WO2017188337A1 - Composition for improving skin texture which contains black tea extract as active ingredient - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are: a composition for improving skin texture, which contains a black tea extract as an active ingredient; a method for improving skin texture using a black tea extract; and a use of a black tea extract for the production of a composition for improving skin texture. The composition for improving skin texture, which contains a black tea extract as an active ingredient, is useful, due to the fact that the composition has an excellent effect to prevent skin from ultraviolet ray-induced photoaging and can be used continuously and easily.

Description

Composition for improving skin quality comprising black tea extract as an active ingredient Reference to related applications

This patent application is accompanied by a claim of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-089683 (filing date: April 27, 2016), which was previously filed in Japan. The entire disclosure of this earlier patent application is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to a skin quality improving composition containing black tea extract as an active ingredient.

In recent years, the amount of ultraviolet rays reaching the surface of the earth has been increasing. Numerous adverse effects on the skin due to ultraviolet rays have been reported and are known to cause so-called photoaging. Ultraviolet rays that reach the earth's surface are roughly classified into ultraviolet A wavelengths (UV-A: wavelength is 315 to 380 nm) and ultraviolet B wavelengths (UV-B: wavelength is 280 to 315 nm). It is said that UV-A reaches the dermis and forms wrinkles by modifying elastin and collagen that keep the skin elastic. UV-B damages the epidermis, disturbs the turnover rhythm of cells in the damaged epidermal tissue, attenuates the barrier function by the stratum corneum cells, reduces the amount of stratum corneum, and causes dry skin It is said. It is also said that because the DNA inside cells is damaged, an error in the repair process may cause skin cancer. Therefore, children with more cell divisions have a higher risk of skin cancer due to ultraviolet rays.

As a topical means for preventing photoaging, cosmetics such as sunscreen are most often used, but there are still problems with the stability and safety of these ingredients. For example, sunscreen cosmetics contain UV absorbers and UV scattering agents as their active ingredients, but these ingredients come into contact with the skin and cause inflammation, and the active ingredients are not stabilized in cosmetics. (Patent Document 1). In addition, in order to obtain a sunscreen effect in cosmetics, a predetermined amount must always be applied to the skin, and it is necessary to reapply whenever it peels off due to friction or washing. These are impractical because of the frequency of occurrence, and a means for preventing photoaging due to ultraviolet rays more simply is required.

On the other hand, as an internal means for preventing photoaging, vitamins such as vitamin C, kokuboku extract (patent document 2), combination of alpha-ethyl-D-glucoside and glycerol (patent document 3), yeast Ingesting or taking cell walls (Patent Document 4), polysaccharides derived from cassis fruit (Patent Document 5), combinations of glycine, glutamic acid, proline and alanine (Patent Document 6), theaflavins (Patent Documents 7 to 10), etc. However, there are still problems to continue to use because it is not practical in the research stage or is expensive.

International Publication No. 2015/147117 JP 2002-104924 A JP 2005-130710 A JP 2007-45714 A International Publication No. 2012/20840 International Publication No. 2013/168803 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-9391 JP 2009-102378 A JP 2010-143893 A JP 2012-72084 A

The present inventors have found that by taking tea extract orally, the effect of preventing photoaging of the skin by ultraviolet rays is exhibited. The present invention is based on this finding.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a skin quality improving composition that is excellent in the effect of preventing photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet rays and can be used easily.

That is, the present invention includes the following inventions.
(1) A composition for improving skin quality, comprising black tea extract as an active ingredient.
(2) The composition for improving skin quality according to (1), which is used for prevention of photoaging of the skin by ultraviolet rays.
(3) The skin according to (1) or (2), wherein prevention of photoaging of the skin by ultraviolet rays is selected from the group consisting of retention of stratum corneum water content, suppression of transepidermal water transpiration, and suppression of skin thickening Quality improving composition.
(4) The skin quality improving composition according to any one of (1) to (3), which is a food additive.
(5) The skin quality improving composition according to any one of (1) to (3), which is a food composition.
(6) A method for improving the skin quality of a mammal, comprising ingesting an effective amount of a black tea extract to a mammal in need thereof.
(7) Use of black tea extract as a skin quality improving composition.
(8) Black tea extract for improving skin quality.
(9) The tea extract according to (8), which is in the form of a food or drink or is taken together with the food or drink.
(10) Use of black tea extract for the production of a skin quality improving composition.

