U.S. patent application number 13/306129 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-03 for transdermal delivery of beneficial substances effected by a hostile biophysical environment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Strategic Science & Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Eric Thor Fossel.
Application Number | 20120108664 13/306129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35196712 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120108664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fossel; Eric Thor |
May 3, 2012 |
TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF BENEFICIAL SUBSTANCES EFFECTED BY A HOSTILE
BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to the transdermal
delivery of substances In one aspect, various methods for the
transdermal delivery of beneficial substances are disclosed. By
creating a hostile biophysical environment, beneficial substances
may be delivered, according to certain embodiments, through the
stratum corneum of the skin into the body. Beneficial substances
include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical agents, drugs,
vitamins, co-factors, peptides, dietary supplements, and others.
The beneficial effects disclosed include, for instance, relief of
pain and inflammation, prevention and healing of ulcers of the
skin, relief of headache, improved sexual function and enjoyment,
growth of hair on the scalp, improving muscle size and/or function,
removing body fat and/or cellulite, treating cancer, treating viral
infections and others. A hostile biophysical environment may also
be used in conjunction with systems and methods for increasing
local blood flow, according to one set of embodiments.
Inventors: |
Fossel; Eric Thor;
(Cambridge, MA) |
Assignee: |
Strategic Science &
Technologies, LLC
Cambridge
MA
|
Family ID: |
35196712 |
Appl. No.: |
13/306129 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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11587323 |
Aug 21, 2007 |
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PCT/US2005/013228 |
Apr 19, 2005 |
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13306129 |
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60563563 |
Apr 19, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/565 ;
514/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 47/02 20130101;
A61P 19/02 20180101; A61P 1/04 20180101; A61K 47/14 20130101; A61K
47/26 20130101; A61P 19/00 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; A61K
31/522 20130101; A61P 9/00 20180101; A61K 9/0014 20130101; A61P
25/06 20180101; A61P 9/08 20180101; A61P 21/02 20180101; A61P 3/10
20180101; A61K 47/10 20130101; A61K 9/0034 20130101; A61P 15/02
20180101; A61P 31/00 20180101; A61K 31/192 20130101; A61K 31/198
20130101; A61P 17/14 20180101; A61P 21/00 20180101; A61P 15/00
20180101; A61K 47/06 20130101; A61P 31/04 20180101; A61K 9/06
20130101; A61P 19/08 20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61P 25/00
20180101; A61P 31/22 20180101; A61K 31/519 20130101; A61P 17/02
20180101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61F 6/04 20130101; A61P 15/10
20180101; A61K 47/183 20130101; A61K 31/496 20130101; A61P 31/12
20180101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61K 47/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/565 ;
514/570 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/198 20060101
A61K031/198; A61P 29/00 20060101 A61P029/00; A61P 9/00 20060101
A61P009/00; A61K 31/192 20060101 A61K031/192 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: applying, to a portion of the skin of a
subject, a delivery vehicle comprising an NSAID in a hostile
biophysical environment having an ionic strength of between about
0.25 M and about 15 M, wherein the NSAID is present at about 1% or
more by weight.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery vehicle further
comprises a nitric oxide donor.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the nitric oxide donor comprises
L-arginine.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the nitric oxide donor comprises
L-arginine HCl.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the nitric oxide donor comprises
an L-arginine salt.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the nitric oxide donor is present
at a concentration of at least 0.5% by weight/volume.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the NSAID is ibuprofen.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the hostile biophysical
environment has an ionic strength of at least about 1 M.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hostile biophysical
environment has a pH between about 3 and about 11.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the hostile biophysical
environment comprises one or more of sodium chloride, choline
chloride, magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the hostile biophysical
environment is capable of driving the NSAID through stratum corneum
when applied topically to a subject.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery vehicle is a cream.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/587,323, filed Oct. 19, 2006, entitled
"Transdermal Delivery of Beneficial Substances Effected by a
Hostile Biophysical Environment," by E. T. Fossel, which
application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 of
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2005/013228,
filed Apr. 19, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,573, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "Flow Assisted Transdermal Preparations of Ephedra and
Ephedra Components to Avoid Adverse Effects," by E. T. Fossel; U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,575, filed Apr. 19,
2004, entitled "Flow Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Anabolic
Steroids," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/563,574, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Augmented Flow
Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Anabolic Steroids," by E. T.
Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,558,
filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Flow Assisted Topical Transdermal
Methods of Drug Delivery," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,559, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled
"Transdermal Delivery of Pharmaceutical Agents Effected by a
Hostile Biophysical Environment," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,560, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "Transdermal Drug Delivery by Means of a High Ionic
Strength Environment," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,576, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled
"Transdermal Delivery of Ephedra and Ephedra Components by Use of A
Hostile Biophysical Environment," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,572, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "An Augmented Flow Assisted Preparation to Increase Muscle
Size and Performance," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,564, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "A
Flow Assisted Preparation to Increase Muscle Size and Performance,"
by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/563,570, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Transdermal Preparations
to Improve Muscle Function and Size," by E. T. Fossel; U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,561, filed Apr. 19,
2004, entitled "Use of a Silicon Based Matrix for Transdermal
Delivery of L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Cause Beneficial Effects,"
by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/563,562, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Transdermal Preparation
of Ibuprofen to Reduce Pain and Inflammation," by E. T. Fossel;
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,567, filed Apr.
19, 2004, entitled "A Transdermal Augmented L-Arginine Preparation
for Treatment of Headache," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,552, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "Flow Assisted Topical Transdermal Method of Drug Delivery
of Drugs with Systemic Toxicity," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,569, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "Transdermal Delivery of Systematically Toxic
Pharmaceutical Agents Effected by a Hostile Biophysical
Environment," by E. T. Fossel; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,571, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled
"Transdermal Flow Assisted Localized Delivery of Chemotherapeutic
Agents," by E. T. Fossel.
[0002] International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US2005/013228 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,563, filed Apr. 19, 2004,
entitled "Use of Transdermal L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Cause
Beneficial Effects by Increasing Local Blood Flow," by E. T.
Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,565,
filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Use of Arginine and Arginine
Derivatives and Adjuncts to Improve Grafting of Real and Artificial
Skin," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/563,566, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Transdermal Delivery
of L-Arginine for the Purpose of Enhancing the Appearance of the
Female Breast," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,553, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Use
of A Transdermal L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Improve Bone Healing,"
by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/563,554, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Use of a Transdermal
Preparation of L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Effect Wound Healing," by
E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/563,555, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Use of a Transdermal
Preparation of L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Facilitate Healing of
Infection," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/563,556, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "Transdermal
Delivery of L-Arginine Preparation to Regress Neuropathy and Heal
and Prevent Ulcers," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/563,557, filed Apr. 19, 2004, entitled "A
Transdermal Preparation of L-Arginine to Improve Flow in Peripheral
Artery Disease and Prevent Claudication," by E. T. Fossel; and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,551, filed Apr. 19,
2004, entitled "Use of a Transdermal L-Arginine Preparation and
Adjuncts to Improve Outcome in Transplant and Plastic Surgery," by
E. T. Fossel.
[0003] Each of the above applications is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to the transdermal
delivery of substances.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Local transdermal delivery of drugs, while desirable, is
limited by current technologies. Few pharmaceutical entities have
successfully been delivered transdermally in effective dosages. For
example, a limited number of drugs, such as steroids, nicotine and
nitroglycerine, which are non-charged and do not form hydrogen
bonds, have been successfully delivered by passive diffusion,
relying on the concentration gradient between outside and inside
the skin to deliver the agent in accordance with Fick's first law
of diffusion. The amount of pharmaceutical agent that can be
delivered through simple diffusion is also limited. For instance,
once the concentration inside the stratum corneum becomes equal to
that outside, flow of pharmaceutical agent may stop. Thus,
improvements in the transdermal delivery of substances, locally or
systemically, are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relates to the transdermal
delivery of substances, locally or systemically, and in some
embodiments, to the transdermal delivery of beneficial substances
by a hostile biophysical environment. The subject matter of the
present invention involves, in some cases, interrelated products,
alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality
of different uses of one or more systems and/or articles.
[0007] This invention relates, in one aspect, to the field of
localized transdermal delivery of substances which have a
beneficial effect, for example, to the transdermal delivery of
herbs, vitamins, minerals, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, peptides,
dietary supplements, or other substances affected by a hostile
biophysical environment. The hostile biophysical environment may
comprise a high ionic strength vehicle in some embodiments, and
delivery may be enhanced, in certain cases, by various techniques
to increase local blood flow at the delivery site. For instance,
substances with localized action may avoid systemic toxicity if
delivered locally and transdermally. In some cases, various
beneficial substances which function at local sites, rather than
systemically, may be more efficaciously administered by transdermal
rather than systemic administration. If the beneficial substance is
delivered through the skin, a higher dose in the tissue to be
treated may be achieved. In addition, a substantially lower total
body dose may be achieved in some cases. This can be understood if
one considers the non-limiting example of treating pain in finger
joints with a NSAID (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). If the
pain is to be treated systemically, e.g., by oral administration,
the whole body, including the finger joints, is dosed with the
NSAID. The concentration of NSAID is approximately the same
throughout the body, including the finger joints. If, on the other
hand, one were to apply the NSAID transdermally to the finger
joints, the rest of the body would not be dosed (or would be dosed
to a significantly lesser extent). Thus, the total dose of
transdermal NSAID would only be a fraction of the dosage required
for systemic administration.
[0008] In some embodiments, the beneficial substances delivered
transdermally may improve health, improve body function, or treat a
variety of disease states.
[0009] In one set of embodiments, the invention relates to the
field of headache treatment, and in some cases, to the use of
arginine and/or arginine derivatives or adjuncts to provide
effective headache relief. This invention also relates, in another
set of embodiments, to the field of relief of pain and/or
inflammation and in some cases, to a transdermal preparation of
ibuprofen to reduce pain and/or inflammation. In certain instances,
the ibuprofen is delivered from a vehicle into the tissue through
the use of a hostile biophysical environment.
[0010] This invention also relates, in yet another set of
embodiments, to systems and methods for improving uptake of muscle
improving agents, for example, by increasing local blood flow by
delivering a nitric oxide donor such as L-arginine, either alone or
with an adjunct such as theophylline. This invention also relates,
in still another set of embodiments, to topical methods of
administrating anabolic steroids, for example, steroids that
exhibit unacceptable systemic toxicity. The steroids may also
promote improved muscle size and function through the use of
enhanced blood flow.
[0011] This invention relates, in one set of embodiments, to
topical methods of administering chemotherapeutic or antiviral
agents, for instance, to promote healing or recovery, or to prevent
recurrence of a localized cancer or viral infection.
[0012] In yet another set of embodiments, this invention relates to
the field of enhanced sexual function. In some cases, arginine
and/or arginine derivatives and adjuncts may be applied to increase
genital blood flow, which may increase sexual function.
[0013] In one aspect, the invention is a method. The method
includes, in one set of embodiments, an act of applying, to a
portion of the skin of a subject, a delivery vehicle comprising a
pharmaceutical agent in a hostile biophysical environment. In
another aspect, the invention includes a delivery vehicle. In one
set of embodiments, the delivery vehicle includes a nitric oxide
donor, and a pharmaceutical agent at a dosage effective to treat a
localized medical condition, wherein the dosage is lower than the
effective dosage of the pharmaceutical agent when taken orally. In
another set of embodiments, the delivery vehicle includes a nitric
oxide donor, and a pharmaceutical agent able to treat one or more
medical conditions selected from the group consisting of cramps,
pain, migraine, arthritis, swelling, sexual dysfunction, hair loss,
skin ulcers, and migraine.
[0014] One aspect of the invention is directed to a method
comprising an act of administering, to a subject, a delivery
vehicle comprising a nitric oxide donor contained within a hostile
biophysical environment. Another aspect of the invention is
directed to an article comprising a cream containing a nitric oxide
donor in a hostile biophysical environment.
[0015] Several methods are disclosed herein of administering a
subject (which may be human or a non-human animal) with a
composition for prevention or treatment of a particular condition.
It is to be understood that in each such aspect of the invention,
the invention specifically includes, also, the composition for use
in the treatment or prevention of that particular condition, as
well as use of the composition for the manufacture of a medicament
for the treatment or prevention of that particular condition.
[0016] The present invention, in another aspect, is directed to a
method of making one or more of the embodiments described herein.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method of using one or more of the embodiments described herein. In
still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method
of promoting one or more of the embodiments described herein.
[0017] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of
various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In cases where
the present specification and a document incorporated by reference
include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present
specification shall control. If two or more documents incorporated
by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure
with respect to each other, then the document having the later
effective date shall control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present invention generally relates to the transdermal
delivery of substances and, in some embodiments, to the transdermal
delivery of beneficial substances by a hostile biophysical
environment. In one aspect, various methods for the transdermal
delivery of beneficial substances are disclosed. By creating a
hostile biophysical environment, beneficial substances may be
delivered, according to certain embodiments, through the stratum
corneum of the skin into the body. Beneficial substances include,
but are not limited to, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, vitamins,
co-factors, peptides, dietary supplements, and others. The
beneficial effects disclosed include, for instance, relief of pain
and inflammation, prevention and healing of ulcers of the skin,
relief of headache, improved sexual function and enjoyment, growth
of hair on the scalp, improving muscle size and/or function,
removing body fat and/or cellulite, treating cancer, treating viral
infections and others. A hostile biophysical environment may also
be used in conjunction with systems and methods for increasing
local blood flow, according to one set of embodiments. For example,
by using a nitric oxide donor such as L-arginine, local blood flow
may be increased, e.g., by transdermally delivering the nitric
oxide precursor. The nitric oxide donor may be the sole cause of
increased blood flow, or it may be supplemented with an adjunct
such as theophylline.
