Title:  Topical preparation for the treatment of hair loss

United States Patent:  6,358,541

Assignee:  Goodman; David S. (Naples, FL)

Filed:  May 3, 2000

Improved preparations for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia comprise saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols and one or more low irritability constituents that enhance penetration of the extract into hair follicular pores. The low irritability penetration enhancer(s) may be selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid. Also provided is a method for reducing hair loss by application to the scalp of the improved preparations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an improved preparation and a method for treating androgenetic alopecia. The preparation comprises an extract of saw palmetto berries containing phytosterols and a non-irritating compound to enhance the penetration of the extract into the follicles. More specifically, the improved low irritability topical preparation comprises saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols and one or more penetration enhancing constituents selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin gel microsponges, tretinoin and polyolprepolymer-2, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid. Preferably the penetration enhancing constituents consist of one member selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin and polyolprepolymer-2, and tretinoin gel microsponges, and another member selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid and glycolic acid.

In another embodiment, the improved low irritability topical preparation comprises an active saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols, polyolprepolymer-2 and one or more penetration enhancing constituents selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid. Preferably the penetration enhancing constituents consist of one member selected from the group consisting of adapalene and tretinoin and another member selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid and glycolic acid.

Most preferably, in both of the above embodiments, the penetration enhancing constituents are adapalene and glycolic acid.

The preparations of the invention may include a vehicle suitable for topical application to the scalp in the form of a liquid, a gel, a foam, a styling hair tonic, a styling mousse, a styling hair spray, a pad dampened with a liquid, or any other means suitable for application to the scalp.

The method for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia comprises applying to the scalp a low irritability preparation comprising saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols, and one or more penetration enhancing constituents selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin gel microsponges, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid. In another embodiment, the method for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia comprises applying to the scalp a low irritability preparation comprising saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols, polyolprepolymer-2 and one or more penetration enhancing constituents selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid.

Claim 1 of 18 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A low irritability topical preparation for the treatment of hair loss comprising:

(A) saw palmetto berry alcohol extract containing phytosterols;

(B) one or more members of the group consisting of adapalene; retinaldehyde, tazarotene, salicyclic acid, glycolic acid and azelaic; and

(C) polyoprepolymer-2.

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