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel composition for improving skin quality that can be easily taken on a daily basis and can suitably improve the skin quality. In particular, the skin quality improving composition of the present invention can prevent skin photoaging due to ultraviolet rays. This makes it possible to exhibit effects such as retention of the stratum corneum moisture, suppression of transepidermal moisture transpiration, suppression of skin thickening, and the like as prevention of photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet rays.

FIG. 1 is a bar graph showing the stratum corneum water content retention effect against ultraviolet irradiation by long-term intake of BTP. A test diet prepared by mixing BTP or vitamin C with a standard powder diet at a rate of 5% each was freely fed for 4 weeks, and then an ultraviolet B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The stratum corneum moisture content (au) on the 0th day, the 3rd day, and the 4th day after the first irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing the effect of suppressing transepidermal water transpiration with respect to ultraviolet irradiation by long-term intake of BTP. A test diet prepared by mixing BTP or vitamin C with a standard powder diet at a rate of 5% each was freely fed for 4 weeks, and then an ultraviolet B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The transepidermal water transpiration amount (g / m ² ) on day 0, day 3, and day 4 after the first irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the effect of suppressing epidermal thickening on ultraviolet irradiation by long-term intake of BTP. A test diet prepared by mixing BTP or vitamin C with a standard powder diet at a rate of 5% each was freely fed for 4 weeks, and then an ultraviolet B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The thickness (μm) of the epidermis on the fourth day after one irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the stratum corneum water content retention action against ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP. The test feed in which BTP or vitamin C was mixed with the standard powder meal at a rate of 5% each was allowed to eat freely for 1 week, and then the ultraviolet ray B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The stratum corneum moisture content (au) on the 0th day, the 3rd day, and the 4th day after the first irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 5 is a bar graph showing the effect of suppressing transepidermal water transpiration against ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP. The test feed in which BTP or vitamin C was mixed with the standard powder meal at a rate of 5% each was allowed to eat freely for 1 week, and then the ultraviolet ray B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The transepidermal water transpiration amount (g / m ² ) on day 0, day 3, and day 4 after the first irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 6 is a bar graph showing the effect of suppressing epidermal thickening on ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP. The test feed in which BTP or vitamin C was mixed with the standard powder meal at a rate of 5% each was allowed to eat freely for 1 week, and then the ultraviolet ray B wavelength (UV-B) was applied to the back of the mouse at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² . The thickness (μm) of the epidermis on the fourth day after one irradiation is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% vitamin C), the bar graph (open diagonal line) is the BTP group (with ultraviolet irradiation: standard powdered food + 5% BTP). FIG. 7 is a bar graph showing a comparison of the transepidermal water transpiration suppression effect on ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP and a corresponding amount of theaflavin. BTP or Vitamin C at a rate of 5% or 0.35% (175 mg / kg) of theaflavin (which corresponds to the total amount of theaflavin contained in 5% BTP), respectively, as standard powder The test feed mixed with food was freely fed for 1 week, and then the back of the mouse was irradiated once with ultraviolet B wavelength (UV-B) at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² on day 0, day 3, 4 The transepidermal water transpiration amount (g / m ² ) on the day is shown. Bar graph (outlined) is negative control group (no UV irradiation: standard powder diet only), Bar graph (black) is positive control group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet only), bar graph (gray white dots) is vitamin C group (With UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 5% vitamin C), bar graph (open diagonal line) is BTP group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 5% BTP), bar graph (open horizontal line) is theaflavin group (with UV irradiation: Standard powder meal + 0.35% theaflavin).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The skin quality improving composition of the present invention contains black tea extract as an active ingredient.