[0019] The following documents are incorporated herein by
reference: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.
60/563,563, 60/563,558, 60/563,559, 60/563,560, 60/563,561,
60/563,562, 60/563,572, 60/563,564, 60/563,565, 60/563,566,
60/563,567, 60/563,553, 60/563,554, 60/563,555, 60/563,556,
60/563,557, 60/563,551, 60/563,552, 60/563,569, 60/563,570,
60/563,571, 60/563,573, 60/563,574, 60/563,575, and 60/563,576,
each filed Apr. 19, 2004, by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/546,214, filed Feb. 23, 2004, entitled
"Topical Delivery of a Nitric Oxide Donor to Improve Body and Skin
Appearance," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/932,227, filed Sep. 17, 1997, entitled "Topical Delivery of
Arginine of Cause Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel, published
as 2002/0041903 on Apr. 11, 2002; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/201,635, filed Jul. 22, 2002, entitled "Topical Delivery of
L-Arginine to Cause Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel, published
as 2003/0028169 on Feb. 6, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/213,286, filed Aug. 5, 2002, entitled "Topical and Oral Arginine
to Cause Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel, published as
2003/0018076 on Jan. 23, 2003; International Patent Application No.
PCT/US98/19429, filed Sep. 17, 1998, entitled "A Delivery of
Arginine to Cause Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel, published
as WO 99/13717 on Mar. 25, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,658, issued
Apr. 20, 1999, entitled "Topical Delivery of L-Arginine to Cause
Tissue Warming," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,332, issued
Jul. 13, 1999, entitled "Topical Delivery of Arginine to Overcome
Pain," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,713, issued Mar. 27,
2001, entitled "Topical and Oral Delivery of Arginine to Cause
Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel; U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,841,
issued Oct. 1, 2002, entitled "Topical and Oral Delivery of
Arginine to Cause Beneficial Effects," by E. T. Fossel;
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2005/005726, filed Feb.
23, 2005, entitled "Topical Delivery of a Nitric Oxide Donor to
Improve Body and Skin Appearance," by E. T. Fossel; and an
international patent application filed on even date herewith,
entitled "Use of Transdermal L-Arginine and Adjuncts to Cause
Beneficial Effects by Increasing Local Blood Flow," by E. T.
Fossel.
[0020] Detailed descriptions of the various embodiments are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or
manner.
[0021] One aspect of the invention provides for the delivery of
beneficial substances such as pharmaceutical agents (e.g., drugs,
biological compounds, etc.) into the body, and such treatments may
be systemic or localized, e.g., directed to a specific location of
the body, such as the head, one or more specific muscles, the
genitals, etc., depending on the specific application.
[0022] In one set of embodiments, pharmaceutical agents are
introduced to aid in treatment of medical conditions or diseases,
and the symptoms associated thereof. In some embodiments, the
invention provides for the treatment of medical conditions or
diseases and/or ailments using pharmaceutical agents (for example,
to treat a subject diagnosed with a medical condition or disease,
as described herein), and in some cases, the invention provides for
the delivery of a minimum amount of pharmaceutical agents to
provide effective levels of medication to an effected area
topically while limiting side effects. In some cases, the effective
dosage of the pharmaceutical agent may be lower than the effective
dosage of the pharmaceutical agent when taken orally. Other
embodiments of the invention provides methods for treating cancer,
viral infections, erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, an
ulcer, swelling, or arthritis. Still another embodiment of the
invention provides methods for treating pain, for example, pain
from migraine, other headaches, joint pain, muscle pain and other
types of pain. Yet another embodiment of the present invention
provides methods for restoring hair growth, for example, on a
portion of the scalp, which may be scarce in hair.
[0023] Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutical agents include small
molecules (e.g., having a molecular weight of less than about 2,000
Da, less than about 1,500 Da, or less than about 1,000 Da),
peptides (e.g., having less than about 10, less than about 15, less
than about 20, or less than about 25 amino acids), proteins
(typically larger than peptides), hormones, vitamins, nucleic
acids, or the like. Additional examples of suitable pharmaceutical
agents for use with the present invention include, but are not
limited to, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
acetylsalicylsalicylic acid, naproxen, celecoxib, refecoxib, etc.;
pharmaceutical agents with narcotic action such as morphine,
codine, propoxyphene, oxycodone, hydrocodon, or other similar
narcotics; pharmaceutical agents for erectile or sexual dysfunction
such as yohimbie, alprostadil, sildenafil, cialis, uprima,
vardenaifl, or the like; pharmaceutical agents for migraine such as
dihydroergotamine and its salts, ergotamine and its salts,
surnatripan and its salts, rizatriptan and its salts, zolmitriptan
and its salts, etc.; pharmaceutical agents for hair treatment such
as finasteride, eflornithine, minoxidil, or the like; or other
pharmaceutical agents such as niacin, lidocaine, benzocaine,
ibuprofen, etc. Additional examples include muscle improving
agents, for example, creatine or creatine precursors (e.g.,
creatine phosphate), arginine and/or other nitric oxide donors,
and/or ATP precursors such as, inosine, adenosine, inosine,
adenine, hypoxanthine, ribose, phosphate (e.g., monosodium
phosphate), etc., and/or anabolic steroid agents, such as
androstene, DHEA, androstenediol, androstenedione, or the like.
Another example is ephedra or its components, such as ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine. Yet another example are chemotherapeutic agents or
agents for treating cancer and/or viral infections, for example,
but not limited to tamoxifen (e.g., for breast cancer treatment),
cis-platin, carboplatin and related molecules, chclophosphamide and
related molecules, vinca alkaloids, epipodophyllotoxins including
taxol, acyclovir, or the like. For example, the cancer and/or viral
infections may be skin cancer, breast cancer, penile cancer,
testicular cancer, or other localized cancers, or viral infections,
such as herpes.
[0024] As a particular, non-limiting example, ibuprofen is an
effective agent against pain when orally administered. However, it
is irritating to the lining of the stomach, and people with a
tendency to develop ulcers or have an irritated upper
gastrointestinal track are typically warned to avoid the use of
ibuprofen. The present invention thus allows the topical
application of ibuprofen to the site of inflammation or pain, while
avoiding the rest of the body, especially the stomach.
[0025] As another particular, non-limiting example, while growth
hormones, steroids, supplements, and other such agents have been
administered orally and by injection to improve muscle size and
function, these muscle improving agents are often distributed
throughout the body, resulting in only a small portion of the agent
acting at the muscle area being used and developed. Muscle requires
both creatine phosphate (CrP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to
function. Often muscle has insufficient amounts of these substances
and their precursors to maintain high level function.
