U.S. patent application number 17/506269 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for composition comprising antimicrobial metal ions and a quaternary cationic surfactant.
The applicant listed for this patent is CONVATEC TECHNOLOGIES INC.. Invention is credited to David PARSONS.
Application Number | 20220030875 17/506269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005914218 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220030875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARSONS; David |
February 3, 2022 |
COMPOSITION COMPRISING ANTIMICROBIAL METAL IONS AND A QUATERNARY
CATIONIC SURFACTANT
Abstract
The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition
suitable for use on skin and wounds comprising a source of an
antimicrobial metal ion and a quaternary cationic surfactant.
Inventors: |
PARSONS; David; (Flintshire,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONVATEC TECHNOLOGIES INC. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005914218 |
Appl. No.: |
17/506269 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15620639 |
Jun 12, 2017 |
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17506269 |
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14114517 |
Nov 14, 2013 |
9675077 |
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PCT/GB2012/000329 |
Apr 5, 2012 |
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15620639 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 33/24 20130101;
A01N 37/44 20130101; A61K 31/14 20130101; A61K 31/198 20130101;
A61K 9/0014 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A61K 33/32 20130101;
A61K 33/38 20130101; A01N 33/12 20130101; A61K 33/34 20130101; A01N
59/16 20130101; A61K 33/245 20130101; A61K 33/30 20130101; A61K
33/26 20130101; A61K 9/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01N 59/16 20060101
A01N059/16; A01N 33/12 20060101 A01N033/12; A61K 31/198 20060101
A61K031/198; A61K 33/24 20060101 A61K033/24; A61K 33/245 20060101
A61K033/245; A61K 33/26 20060101 A61K033/26; A61K 33/30 20060101
A61K033/30; A61K 33/32 20060101 A61K033/32; A61K 33/34 20060101
A61K033/34; A61K 33/38 20060101 A61K033/38; A61K 9/00 20060101
A61K009/00; A61K 9/06 20060101 A61K009/06; A61K 31/14 20060101
A61K031/14; A01N 37/44 20060101 A01N037/44; A01N 59/20 20060101
A01N059/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2011 |
GB |
1105829.4 |
Claims
1. An antimicrobial composition for treating wound bacteria in a
biofilm, the composition comprising ionic silver, EDTA at a level
of from 0.01% to 10% by weight, and a quaternary cationic
surfactant, wherein the quaternary cationic surfactant is present
at a level of more than or equal to 0.025% by weight, wherein the
composition has a pH from 4 to 8, wherein the ionic silver, the
EDTA, and the quaternary cationic surfactant are present in the
composition in amounts that provide synergistic antimicrobial
activity against the wound bacteria, and wherein the composition is
in the form of a thin soluble film, the thin soluble film being
suitable for lamination to a wound dressing.
2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ionic silver is
present at a level of from 0.00001% to 1.0% by weight of the
composition.
3. A composition as claimed claim 1, wherein the cationic
surfactant is selected from a group of the salts where the cation
is benzethonium, benzalkonium, dimethyldiakylonium, alkylpyridinium
and alkyltrimethylammonium.
4. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary
cationic surfactant is present at a level of from 0.05% to 4% by
weight.
5. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the EDTA is present
as a di-, tri- or tetra-basic salt of EDTA.
6. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the EDTA is present
in the composition at a level of 0.1% to 4% by weight of the
composition.
7. A process for making an antimicrobial wound dressing comprising:
(i) obtaining an absorbent wound dressing, and (ii) treating the
wound dressing with an antimicrobial composition in the form of a
thin soluble film, the thin soluble film being laminated to the
wound dressing and for treating wound bacteria in a biofilm,
wherein the composition comprises ionic silver, EDTA at a level of
from 0.01% to 10% by weight, and a quaternary cationic surfactant,
wherein the quaternary cationic surfactant is present at a level of
more than or equal to 0.025% by weight, wherein the composition has
a pH from 4 to 8, and wherein the ionic silver, the EDTA, and the
quaternary cationic surfactant are present in the composition in
amounts that provide synergistic antimicrobial activity against the
wound bacteria.
8. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary
cationic surfactant is selected from benzethonium chloride and
benzalkonium chloride.