The black tea extract black tea extract has already been used as a black tea polyphenol enhancing component in black tea beverages, and safety for living bodies has been established. Therefore, the skin quality improving composition of the present invention is highly safe for living organisms and can be ingested daily and continuously. Food and beverage (beverages and foods), food and beverage additives, feed, feed additives, And suitable for use as a component of pharmaceuticals and the like.

In the present invention, the “black tea extract” means a black tea extract containing a high amount of black tea polyphenol, and the total polyphenol content of the black tea extract is preferably 20 to 30% by weight, more preferably 22 to 28% by weight. In such a case, the caffeine content of the black tea extract is preferably 1% by weight or less, more preferably 0.5% by weight or less. The lower limit of the caffeine content of the black tea extract is not particularly limited and may be 0.00% by weight (for example, the black tea extract does not contain caffeine), preferably 0.01% by weight, More preferably, the content is 0.05% by weight. The tea flavin content of the black tea extract is preferably 0.05 to 1.3% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, and most preferably 0.25 to 0.75% by weight.

The total amount of polyphenols referred to here is the Japan Food Analysis Center, “Fiveth Explanation of Japanese Food Standard Component Analysis Manual”, Central Law, July 2001, p. 252 refers to the value determined according to the official method (iron tartrate reagent method) described in 252.

Theaflavin is a dimer in which catechin is oxidatively polymerized, and specifically includes theaflavin, theaflavin 3-O-gallate, theaflavin 3′-O-gallate, theaflavin 3 ′, 3′-O-digallate and isotheaflavin. Say. These are substance groups that are mainly derived from the light blue color of black tea extract, and can be used as an index of the appearance of black tea extract.

The theaflavin amount referred to in the present invention represents the total amount of theaflavin, theaflavin 3-O-gallate, theaflavin 3′-O-gallate, and theaflavin 3 ′, 3′-O-digallate, and is measured using the following method, for example. can do. In order to adjust the amount of theaflavin, a method of extracting using a plurality of black tea leaves, mixing a plurality of extracts, or using a separate extract can be considered.

Measurement method of theaflavin After filtering the sample solution with a 0.45 μm hydrophilic PTFE filter (manufactured by Advantech Co., Ltd., DISMIC-13HP), it can be quantified using HPLC under the following conditions.

(HPLC analysis conditions):
Apparatus: Alliance HPLC / PDA system (manufactured by Nippon Waters Co., Ltd.)
Column: CAPCELL PAK UG120 (4.6 mm ID × 100 mm, SHISEIDO).
Mobile phase A solution: 0.05% phosphoric acid water.
Mobile phase B solution: acetonitrile: ethyl acetate = 985: 15.
Gradient: Linear gradient reaching from 81% to 77% in solution A from 13.3 minutes to 26.6 minutes after injection.
Flow rate: 1.5 mL / min.
Detection: UV 280 nm.
Column temperature: 25 ° C.
Sample volume: 20 μL.
Suitable measurement concentration range: 0.25 mg / 100 mL-10 mg / 100 mL.

Measurement method of caffeine After filtering the sample solution with a 0.45 μm hydrophilic PTFE filter (manufactured by Advantech Co., Ltd., DISMIC-13HP), caffeine is quantified using HPLC under the following conditions. be able to.

(HPLC analysis conditions):
Apparatus: Alliance HPLC / PDA system (manufactured by Nippon Waters Co., Ltd.).
Column: Mightysil RP-18 GP, 4.6 mmI. D. × 150 mm (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.).
Mobile phase A solution: acetonitrile: 0.05% phosphoric acid water = 10: 400 solution.
Mobile phase B solution: methanol: acetonitrile: 0.05% phosphoric acid aqueous solution = 200.10: 400.
Gradient: Linear gradient reaching from 100% A solution to 100% B solution 25 minutes after injection 3 minutes.
Flow rate: 1 mL / min.
Detection: UV 275 nm (caffeine).
Column temperature: 40 ° C.
Sample volume: 10 μL.