Administration of these substances and their precursors have been
attempted but in low dose that is ineffective and in high dose is
both very expensive and produces side effects such as
gastrointestinal distress. Use of topical transdermal delivery to
the desired muscle or muscles of a muscle improving agent,
according to various embodiments, may localize the dose to the
desired area, and potentially results in a higher concentration of
the agent at the desired area.
[0026] A variety of methods for effecting or improving absorption
of beneficial substances (including pharmaceutical agents) are also
included in various aspects of the invention. In some cases, a
hostile biophysical environment may be used. In a hostile
biophysical environment, the environment surrounding the beneficial
substance may be such that the beneficial substance is a
chemically/energetically unfavorable environment, relative to the
skin (e.g., the chemical potential and/or the free energy of the
beneficial substance within the hostile biophysical environment is
significantly greater than the chemical potential and/or the free
energy of the beneficial substance within the skin, thus
energetically favoring transport into the skin), especially the
stratum corneum. The hostile biophysical environment which raises
the chemical potential and/or the free energy of the beneficial
substance can be comprised of a high ionic strength, a high
concentration of osmotic agents such as ureas, sugars, or
carbohydrates, a high pH environment (e.g., greater than about 9,
greater than about 10, greater than about 11, greater than about
12, or greater than about 13), a low pH environment (less than
about 5, less than about 4, less than about 3 or less than about
2), highly hydrophobic components, or highly hydrophilic components
or other substances that cause an increase in the chemical
potential and/or free energy of the beneficial substance. A
hydrophobic component may have an octanol-water partition
coefficient of at least about 100, at least about 1000, at least
about 10.sup.4, at least about 10.sup.5, or more in some cases.
Similarly, a hydrophilic component may have an octanol-water
partition coefficient of less than about 0.01, less than about
10.sup.-3, less than about 10.sup.-4, or less than about 10.sup.-5
in some cases.
[0027] In some cases, the delivery vehicle defines the biophysical
hostile environment. In other cases, the beneficial substance may
be packaged in such a way that it is carried into tissue and/or its
charge is neutralized by derivitization and/or by forming a neutral
salt. Examples of biophysically hostile environments include, but
are not limited to, high ionic strength environments (e.g., by the
addition of ureas, sugars, carbohydrates, and/or ionic salts such
as lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium
chloride, magnesium chloride, choline chloride, sodium fluoride,
lithium bromide, etc., as well as combinations of these and/or
other agents, for instance at high ionic strengths (for example,
greater than about 0.25 M, greater than about 1 M, greater than
about 2 M, greater than about 3 M, greater than about 5 M, greater
than about 10 M, greater than about 15 M, greater than about 20 M,
greater than about 25 M, etc., or in some cases, between about 0.25
M and about 15 M, between about 5 M and about 15 M, between about
10 M and about 15 M, etc.); high or low pH environments (e.g., by
adding pharmaceutically acceptable acids or bases, for example,
such that the pH is between about 3 and about 7, between about 3
and about 6, between about 3 and about 5, between about 7 and about
11, between about 8 and about 11, between about 9 and about 11,
etc.); or highly hydrophobic environments (e.g., by decreasing
water content and increasing lipid, oil and/or wax content of the
environment). Other highly charged molecules such as polylysine,
polyglutamine, polyaspartate, etc., or copolymers of such highly
charged amino acids may also be used in certain embodiments to
create the hostile biophysical environment. Non-limiting examples
of packaging which would be carried into tissue includes liposomes
or emulsions of collagen, collagen peptides or other components of
skin or basement membrane. Non-limiting examples of neutralization
of charge include delivery of the beneficial substance in the form
or an ester or salt which is electronically neutral. In some
embodiments, the hostile biophysical environment may include any
two or more of these conditions. For instance, the hostile
biophysical environment may include high ionic strength and a high
pH or a low pH, a highly hydrophobic environment and a high pH or a
low pH, a highly hydrophobic environment that includes liposomes,
or the like.
[0028] A hostile biophysical environment may also be created in
some embodiments by placing a beneficial substance that is
relatively highly charged into a hydrophobic, oily environment such
as in an oil-based cream or lotion containing little or no water.
Absorption may further be aided by combining the use of hostile
biophysical environments with the use of penetrating agents, as
further described below.
[0029] It should be noted that a hostile biophysical environment
optimized for one beneficial substance may not necessarily be
optimal for another beneficial substance. For example, an optimal
hostile biophysical environment for a beneficial substance that is
non-charged and does not form hydrogen bonds, in one embodiment of
the invention, may not necessarily be optimal for other embodiments
of the invention, in which a beneficial substance is charged,
and/or in embodiments in which the beneficial substance is able to
form hydrogen bonds. Thus, different hostile biophysical
environment(s) may be prepared or optimized for different
application(s) including different beneficial substance(s) being
delivered using the hostile biophysical environment(s).
[0030] In certain aspects of the invention, a pharmaceutical agent
or other beneficial substance may be combined with a penetrating
agent, i.e., an agent that increases transport of the
pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance into the skin,
relative to transport in the absence of the pharmaceutical agent or
other beneficial substance. In some embodiments, the penetrating
agent may be combined with a hostile biophysical environment.
Examples of penetrating agents include oleoresin capsicum or its
constituents, or certain molecules containing heterocyclic rings to
which are attached hydrocarbon chains.
[0031] Non-limiting examples of penetrating agents include, but are
not limited to, cationic, anionic, or nonionic surfactants (e.g.,
sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyoxamers, etc.); fatty acids and
alcohols (e.g., ethanol, oleic acid, lauric acid, liposomes, etc.);
anticholinergic agents (e.g., benzilonium bromide, oxyphenonium
bromide); alkanones (e.g., n-heptane); amides (e.g., urea,
N,N-dimethyl-m-toluamide); fatty acid esters (e.g., n-butyrate);
organic acids (e.g., citric acid); polyols (e.g., ethylene glycol,
glycerol); sulfoxides (e.g., dimethylsulfoxide); terpenes (e.g.,
cyclohexene); ureas; sugars; carbohydrates or other agents. In one
embodiment, the penetrating agent includes a salt, e.g., as
previously described.
[0032] The present invention, in one aspect, provides various
systems and techniques for increasing local blood flow. For
example, increased blood flow may be used to introduce
pharmaceutical agents (e.g., drugs, biological compounds, etc.) to
aid in treatment of medical conditions or diseases and the symptoms
associated thereof (for example, to treat a subject diagnosed with
a medical condition or disease, as described herein), and/or the
increased blood flow may be used to provide effective treatment of
medical conditions or diseases and/or ailments with the minimum
amount of pharmaceutical agents possible to provide effective
levels of medication to an effected area topically while limiting
side effects. In one set of embodiments, a nitric oxide donor such
as L-arginine and/or L-arginine hydrochloride in an effective
concentration may be used to increase localized blood flow, which
may enhance delivery of a pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial
substance, e.g., to locally afflicted tissue. Nitric oxide may
relax the blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow. In some
cases, one or more nitric oxide donors (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, etc. nitric oxide donors) may be combined with one or more
beneficial substances (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.
beneficial substances) in a suitable hostile biophysical
environment, as described herein.
