| abstract |
Use of ≥ 1 polyholoside (I) containing a fucose grouping, in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions to stimulate immune defences, is new. The polyholoside (I) may be homogeneous, but preferably it is heterogeneous, derived from ≥ 2 different aldoses, ketoses, desoxyoses, or their derivatives, especially ribose, arabinose, xylose, apiose, glucose, fucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, digitoxose, cymarose, oleandrose, uronic acids and itols. The fucose content of such polyholosides is preferably in the range 10-90 (especially 15-35) % by weight. Such polyholosides may be an alginate such as sodium propylene glycol, calcium or glyceryl alginates, and it may be derived from cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. Pneumoniae, (BEC 1000) which is then treated proteolytically to eliminate protein, e.g. by enzymatic hydrolysis. The amount of (I) present in the final compositions may vary between 10<-4> and 20% (especially 10<-3> and 10%). They may be formulated as emulsions, aqueous solutions (optionally gelled), biphasic lotions, creams, milks and foams. |