JP7617704B2 - Composition for scalp and hair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a composition for the scalp and hair.

Aloe extract has been known to have many effects. In particular, the effects of aloe extract on the scalp and hair include hair papilla activation (Patent Document 1) and VEGF production promotion (Patent Documents 2 and 3), and it is expected to have hair growth and hair care effects. In particular, aloe extract is a plant-derived ingredient that has been applied to the skin for a long time and its safety for the human body has been confirmed, so it has the advantage of being applicable to people who are sensitive to chemicals while suffering from thinning hair.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-240823 JP 2013-144650 A JP 2015-34157 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for the scalp and hair, preferably a composition for the scalp and hair in which the hair growth promoting effect of an aloe extract prepared from one kind of aloe plant is further enhanced .

The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive research to solve the above problems, and have found that the hair growth promoting effect of aloe extract is enhanced by combining aloe extract with Hypericum perforatum extract, which is also a plant-derived component, and that this effect is further enhanced by using an aloe extract prepared from two or more types of aloe plants and/or by combining it with ginger extract, thereby completing the present invention. The present invention was completed based on these findings and includes the following embodiments.

(I) Composition for Scalp and Hair (I-1) A composition for scalp and hair containing (A) aloe extract and (B) Hypericum extract, or (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract.
(I-2) The composition for scalp and hair according to (I-1), wherein the aloe extract (A) is an extract of at least one aloe plant selected from the group consisting of Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, and Aloe tormentosa.
(I-3) The composition for scalp and hair according to (I-1) or (I-2), wherein the aloe extract (A) is an extract of at least two types of aloe plant bodies selected from the group consisting of Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, and Aloe tormentosa.
(I-4) The composition for scalp and hair according to any one of (I-1) to (I-3), which is used for at least one application selected from the group consisting of hair growth promotion (including hair nourishment and hair restoration), hair loss prevention, dandruff prevention, and scalp moisturization.

(II) Method for imparting or enhancing an effect such as a hair growth promoting effect to a composition for scalp and hair (II-1) A method for imparting at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a hair growth promoting effect , a hair loss prevention effect, an anti-dandruff effect, and a scalp moisturizing effect to a composition for scalp and hair, the method comprising the step of blending (A) aloe extract, and (B) Hypericum extract, or (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract into a composition for scalp and hair, the method comprising the step of blending at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a hair growth promoting effect, a hair loss prevention effect, an anti-dandruff effect, and a scalp moisturizing effect to the composition for scalp and hair, or enhancing the at least one effect of the composition for scalp and hair.
(II-2) The method according to (II-1), wherein the aloe extract (A) is an extract of at least one aloe plant selected from the group consisting of Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, and Aloe tormentosa.
(II-3) The method according to (II-1) or (II-2), wherein the aloe extract (A) is an extract of at least two kinds of aloe plant bodies selected from the group consisting of Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, and Aloe tormentosa.

According to the present invention, a composition for scalp and hair that has a hair growth promoting effect and is gentle to the human body can be provided. In particular, the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention, which contains an aloe extract prepared from two or more types of aloe plant bodies and a Hypericum perforatum extract, exhibits an excellent hair growth promoting effect, has an excellent effect of making hair longer and/or thicker, and can contribute to increasing the volume of hair .

The results of the questionnaire evaluation carried out in Test Example 3 are shown. (a) The box and whisker plots (quartiles) showing the effect of the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention (Example 3) on the volume of the entire hair, (b) hair loss, (c) scalp moisture, and (d) dandruff. In each figure, the top of the whisker represents the maximum value of the questionnaire evaluation of all 24 subjects, the bottom of the whisker represents the minimum value of the questionnaire evaluation of all subjects, the top of the box (third quartile) represents 3/4 of the total (75th percentile), the center of the box (second quartile) represents 2/4 of the total (50th percentile), and the bottom of the box (first quartile) represents 1/4 of the total (25th percentile).

(I) Composition for Scalp and Hair The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention is characterized by containing (A) aloe extract and (B) Hypericum perforatum extract, or (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum perforatum extract, and (C) ginger extract. These components will be described below.

