Oligopeptides And Their Use In Cosmetics

1 . A cosmetic composition comprising oligopeptides with the structure of formula (I)

R1-[AA] n -R2  (I)

wherein [AA] comprises at least 5 consecutive amino acids, which are identical compared to 5 consecutive amino acids of SEQ 10 NO. 1,

wherein n is the total number of amino acids in the oligopeptide,

wherein n=5;

wherein R1 is linked to the amino-terminal part of [AA] and is selected from the group consisting of

a) —H,

b) a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein said acyl group is optionally functionalised by a —OH, —SH, —COOH or —CONH 2 group, and

c) a sterol or a sphingolipid group which is joined to the amino terminal part of [AA] via a bifunctional linker, and

wherein R2 is linked to the C═O group of the carboxy terminal part of [AA] and is selected from the group consisting of

d) —OH,

e) —NH 2 ,

f) a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated alkoxy group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein said acyl group is optionally functionalised by a —OH, —SH, —COOH or CONH 2 group, and

g) a sterol or a sphingolipid group.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein [AA] comprises at least 5 consecutive amino acids identical to amino acids no. 1 to 15 of SEQ ID0 NO.1.

3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein R1=H or a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

4 . The composition of claim 3 , wherein R1=H and R2=OH.

5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptides are present in a concentration of from 0.05 to 500 ppm.

6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the oligopeptides are present in a concentration of from 0.5 to 100 ppm.

7 . The composition of claim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of shampoos, hair lotions, foam baths, shower baths, creams, gels, lotions, alcoholic and aqueous/alcoholic solutions, emulsions, wax/fat masses, stick preparations, powders and ointments.

8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said oligopeptides are present in an amount effective to stimulate the growth of human keratinocytes in-vitro.

9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least 5 consecutive amino acids is selected from the group consisting of Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO. 38), Arg-Pro-Pro-Tyr-Leu (SEQ ID NO. 42), Pro-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO. 44), and Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO. 45).

10 . A cosmetic composition comprising oligopeptides with the structure of formula (I)

R1-[AA] n -R2  (I)

wherein [AA] comprises at least 5 consecutive amino acids, which are identical compared to 5 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID NO. 1,

wherein n is the total number of amino acids in the oligopeptide,

wherein n=5,

wherein R1 is linked to the amino-terminal part of [AA] and is selected from the group consisting of

a. —H,

b. a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, which may be functionalised by a —OH, —SH, —COOH or —CONH 2 group, or

c. a sterol or a sphingolipid group which is joined to the amino terminal part of [AA] via a bifunctional linker,

wherein R2 is linked to the C═O group of the carboxy terminal part of [AA] and is selected from the group consisting of

d) —OH,

e) —NH 2 ,

f) a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated alkoxy group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, which may be functionalised by a —OH, SH, —COOH or —CONH 2 group, and

g) a sterol or a sphingolipid group,

with the proviso that if R1 is —H, R2 is not —OH; or that if R2 is —OH, R1 is not —H; and with the further proviso that if R1 is —H, R2 is selected from the group consisting of

h) —NH 2 ,

i) a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated alkoxy group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, and

j) a sterol or a sphingolipid group.

11 . The composition of claim 10 , wherein the oligopeptides are present in a concentration of from 0.05 to 500 ppm.

12 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the oligopeptides are present in a concentration of from 0.5 to 100 ppm.

13 . A method for strengthening the cutaneous barrier of human skin comprising contacting the skin with the cosmetic composition of claim 1 in an amount effective to stimulate the growth and differentiation of human keratinocytes.

14 . A method for strengthening the cutaneous barrier of human skin comprising contacting the skin with the cosmetic composition of claim 1 in an amount effective to stimulate syndecan-1 synthesis.

15 . A method for delaying and preventing skin aging and strengthening firmness, epidermal cohesion, and dermo-epidermal junction of human skin comprising contacting the skin with the cosmetic composition of claim 1 in an amount effective to stimulate the growth and differentiation of human keratinoctyes.

16 . A method for delaying and preventing skin aging and strengthening firmness, epidermal cohesion, and dermo-epidermal junction of human skin comprising contacting the skin with the cosmetic composition of claim 1 in an amount effective to stimulate syndecan-1 synthesis.

17 . An oligopeptide selected from the group consisting of Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO. 38), Arg-Pro-Pro-Tyr-Leu (SEQ ID NO. 42), Pro-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO. 44), and Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro (SEQ ID NO. 45).