Dermatological and/or cosmetic composition containing polypeptides

1. A composition comprising a protein fragment of the uncoupling protein (UCP) family as an active ingredient, wherein the protein fragment is a synthetic peptide of the following formula:

(AA)n-Pro-X1-X2-X1-X3-Lys-X1-Arg-X4-X5-(AA)n (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein

X1=Leu, Thr, or Val,

X2=Asp, or Glu,

X3=Ala, or Val,

X4=Leu, Phe, or Tyr,

X5=Gln, Ile, or Met,

(AA) is any amino acid, and

n is a whole number ranging from 0 to 2;

and wherein said protein fragment comprises a synthetic peptide selected from the group consisting of:

1)

Pro Leu Asp Thr Ala Lys Val Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 1)

Leu Gln,

2)

Pro Thr Glu Val Ala Lys Val Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 2)

Phe Gln,

3)

Pro Thr Asp Val Ala Lys Val Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 3)

Leu Gln,

4)

Pro Thr Glu Val Ala Lys Val Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 4)

Leu Gln,

5)

Pro Thr Asp Val Ala Lys Val Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 5)

Phe Gln,

6)

Pro Val Asp Val Val Lys Thr Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 6)

Phe Ile,

7)

Pro Val Asp Val Val Lys Thr Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 7)

Tyr Met,

8)

Pro Val Asp Val Val Lys Thr Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 8)

Phe Met, 

and

9)

Pro Val Asp Val Val Lys Thr Arg 

(SEQ ID NO: 9)

Tyr Ile.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the peptide is Pro-Leu-Asp-Thr-Ala-Lys-Val-Arg-Leu-Gln (SEQ ID NO: 1).

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the peptide has at least one functional group protected by a protective group, the protective group being either an acylation or an acetylation of the amino terminal end, or an amidation or an esterification of the terminal carboxyl end, or both.

4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the protein fragment is present, in the composition, in a concentration ranging from approximately 0.05 to 500 ppm compared to the total weight of the final preparation.

5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the protein fragment is solubilized in one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable solvent.

6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the protein fragment is solubilized in, or fixed on, a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable vector.

7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide is present in an amount sufficient to treat cellulite and/or orange-peel skin; and/or in order to reduce, eliminate, or prevent excess subcutaneous fat.

8. A cosmetic and/or dermatological and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising, in an acceptable medium, as an active ingredient, at least one said peptide as defined in the composition of claim 1 .

9. The composition according to claim 7 , wherein said composition is in the form of a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition adapted for cutaneous topical administration and includes a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

10. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein said composition is in the form of an aqueous or hydro-alcoholic solution.

11. A process of cosmetic care to reduce excess subcutaneous fat, and/or to reduce cellulite, and/or to reduce the phenomenon of orange-peel skin, said process comprising administering to the surface of the skin of a subject an effective quantity of the composition defined according to claim 8 .

12. A process for treating excess subcutaneous fat, cellulite, or orange-peel skin, comprising administering to the skin of a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the composition according to claim 1 .

13. The composition according to claim 4 , wherein the protein fragment is present, in the composition, in a concentration ranging from approximately 0.1 to 50 ppm compared to the total weight of the final preparation.

14. The composition according to claim 5 , wherein said one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ethoxylated or propoxylated diglycols, cyclic polyols, vaseline, a vegetable oil, and any mixture of these solvents.

15. The composition according to claim 6 , wherein said cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable vector comprises a liposome.

16. The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the protein fragment is absorbed on powdery organic polymers, mineral supports, talcs or bentonites.

17. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein said composition is in the form of an oil solution or emulsion chosen from oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, or multiple emulsions.

18. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein said composition is in the form of creams, suspensions, or powders, wherein said composition can also be more or less fluid or solid and can take the form of creams, lotions, milks, serums, ointments, gels, pastes, mousse, or sticks.

19. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the protein fragment comprises one or more pseudo-peptide bond.

20. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the protein fragment comprises one or more amino acid in the D and/or L configuration.

21. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional active agent.

22. The composition according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one additional active agent is capable of promoting lipolysis.

23. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the synthetic peptide is obtained by chemical synthesis.