化粧品に活かすDDSテクノロジー DDS for functional cosmetics

近年の高齢化社会においては, 抗加齢 (アンチエイジング) のための医薬品, 化粧品, 健康食品の需要が大きくなっていると同時に, 情報流通の進歩により科学的根拠に基づいた医薬品, 化粧品を求めるられるようになった. 本稿では, 筆者らの二つのナノテクノロジー (ナノエッグ, ナノキューブ) を導入した外用剤についてのデータを述べ, しみ・しわ改善のための機能性化粧品領域へのDDS技術の導入について言及する.ナノエッグ (NANOEGG®-atRA) は, オールトランスレチノイン酸 (atRA) を無機塩でナノカプセル化したもので, NANOEGG®-atRA外用剤は, 従来のatRA外用剤に比較してatRAの保存安定性も高く, かつ薬理効果の増強がみられた. ナノキューブ (NANOCUBETM) は油, 水, 界面活性剤の特定処方によって得られたリオトロピック液晶体で, 角質の細胞間脂質に働きかけることで皮膚再生効果が得られることが証明され, 薬物フリーの新しい概念の化粧品になりうると考えられる.以上の二つの技術は, 化粧品への応用が期待されるナノテクノロジーである.

We have developed two advanced nanotechnologies, NANOEGG® and NANOCUBETM. They are useful technologies for not only drug but also cosmetics. Today, we have long span of life because of advanced medical science. Therefore, anti-aging drugs, foods, and cosmetics strongly attract us. NANOEGG®-atRA, nanocapsuled all trans retinoic acid (atRA) with coated inorganic salts, showed enhanced pharmacological activity, compared with atRA as such. NANOEGG® methods could be applied to other cosmetic compounds.The topical administration of lyotropic liquid crystal NANOCUBETM on stratum corneum rapidly broke down the lipid lamella structure which would be recognized as a wound without organ-change. This can activate a variety of biological processes. Using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis, the response to the transient structural change of lipid was detected because it might result the diffusion of oil and/or water from NANOCUBETM liquid crystal towards lipid lamella phase. This method actually succeeded the improvement of photo-induced hyperpigmentation on human face.These observations suggest that the structural change of lipid may stimulate to trigger recognition of a slight injury in the wound defense and repair response by homeostasis.