Manufacturing method of black tea extract The black tea extract used as the raw material of the black tea extract of this invention can be manufactured as follows, for example. First, the tea beverage of the present invention can be produced by selecting tea leaves and adjusting extraction conditions. Many types of tea leaves are known, including Darjeeling, Dimbra, Assam, Uba, Kenya, Nuala area, and the ingredients differ depending on the type of tea tree used as a raw material and the fermentation method. . Furthermore, strictly every year, the ingredients differ.
By analyzing the components of these tea leaves, one or more tea leaves can be used as raw materials.

When using a plurality of black tea leaves, they may be blended and extracted with hot water by a normal method, or a plurality of black tea extracts obtained by extracting different black tea leaves may be mixed and adjusted appropriately. May be. In particular, the amount of caffeine may be difficult to adjust only by selecting tea leaves. In that case, a method of decaffeination treatment by a known method may be mentioned. The decaffeination treatment may be performed on the tea leaves before extraction, or may be performed on the tea leaves and a part of the extract to adjust the amount of caffeine.

Furthermore, a method for producing a black tea extract of the present invention by producing a black tea extract prepared by sterilizing a black tea extract prepared in advance and blending an appropriate amount with the black tea extract prepared separately based on the component analysis values. Can be disclosed. At this time, the black tea extract may be decaffeinated as necessary. At that time, the caffeine content of the black tea extract is desirably 1% by weight or less, and more preferably 0.5% by weight or less. Specific methods for decaffeination include activated carbon treatment, supercritical gas extraction treatment, and synthetic adsorption resin treatment as candidates. The lower limit of the caffeine content of the black tea extract is not particularly limited and may be 0.00% by weight (for example, the black tea extract does not contain caffeine), preferably 0.01% by weight, More preferably, the content is 0.05% by weight. The amount of theaflavin in the black tea extract is preferably 0.05 to 1.3% by weight. The total polyphenol content of the black tea extract is preferably 20 to 30% by weight, more preferably 22 to 28% by weight. The black tea extract may be concentrated or dried. Such a method using a black tea extract is most suitable for producing the extract of the present invention in that the amount of ingredients can be easily adjusted.

In this specification, it has been demonstrated that black tea extract prevents photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention is preferably used for preventing photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet rays. More specifically, the skin quality improving composition of the present invention is, for example, from the group consisting of stratum corneum moisture retention, transepidermal moisture transpiration suppression, and skin thickening suppression as prevention of skin photoaging by ultraviolet rays. Used to obtain a selected effect.

Application of the skin quality improving composition of the present invention as a pharmaceutical product When the skin quality improving composition of the present invention is provided as a pharmaceutical product, such a pharmaceutical product is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the tea extract of the present invention. It can manufacture by mixing with.

The skin quality improving composition of the present invention can be administered orally or parenterally as an active ingredient, and is preferably administered orally. Oral preparations include granules, powders, tablets (including sugar-coated tablets), pills, capsules, syrups, emulsions, and suspensions. Examples of parenteral preparations include injections (for example, subcutaneous injections, intravenous injections, intramuscular injections, intraperitoneal injections), drops, and external preparations (for example, nasal preparations, transdermal preparations, ointments) ), Suppositories (for example, rectal suppositories, vaginal suppositories). These preparations can be formulated using a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier by a technique usually performed in this field. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include excipients, binders, diluents, additives, fragrances, buffers, thickeners, colorants, stabilizers, emulsifiers, dispersants, suspending agents, preservatives, etc. For example, magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, low melting point wax, cocoa butter can be used as a carrier.

The preparation can be produced, for example, as follows.

Oral preparations contain active ingredients such as excipients (eg lactose, sucrose, starch, mannitol), disintegrants (eg calcium carbonate, carboxymethylcellulose calcium), binders (eg pregelatinized starch, gum arabic, carboxy Methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylcellulose) or lubricant (eg talc, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol 6000) and compression molded, then, if necessary, taste masking, enteric or sustained purposes Therefore, it can be produced by coating by a method known per se. As the coating agent, for example, ethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, polyoxyethylene glycol, cellulose acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and Eudragit (Rohm, Germany, methacrylic acid / acrylic acid copolymer) can be used.