(A) Aloe Extract The aloe plant body as the raw material of the aloe extract used in the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as it can achieve the effects of the present invention. In addition to the effects of the present invention, for reasons such as safety, ease of cultivation, ease of availability, or the fact that its use is approved in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, examples of aloe plants that can be mentioned include Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, Aloe tomentosa, Aloe eru, Aloe cameronii, Aloe kedongensis, Aloe ferox, Aloe africana, and Aloe andongensis. These aloe plants include the same species and improved species of the plants. Although one of these plants can be used alone as a raw material for aloe extract, it is preferable to use two or more in combination. The preferred aloe plants are Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, and Aloe tormentosa. In particular, it is preferable to use two or more of these three types of aloe plants in combination as a raw material for aloe extract. Preferred combinations are Aloe arborescens and Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens and Aloe tormentosa, and Aloe arborescens and Aloe tormentosa.

To prepare the aloe extract, the entire aloe plant described above may be used as is. Alternatively, the outer skin of the aloe leaf or the jelly inside the leaf may be used. Although there are no limitations, it is preferable to prepare the aloe extract using the entire aloe plant, because it is easier to prepare.

To prepare the aloe extract, the whole or part of the aloe plant (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, etc.) may be used in a raw (undried), dried (dried product), or frozen (frozen product). In addition, the undried, dried, or frozen aloe plant may be crushed into powder to an appropriate size and used.

Methods for preparing aloe extract include, but are not limited to, a method that combines an extraction process and a separation process, or a method that combines the above method with a fractionation process.

The extraction process is a process in which the components required for aloe extract are extracted from the aloe plant using an extraction solvent, and there are no particular limitations on the extraction method or conditions.

The type of extraction solvent is not particularly limited, provided that the effects of the present invention are obtained, but examples thereof include water, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. Here, examples of water include water at all temperatures, such as cold water, room temperature water, warm water, hot water, and steam, and may be sterilized, ion-exchanged, osmotic pressure adjusted, or buffered. As the organic solvent, hydrophilic organic solvents are preferred, and examples of the organic solvent that can be used include monohydric alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc.), polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms (glycerin, isopropylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, etc.), esters (methyl acetate, etc.), and ketones (acetone, etc.). These organic solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

In the present invention, from the viewpoint of safety and extraction efficiency of the active ingredient, it is preferable to use at least one extraction solvent selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, and 1,3-butylene glycol. Examples of suitable extraction solvents include a mixture of water and ethanol, and a mixture of water and 1,3-butylene glycol. When using these aqueous mixtures, the proportion of ethanol or 1,3-butylene glycol in the aqueous mixture is not limited, but in the case of ethanol, it can be about 5 to 95% by mass, preferably about 50 to 90% by mass, and more preferably about 60 to 80% by mass. In the case of 1,3-butylene glycol, it can be about 5 to 70% by mass, preferably about 10 to 60% by mass, and more preferably about 10 to 50% by mass.

As the extraction method, a conventional method can be used, such as immersion extraction, stirring extraction, reflux extraction, shaking extraction, and ultrasonic extraction. As the extraction conditions, a conventional method can be used, such as room temperature extraction, heating extraction (also called warming extraction), pressurized extraction, and supercritical extraction. Room temperature or heating extraction is preferable. There is no particular limit to the extraction time. The pH may also be adjusted during extraction. The above extraction operation may be performed once, or the extraction residue obtained after the extraction operation may be extracted again several times. Furthermore, before or after the extraction process, a solid-liquid separation process such as filtration, which will be described later, may be performed as necessary.

The separation step is a solid-liquid separation method for separating the extract from the extract obtained above into insoluble matter, which is the extraction residue, and examples of such methods include centrifugation, filter press, filtration (pressurized or normal pressure), chromatography, and other extraction and separation methods using adsorbents or absorbents. The extract separated from the extract may be used as is, or may be further purified by fractionation, etc., as necessary.

The fractionation step is a method of fractionating, purifying, and concentrating a fraction exhibiting the effects of the present invention from the extract obtained above. Methods used in the fractionation step include, but are not limited to, chromatography using activated carbon, anion exchange resin, cation exchange resin, silica gel, polystyrene resin that adsorbs aromatic compounds, etc. as a carrier, dialysis, molecular sieving, vacuum concentration, freeze-drying, etc. Furthermore, after this step, a step of recovering the supernatant by centrifugation, etc. may be performed as necessary.

