Carotenoid composition and method for protecting skin

Abstract

A method for protecting skin against damages caused by ultra-violet (uv) radiation from the sun, comprising administering to a subject in need of protection an effective amount of a composition containing lycopene from a natural source and one or more carotenoid selected from among phytoene and phytofluene or mixtures thereof.

1 . A method for protecting skin against damages caused by ultra-violet (uv) radiation from the sun, comprising administering to a subject in need of protection an effective amount of a composition containing lycopene from a natural source and one or more carotenoid selected from among phytoene and phytofluene or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said composition further contains vitamin E.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein 1 mg to 10 mg of a carotenoid composition comprising of 6% to 15% lycopene of a natural source and 0.3% to 1.5% of one or more carotenoid selected from among phytoene and phytofluene or mixtures thereof are administered.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said composition contains 1.5% to 2.5% vitamin E.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein about 5 mg are administered.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein about 5 mg are administered.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to any of  claims 1  to  6  wherein the carotenoid serum level of the subject reaches a level within the range of 0.3 to 1.5 μM.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein carotenoid serum levels of the subject reaches a level of about 1.2 μM.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  8  wherein administration is in the form of a capsule, gel-cap, pellet, soft gel capsule or tablet which contain the carotenoid compositions.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  8  wherein administration is in the form of oral administration via foodstuff or beverages.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  11  wherein administration begins 7 to 30 days before exposure to uv radiation.  
     
     
         12 . A carotenoid composition comprising of 6% to 15% lycopene of a natural source and 0.3% to 1.5% of one or more carotenoid selected from among phytoene and phytofluene or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 12  further containing 1.5% to 2.5% vitamin E.  
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 12  which contains about 6% natural lycopene, 0.5% phytoene and 0.5% phytofluene.  
     
     
         15 . A composition according to  claim 13  which contains about 6% natural lycopene, 0.5% phytoene, 0.5% phytofluene and 2% vitamin E.  
     
     
         16 . An oral dosage form comprising of 5 mg to 15 mg of natural lycopene and 0.5 mg to 3.5 mg of one or more carotenoid selected from among phytoene and/or phytofluene or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         17 . An oral dosage form according to  claim 16  further comprising 1.5 mg to 8 mg of vitamin E.  
     
     
         18 . An oral dosage form according to  claim 17  comprising 5 mg of natural lycopene, 0.5 mg phytoene, 0.45 mg phytofluene and 1.8 mg of vitamin E.  
     
     
         19 . An oral dosage form according to  claim 16  further containing a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, excepient, carrier, filler, stabilizer or additive.  
     
     
         20 . Use of a composition as described in any of  claims 12  to  15  in the preparation of a skin protecting composition.  
     
     
         21 . Use of a composition as described in any of  claims 12  to  15  as a skin-protecting agent.  
     
     
         22 . A composition according to any of  claims 12  to  15  for use in the protection of skin against damages caused by uv radiation.  
     
     
         23 . Foodstuff and beverage containing a composition as described in any of  claims 12  to  15 .  
     
     
         24 . Foodstuff or beverage comprising of 5 mg to 15 mg of natural lycopene and 0.5 mg to 3.5 mg of one or more carotenoid selected from among a group consisting of phytoene and phytofluene.  
     
     
         25 . Foodstuff or beverage according to  claim 24  further comprising 1.5 mg to 8 mg of vitamin E.  
     
     
         26 . Foodstuff or beverage according to  claim 25  comprising 4.1 mg of natural lycopene, 2.2 mg phytoene, 1.6 mg phytofluene and 3.8 mg of vitamin E.  
     
     
         27 . A pharmaceutically acceptable oral dosage form containing a composition as described in any of  claims 12  to  15 .