An injection comprises an active ingredient containing a dispersant (for example, Tween 80 (manufactured by Atlas Powder, USA), HCO 60 (manufactured by Nikko Chemicals), polyethylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, etc.), a preservative (for example, methylparaben). , Propylparaben, benzyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, phenol), isotonic agents (eg, sodium chloride, glycerin, sorbitol, dextrose, invert sugar) and aqueous solvents (eg, distilled water, physiological saline, Ringer's solution, etc.) Alternatively, it can be produced by dissolving, suspending or emulsifying in an oily solvent (for example, vegetable oil such as olive oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, propylene glycol). At this time, if desired, additives such as a solubilizing agent (for example, sodium salicylate, sodium acetate), a stabilizer (for example, human serum albumin), a soothing agent (for example, benzalkonium chloride, procaine hydrochloride) are added. Also good.

External preparations can be produced by making the active ingredient into a solid, semi-solid or liquid composition. For example, the solid composition is prepared by using the active ingredient as it is, or an excipient (eg, lactose, mannitol, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose), a thickener (eg, natural gums, cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid). Polymer) and the like can be added and mixed to form a powder. The liquid composition can be produced in almost the same manner as in the case of an injection. The semi-solid composition is preferably an aqueous or oily gel or ointment. In addition, these compositions are all pH adjusters (for example, carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide), preservatives (for example, p-hydroxybenzoates, chlorobutanol, benzalkonium chloride). Etc. may be included. Suppositories can be produced by making the active ingredient into an oily or aqueous solid, semi-solid or liquid composition. Examples of the oily base used in the composition include higher fatty acid glycerides [for example, cacao butter, witepsols (manufactured by Dynamite Nobel)], intermediate fatty acids [for example, miglyols (manufactured by Dynamite Nobel)], or vegetable oils (for example, , Sesame oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil). Examples of the aqueous base include polyethylene glycols and propylene glycol. Examples of the aqueous gel base include natural gums, cellulose derivatives, vinyl polymers, and acrylic acid polymers.

Application of the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention as a food The composition for improving skin quality of the present invention can also be used as a food additive. Therefore, according to the other aspect of this invention, the food additive which comprises the same component as the composition for skin quality improvement of this invention is provided. Moreover, the composition for skin quality improvement of this invention can also be provided as a food composition. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for improving skin quality of the present invention or a food composition comprising the same components as the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention.

As described above, black tea extract exerts the physiological effect of improving the skin quality, in particular, preventing the photoaging of the skin caused by ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the food additive of the present invention includes those intended to be added to foods that expect this physiological action. The addition object and addition aspect can follow the description regarding the food composition of this invention.

The food composition of the present invention is a food or drink containing an effective amount of the same components as the skin quality improving composition of the present invention or the skin quality improving composition of the present invention. Here, “containing an effective amount” means such a content that the tea extract is ingested in a range as described later when an amount normally eaten in each food or drink is ingested.

When the skin quality improving composition of the present invention is provided as a food composition, the same components as those of the skin quality improving composition of the present invention or the skin quality improving composition of the present invention are blended in the food as they are. Can do. More specifically, the food composition of the present invention is prepared by directly preparing the skin quality improving composition of the present invention as a food and drink, and further blended with various proteins, sugars, fats, trace elements, vitamins and the like. , Liquid, semi-liquid or solid, aqueous solution such as potassium salt or sodium salt, or added to general food or drink.

In the present invention, the “food composition” is used in the meaning including health food, functional food, food for specified health use, functional display food, and food for the sick.

Further, the form of the “food composition” is not particularly limited, but is preferably a food (excluding beverage) or a non-alcoholic beverage. In the present specification, the “non-alcoholic beverage” may be a beverage having an ethanol concentration of less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.05% by weight. Less than, more preferably less than 0.005% by weight. It may be a beverage that does not contain ethanol (0% by weight).

