Compositions and Methods for Treating Hyperpigmentation
This invention provides compositions and methods for reducing hyperpigmentation. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are topical compositions that contain kojic acid and a carrier molecule for enhancing the transdermal penetration of kojic acid. This invention also provides kits for treating hyperpigmentation.
1 . A topical composition comprising
a skin lightening agent, and
a positively charged carrier molecule comprising a positively charged backbone and a plurality of efficiency groups attached thereto.
2 . The topical composition according to claim 1 , wherein the skin-lightening agent is selected from the group consisting of kojic acid, derivative of kojic acid, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, tretinoin (Retinol), topical glucocorticoids, linoleic acid, niacinimide, 4-t-butyl catechol, tranexamic acid, and licorice extract.
3 . The topical composition according to claim 2 , wherein the skin-lightening agent is kojic acid.
4 . The topical composition according to claim 1 , wherein the positively charged backbone is a polyamino acid or a polyalkyleneimine.
5 . The topical composition according to claim 4 , wherein the polyamino acid is selected from the group consisting of polylysine, polyarginine, polyhistidine, and polyornithine.
6 . The topical composition according to claim 1 , wherein efficiency groups are amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of -(gly) n1 -(arg) n2 (SEQ ID NO: 1), HIV-TAT or fragments thereof, or Antennapedia PTD or a fragment thereof, (gly) p -RGRDDRRQRRR-(gly) q (SEQ ID NO: 2), (gly) p -YGRKKRRQRRR-(gly) q (SEQ ID NO: 3), and (gly) p -RKKRRQRRR-(gly) q (SEQ ID NO: 4),
wherein the subscript n1 is an integer of from 0 to 20 and the subscript n2 is independently an odd integer of from about 5 to about 25; and
wherein the subscripts p and q are each independently an integer of from 0 to 20.
7 . A method of reducing pigmentation in skin, the method comprising
identifying a region of skin in need of treatment;
applying a topical composition to the region of skin in need of treatment, the topical composition comprising a skin-lightening agent and a positively charged carrier molecule, the positively charged carrier molecule comprising a positively charged backbone and a efficiency groups attached thereto.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the skin-lightening agent is selected from the group consisting of kojic acid, derivative of kojic acid, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, tretinoin (Retinol), topical glucocorticoids, linoleic acid, niacinimide, 4-t-butyl catechol, tranexamic acid, and licorice extract.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the skin-lightening agent is kojic acid.
10 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the positively charged backbone is a polyamino acid or a polyalkyleneimine.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the polyamino acid is selected from the group consisting of polylysine, polyarginine, polyhistidine, and polyornithine.
12 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein efficiency groups are amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of -(gly) n1 -(arg) n2 (SEQ ID NO: 1), HIV-TAT or fragments thereof, or Antennapedia PTD or a fragment thereof, (gly) p -RGRDDRRQRRR-(gly) q (SEQ ID NO: 2), (gly) p -YGRKKRRQRRR-(gly) q (SEQ ID NO: 3), and (gly) p -RKKRRQRRR-(gly) 9 (SEQ ID NO: 4),
wherein the subscript n1 is an integer of from 0 to 20 and the subscript n2 is independently an odd integer of from about 5 to about 25; and
wherein the subscripts p and q are each independently an integer of from 0 to 20.