Title of Invention	"AQUEOUS-ALCOHOLIC DEPIGMENTING GEL COMPOSITION CONTAINING A PHENOLIC DERIVATIVE AND A RETINOID"
Abstract	The invention relates to a depigmenting composition for cosmetic or pharmaceutical application, comprising a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen in the form of an aqueous-alcoholic gel, to the process for preparing it and to its use in cosmetics and dermatology.

Full Text

Aqueous-Alcoholic Depigmenting Gel The invention relates to a depigmenting composition for cosmetic or pharmaceutical application, comprising a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen, in the form of an aqueous-alcoholic gel. By virtue of its composition, this gel provides the composition with both stability and harmlessness. Among the therapeutic agents recommended in the treatment of cutaneous hyperpigmentation, phenolic derivatives such as hydroquinone and derivatives thereof have for decades been among the active agents that are the most effective. The therapeutic use of these agents results from the observation of cutaneous depigmentation in the case of operatives in the rubber industry, in which some of these products are used as antioxidants. Subsequently, numerous studies have confirmed their efficacy, alone or combined with other depigmenting agents [Jorge L. Sanchez, M.D. and Miguel Vazquez, M.D. International Journal of Dermatology Jan-Feb 1982 Vol. 21, pp. 55-58]. They are thus found to be active agents that are virtually indispensable in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and are consequently present in many commercial products. Hydroquinone has been the subject of various patent application filings, and in particular patent US 3 856 934 in which hydroquinone is in combination with retinoic acid and a corticoid, as a depigmenting composition. However, the incorporation of a phenolic derivative such as hydroquinone presents, inter alia, two major drawbacks. Firstly, the degradation of formulations containing phenolic derivatives such as hydroquinone, alone or in combination with other active principles, is often observed. Specifically, hydroquinone is known for its sensitivity to oxidation and to heat, resulting in reduced efficacy, rapid browning of the formulations and occasionally even demixing or phase separation of the formulation. This problem is found to be an obstacle to obtaining compositions containing several active agents, especially a phenolic derivative and a retinoid. In the prior art, sulphite salts are conventionally used to reduce this phenomenon, but they are insufficient to overcome this drawback. They can also impair the viscosity of electrolyte-sensitive formulations and thereby result in sedimentation of the active agents (for example retinoids). Specifically, the carbomers conventionally used to provide a minimum level of viscosity are affected by the electrolytes of sulphite salts and are therefore no longer sufficient alone to allow good stability of the retinoid. Furthermore, to accelerate their dissolution, phenolic derivatives such as hydroquinone are often exposed to heat during the preparation of the composition, especially in standard emulsions, this phenomenon initiating and accelerating the browning phenomenon. The second drawback caused by the presence of phenolic derivatives such as hydroquinone, alone or in combination with other active agents, in the composition is their high irritant power. As a result of its irritant power, hydroquinone at high concentration can give rise to post-inflammatory hypermelanosis and ochronosis phenomena. Local irritation and dermatitis may develop after a prolonged use of hydroquinone at high concentration ["N-acetyl4S cysteaminylphenol as a new type of depigmenting agent" Jimbow K. Arch. Dermatol. 1991 Oct; 127 (10): 1528-1534]. Treatment with hydroquinone may be accompanied by irritation that may lead to a post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The incidence of the irritation depends on the hydroquinone concentration. This irritation is relatively high for 10% concentrations and reduces greatly for preparations with a 5% dose, and is considered to be virtually nonexistent at a concentration of 2% ["Les agents chimiques depigmentants (Depigmenting chemical agents)" JP. Ortonne Ann. Dermatol. Venerol. 1986, 113: 733-736]. The selected composition may thus play a predominant role in minimizing these effects and improving the tolerance of a composition containing two potentially irritant active principles. The problem posed is thus that of proposing a composition containing a phenolic derivative and a retinoid that are physically stable over time, thus ensuring that the formulation remains unchanged. The product must also show good cosmeticity and have little irritant nature. The Applicant has discovered, surprisingly, that an aqueous-alcoholic gel containing suitable excipients gives good results in terms of physical and chemical stability. It also offers an excellent compromise between stability, especially to temperature and oxidation, efficacy, harmlessness and cosmeticity. i The Applicant has also developed a process for manufacturing the composition according to the invention, which may be prepared under cold conditions, without heating, thus making it possible to avoid