As described above, black tea extract has the physiological effect of improving skin quality, in particular, preventing skin photoaging by ultraviolet rays. Therefore, by blending the same ingredients as the skin quality improving composition of the present invention or the skin quality improving composition of the present invention into health foods and functional foods to be ingested as daily foods and supplements, health It can be provided as a food composition that is useful for maintaining / promoting, specifically, a food composition that has the functions of improving skin quality, particularly preventing photoaging by ultraviolet rays. More specifically, the food composition of the present invention can be provided as a food having functions such as retention of stratum corneum moisture, suppression of transepidermal moisture transpiration, or suppression of skin thickening as prevention of photoaging by ultraviolet rays. it can. That is, in the food composition of the present invention, the dryness of the skin is continued by reducing the amount of stratum corneum due to ultraviolet rays, increasing the amount of transepidermal water transpiration, or increasing skin thickening, Or it can be provided as a food suitable for consumers who are easy to continue, especially food for specified health use.

Examples of drinks include water, soft drinks, fruit juice drinks, tea drinks, milk drinks, sports drinks, and nutrition drinks. Examples of foods include breads, noodles, rice, tofu, dairy products, soy sauce, miso, and confectionery.

The food composition of the present invention may further contain additives usually used in the field as long as the effects of the present invention are not affected. Examples of such additives include sweeteners, acidulants, fragrances, antioxidants, bitters, apple fiber, soybean fiber, meat extract, black vinegar extract, gelatin, corn starch, honey, animal and vegetable fats and oils; gluten, etc. Proteins; amino acids; peptides; monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose; disaccharides such as sucrose; polysaccharides such as dextrose and starch; sugar alcohols such as erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol; vitamins such as vitamin C; zinc, Examples include minerals such as copper and magnesium; functional materials such as CoQ10, α-lipoic acid, carnitine, capsaicin, and polyphenols; fruit juices; milk and milk components. These additives can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Dosage and usage of the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention The composition for improving skin quality , pharmaceuticals and food compositions of the present invention utilize the tea ingredients that humans have taken for many years as food and drink, and therefore have low toxicity. It can be safely used for mammals in need thereof (for example, humans, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, cows, horses, pigs, monkeys, etc.). The dose or intake of the skin quality improving composition of the present invention can be determined depending on the recipient, the age and weight of the recipient, symptoms, administration time, dosage form, administration method, combination of drugs, and the like. For example, when the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention is orally administered or ingested, the dose is 0.2 to 100 g, preferably 0.4 in terms of tea extract for administration or ingestion in an adult weighing 60 kg. It can range from ˜80 g, more preferably from 1 to 50 g, which can be administered or ingested one or more times per day as needed.

When ingested as a food, the composition for improving skin quality of the present invention can be incorporated into the food so that such a dose can be ingested. In the range of 10 to 5000 mg, preferably 20 to 4000 mg, more preferably 50 to 2500 mg. According to the preferable embodiment of this invention, the composition for skin quality improvement of this invention is mix | blended with a foodstuff so that it may become 10 mg or more in conversion of black tea polyphenol.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the skin comprising administering to a mammal including a human the same component as the skin quality improving composition of the present invention or the same composition as the skin quality improving composition of the present invention. How to improve the quality, how to protect the skin from UV rays, how to prevent photoaging of the skin due to UV rays, how to prevent photoaging of the skin due to UV rays, keep the stratum corneum moisture, suppress transepidermal moisture transpiration, and A method for obtaining an effect selected from the group consisting of suppression of skin thickening is provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a black tea extract for producing a skin quality improving composition. According to still another aspect of the present invention, use of a black tea extract as a skin quality improving composition is provided. According to another preferred embodiment, the black tea extract is in the form of a food or drink or is taken together with the food or drink. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the use is a non-therapeutic or cosmetic use.

