Preparation of stabilized enzymes in soluble form and their application to cosmeceuticals

Abstract

A soluble carbohydrate biopolymer, SC-glucan™ (β-1,3-glucan with β-1,6-branches), produced by liquid cultivation of the mycelia from the Schizophyllum commune mushroom, was found to increase skin cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis, reduce skin irritation and erythema, and moisturize skin. Lysozyme and papain were stabilized to be applied as enzyme cosmeceuticals (cosmetic and pharmaceutical raw materials). Development of the stabilized enzymes was achieved by conjugation with the SC-glucan. With a novel structure of the conjugation site, stability of the enzymes was significantly enhanced such that more than 90 % of the initial activity remained after a month storage at 45℃. Cosmetic lotion containing 1 % papain conjugate was more effective in exfoliating stratum corneum of human skin than the lotion containing 5% lactic acid, one of the currently popular exfoliating agents to accelerate skin refreshment. Cosmetic serum containing SC-glucan-conjugated lysozyme accelerated skin regeneration at the sites of injury in troubled skins such as pimples, acnes, and scars. Toxicological test results indicateed an extremely low potential of the conjugated enzymes for irritation on skin. Furthermore, SC-glucan-conjugated papain was found to enhance transdermal penetration of hydrophilic drugs by altering the polar pathway in stratum corneum. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that conjugated papain helps fluorescent dye permeate into the deeper dermal layer through intercellular space in the stratum corneum.