Unilever patents antimicrobial peptides topical for pores and skin, scalp and oral immunity
Writing in its worldwide patent, Unilever stated its methodology centred on exterior utility of hydroxystearic acid and numerous blends of the emollient to induce the secretion of AMPs from keratinocytes on the human physique – an “essential half” of the pores and skin’s pure defence system. The topical composition labored to kill or inactivate invading infectious microorganisms, comparable to Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus], which was related to numerous pores and skin and gentle tissue infections.
Antimicrobial peptides to the defence
“AMPs are ubiquitous in nature and so they sometimes exhibit a broad spectrum of exercise towards invading micro organism, fungi, viruses and parasites,” Unilever wrote in its patent submitting.
“…The current inventors have discovered that on utility of hydroxystearic acid on pores and skin, which could possibly be pores and skin per se or scalp or oral cavity, the lively induces era of AMPs which is thought to be an essential step in enhancing the immunity of the pores and skin towards assault by microorganisms.”
These enhanced ranges of AMPs on the pores and skin following utility, it stated, then interacted synergistically with the hydroxystearic acid lively to offer antimicrobial exercise towards infective organisms like S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
“…Hydroxystearic acid subsequently gives safety for the physique towards infections by boosting the physique’s personal defence. In different phrases, the lively primes the physique floor for germ safety. The benefit of that is that it gives long-lasting safety, e.g. as much as 24 hours of safety towards germs.”
‘Pores and skin pleasant’ with pure molecules
Unilever stated hydroxystearic acid had lengthy been utilized in private care and cleaning compositions as a part of fatty acid mixtures; in cosmetics as an emulsifier; and in industrial functions as a lubricant. Nonetheless, the corporate stated its use as an lively for era of AMPs on topical surfaces of the physique was not identified.
The purpose of the invention, it stated, had been to boost AMP ranges within the pores and skin utilizing pure molecules that had been perceived by the patron to be extra “pores and skin pleasant” and “much less harsh”.
“…The profit obtained by a client is that the pores and skin is protected towards germs which can assault sooner or later by utility of a composition comprising hydroxystearic acid.”
Unilever stated the topical composition could possibly be utilized in leave-in or rinse-off merchandise throughout an array of private care, hair care, oral care and beauty merchandise for non-therapeutic use, together with liquids, lotions, lotions, foams, soaps, toners, antiperspirants, wipes, and even foundations and lipsticks.
Hydroxystearic acid was ideally included at 0.1-1% by weight of the composition and could possibly be even be blended by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or antimicrobial lipids (AMLs).
WIPO Worldwide Patent No. WO/2022/117404
Revealed on: June 9, 2022. Filed on: November 24, 2021.
Title: “Hydroxystearic acid for inducing era of antimicrobial peptides”
Authors: Unilever – TC. Alexander et al.
