Lycopene compositions and methods for protecting skin against ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

The invention is directed to compositions comprising lycopene and to methods of using the same, such as for improving one or more skin parameters, e.g., prevention or treatment of various skin-related conditions caused by ultraviolet radiation.

1 . A composition comprising (a) lycopene; (b) phytoene and phytofluene; and (c) carnosic acid, wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is from 1:0.05 to 1:0.9. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of lycopene and carnosic acid is from 1:0.05 to 1:0.9. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises tocopherol. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the weight ratio of lycopene and tocopherol is from 1:0.05 to 1:0.9. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises beta-carotene. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the weight ratio of lycopene and beta-carotene is from 1:0.005 to 1:0.5. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is an oral composition. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a nutraceutical, a cosmeceutical, or a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , for use in improving one or more skin parameters. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said one or more skin parameters are selected from the group consisting of: face lines/wrinkles, mean skin carotenoid level, skin luminosity, skin radiance, and ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced damage. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , being a cosmeceutical composition. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , being an anti-wrinkles composition. 
     
     
         13 . A method for improving one or more skin parameters in a subject in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 , thereby improving one or more skin parameters in the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of determining the level of a carotenoid in the skin of a subject, wherein a reduced level of said carotenoid in the skin of said subject compared to a control baseline is indicative of said subject is suitable for treatment using the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said subject is afflicted with a reduced level of a carotenoid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said one or more skin parameters are selected from the group consisting of: face lines/wrinkles, mean skin carotenoid level, skin luminosity, skin radiance, and UV-induced damage. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said skin is the palm skin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said improving UV-induced damage in a subject comprises preventing or treating a skin-related condition caused by UV radiation in said subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said treating comprises inhibiting the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), erythema reduction, or any combination thereof, in said subject.