Before or after each of the above steps, a process such as filtration may be carried out as necessary. For filtration, gauze, a filter, a commercially available filter, etc. may be used. In addition, sterilization or other processes may be carried out as necessary.

The aloe extract prepared by the above method may be in liquid form as it is, but it can be prepared into a solid form by subsequently subjecting it to a drying process such as spray drying, vacuum drying, or freeze drying. It can also be prepared into a powder or granular form by further subjecting it to a pulverizing process or granulation process as necessary.

The content of aloe extract in the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention can be appropriately selected and set within the range of 0.01 to 80% by mass as the extract so as to achieve the effects of the present invention. It is preferably 0.1 to 70% by mass, more preferably 1 to 20% by mass, and particularly preferably 1 to 10% by mass. The dry solid content can be, for example, 0.0001 to 0.8% by mass, preferably 0.001 to 0.7% by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.2% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 0.1% by mass.

(B) Hypericum extract The Hypericum plant body used in the present invention as the raw material of the Hypericum extract is not particularly limited, as long as it can achieve the effects of the present invention. As with the above-mentioned aloe plant body, in addition to the effects of the present invention, Hypericum erectum or Hypericum perforatum of the family Hypericaceae can be mentioned for reasons such as safety, ease of cultivation, availability, or the fact that it is approved for use in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Hypericum perforatum is preferred. These Hypericum plants also include the same species and improved species of the plants. These plants can be used alone as the raw material of the Hypericum extract, but can also be used in combination of two or more types as necessary.

To prepare the Hypericum extract, the entire Hypericum plant described above may be used as is. Hypericum flowers may also be used.

To prepare the Hypericum extract, the whole or part of the Hypericum plant (e.g., flowers, etc.) in a raw (undried), dried (dried material), or frozen (frozen material) state can be used. In addition, the Hypericum plant can be crushed into powder of an appropriate size and used.

Methods for preparing Hypericum extract include, but are not limited to, a method that combines an extraction step with a separation step, and a method that further combines the above method with a fractionation step. The details are the same as those of the preparation method for aloe extract described above. The Hypericum extract thus prepared may be in liquid form as it is, but can be prepared into a solid form by subsequently subjecting it to a drying step such as spray drying, vacuum drying, or freeze drying. Furthermore, it can be prepared into a powder or granular form by subjecting it to a pulverization process or granulation process as necessary.

The content of Hypericum perforatum extract in the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention can be appropriately selected and set from the range of 0.0001 to 40% by mass as the extract so as to achieve the effects of the present invention. It is preferably 0.001 to 35% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 20% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass. The dry solid content is 0.000001 to 0.4% by mass, preferably 0.00001 to 0.35% by mass, more preferably 0.00001 to 0.2% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.00001 to 0.1% by mass. The ratio of (B) Hypericum perforatum extract to 1 part by mass of (A) aloe extract contained in the composition for scalp and hair can be in the range of 0.00000125 to 4000 parts by mass in terms of extract/solid.

(C) Ginger Extract The ginger plant body used as the raw material for the ginger extract used in the present invention can be Zingiber officinale (scientific name: Zingiber officinale). The ginger plant body includes related species and improved species of the plant body, as long as they can achieve the effects of the present invention. These plants can be used alone as the raw material for the ginger extract, but two or more types can also be used in combination as necessary.

For the preparation of ginger extract, the entire ginger plant as described above may be used as is. Ginger roots, rhizomes, stems or leaves may also be used.

To prepare ginger extract, the whole or part of the ginger plant (e.g., rhizome or stem leaves) may be used in a raw (undried), dried (dried product), or frozen (frozen product). In addition, undried, dried, or frozen ginger plant may be crushed into powder to an appropriate size and used.

Methods for preparing ginger extract include, but are not limited to, a method that combines an extraction step with a separation step, and a method that further combines the above method with a fractionation step. Details are the same as those for preparing aloe extract described above. An extract prepared by extracting dried ginger rhizomes with ethanol or aqueous ethanol is called ginger tincture. This ginger tincture is a preferred embodiment of the ginger extract that is the subject of the present invention.

The ginger extract thus prepared may be in liquid form as it is, but can be prepared into a solid form by subsequently subjecting it to a drying process such as spray drying, vacuum drying, or freeze drying. It can also be prepared into a powder or granular form by further subjecting it to a pulverizing process or granulating process as necessary.

