COSMETIC CONTAINING EXTRACT OF EARTHWORM

PURPOSE:To obtain a cosmetic or externals agent having moisture-retaining property and anti-suntan effect, by using an extract produced by treating earthworm with hot water and subjecting the product to organic solvent extraction, hydrolytic extraction, etc., or using an extract containing proteins bonded with metal ions. CONSTITUTION:Earthworm extract is produced e.g. by treating earthworm with hot water, cutting into small pieces, putting into a mixture of ethanol and water, leaving at rest for 2 weeks, centrifuging the obtained mixture together with water, adding a water-immiscible organic solvent (e.g. chloroform) to the obtained aqueous solution layer, leaving the mixture at rest for a whole day and night, adding water and a protease to the product, reacting with each other, heating the product to inactivate the protease and filtering to obtain an aqueous solution. The extract is used as a component of cosmetic or external agent, etc. The earthworm extract promotes hemostasis and restoration of wound, exhibits anti-inflammatory action, gives adsorption and moisturizing effect, luster and light-scattering effect to hair and skin and imparts hair and skin with preventive effect against suntan and erythema caused by ultraviolet radiation.