[0033] Besides L-arginine and L-arginine hydrochloride, other
non-limiting examples of nitric oxide donors include D,L-arginine,
D-arginine, or alkyl (e.g., ethyl, methyl, propyl, isopropyl,
butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, etc.) esters of L-arginine and/or
D-arginine (e.g., a methyl ester, an ethyl ester, a propyl ester, a
butyl ester, etc.) and/or salts thereof, as well as other
derivatives of arginine and other nitric oxide donors. For
instance, non-limiting examples of pharmaceutically acceptable
salts include hydrochloride, glutamate, butyrate, or glycolate
(e.g., resulting in L-arginine glutamate, L-arginine butyrate,
L-arginine glycolate, D-arginine hydrochloride, D-arginine
glutamate, etc.). Other examples of nitric oxide donors include
L-arginine-based compounds such as, but not limited to,
L-homoarginine, N-hydroxy-L-arginine, nitrosylated L-arginine,
nitrosylated L-arginine, nitrosylated N-hydroxy-L-arginine,
nitrosylated N-hydroxy-L-arginine, citrulline, omithine,
linsidomine, nipride, glutamine, etc., and salts thereof (e.g.,
hydrochloride, glutamate, butyrate, glycolate, etc.). Still other
non-limiting examples of nitric oxide donors include
S-nitrosothiols, nitrites, 2-hydroxy-2-nitrosohydrazines, or
substrates of various forms of nitric oxide synthase. In some
cases, the nitric oxide may be a compound that stimulates
endogenous production of nitric oxide in vivo. Examples of such
compounds include, but are not limited to, L-arginine, substrates
of various forms of nitric oxide synthase, certain cytokines,
adenosine, bradykinin, calreticulin, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein,
OH-arginine, or endothelein.
[0034] It should be understood that, in any of the embodiments
described herein that describe L-arginine, other nitric oxide
donors may also be used instead, or in combination with,
L-arginine, in other embodiments of the invention.
[0035] Without wishing to be bound to any theory, it is generally
believed that the flow of the pharmaceutical agent or other
beneficial substance across the skin may slow as it builds up
within the tissue. Fick's first law of diffusion suggests that when
the concentration inside becomes substantially equal to that
outside, passive flow stops. The increased local blood flow may
prevent or at least decrease the stoppage of the flow of the
pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance. Thus, when the
vehicle containing the pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial
substance and a nitric oxide donor, such as L-arginine, is applied
to the skin, the pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance
exits the vehicle into the tissue more readily, as the
pharmaceutical agent is dispersed by flow and does not build up in
concentration in the tissue. Thus, in certain embodiments,
pharmaceutical agents or other beneficial substances may be
introduced into the skin, for example, ibuprofen, anabolic
steroids, or other agents or substances described herein.
[0036] One set of embodiments provides for increased blood flow to
the genitals, for example, using a nitric oxide donor such as
L-arginine, optionally in combination with a silicon-based
transdermal preparation and/or an adjunct such as theophylline.
Adequate local genital blood flow is important for optimal sexual
function and satisfaction in both men and women. In men it is
important to achieve and maintain an erection. In women it is
important for nerve sensitivity which is required to attain
satisfying orgasms. In some cases, the preparation may be contained
within a condom, optionally with other sexual-enhancing agents,
such as lubricants.
[0037] A non-limiting example of such a preparation includes a
silicon-based vehicle (e.g., a vehicle that contains a
silicon-containing substance) with properties of excellent
absorption into the skin which also contains L-arginine
hydrochloride (7.5% w/v), theophylline (5% w/v) and a mixture of
high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane and a low viscosity
cyclotetrasiloxane (commercially known as Dow Corning 1411 fluid),
and water prepared as an emulsion. The silicon emulsion provides a
hostile biophysical environment in this example. The emulsion is
applied to the genitals (e.g., the penis, or the clitoris and/or
the vagina) and rubbed in until absorbed. The emulsion may
facilitate enhanced blood flow to the genitals, bringing oxygen and
other nutrients and blood to that tissue. In addition, the silicon
may act as a lubricant for improved enjoyment of sexual function.
Additional preparations are discussed in more detail herein. Other
examples of silicon-containing substances include
polydimethylsiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicol, or
dimethicon. For example, a preparation of the invention may be a
cream contanining water (20-80%), a
polydimethylsiloxane/cyclopentasiloxane mixture (20-90% w/v) and
TWEEN 20 (1-10%), and the pH may be between about 3 and about
11.
[0038] A "nitric oxide donor," as used herein, is a compound that
contains therein a nitric oxide (NO) moiety, where the compound is
able to release nitric oxide and/or chemically transfer the nitric
oxide moiety to another molecule, directly or indirectly, for
example, through a biological process. The nitric oxide donor may
release nitric oxide into the skin, and/or tissues such as muscles
and/or elements of the circulatory system in close proximity to the
surface of the skin. Non-limiting examples of nitric oxide donors
include arginine (e.g., L-arginine and/or D-arginine), arginine
derivatives (e.g., L-arginine hydrochloride and/or D-arginine
hydrochloride), nitroglycerin, polysaccharide-bound nitric
oxide-nucleophile adducts, N-nitroso-N-substituted hydroxylamines,
1,3-(nitrooxymethyl)phenyl-2-hydroxybenzoate, etc., as described in
more detail herein. In some cases, the concentration of nitric
oxide and/or the nitric oxide donor may be tailored to have a
duration of effective treatment of at least about 3 hours, at least
about 5 hours, or at least about 8 hours or more in certain
instances. The duration may also be controlled, for instance, by
controlling the concentration of a penetrating agent used in
conjunction with nitric oxide and/or the nitric oxide donor. The
actual concentration for a particular application can be determined
by those of ordinary skill in the art using no more than routine
experimentation, for example, by measuring the amount of transport
of nitric oxide and/or the nitric oxide donor as a function of
concentration in vitro across cadaver skin or suitable animal
models, skin grafts, synthetic model membranes, or the like.
[0039] As a particular non-limiting example, in one embodiment,
nitric oxide is provided using L-arginine, for example, at a
concentration of at least about 0.5% by weight (wt % or w/v) of
L-arginine (optionally with one or more penetrating agents as
discussed herein, for example, a penetrating agent able to create a
hostile biophysical environment), at least about 0.75 wt %, at
least about 1 wt %, at least about 2 wt %, at least about 3 wt %,
at least about 5 wt %, at least about 7 wt %, at least about 10 wt
%, or at least about 15 wt %. The L-arginine may be present in a
suitable delivery vehicle, such as a cream or a lotion. L-arginine
may be particularly useful in some cases due to its low toxicity,
its high solubility, or its low cost. Other examples of nitric
oxide donors are discussed in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2005/005726, filed Feb. 23, 2005, entitled "Topical Delivery
of a Nitric Oxide Donor to Improve Body and Skin Appearance," by E.