exposing the phenolic derivative to heat. The invention thus relates to a depigmenting composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen, characterized in that it is an aqueous-alcoholic gel. The term "aqueous-alcoholic gel" means an aqueous gel containing alcohol and at least one gelling agent, and optionally containing a small proportion (up to 15%) of fatty phase. All proportions are expressed as weight percentages relative to the total weight of the composition. The composition according to the invention preferably contains from 1% to 30% of alcohol, preferably from 2% to 20% and more particularly from 4% to 15% of alcohol. Among the alcohols that may be mentioned, in a non-limiting manner, are ethanol, isopropanol and butanol. The composition according to the invention may also preferably contain one or more of the following ingredients: a) a carbomer, b) another gelling agent, c) an antioxidant, d) a chelating agent. The composition according to the invention of aqueous-alcoholic gel type offers good skin tolerance. It is also easier to spread than a viscous emulsion and leaves a pleasant sensation of freshness. More particularly, the invention is an aqueous-alcohol gel for depigmenting purposes, comprising one or more of the following ingredients: - from 0.01 % to 10% of a phenolic derivative, - from 0.0001 % to 5% of a retinoid, - from 0 to 30% of sunscreens, - from 0.01 % to 10% of carbomer and/or other gelling agents, - from 0.01 % to 2% of antioxidants, and - from 0.01 % to 1 % of chelating agent. A preferred composition according to the invention comprises: - 4.00% of phenolic derivative, -0.10% of retinoid, - 20.00% of ethanol, - 0.40% of carbomer, - 0.60% of another gelling agent, - 0.40% of sulphite salts, -0.10%ofEDTA. A particularly preferred composition according to the invention comprises: - 4.00% of 4-hydroxyanisole, -0.10% of retinoid, - 5.00% of ethanol, - 0.60% of carbomer, - 0.40% of another gelling agent, - 0.40% of sulphite salts, -0.10%ofEDTA. Among the carbomers, non-limiting examples that may be mentioned include Carbopol 981 and Carbopol ETD 2020, sold by the company BF Goodrich. Among the other possible gelling agents, non-limiting examples that may be mentioned include xanthan gum such as Keltrol T sold by the company Kelco, acrylate/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer such as the product sold under the name Pemulen TR1 or Carbopol 1382 by the company BF Goodrich, hydroxypropyl-cellulose, such as the product sold under the name Natrosol HHX 250 by the company Aqualon, and acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer and isohexadecane and polysorbate 80, sold under the name Simulgel 600 by the company SEPPIC. Among the antioxidants, non-lirniting examples that may be mentioned include ascorbic acid and its salts, tocopherols and sulphite salts such as sodium metabisulphite or sodium sulphite. Examples of chelating agents that may be mentioned include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), calcium disodium edetate and sodium edetate. Phenolic derivatives that may be mentioned, in a non-limiting manner, include hydroquinone, 4-hydroxyanisole and hydroquinone monobenzyl ether. The term "retinoid" means any compound that binds to the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and/or to retinoic X receptors (RXRs), and also precursors and derivatives thereof. Preferably, the retinoid is a compound chosen from the family of benzonaphthalene-based retinoids as described in patent application EP 0 199 636. Adapalene (6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid) and precursors and/or derivatives thereof will be preferred in particular. Tretinoin and isotretinoin may also be used. The term "retinoid precursors" means the immediate biological precursors or substrates thereof, and also chemical precursors thereof. The term "retinoid derivatives" means both the metabolic derivatives thereof and the chemical derivatives thereof. The term "sunscreens" means a chemical sunscreen or a physical sunblock and mixtures thereof; non-limiting examples that may be mentioned include physical sunblocks such as titanium dioxide arid zinc oxide, and chemical sunscreens such as octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule and drometrizole trisiloxane. Each sunscreen may be added at a concentration ranging from 0.001% to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. Needless to say, the amount of the active agents in the composition according to the invention will depend on the chosen combination and thus particularly on the quality of the desired treatment. The composition may also comprise additives usually used in cosmetics or Pharmaceuticals, such as a neutralizer, a humectant and/or co-solvent, an emollient, a calmative, a preserving agent or a pH corrector, or mixtures thereof. Needless to say, a person skilled in the art will take care to select this or these additional compound(s), and/or the amount thereof, such that the advantageous properties of the composition according to the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected. These additives may be present in the composition in a proportion of from 0.001 % to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. Examples of neutralizers that