Proteasome-activating lightening peptidic hydrolyzates and compositions containing them

1. A method for depigmenting, lightening and/or whitening the skin or epithelial appendages, the method comprising:

providing a proteasome activating peptidic hydrolyzate comprising bioactive peptides, with a molecular weight of less than 6 kDa, comprising from 3 to 5 amino acids, each bioactive peptide comprising at least one aspartic acid, one cysteine residue, and an arginine residue and corresponding to one of the following sequences:

(SEQ ID NO: 1)

Arg-Asp-Cys-Arg-Arg;

(SEQ ID NO: 2)

Asn-Asp-Cys-Arg-Lys;

(SEQ ID NO: 3)

Asp-Cys-Arg-His;

(SEQ ID NO: 4)

Val-Asp-Cys-Arg;

or

(SEQ ID NO: 5)

Asp-Cys-Arg;

and

topically applying an effective quantity of said peptidic hydrolyzate to the skin or epithelial appendages to be treated.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate is from the hydrolysis of plants selected from corn ( Zea mayz L.), pea ( Pisum sativum ), or rice ( Oryza sativa L.).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate is from the hydrolysis of yeasts of the Saccharomyces genus.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate contains between 0.5 and 5.5 g/l of peptidic nature compounds.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate increases proteasome activity and improves degradation by proteasome of damaged proteins involved in melanogenesis.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate further treats hyperpigmentation blemishes selected from the group consisting of melasma, chloasma, actinic lentigo, solar lentigo, ephelides, accidental hyperpigmentation blemishes, post-scarring hyperpigmentation blemishes, and combinations thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate treats cutaneous signs of a hyperpigmentary nature due to photo-aging.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate is in a cosmetic composition.

9. The method according to claim 3 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate is from the hydrolysis of yeasts of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae species.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said peptidic hydrolyzate is present in the cosmetic composition in a quantity representing from 0.0001% to 20% of the total weight of the composition.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the cosmetic composition further comprises one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol, ethanol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ethoxylated or propoxylated diglycols, cyclic polyols, white petroleum jelly, vegetable oil, and combinations thereof, said peptidic hydrolyzate being solubilized therein.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the cosmetic composition further comprises at least one additional active principle promoting the action of said peptidic hydrolyzate.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said additional active principle is an agent presenting an activity in the field of lightening agents; soothing agents, organic or inorganic photo-protective agents, moisturizing agent; depigmenting agents, tyrosinase inhibitors, agent stimulating the synthesis of dermal or epidermal macromolecules and/or preventing their degradation; agents stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts and/or keratinocytes or stimulating keratinocyte differentiation; agents acting on the energy metabolism of cells; depigmenting peptides, plant hydrolyzates, anti-ageing agents, and mixtures thereof.

14. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the peptidic hydrolyzate is present in the cosmetic composition in a quantity representing from 0.05% to 5% of the total weight of the composition.

15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said cosmetic composition is in a form suitable for topical application comprising a cosmetically acceptable medium.