The content of ginger extract in the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention can be appropriately selected and set from the range of 0.001 to 15% by mass as the extract so as to achieve the effects of the present invention. It is preferably 0.01 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.05 to 5% by mass. The dry solid content is 0.00001 to 0.15% by mass, preferably 0.0001 to 0.1% by mass, more preferably 0.005 to 0.1% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.0005 to 0.05% by mass. The ratio of (C) ginger extract to 1 part by mass of (A) aloe extract contained in the composition for scalp and hair can be in the range of 0.000000016 to 150 parts by mass in terms of extract/solid.

(D) Other Components The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention may contain any component conventionally blended in a topical composition (composition for transdermal administration), preferably a composition for scalp and hair, in addition to the above-mentioned (A) and (B), or (A), (B), and (C), to the extent that the effects of the present invention are achieved. For example, as the base, water, lower alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, and oils and fats can be appropriately selected and used depending on the form. Examples of lower alcohols include, without limitation, alcohols having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, 1,3-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol. Examples of polyhydric alcohols include, without limitation, glycerin, diglycerin, BG (1,3-butylene glycol), propanediol, PG (propylene glycol), pentylene glycol, dipropylene glycol (DPG), sorbitol (sorbitol), and sodium DL-pyrrolidone carboxylate. Fats and oils include avocado oil, almond oil, fennel oil, perilla oil, olive oil, orange oil, orange roughage oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter, chamomile oil, carrot oil, cucumber oil, beef tallow fatty acid, kukui nut oil, safflower oil, shea butter, soybean oil, camellia oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, persic oil, castor oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, turtle oil, mink oil, egg yolk oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, and Japanese laurel. , coconut oil, beef tallow, horse oil, lard or hydrogenated products of these oils and fats, beeswax, carnauba wax, spermaceti, lanolin, liquid lanolin, reduced lanolin, hard lanolin, candelilla wax, montan wax, shellac wax, rice wax, squalene, squalane, pristane, liquid paraffin, petrolatum, paraffin, ozokeride, ceresin, and microcrystalline wax can be mentioned, without limitation.

When used as a topical composition, the pH is preferably in the range of 4 to 8 in order to reduce irritation to the skin. The pH can be adjusted using a basic or acidic substance. Examples of basic substances include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; organic amines such as triethanolamine and diisopropanolamine; and basic amino acids such as arginine, lysine, and ornithine. Examples of acidic substances include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, metasulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and succinic acid, as well as organic acids and their salts.

When used as a topical composition, it is also possible to add medicinal adjuvants as other ingredients. Examples of medicinal adjuvants include cooling agents such as camphor, turpentine oil, peppermint oil, menthol and its derivatives, eucalyptus oil, and menthyl lactate; local stimulants such as vanillylamide nonanoate and capsaicin; anti-inflammatory agents such as glycyrrhizic acid; antihistamines such as diphenylimidazole, diphenhydramine and its salts, and chlorpheniramine maleate; blood circulation promoters such as tocopherol acetate and benzyl nicotinate; and herbal medicines such as arnica tincture, Phellodendron bark extract, Sanshishi extract, Horse chestnut extract, Scopolia extract, belladonna extract, Angelica acutiloba extract, Lithospermum root extract, Zanthoxylum pepper extract, and Capsicum extract. In addition to the above ingredients, suitable active ingredients that can be used in combination (e.g., blood circulation promoters, hair follicle activators, antiseborrheic agents, antibacterial agents, etc.), thickeners, preservatives, antioxidants, stabilizers, chelating agents, fragrances, dyes/colorants, and other additives typically used in compositions for transdermal administration can be used as appropriate.

Forms and Methods of Use The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention can be prepared in the form of a composition for transdermal administration. Specific examples of such forms include ointments, gels, pastes, mousses, creams, lotions, sprays (sprays, aerosols), solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and sheets impregnated with liquids. The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention having these forms can also be in the form of products such as hair tonics, hair liquids, hair rinses, hair conditioners, hair treatments, hair lotions, hair packs, hair creams, conditioning mousses, hair mousses, hair sprays, shampoos, and leave-on treatments. The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention may belong to any of the categories of pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics.