The present invention will be specifically described based on the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1: Skin quality improvement effect by long-term intake of black tea extract
(1) Preparation of black tea extract 90 g of commercially available black tea leaf was put into 810 mL of hot water, and then extracted for 45 minutes with occasional stirring. This extract was filtered through filter paper to obtain a first extract filtrate. The tea leaves remaining in the extraction step were collected, again poured into 720 mL of hot water, and extracted for 45 minutes with occasional stirring. This extract was filtered through filter paper to obtain a second extraction filtrate. The first and second extraction filtrates were mixed to obtain 1,250 g of black tea extract. 400 g was fractionated from this black tea extract, 5 g of activated carbon was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour and filtered through a filter plate. The filtrate was concentrated and freeze-dried, and 6 g of black tea extract suitable for use in the present invention (total polyphenol content = 23.5 wt%, caffeine content = 0.63 wt%, theaflavin content = 0.31 wt%) Got. This obtained black tea extract is denoted as BTP in this specification.

(2) Test method HOS: HR-1 female hairless mice (5 weeks old) were bred for 1 week under the free intake of a standard solid diet (AIN93G) and acclimated to the experimental environment. Using the amount as an index, the group was divided into 4 groups of 1 group not irradiated with ultraviolet rays and 24 groups of 3 groups irradiated with ultraviolet rays (8 mice per group). As test feed, BTP prepared by the preparation method described in (1) Preparation of black tea extract or vitamin C was mixed with a standard powder meal at a ratio of 5%. After these test feeds were freely fed for 4 weeks, the back of the mouse was irradiated once with ultraviolet B wavelength (UV-B) at an intensity of 90 mJ / cm ² (SUPERCURE-204S, Mitsunaga Electric Co., Ltd.) The stratum corneum water content and transepidermal water transpiration (TEWL) of the irradiated sites on the 3rd and 4th days after UV irradiation were measured (Cornometer CM825 and Tewmeter TN300, Integral Co., Ltd.). Further, the skin of the back of the mouse was collected to prepare a tissue specimen, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, the thickness of the epidermis was measured, and the average value of each group was calculated.

(3) Results FIG. 1 shows the stratum corneum water content retention action against ultraviolet irradiation by long-term ingestion of BTP. The stratum corneum water content after UV irradiation is 4 days after UV irradiation in the BTP group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 5% BTP) compared to the positive control group (with UV irradiation: only standard powdered diet). The value was significantly higher. In addition, the stratum corneum water content was higher on the third day of the ultraviolet irradiation as compared with the vitamin C group which is said to be effective for the countermeasure against ultraviolet rays. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which hold | maintains a stratum corneum moisture content with respect to ultraviolet irradiation.

FIG. 2 shows the effect of suppressing transepidermal water transpiration against ultraviolet irradiation by long-term intake of BTP. Transepidermal water transpiration after UV irradiation showed significantly lower values in the BTP group on the third day after UV irradiation compared to the positive control group. Moreover, compared with the vitamin C group said to be effective for ultraviolet rays countermeasure, the transepidermal water transpiration amount was lower on the third day of ultraviolet irradiation. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which suppresses the increase in the transepidermal water transpiration | evaporation amount by ultraviolet irradiation.

FIG. 3 shows the effect of suppressing epidermal thickening against ultraviolet irradiation by long-term ingestion of BTP. When the negative control group (without UV irradiation: only the standard powder diet) and the positive control group (with UV irradiation: only the standard powder diet) were compared, thickening of the epidermis of the positive control group was observed. In the vitamin C group (with UV irradiation: standard powder diet + 5% vitamin C), thickening was observed compared to the negative control group, but a decrease in thickening was observed compared to the positive control group. In the BTP group, thickening was observed compared to the negative control group, but a decrease in thickening was observed compared to the positive control group. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which suppresses the thickening of the epidermis by ultraviolet irradiation.

(4) Discussion From the above results, it was shown that BTP suppresses the decrease in water content of the stratum corneum accompanying ultraviolet irradiation, suppresses the increase in transepidermal water transpiration, and suppresses skin thickening. That is, BTP was recognized to have an effect of preventing photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet rays after long-term ingestion (mixed feeding period was 4 weeks). From this, it became clear that the skin quality improving effect can be exhibited by ingesting black tea extract.

Example 2: Skin quality improvement effect by short-term intake of black tea extract
(1) Test method In the same manner as the test method described in Example 1 (2) above, hairless mice were preliminarily reared, then grouped, and the test feed was allowed to eat freely for 1 week, followed by UV irradiation. The B wavelength (UV-B) was irradiated, and the stratum corneum water content and transepidermal water transpiration were measured over time. The thickness of the epidermis was measured.

