Use of melicope extracts to improve conditions caused by excess lipids

1. A method for treating human skin experiencing lipid over-production comprising topically applying to skin in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of Melicope elleryana extract in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said skin benefit is selected from the group consisting of:

(a.) reducing lipid production by sebaceous glands;

(b.) reducing lipid synthesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue;

(c.) reducing triglyceride synthesis;

(d.) reducing fatty acid synthesis;

(e.) preventing and/or improving conditions related to skin associated with inhibited lipolysis;

(f.) preventing and/or improving conditions related to skin associated with nonselective or partially selective PPAR-γ stimulators/up regulators;

(g.) preventing and/or improving conditions related to skin associated with nonselective or partially selective up regulation of adipogeneic genes typically up regulated by PPAR-γ activation;

(h.) preventing and/or improving conditions related to skin associated with nonselective or partially selective FAS stimulators/up regulators;

(i.) preventing and/or improving conditions related to skin associated with nonselective or partially selective SCD-1 stimulators/up regulators;

(j.) preventing, ameliorating or treating oily skin;

(k.) preventing, ameliorating or treating oily hair;

(l.) preventing, ameliorating or treating oily scalp;

(m.) preventing, ameliorating or treating enlarged pores;

(n.) preventing, ameliorating, or treating acne-prone skin;

(o.) preventing, ameliorating or treating body odors associated with excess sebum production;

(p.) preventing, ameliorating or treating cellulite in adults;

(q.) preventing, ameliorating or treating excess accumulation or production of subcutaneous fat in adults;

(r.) improving skin texture associated with cellulite; and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin in need thereof is skin having excess sebum.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the human skin is located on a human's back, shoulders, neck, scalp, hair or face.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the human skin is located on a human's face.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the skin benefit is selected from the group consisting of:

a. restoration of a matte finish to the skin;

b. an evening of skin type;

c. reduction in oily/greasy feel to skin and/or hair;

d. reduction in the incidence of dandruff;

e. reduction in the incidence of blocked/clogged pores;

f. reduction in the incidence of comedones;

g. reduction in the incidence of acne lesions;

h. reduction in the area over expressing or over-producing lipids;

i. reduction in thickness of skin affected by over-production of lipids; and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin in need thereof is skin having cellulite.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said cellulite is found on a thigh, buttocks, abdomen, hip, and/or upper arm region.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said skin benefit is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) reduction in the appearance of cellulite lumpiness and/or unevenness;

(b) reduction in pitting appearance of cellulite upon squeezing;

(c) reduction in the extent of area affected by cellulite;

(d) prevention or delay in the recurrence of cellulite;

(e) improvement in adipocyte/fat tissue disposition; and combinations thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the skin in need thereof is skin with excess subcutaneous fat.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Melicope extract is an essential oil.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the essential oil comprises caryophylene, bicyclogermacrene, zierone, and evodone.

13. The method according to claim 1 , of wherein the Melicope extract is used in combination with at least one other anti-lipid agent.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein said at least one other anti-lipid agent comprises a carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 stimulator.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is in combination with at least one anti-cellulite agent.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one anti-cellulite agent is selected from the group consisting of a phophodiesterase inhibitor, an adenylate cyclase activator, a lipolysis stimulator, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, an alpha-2-adreneric receptor antagonist, perilla oil, carnitine, creatine, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said at least one other anti-cellulite agent further comprises at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a xanthine analog, forskolin, a Coleus forskohlii extract, a hawthorne extract, a cola extract, isoproterenol, yohimbine, Ginkgo biloba extract, and perilla oil.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said at least one other anti-cellulite agent is caffeine.

19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Melicope extract is used in combination with at least one collagen and/or elastin stimulator.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is applied at least once daily.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein an effective amount of the Melicope extract is about 0.001% to about 25% by weight.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the Melicope extract is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 1% by weight.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is a leave-on composition.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein said topical application comprises daily application for a period of at least 4 weeks.

25. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cosmetically acceptable vehicle is a transdermal patch.

26. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cosmetically acceptable vehicle is an emulsion.

27. A method for treating human skin experiencing lipid over-production comprising administering to an individual in need thereof an oral composition comprising an effective amount of Melicope elleryana extract in an acceptable vehicle.