The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention is prepared as an external preparation and can be administered topically (administered to the scalp). The dosage varies depending on the age and sex of the subject and the condition of the scalp and hair (e.g., thinning hair condition) and cannot be uniformly prescribed, but it is sufficient if it can achieve the effect of promoting hair growth, promoting hair elongation, and/or thickening the hair. The dosage of the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention is preferably an amount equivalent to 0.00001 to 1 g, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.1 g, as a daily dose for adults, converted into the dry weight of the (A) aloe extract contained therein. The dosage can be individually changed depending on the condition of the scalp and hair, and for example, the daily amount can be administered in several divided doses.

Action As shown in Test Examples 1 and 2 described later, the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention has the effect of promoting hair growth, and when applied to the scalp, it has the effect of accelerating hair growth and/or increasing the thickness of hair. Also, as shown in Test Example 3 described later, the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention has the effect of increasing the proportion of hair in the growth phase in addition to the effect of promoting hair growth, and when applied to the scalp, it reduces the proportion of hair loss and exerts a hair-thickening effect. Thus, according to the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention, hair growth can be promoted and/or hair loss can be prevented or improved by preventing hair thinning. Therefore, the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention is useful as a hair tonic or hair growth agent for those who are concerned about thinning hair now or in the future, regardless of gender, such as men and women. Furthermore, as shown in Test Example 3 described later, the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention has excellent effects of suppressing dandruff and moisturizing the scalp. Therefore, according to the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention, in addition to the hair growth and hair care effects, it is also possible to obtain effects such as preventing itching and preventing dandruff.

(II) Method for imparting or enhancing the action of hair growth promotion to the composition for scalp and hair As described above, the combination of (A) aloe extract and (B) Hypericum extract, or the combination of (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract, has a hair growth promotion action. Therefore, by blending these components into the composition for scalp and hair, it is possible to impart a hair growth promotion action to the composition for scalp and hair. In addition, when the composition for scalp and hair has a hair growth promotion action, it is possible to enhance the action. Here, the hair growth promotion action includes a hair elongation action evaluated by the method described in Test Example 1 described later, and/or an action of thickening the hair thickness evaluated by the method described in Test Example 2.

The plant bodies used as the raw materials for (A) aloe extract, (B) hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract, the method for preparing the extracts from them, and the content ratio of each component in the final scalp and hair composition are as described in (I) above, and the descriptions therein can be incorporated by reference herein. The scalp and hair composition to which these components are added and mixed may be any composition that is applied to the scalp, and examples of such compositions include ointments, gels, pastes, mousses, creams, lotions, sprays (sprays, aerosols), solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and sheets impregnated with liquids. Specifically, the compositions may be in the form of products such as hair tonics, hair liquids, hair rinses, hair conditioners, hair treatments, hair lotions, hair packs, hair creams, conditioning mousses, hair mousses, hair sprays, shampoos, and leave-on treatments.

As shown in Test Example 3, the combination of (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract in particular has the effect of increasing the proportion of hair in the growth phase in addition to promoting hair growth, and when applied to the scalp, it can reduce the proportion of hair loss and exert a hair-growth effect. For this reason, by blending these ingredients into a composition for scalp and hair, it is possible to impart to the composition an effect of preventing hair loss in addition to an effect of promoting hair growth. Furthermore, if the composition for scalp and hair has an effect of preventing hair loss, it is possible to enhance this effect.

As shown in Test Example 3, the combination of (A) aloe extract, (B) Hypericum extract, and (C) ginger extract has an anti-dandruff effect and/or scalp moisturizing effect in addition to the above-mentioned effects. Therefore, by blending these ingredients into a composition for scalp and hair, it is possible to impart to the composition for scalp and hair an anti-dandruff effect and/or scalp moisturizing effect in addition to the hair growth promoting effect and hair loss prevention effect. Furthermore, when the composition for scalp and hair has these effects, it is possible to enhance those effects.

As mentioned above, in this specification, the terms "comprise" and "contain" include the meanings of "consist of" and "consist essentially of."

The present invention will be explained below using experimental examples to aid in understanding the configuration and effects of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited in any way by these experimental examples. Unless otherwise specified, the following experiments were carried out at room temperature (25±5°C) and atmospheric pressure conditions. Unless otherwise specified, "%" means "% by mass."