T. Fossel, incorporated herein by reference.
[0040] Thus, another aspect of the invention provides for the
delivery of nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide donors into the body,
as further described below, and such treatments may be systemic or
localized, e.g., directed to a specific location of the body, such
as the head, arms, legs, feet, etc., depending on the specific
application. The nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide donor may
increase local blood flow, thereby enhancing tissue health.
Increased blood flow may also assist in the healing process, e.g.,
where injury or surgery has occurred.
[0041] In one set of embodiments, nitric oxide and/or a nitric
oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or an arginine derivative),
optionally including an adjunct such as theophylline, may be
applied to a subject to improve the outcome of various medical
conditions, such as surgical treatments (e.g., at a site of
surgery). Non limiting for examples include transplant and plastic
surgery, graft sites of real or artificial skin, or other
surgically treated areas. In some embodiments of the invention, a
treatment of the invention may be applied to improve flow in
peripheral artery disease and/or prevent claudication, to improve
the circulation in the feet of people with diabetes and others with
impaired circulation, to regress neuropathy, to heal or prevent
ulcers, to improve bone healing, to treat infection (e.g.,
bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections, etc.),
to improve grafting of real or artificial skin, and/or to improve
wound healing, and/or to improve a surgically treated area.
[0042] In another set of embodiments, nitric oxide and/or a nitric
oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or an arginine derivative),
optionally including an adjunct such as theophylline, may be
applied to a subject having peripheral artery disease (PAD), for
example, in subjects treated invasively or non-invasively. For
instance, arteries are often reopened by use of angioplasty,
arthectomy or bypass surgery, or through the use of intravenous
drug treatments, such as Corlapam, Flolan, or Primacor. Left
untreated or unsuccessfully treated, PAD can lead to claudication,
which can be incapacitating, resulting not only in great pain but
loss of the ability to carry on a normal life. Various systems and
methods of the present invention can be used in some cases, as a
replacement for and/or in conjunction with such methods of
treatment.
[0043] Yet another set of embodiments provides for the enhancement
of bone healing by increasing local blood flow. Bone healing is a
slow and complex process, and it is enhanced by a variety of
proteins and cells in the blood. An increase in blood flow rate may
thus enhance bone healing. In some cases, the application of a
nitric oxide and/or a nitric oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or an
arginine derivative), optionally including an adjunct such as
theophylline, may increase blood flow to the bone. Thus, for
example, a fractured bone (including a broken bone) may be treated
in certain embodiments of the invention.
[0044] In still another set of embodiments, an infection may be
treated by increasing local blood flow. The body fights infection
using cells and cell derived materials found in the blood.
Increasing blood flow to the site of an infection can enhance the
body's mechanisms for fighting infection. Thus, the application of
a nitric oxide and/or a nitric oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or
an arginine derivative), optionally including an adjunct such as
theophylline, may increase blood flow to the site of infection,
which may promote healing.
[0045] Another set of embodiments is generally directed to the
treatment of blood flow in persons with diabetes, e.g., in the
hands and/or feet. The application of a nitric oxide and/or a
nitric oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or an arginine derivative),
optionally including an adjunct such as theophylline, may be used
to treat such conditions, thereby increasing blood flow within the
hands and/or feet. In some cases, long lasting improvement in blood
flow, and/or regression of diabetic neuropathy may be achieved. For
example, local blood flow may be increased by at least about 20% or
at least about 30%. Still another set of embodiments of the
invention are directed to the prevention or treatment of diabetic
skin ulcers, e.g., by increasing blood flow, as previously
described.
[0046] In still another set of embodiments, nitric oxide and/or a
nitric oxide donor (e.g., arginine and/or an arginine derivative),
optionally including an adjunct such as theophylline, may be
applied to the skin, for example, to a skin graft and/or graft
material of a skin graft, to a wound in the skin, etc. Often, skin
grafts do not have sufficient blood flow, which may lead to graft
failure. By enhancing the blood flow to the skin graft, e.g., using
the nitric oxide and/or a nitric oxide donor, graft failure may be
reduced. In some cases, the nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide donor
may be applied to tissues proximate the skin graft, and/or the
nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide donor may be induced to migrate to
tissues adjacent the skin graft.
[0047] Another set of embodiments of the invention is directed to
treating medical conditions by not only enhancing blood flow to a
treated region of the body, but also by enhancing transdermal
delivery of a pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance
through the use of a nitric oxide and/or a nitric oxide donor
(e.g., arginine and/or an arginine derivative), optionally
including an adjunct such as theophylline, to increase blood flow
at the site of molecular transport. Such embodiments may be
relatively simple, inexpensive, and/or non-irritating, and in many
cases, no physical or mechanical devices are required. Such
transport may be further increased, for example, in combination
with penetrating agents or the like, as described herein.
[0048] In some aspects of the invention, a nitric oxide and/or
nitric oxide donor, and/or a pharmaceutical agent or other
beneficial substance, may be administered using a delivery vehicle
such as a cream, gel, liquid, lotion, spray, aerosol, or
transdermal patch. Examples of delivery vehicles are discussed
below. The delivery vehicle may promote transfer into the skin of
an effective concentration of the nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide
donor, and/or a pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance,
directly or indirectly. For instance, the delivery vehicle may
include one or more penetrating agents, as further described
herein. In some embodiments, the delivery vehicle may include a
hostile biophysical environment, e.g., using a penetrating agent,
etc., as described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
know of systems and techniques for incorporating a nitric oxide
and/or nitric oxide donor, and/or a pharmaceutical agent or other
beneficial substance within delivery vehicles such as a cream, gel,
liquid, lotion, spray, aerosol, or transdermal patch. In some
cases, the concentration of the nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide
donor, and/or a pharmaceutical agent or other beneficial substance
in the delivery vehicle can be reduced with the inclusion of a
greater amount or concentration of penetrating agent, or increased
to lengthen the beneficial effect. In one set of embodiments, the
nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide donor, and/or a pharmaceutical
agent or other beneficial substance may be used in conjunction with
an adjunct, such as theophylline (for example, at 10% weight by
volume).
[0049] Other materials may be present within the delivery vehicle,
for example, buffers, preservatives, surfactants, etc. For
instance, the cream may include one or more of water, mineral oil,
glyceryl stereate, squalene, propylene glycol stearate, wheat germ
oil, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl myristate, steryl stearate,
polysorbate 60, propylene glycol, oleic acid, tocopherol acetate,
collagen, sorbitan stearate, vitamin A and D, triethanolamine,
methylparaben, aloe vera extract, imidazolidinyl urea,
propylparaben, PND, or BHA.