(2) Results FIG. 4 shows the stratum corneum water content retention action against ultraviolet irradiation by short-term ingestion of BTP. The stratum corneum water content after UV irradiation is 4 days after UV irradiation in the BTP group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 5% BTP) compared to the positive control group (with UV irradiation: only standard powdered diet). The value was significantly higher. In addition, the stratum corneum water content was higher on the third day of the ultraviolet irradiation as compared with the vitamin C group which is said to be effective for the countermeasure against ultraviolet rays. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which hold | maintains a stratum corneum moisture content with respect to ultraviolet irradiation even if it is short-term ingestion.

FIG. 5 shows the effect of suppressing transepidermal water transpiration against ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP. Transepidermal water transpiration after UV irradiation showed significantly lower values in the BTP group on the third day after UV irradiation compared to the positive control group. Moreover, compared with the vitamin C group said to be effective for ultraviolet rays countermeasure, the transepidermal water transpiration amount was lower on the third day of ultraviolet irradiation. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which suppresses the increase in the transepidermal water transpiration | evaporation amount by ultraviolet irradiation even if it is short-term ingestion.

FIG. 6 shows the effect of suppressing epidermal thickening against ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of BTP. When the negative control group (without UV irradiation: only the standard powder diet) and the positive control group (with UV irradiation: only the standard powder diet) were compared, thickening of the epidermis of the positive control group was observed. In the vitamin C group (with UV irradiation: standard powder diet + 5% vitamin C), thickening was observed compared to the negative control group, but no reduction in thickening was observed compared to the positive control group. In the BTP group, thickening was observed compared to the negative control group, but a decrease in thickening was observed compared to the positive control group. Thereby, it became clear that BTP has the effect | action which suppresses the thickening of the epidermis by ultraviolet irradiation, even if it is short-term ingestion.

(3) As described above considerations, BTP is even ingestion of short-term (dietary feeding period is one week), effect of preventing photoaging of the skin due to ultraviolet light was observed. From this, it was clarified that black tea extract can exert an effect of improving skin quality even when ingested for a short period.

Comparative experiment example: Comparison of transepidermal water transpiration suppression effect on ultraviolet irradiation by short-term intake of black tea extract and equivalent amount of theaflavin
(1) Test method In the same manner as the test method described in Example 1 (2) above, hairless mice were reared, grouped, and the test feed was allowed to eat freely for 1 week, and then the transepidermal water transpiration Was measured. 5% BTP as the BTP group, theaflavin purified product (prepared by outsourcing) as the theaflavin group, 0.35% (175 mg / kg) theaflavin corresponding to the total amount of theaflavin contained in the 5% BTP And used as a mixture.

(2) Results FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the transepidermal water transpiration suppression effect on ultraviolet irradiation by short-term ingestion of BTP and a corresponding amount of theaflavin. Transepidermal water transpiration after UV irradiation was 4 days after UV irradiation in the BTP group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 5% BTP) compared to the positive control group (with UV irradiation: only standard powdered diet). The value was significantly lower. In the theaflavin group (with UV irradiation: standard powdered diet + 0.35% theaflavin), no significant change was observed compared to the positive control group.

(3) Discussion It was shown that a considerable amount of theaflavin contained in BTP is not involved in the skin photoaging preventive effect due to ultraviolet rays confirmed by BTP.

Claims (5)

1. A composition for improving skin quality comprising black tea extract as an active ingredient.
2. The composition for improving skin quality according to claim 1, which is used for prevention of photoaging of the skin by ultraviolet rays.
3. The composition for improving skin quality according to claim 1 or 2, wherein prevention of photoaging of the skin by ultraviolet rays is selected from the group consisting of retention of stratum corneum moisture, suppression of transepidermal moisture transpiration, and suppression of skin thickening. .
4. The skin quality improving composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a food additive.
5. The composition for improving skin quality according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a food composition.

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