may be mentioned include an amine base such as triethanolamine, diethanolamine ortromethamine. An example of a pH corrector that may be mentioned is citric acid. Examples of humectants and/or co-solvents that may be mentioned include glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol and macrogol 400. The composition according to the invention may also contain a fatty phase in a proportion ranging from 0.01% to 15%, comprising essentially an emollient. Non-limiting examples of emollients that may be mentioned include a mineral oil such as Primol 352, Marcol 82, Marcol 172 and Marcol 352 sold by the company Esso; a plant oil such as sweet almond oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower oil, an ester such as cetearyl isononanoate, for instance the product sold under the name Cetiol SN by the company Cognis France, diisopropyl adipate, for instance the product sold under the name Ceraphyl 230 by the company ISF, isopropyl palmitate, for instance the product sold under the name Crodamol IPP by the company Croda, caprylic/capric triglyceride, such as Miglyol 812 sold by the company Huls/Lambert Riviere; a silicone oil such as a dimethicone, for instance the product sold under the name Dow Corning 200 Fluid, or a cyclomethicone, for instance the product sold under the name Dow Corning 244 Fluid by the company Dow Corning. Non-limiting examples of calmatives that may be mentioned include allantoin and talc. Examples of preserving agents that may be mentioned include benzalkonium chloride, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, diazolidinylurea and parabens, or mixtures thereof. A subject of the present invention is also the composition as described above, as a medicinal product. A subject of the invention is also a process, performed at room temperature, for preparing a composition of aqueous-alcoholic gel type, comprising the following steps: a) the preparation of the formulation phase comprising the water, the gelling agents and optionally the chelating agent, which are kept stirring until the mixture is totally homogeneous; b) optionally the introduction of the neutralizer solution into the formulation phase; c) the preparation of a first active phase comprising the phenolic derivative and the alcohol, which is stirred until dissolution is complete; d) the preparation of a second active phase comprising the retinoid and optionally the humectant, which is stirred until a smooth, homogeneous dispersion is obtained; e) the mixing of the various active phases above into the formulation phase i independently, with stirring until fully incorporated. In a preferred embodiment, a subject of the invention is also a process, performed at room temperature, for preparing a composition of aqueous-alcoholic gel type, successively comprising the following steps: a) the preparation of the formulation phase comprising the water, the chelating agent and the gelling agents, which are kept stirring until the mixture is totally homogeneous; b) the introduction of the neutralizer solution into the formulation phase; c) the preparation, in a separate beaker, of a first active phase comprising the phenolic derivative and the alcohol, which is stirred magnetically until dissolution is complete; d) the preparation, in a separate beaker, of a second active phase comprising the retinoid and the humectant, which is stirred until a smooth, homogeneous dispersion is obtained; e) the mixing of the various active phases above into the formulation phase independently, with stirring until fully incorporated. The checking of the native pH of the mixture and the correction, where necessary, with a solution of a neutralizer, and the incorporation of the optional additives may be performed, depending on their chemical nature, during one of the steps of the preparation process described above. Thus, in one particular embodiment of the process according to the present invention, antioxidants predissolved in water are introduced into the formulation phase after step (b). In a last particular embodiment of the process of the invention, a fatty phase is introduced into the gel obtained after step (e). Depending on the physicochemical characteristics of the sunscreen, a person skilled in the art will take care to incorporate the sunscreen during one of the steps defined above. The expression "formulation phase" means the mixture of a group of ingredients introduced together into a single phase. The term "active phase" means a formulation phase containing one or more active agents. The invention also relates to the use of the novel composition as described above in cosmetics and dermatology. The compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for treating and/or preventing dermatological complaints associated with pigmentation disorders such as melasma, chloasma, lentigines, senile lentigo, vitiligo, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentations caused by an abrasion, a burn, a scar, a dermatosis or a contact allergy; nevi, genetically determined hyperpigmentation, hyperpigmentation of metabolic or medicational origin, melanomas or any other hyperpigmentary lesions. The compositions according to the invention also find an application in cosmetics, in particular for preventing and/or combating the harmful