[0050] As specific non-limiting examples, the cream may have one or
more of (w/v): water (20-80%), white oil (3-18%), glyceryl stearate
(0.25-12%), squalene (0.25-12%), cetyl alcohol (0.1-11%), propylene
glycol stearate (0.1-11%), wheat germ oil (0.1-6%), polysorbate 60
(0.1-5%), propylene glycol (0.05-5%), collagen (0.05-5%), sorbitan
stearate (0.05-5%), vitamin A (0.02-4%), vitamin D (0.02-4%),
vitamin E (0.02-4%), triethanolamine (0.01-4%), methylparaben
(0.01-4%), aloe vera extract (0/01-4%), imidazolidinyl urea
(0.01-4%), propylparaben (0.01-4%), BHA (0.01-4%), L-arginine
Hydrochloride (0.25-25%), sodium chloride (0.25-25%), magnesium
chloride (0.25-25%), and/or choline chloride (0.25-25%). The
percentages of each compound can vary (or the compound may be
absent in some cases), for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,
9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 20%, etc.
[0051] In another embodiment, the cream may include a beneficial
substance, such as ibuprofen, and one or more of the following:
water (20-80%), L-arginine hydrochloride(0-25%), sodium chloride
(0-25%), potassium chloride (0-25%), glyeryl steareate (0-15%),
cetyl alcohol (0-15%), squalene (0-15%), isopropyl mysterate
(0-15%), oleic acid (0-15%), Tween 20 (0-10%), and/or butanediol
(0-10%). The percentages of each compound can vary (or the compound
may be absent in some cases), for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%,
7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 20%, etc.
[0052] In some embodiments, the cream may include a beneficial
substance, and one or more ionic salts at a concentration at least
sufficient to produce a hostile biophysical environment with
respect to the beneficial substance. For example, the cream may
include one or more of (w/v): a charged and/or hydrogen bonding
beneficial substance with systemic toxicity (0.001-30%), choline
chloride (1-30%), sodium chloride (2-30%), and/or magnesium
chloride (1-20% w/v). In another example, the cream may include one
or more of (w/v): L-arginine hydrochloride (2.5-25%), choline
chloride (10-30%), sodium chloride (5-20%), and/or magnesium
chloride (5-20%). In still another example, the cream may include
one or more of (w/v): creatine (0.001-30%), inosine (0.001-30%),
choline chloride (1-30%), sodium chloride (2-30%), magnesium
chloride (1-20%), L-arginine (0.1-25%), and/or theophylline
(0.1-20%). In some cases, the cream may also contain L-arginine
hydrochloride (0-12.5% w/v) and/or theophylline (0-10% w/v). The
percentages of each compound can vary (or the compound may be
absent in some cases), for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,
9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 20%. etc. In these examples,
choline chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium chloride can
provide a high ionic strength environment.
[0053] In certain aspects of the invention, multiple treatments of
the delivery vehicle may increase the duration of the effects of
the beneficial substance, for example two, three, four, five, or
more treatments may be applied, depending on the particular
application. For example, with repeated administrations, the
beneficial effects of each treatment may be extended up to ten or
twenty hours after treatment, or more in some cases. Such
treatments may be given at any suitable frequency, depending on the
particular application, for example, every 4 hours, every 8 hours,
every 12 hours, every 18 hours, every 1 day, every 2 days, every 3
days, every week, etc. For instance, the treatment may be provided
between about 2 and about 30 times within a time period of about 30
days. In some cases, the first treatment may be given at a higher
level or concentration than subsequent treatments.
[0054] The following examples are intended to illustrate certain
embodiments of the present invention, but do not exemplify the full
scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0055] In this example, a 57 year old woman with severe arthritis
in her hands and fingers applied a cream comprising a hostile
biophysical environment, along with 10% w/v ibuprofen and 12.5% w/v
L-arginine, to her hands. She rubbed the cream into the skin of her
hands and fingers until completely absorbed. Within 10 minutes she
noticed substantial relief from the pain. Within 30 minutes the
pain was completely gone. Pain relief persisted for several
hours.
EXAMPLE 2
[0056] In this example, a 37 year old man with shoulder pain
applied a cream comprising a hostile biophysical environment, along
with 10% w/v ibuprofen and 12.5% w/v L-arginine, to the painful
shoulder. He rubbed the cream in until it was completely absorbed.
Within 30 minutes the pain was completely gone. The pain never
returned.
EXAMPLE 3
[0057] A 54 year old woman with a severe headache in her right
temple applied a cream comprising a hostile biophysical
environment, 10% w/v ibuprofen, and 12.5% w/v L-arginine to the
painful temple. She rubbed the cream in until completely absorbed.
Within 10 minutes substantial relief of the headache was achieved.
Within 20 minutes the pain was gone. The pain never returned.
EXAMPLE 4
[0058] A 33 year old woman with a history of genital herpes
infection was treated with a topical transdermal preparation of
acyclovir. Herpes is characterized by outbreaks which start as a
red, sometimes itching area and progress to open sores. The
acyclovir preparation included a hostile biophysical environment,
2.5% w/v acyclovir, and 12.5% w/v L-Arginine. This preparation was
applied as soon as the red and sometimes itching areas appeared.
This treatment resulted in regression of the insipient herpes
outbreak, returning the area to normal within two days and
preventing the open sores from developing.
EXAMPLE 5
[0059] A 58 year old man suffering from claudication of the lower
leg applied a cream comprising L-arginine hydrochloride (12.5%
w/v), choline chloride (10% w/v), magnesium chloride (5% w/v), and
sodium chloride (5% w/v) in a penetrating base to his legs nightly.
After using it daily for three days, the cramps from claudication
never recurred as long as he continued daily use of the cream.
EXAMPLE 6
[0060] A 72 year old man with a twelve year history of PAD and
claudication severely incapacitating him was treated in this
example. He began daily use of a cream containing L-arginine
hydrochloride (12.5% w/v), choline chloride (10% w/v), magnesium
chloride (5% w/v), and sodium chloride (5% w/v) in a penetrating
base to his lower legs. After three days of use the frequency of
the attacks were markedly reduced, and after ten days the attacks
had ceased. Continued daily use of the cream continued to prevent
attacks.
EXAMPLE 7
[0061] Circulatory impairment and its sequlae have long been known
to be a major complication of diabetes. For instance, it has been
shown that, in diabetes, the functionality of the endothelial
nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) system is impaired.
NO is generated in the endothelium through the oxidation of the
amino acid, L-arginine by the enzyme eNOS. NO causes vascular
smooth muscle to relax resulting in increased blood flow. In
addition to being a substrate of eNOS, L-Arginine facilitates the
dimerization of two identical subunits of eNOS, forming a
homodimer. The enzyme is only active in the dimeric form. Under
proper conditions, dimerization occurs rapidly, on a timescale of
minutes. Once formed the dimer is generally stable.