The samples used in the following experimental examples are as follows:
(1) Aloe arborescens extract:
Hydroethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaves (product name: Aloe extract <Kidachi>, manufacturer: Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) (solid content 1.2%)
(2) Aloe tomentosa extract:
Aloe tormentosa leaves (1 kg as raw plant matter) were finely chopped and then dried. To the entire amount of the dried material (30-70 g), eight times the amount of aqueous ethanol (90% by weight ethanol) was added and stirred at 50°C for five hours. After filtration and concentration, an aqueous ethanol extract of Aloe tormentosa leaves was prepared (solid content 1%).
(3) Aloe Vera Extract:
Aloe vera leaf extract made from a mixture of water and 1,3-butylene glycol (product name: Biocellact Aloe Vera B, manufacturer: Ichimaru Pharcos Co., Ltd.) (solid content 0.5%)
(4) Hypericum extract:
Hydroethanolic extract of flowers, leaves, and stems of St. John's wort (product name: St. John's wort extract-J, manufacturer: Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
(5) Hair growth medication containing 5% minoxidil:
Product name: RiUP X5 Plus, Sold by: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (6) Ginger extract:
Extract made by extracting dried ginger rhizomes with ethanol (product name: Ginger Tincture, manufacturer: Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) (solid content 1%)

Test Example 1 Hair Growth Effect The hair growth effect of various test samples was evaluated using mice (C57BL6/N mice) (female, 7 to 8 weeks old).

(1) Test method
1. Mice were divided into 7 groups (Examples 1-2, Comparative Examples 1-3, and Reference Examples 1-2: n=6 for each group), and the hair was plucked from the dorsal skin (approximately 2 cm x 3 cm) of each mouse, and the hair cycle of that skin area was reset to the early anagen phase.
2. Each test sample shown in Table 1 was applied at a rate of 0.1 mL once a day to the hair removal area (approximately 2 cm x 3 cm) of each group of mice for 21 days.
3. On the 21st day after application, several randomly selected hairs were pulled out from the hair roots using tweezers, and the collected hairs were observed using an optical microscope (Keyence Corporation). Images were then taken, and the distance from the end of the hair root to the tip of the hair shaft was measured as the "hair length" using a multipoint distance measurement software (Keyence Corporation VHX-2000). The average length of the several pulled hairs was recorded as the "hair length" of the mouse.

(2) Test results The results are shown in Table 1. The measured values (μm) shown in Table 1 mean the average value (n=6) of "hair length" obtained from each mouse. The hair shaft length obtained was compared with the result of Reference Example 1 (hair growth drug containing 5% minoxidil), and when it was longer, it was evaluated as "○: exhibits excellent hair growth effect", and when it was shorter, it was evaluated as "×".

As shown in Table 1, the hair elongation rate was lower when using aloe extract alone (Comparative Examples 1 and 2) and Hypericum extract alone (Comparative Example 3) compared to Reference Example 1, but it was confirmed that the combined use of aloe extract and Hypericum extract (Examples 1 and 2) increased the hair elongation rate compared to Reference Example 1. From these results, it was found that the composition for scalp and hair using a combination of aloe extract and Hypericum extract is superior not only in hair growth effect but also in hair growth promotion effect compared to aloe extract alone or Hypericum extract alone.

Test Example 2 Effect of Increasing Hair Thickness The effect of various test samples in increasing hair thickness was evaluated using mice (C57BL6/N mice) (female, 7 to 8 weeks old).

(1) Test method
1. Mice were divided into three groups (Example 3, Comparative Example 4, and Reference Example 1: n=6 for each group), and the hair was plucked from the dorsal skin (2 cm x 3 cm) of each mouse, and the hair cycle of that skin area was reset to the early anagen phase.
2. Each test sample shown in Table 2 was applied at a rate of 0.1 mL once a day to the hair removal treatment area (2 cm x 3 cm) of each group of mice for 21 days.
3. On the 21st day after application, several randomly selected hairs were pulled out from the roots using tweezers, and the collected hairs were observed using an optical microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific), images were taken, and the images (with scale) were printed out and measured on paper using a ruler (three random locations were measured and the average value was calculated), and the thickness of the hair was measured by measuring using a scale conversion. The average value of the thickness of the several pulled hairs was determined as the "hair thickness" of the mouse.

