the subject.

Example 2

Similar results as described in Example 1 were observed when a topical composition containing about 90% eucalyptus oil and about 10% rosemary oil was applied to the scalp and hair of a subject.

Comparative Example 1

A topical composition containing about 75% eucalyptus oil and about 25% rosemary oil was applied to the scalp and hair of a subject suffering from baldness in the same manner as described in Example 1. However, no significant new hair growth was observed on the scalp of the subject.

Comparative Example 2

Similar results as described in Comparative Example 1 were observed when a topical composition containing about 60% eucalyptus oil and about 40% rosemary oil was applied to the scalp and hair of a subject.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A topical composition comprising at least about 85% by volume eucalyptus oil, at least about 5% by volume of rosemary oil and optionally cosmetically and/ or pharmaceutically acceptable additive.

2. A topical composition according to Claim 1, wherein the amount o eucalyptus oil is about 85 to about 95% by volume.

3. A topical composition according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein th amount of eucalyptus oil is about 90% by volume.

4. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the amount of rosemary oil is about 5 to about 15% by volume.

5. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the amount of rosemary oil is about 10% by volume.

6. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the eucalyptus oil is naturally occurring or synthetically produced.

7. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the eucalyptus oil may be obtained from Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Eucalyptu polybractea or Eucalyptus viridis.

8. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable additive is present i an amount of not more than about 5%.

9. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable additive is present i an amount of about 1%.

10. A topical composition according to Claims 8 or Claim 9, wherein the cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable additive is selected from one or more of alcohols, perfumes, surfactants, thickeners, antioxidants, preservatives and agents suitable for restoring hair and/or preventing hair removal.

11. A topical composition according to Claim 10, wherein the agents suitable for restoring hair and/or preventing hair removal are biotin or squalene.

12. A topical composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is formulated into a lotion, cream, hair tonic, hair cream, shampoo, hair rinse, ointment or soap.

13. A kit comprising: (a) at least about 85% by volume of eucalyptus oil; and

(b) at least about 5% by volume of rosemary oil, said components (a) and (b) being held separately for separate, sequential or simultaneous use.

14. A method for preventing hair removal and/or restoring hair which comprises topical administration of the composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 to the hair, scalp and/or skin of a subject in need thereof.

15. A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of alopecia, baldness and/or related disorders which comprises topical administration of the composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 to the hair, scalp and/or skin of a subject in need thereof.

16. A method according to Claim 15, which is used in treating cancer patients suffering hair loss following chemotherapy.

17. A method for treating dandruff, seborrhoea, scalp psoriasis and/or related dermatological disorders which comprises topical administration of the composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 to the hair, scalp and/or skin of a subject in need thereof.