Botanical and bacterial extracts displaying retinol-like activity

Abstract

Provided are botanical or bacterial extracts and methods of treating skin and other tissues by applying certain botanical or bacterial extracts, such as from Acronychia acidula, Licaria vernicosa, Calendula officinalis, Trigonella foenum-graecum or Actimomyces bacteria, to the skin or other tissue.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating signs of skin aging, comprising topically applying to skin in need of treatment for signs of skin aging a composition comprising an extract selected from the group consisting of extracts of  Acronychia acidula , extracts of  Licaria vernicosa , extracts of  Calendula officinalis , extracts of  Trigonella foenum - graecum , extracts of  Actimomyces  bacteria, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Acronichia acidula  fruit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Licaria vernicosa  wood or  Licaria vernicosa  root. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Calendula officinalis  petals. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Trigonella foenum - graecum  leaves. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract comprises greater than zero and up to about 20% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition also comprises a cosmetically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sign of skin aging is diminished synthesis of collagen or elastin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 3-(4-farnesyloxyphenyl)-propionic acid and/or its ethyl ester. 
     
     
         10 . A method of improving skin barrier properties, comprising topically applying to skin in need of improved skin barrier function and moisturization a composition comprising an extract selected from the group consisting of extracts of  Acronychia acidula , extracts of  Licaria vernicosa , extracts of  Calendula officinalis , extracts of  Trigonella foenum - graecum , extracts of  Actimomyces  bacteria, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Acronichia acidula  fruit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Licaria vernicosa  wood or  Licaria vernicosa  root. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Calendula officinalis  petals. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Trigonella foenum - graecum  leaves. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extract comprises greater than zero and up to about 20% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition also comprises a cosmetically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said topical application increases the level of hyaluronic acid in the skin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition comprises 3-(4-farnesyloxyphenyl)-propionic acid and/or its ethyl ester. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating acne, comprising topically applying to skin in need of treatment for acne a composition comprising an extract selected from the group consisting of extracts of  Acronychia acidula , extracts of  Licaria vernicosa , extracts of  Calendula officinalis , extracts of  Trigonella foenum - graecum , extracts of  Actimomyces  bacteria, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Acronichia acidula  fruit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the extract is a polar extract of  Licaria vernicosa  wood or  Licaria vernicosa  root. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Calendula officinalis  petals. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the extract is a non-polar extract of  Trigonella foenum - graecum  leaves. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the extract comprises greater than zero and up to about 20% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the composition also comprises a cosmetically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises 3-(4-farnesyloxyphenyl)-propionic acid and/or its ethyl ester.