effects of sunlight and/or for combating photo-induced or chronological ageing of the skin and the integuments. The compositions according to the invention also find an application in body and hair hygiene. The invention also relates to a non-therapeutic cosmetic treatment process for beautifying the skin and/or enhancing its surface appearance, characterized in that an aqueous-alcoholic gel comprising a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen is applied to the skin and/or its integuments. The formulation examples below allow the compositions according to the invention to be illustrated, without, however, limiting its scope. Examples illustrating the stability of the compositions according to the invention are also described. FORMULATION EXAMPLES In the compositions below (Examples 1 to 6), the proportions of the various constituents are expressed as weight percentages relative to the total weight of the composition. Example 1(Table Remove) (Table Remove) Example 2: (Table Remove) Example 3: (Table Remove) Example 4: (Table Remove) (Table Remove) Example 5: (Table Remove) Example 6: (Table Remove) Example 7: (Table Remove) (Table Remove) Example 8: (Table Remove) (Table Remove) Formulation Examples 1 to 8 may be applied once or twice a day until total depigmentation is achieved, for the treatment of lentigines, chloasma or melasma. CLAIMS 1. Depigmenting composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen, characterized in that it is an aqueous-alcoholic gel. 2. Composition according to Claim 1, characterized in that the aqueous- alcoholic gel contains from 1% to 30% of alcohol. 3. Composition according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the alcohol is ethanol. 4. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aqueous-alcoholic gel also contains one or more of the following ingredients: a) a carbomer, b) another gelling agent, c) an antioxidant, d) a chelating agent. 5. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the aqueous-alcoholic gel comprises: - 4.00% of phenolic derivative, -0.10% of retinoid, - 20.00% of ethanol, - 0.40% of carbomer, - 0.60% of another gelling agent, - 0.40% of sulphite salts, -0.10%ofEDTA. 6. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the phenolic derivative is hydroquinone. 7. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the phenolic derivative is 4-hydroxyanisole. 8. Composition according to Claim 7, characterized in that the aqueous- alcoholic gel comprises: - 4.00% of 4-hydroxyanisole, -0.10% of retinoid, -5.00% of ethanol, -0.60% of carbomer, - 0.40% of another gelling agent, - 0.40% of sulphite salts, -0.10%ofEDTA. 9. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the retinoid is adapalene. 10. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it contains a chemical sunscreen or a physical sunblock. 11. Composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, as a medicinal product. 12. Process for preparing the composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, performed at room temperature: a) the preparation of the formulation phase comprising the water, the gelling agents and optionally the chelating agent, which are kept stirring until the mixture is totally homogeneous; b) optionally, the introduction of the neutralizer solution into the formulation phase; c) the preparation of a first active phase comprising the phenolic derivative and the alcohol, which is stirred until dissolution is complete; d) the preparation of a second active phase comprising the retinoid and optionally the humectant, which is stirred until a smooth, homogeneous dispersion is obtained; e) the mixing of the various active phases above into the formulation phase independently, with stirring until fully incorporated. 13. Process according to Claim 12, characterized in that antioxi'dants predissolved in water are introduced into the formulation phase after step (b). 14. Process according to either of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that a fatty phase is introduced into the gel obtained after step (e). 15. Use of a composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical preparation for treating and/or preventing dermatological complaints associated with pigmentation disorders. 16. Cosmetic use of a composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, for preventing and/or combating the harmful effects of sunlight and/or for combating photo-induced or chronological ageing, 17. Non-therapeutic cosmetic treatment process for beautifying the skin and/or enhancing its surface appearance, characterized in that an aqueous-alcoholic gel comprising a phenolic derivative, a retinoid, especially a dispersed retinoid, and optionally a sunscreen is applied to the skin and/or its integuments.

Documents:

2723-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-Claims-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-DELnp-2005-Correspondence-Others-22-10-2007.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-Form-13-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

2723-DELnp-2005-Form-3-22-10-2007.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-GPA-(13-11-2007).pdf

2723-delnp-2005-gpa.pdf

2723-delnp-2005-pct-search report.pdf

2723-DELNP-2005-Petition-17-(13-11-2007).pdf