(2) Test results The results are also shown in Table 2. The measured values (μm) shown in Table 2 mean the average value (n=6) of "hair thickness" obtained from each mouse. The obtained hair thickness was compared with the result of Reference Example 1 (hair growth drug containing 5% minoxidil), and if it was thicker than that, it was evaluated as "○: excellent effect of thickening hair", and if it was thinner than that, it was evaluated as "×".

As shown in Table 2, when aloe extract was used alone (Comparative Example 4), the thickness of the grown hair was thinner than that of Reference Example 1, but when aloe extract and Hypericum extract were used in combination, and when aloe extract, Hypericum extract and ginger extract (Zingiber officinale tincture) were used in combination (Example 3), the hair was thicker than that of Reference Example 1. From these results, it was found that the scalp and hair composition using aloe extract and Hypericum extract in combination, particularly the scalp and hair composition using aloe extract, Hypericum extract and ginger extract in combination, is superior not only in hair growth and hair elongation effects but also in the effect of thickening the hair, that is, it is superior in the overall hair growth promotion effect, compared to aloe extract alone.

Test Example 3 Test on Human Subjects The test sample of Example 3, which was confirmed to have a hair growth promoting effect in Test Example 2, was applied to human scalp, and the hair growth promoting effect was evaluated by the phototrichogram method and the questionnaire method. These tests were conducted on 24 subjects (14 women (average age 52.1 years old), 10 men (average age 46.4 years old)). These subjects were a group of people who were aware that they were concerned about thinning hair, and who were further judged to have thinning hair by a doctor's hair loss classification.

(A) Phototrichogram method (1) Test method
1. A section of hair (1 cm x 1 cm) was shaved and photographed with a digital microscope immediately after shaving and three days later (images taken before the use of the test sample).
2. After washing their hair twice a day, the subjects were asked to apply 1.25 mL of the test sample to the entire scalp, including the shaved area, and massage the sample evenly over the entire scalp, focusing on the measurement area, for 24 weeks.
3. After 24 weeks of use, the same area that had been shaved before application was shaved again, and the area was photographed with a digital microscope immediately after shaving and three days later (images taken after use of the test sample).
4. The following two analyses were performed based on the images taken before using the test sample (immediately after shaving and three days later) and after using the test sample (immediately after shaving and three days later).

(2) Test Results The results are shown in Table 4.

As shown in Table 4, it was confirmed that the application of the test sample (Example 3) to the scalp significantly increased the hair growth rate (mm/day) and the rate of hair in the growth phase (%) compared to when the test sample was not applied. From these results, it was confirmed that the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention not only has a hair elongation effect, but also has an excellent hair-thickening effect by exerting an action of activating hair in the resting phase to the growth phase.

(B) Questionnaire Evaluation 24 subjects (14 women, 10 men) were asked to evaluate the condition of their own hair (hair loss, overall volume) and scalp (dandruff, moisture) on an 11-point scale from 0 to 10 (0 being the worst and 10 being the best) before and after using the test sample (Example 3) for 24 weeks. The results are shown in Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 1, application of the test sample (Example 3) to the scalp increased the overall hair volume (Figure 1(a)), reduced hair loss (Figure 1(b)), increased scalp moisture (Figure 1(c)), and reduced dandruff (Figure 1(d)) compared to when the test sample was not applied. From these results, it was confirmed that the composition for scalp and hair of the present invention (Example 3) is excellent not only in the hair growth promoting effect on the scalp, but also in the effect of moisturizing the scalp and suppressing the occurrence of dandruff.

The composition for scalp and hair of the present invention (pH 5.5) can be prepared by mixing each component according to the formulation shown in Table 5.

Claims (4)

(A) containing 1 to 10 % by mass of aloe extract and (B) containing 0.001 to 10 % by mass of Hypericum perforatum extract ,
A composition for scalp and hair, wherein the aloe extract is an extract of Aloe arborescens and Aloe tormentosa . The composition for scalp and hair described in claim 1, further comprising (C) ginger extract in an amount of 0.05 to 5% by mass . 3. The composition for scalp and hair according to claim 1 or 2 , which is used for promoting hair growth. The composition for scalp and hair according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is used to activate hair in the resting phase to the anagen phase.