METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AGENTS INDUCING DOPACHROME TAUTOMERASE (TRP-2) EXPRESSION FOR PROTECTING HAIR FOLLICLE MELANOCYTES AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGENT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for identifying an agent inducing DOPAchrome tautomerase (TRP-2), to provide a method for evaluating cytoprotective activity of the agent, and to provide a method for administering the agent. SOLUTION: The invention relates to the cosmetic use of the agent inducing DOPAchrome tautomerase expression as a protective agent for hair follicle melanocytes. The invention also relates to the specific cosmetic composition against canities comprising at least one agent inducing the DOPAchrome tautomerase (TRP-2) expression in a cosmetically acceptable medium is used. The invention further relates to the method for treating canities and a method for preserving natural pigmentation of gray or white hair by applying the cosmetic composition comprising at least one agent inducing the dopachrome tautomerase expression. Finally, the invention relates to the method for identifying the agent inducing the DOPAchrome tautomerase (TRP-2) expression and the method for evaluating its cytoprotective activity. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT