Embelia concinna extract comprising flavonoids in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions

Abstract

The present invention deals with an Embelia extract—preferably an extract from Embelia concinna titrated in flavonoids—, its process for preparation and its use in a cosmetical or pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of skin sensitivity, for the treatment of allergic reactions of the skin, for soothing and for the treatment of itching skin and for the regulation of inflammatory drifts in the skin

1 . A process for the preparation of an  Embelia  leaf extract characterized in that it is obtained by the following process steps:
 a. Extraction of the leaves with a polar solvent mixture of water and alcohol,   b. removal of the alcohol,   c. filtration, and   d. partial or entire removal of the solvent from the aqueous filtrate.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Embelia  leaf extract comprises flavonoids in an amount of more than 3% by weight with respect to the total dry plant extract. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the  Embelia  leaf extract is a liquid extract with 1% to 8% dry matter content in a water-glycerine blend. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the  Embelia  leaf extract comprises quercitrin, quercetin and Kampferol-3-O-arabinoside in an amount of 0.0001%-20%, whereby quercitrin is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% and quercetin in an amount of 0.001% to 1 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the  Embelia  leaf extract is an  Embelia concinna  leaf extract. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 3 , wherein the ratio of the volume between water and glycerine is from 25:75 up to 75:25. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the volume between water and glycerine is 50:50. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprises a step of drying to form a powdered extract. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the polar solvent mixture has a ratio of the volume between water and alcohol from 50:50 up to 90:10. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the polar solvent mixture has a ratio of the volume between water and alcohol of 70:30. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol.