Topical compositions comprising extracts of Rhizomucor miehei that are substantially devoid of acid-protease activity and their use in treating dermatologic conditions, including reducing the appearance of signs of skin aging.
1. A method for treating or reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin comprising the steps of:
administering to a person in need thereof a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg, and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dermatocosmetic composition comprises an overall acid protease specific activity of less than about 50 HUT units/mg.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dermatocosmetic composition comprises has an overall acid protease specific activity of less than about 10 HUT units/mg.
4. A method for increasing levels of collagen in the skin comprising the steps of:
administering to a person in need thereof a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the overall protease specific activity is less than about 50 HUT units/mg.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the overall acid protease specific activity less than about 10 HUT units/mg.
7. A method for stimulating collagen synthesis comprising the steps of:
administering to a person in need thereof the a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
8. A method for increasing the expression of one or more genes that code for collagen synthesis comprising the steps of
administering to a person a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
9. A method for decreasing the expression of one or more genes that code for collagenase comprising the steps of:
administering to a person a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units.mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
10. A method for increasing skin firmness comprising the steps of:
administering to a person in need thereof a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overall acid protease specific activity is less than about 50 HUT units/mg.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overall acid protease specific activity is less than about 10 HUT units/mg.
13. A method for increasing skin moisture content comprising steps of:
administering to a person in need thereof a dermatocosmetic composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a proteinaceous extract of Rhizomucor miehei substantially devoid of acid-protease activity, wherein the overall acid protease specific activity within the composition is less than about 500 HUT units/mg and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the overall acid protease specific activity is less than about 500 HUT units/mg.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the overall acid protease specific activity is less than about 50 HUT units/mg.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the overall acid protease specific activity is less than about 10 HUT units/mg.