9. A composition as claimed in claim 1 having a pH from 4.5 to
5.5.
10. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary
cationic surfactant is present at a level of from 0.5% to 2% by
weight.
11. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the EDTA is
present in the composition at a level of 0.2% to 1% by weight.
12. A composition as claimed in claim 1, having a pH of about 5.5
to protect peri-wound tissue by not altering its pH balance.
13. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the composition has a
pH from 4.5 to 5.5.
14. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the composition has a
pH of about 5.5 to protect peri-wound tissue by not altering its pH
balance.
15. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the EDTA is present
in the composition at a level of 0.2% to 1% by weight.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/620,639, filed Jun. 12, 2017, filed on Jun. 12, 2017, which
is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/114,517, filed on Nov. 14, 2013,
now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,675,077 on Jun. 13, 2017, which is a
U.S. National Phase of PCT/GB12/00329, filed Apr. 5, 2012, which
claims the benefit of GB1105829.4, filed on Apr. 6, 2011, each of
which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This invention relates to an antimicrobial composition which
can be applied to skin, wounds, cuts, abrasions or burns for the
prevention or treatment of infections or to wound dressings and the
like for application to skin, wounds, cuts, abrasions or burns.
More particularly the invention relates to a composition capable of
providing effective antimicrobial activity while at the same time
avoiding wound and skin irritation and retardation of wound
healing.
[0003] Overuse of antibiotics and the associated increase in
bacterial resistance is impacting the efficacy of antibiotics in
the treatment of wound infection. Effective alternatives to
antibiotics are thus desirable.
[0004] Topical antimicrobial materials and preparations containing
them have long been recognised as playing an important part in
minimising the opportunity for skin and wound infections.
Non-antibiotic antimicrobials are non-selective chemical agents
that can be safe to use on living tissue. Molecular iodine, ionic
silver and oxidising agents such as sodium hypochlorite and
chlorine dioxide have been recognised as antimicrobial agents with
effectiveness against a wide range of micro-organisms. There are
however several barriers to making an effective antimicrobial
composition for application to wounds based on such agents. One
problem is that these antimicrobial agents tend to react with
organic materials found in the wound other than the intended
microbial targets. This means that to be effective, antimicrobial
agents need to be included in treatment compositions at high
levels, which may cause undesirable side effects with prolonged use
such as cell toxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, skin staining
and systemic effects. Such side effects are further described in
"In vitro cytotoxity of silver: implication for clinical wound
care". Poon V K, Burd A. Burns. 2004 March; 30(2):140-7, "A review
of iodine toxicity reports". Pennington I A. J Am Diet Assoc. 1990
November; 90(11):1571-81 and "Topical antimicrobial toxicity".
Lineaweaver W, Howard R, Soucy D, McMorris S, Freeman J, Crain C,
Robertson J, Rumley T. Arch Surg. 1985 March; 120(3):267-70.
[0005] There is therefore a need for a means to make treatment
compositions effective without simply increasing the level of
antimicrobial agent included in the composition. It has also been
recognised that wound bacteria often exist in biofilms and that
these are more difficult to treat than their planktonic
counterparts.
[0006] We have found that it is possible to increase the
effectiveness of antimicrobial metal ions by including a quaternary
cationic surfactant in the formulation.
[0007] Accordingly a first aspect of the invention provides an
antimicrobial composition suitable for use on skin and wounds
comprising a source of antimicrobial metal ion and a quaternary
cationic surfactant.
[0008] The presence of the quaternary cationic surfactant enhances
the effect of the antimicrobial metal ion so that the performance
of the antimicrobial metal ion is improved. For instance the
presence of the quaternary cationic surfactant can increase the
speed at which the antimicrobial metal ion works
[0009] By the term antimicrobial it is meant a substance that
inhibits the growth of, or kills, micro-organisms from the
taxonomical kingdoms of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. An effective
antimicrobial composition is therefore one which is used to reduce
and prevent the spread and proliferation of micro-organisms in a
specific application. In wound care this can be interpreted in
terms of control of cross-infection, prevention or elimination of
infection and the reduction of recalcitrant bioburden that can
cause delayed healing and chronicity.