[0062] Subjects with diabetes may have abnormally low levels of
L-Arginine and elevated levels of the eNOS inhibitor, asymmetric
dimethylarginine (ADME) in their plasma. Though the value of
increasing L-Arginine levels in cases of impaired circulation is
now recognized, practical schemes for therapeutic use of L-Arginine
have been illusive. In this example, it was determined whether
supplying L-Arginine transdermally would improve vascular function
of the feet in patients with diabetes, as indicated by flow and
temperature.
[0063] The example was designed as a double-blind
vehicle-controlled two-period crossover protocol, with washout
periods of one week. Sixteen subjects were enrolled and thirteen
completed the study (age 56+/31 8 yr). After analyzing the data it
was shown that the effect of L-arginine persisted throughout the
washout periods (Tables 1 and 2, AU standing for Arbitrary Units).
Because of this, except for the initial exposure of L-arginine on
virgin feet, the analysis was altered to determine the effect from
cumulative exposure to L-arginine throughout the protocol. Blood
flow was measured at the metatarsal and Achilles area using a
Doppler flow meter, and temperature was measured at the metatarsal
and big toe areas using an infrared thermometer. The active cream
was a water-based moisturizing vehicle containing 12.5% L-arginine
hydrochloride in a hostile biophysical environment comprising a
high concentrations of choline chloride, sodium chloride and
magnesium chloride. The control vehicle was identical, except that
the L-arginine was omitted.
[0064] At the first visit, after baseline measurements were made
each subject rubbed active cream (4 mg of L-arginine/cm.sup.2) into
one foot and vehicle into the other. After thirty minutes
measurements were made again. A one week wash out period followed.
Patients returned after the wash out period and flow and
temperature measurements were made. They were then randomly given
either active or placebo cream and told to rub it into their feet
in the morning and evening every day for two weeks. At the end of
two weeks subjects returned and again measurements were made. A
second one week wash out period followed that third visit. At the
end of that period subjects returned and measurements were made.
They were given the cross over product and told again to rub it
into their feet morning and evening for two weeks. The subjects
returned for final flow and temperature measurements at the end of
that period.
[0065] At the first visit flow was increased at the Achilles in the
foot with active cream from 8.1+/-3.3 to 11.5+/-5.5 (p=0.05) thirty
minutes after application. In the foot that received placebo cream
flow failed to increase (8.1+/-1.4 vs. 8.3+/-2.2). Further, at the
last visit the temperature at the metatarsal area had risen from
the initial value of 82.0+/-2.3 to 86.9+/-2.4 (p<0.0001) and the
temperature of the big toe had risen from the initial visit value
of 74.4+/-4.2 to 82.4+/-4.8 (p<0.0001). At the last visit the
flow at the metatarsal area had risen from 8.7+/-4.3 to 11.6+/-5.5
(p<0.0001) and flow at the Achilles area had risen from
8.4+/-2.5 to 11.4+/-5.5 (p=0.02). While the failure of the
L-arginine effect to wash out removed the opportunity for placebo
control, the improvement in temperature and flow were substantial
and highly statistically significant. Though puzzling, one
explanation of the persistence of the L-arginine effect is that the
local tissue concentration of L-arginine becomes high enough to
cause inactive monomers of eNOS to form active dimers.
[0066] Thus, in the patients studied in this example with diabetes,
treatment of their feet with a transdermal preparation of
L-arginine improved both flow and temperature, and this effect was
surprisingly long lasting. Such improvement of compromised local
blood flow would be beneficial and could reduce the complications
of the disease.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Effect of Transdermal L-Arginine Cream on
Temperature Metatarsal (.degree. F.) p vs. Visit 1 Big Toe
(.degree. F.) p vs Visit 1 Visit 1 82.0 +/- 2.3 74.4 +/- 4.2 Visit
2 84.1 +/- 3.4 0.004 77.7 +/- 5.3 0.01 Visit 3 87.0 +/- 2.4
<0.0001 83.6 +/- 4.9 <0.0001 Visit 4 86.1 +/- 2.4 <0.0001
80.6 +/- 5.4 <0.0001 Visit 5 86.9 +/- 2.4 <0.0001 82.4 +/-
4.8 <0.0001
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Effect of Transdermal L-Arginine Cream on
Flow Metatarsal (AU) p vs. Visit 1 Achilles (AU) p vs. Visit 1
Visit 1 8.7 +/- 4.3 8.4 +/- 2.5 Visit 2 10.8 +/- 5.9 NS 8.5 +/- 3.9
NS Visit 3 10.8 +/- 4.8 0.05 9.2 +/- 3.9 NS Visit 4 11.6 +/- 8.3 NS
10.0 +/- 4.2 0.06 Visit 5 11.6 +/- 5.5 <0.0001 11
EXAMPLE 8
[0067] This example illustrates one method of preparing a
transdermal formula of the invention including ibuprofen. The final
composition is shown in Table 3. Of course, those of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that percentages other than the ones
listed below are also possible, according to other embodiments of
the invention.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Example of a Transdermal Preparation Water
49% L-Arginine Hydrochloride 7.5% Ibuprofen (sodium salt) 7.5%
Sodium Chloride 10% Potassium Chloride 5% Glyeryl Steareate (SE) 7%
Cetyl Alcohol 7% Squalene 2% Isopropyl Mysterate 1% Oleic Acid 1%
Tween 20 2% Butanediol 1%
[0068] To prepare the formulation in this example, sodium chloride,
potassium chloride, L-arginine and ibuprofen were mixed in water,
then heated to 74 degrees C. with rapid mixing. In a separate
container, the remaining ingredients were mixed together and heated
to 74 degrees C. The other ingredients were then added to the water
phase at 74 degrees C. with rapid mixing. The mixture was then
cooled to room temperature with continued mixing. At this point, an
emulsion formed with a relatively thin consistency. The emulsion
was then homogenized at high speed at room temperature to thicken
the consistency.
[0069] According to aspects of the invention described and
illustrated herein, beneficial substance(s) (e.g., pharmaceutical
agent(s)) may be provided (e.g., in a delivery vehicle) at a
concentration of between about 0.1% and about 25% (for example at a
concentration of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%,
10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 20%, etc.). However, higher (e.g.,
above 25%, 30%, 40%, 50% or higher) or lower (e.g., below 0.1%,
0.05% or lower) concentrations of beneficial substance(s) may be
used. As used herein (for a beneficial substance or any other
compound described herein) a concentration % may be a % by weight,
a % by volume, or a % weight by volume. As used herein, a
beneficial substance may be, for example, a charged beneficial
substance, a non-charged beneficial substance, a beneficial
substance that forms hydrogen bonds, a beneficial substance that
does not form hydrogen bonds, etc.
[0070] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or
structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the
results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and
each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within
the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the teachings of the present invention
is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual
feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described
herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features,
systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are
not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the
present invention.
[0071] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms.
[0072] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
[0073] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
[0074] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0075] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0076] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0077] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of and "consisting essentially of shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
* * * * *