[0010] We have also found that it is possible to prepare a
composition which includes a quaternary cationic surfactant which
is effective under the conditions of pH normally found in a
wound.
[0011] Accordingly a second aspect of the invention provides a
composition suitable for use on wounds comprising a quaternary
cationic surfactant at a pH of 4 to 8.
[0012] The compositions according to a first aspect of the
invention comprise an antimicrobial agent, preferably a metal ion
for example silver, iron, nickel, copper, chromium, manganese,
gold, gallium, magnesium, mercury, lead, aluminium, lead, zinc,
bismuth, tin and palladium. Preferably the metal ion is silver. The
antimicrobial agent is preferably included in the composition at a
level of from 0.01% to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 5%
and even more preferably 0.5% to 1.5% by weight or 1% to 5%. If the
composition is in aqueous solution the antimicrobial metal ion is
preferably in an aqueous solution comprising from 0.00001% to 1.0%
by weight or more preferably 0.0001% to 0.1%, even more preferably
0.0001% to 0.02% by weight or 0.001% to 1.0% by weight.
[0013] The compositions according to the invention comprise a
cationic surfactant. The cationic surfactant can be a quaternary
ammonium salt, an alkyl pyridinium salt, an alkyl imidazolium salt,
an alkyl morpholinium salt, a benzethonium salt or an ethoxylated
quaternary ammonium salt or mixtures thereof. Preferably where the
salt is a quaternary ammonium salt, it is selected from the group
of monoalkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium
salts and monoalkyl monobenzyl dimethyl ammonium salts. Preferably
the cationic surfactant is a quaternary cationic surfactant and
more preferably a quaternary ammonium surfactant. Preferably the
cationic surfactant is selected from the group of benzethonium,
benzalkonium, dimethyldialkylonium, alkylpyridinium and
alkyltrimethylammonium cations with any counter ion, for example:
bromide, chloride, acetate or methyl sulphate. Preferably the
quaternary cationic surfactant is present at a level of more than
or equal to 0.025% by weight, more preferably from 0.05% to 4% by
weight and more preferably from 0.5% to 2% by weight.
[0014] The pH of the composition is preferably between 4 and 8,
more preferably between 4 and 6 and most preferably between 4.5 and
5.5. The desired pH may be achieved by incorporating buffering
agents in the composition. Examples of buffering agents which may
be included are citric acid/di-sodium hydrogen phosphate, citric
acid/sodium citrate, acetic acid/sodium acetate. The buffering
agent may conveniently be present in an amount of about 0.5% to 2%
by weight of the composition so as to provide an isotonic
composition.
[0015] The composition preferably comprises
ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA). EDTA is preferably present
as the di-, tri- or tetra-basic salts of EDTA. We have found that
these salts enhance the antimicrobial effect of the ionic metal in
disrupting biofilm. For example we have found that EDTA at
concentrations of 0.25-0.5% weight by volume was effective in
making a range of microorganisms in the biofilm state vulnerable to
antimicrobial agents.
[0016] EDTA is preferably present in the compositions of the
present invention at a level of 0.1% to 4% by weight of the
composition, more preferably less than 2% by weight, more
preferably 0.2 to 1% by weight.
[0017] The compositions of the present invention may be in the form
of a solution which can be used as a spray to be applied to
dressing materials or a solution dip into which dressing materials
can be immersed, or in the form of thin soluble films which can be
laminated to wound dressings or used along with a separate dressing
in the form of a kit. Alternatively the compositions can be in the
form of a soft semi-solid such as a gel, foam or creme which
maintains a moist wound healing environment and promotes natural
healing. A soft semi-solid formulation gives the advantage of being
able to flow into a wound to form an intimate contact with the
wound bed and provide antimicrobial effects to the entire surface
of a wound. Preferably the formulation has a high enough viscosity
that it does not flow out of a wound onto other tissues. Preferably
the pH of the formulation is buffered at around 5.5 as this does
not alter the pH balance of the peri-wound tissue and therefore
protects it. The compositions of the invention may also be present
as a dry powder spray.
[0018] The following examples are illustrative of the present
invention.
[0019] The data relevant to the examples is represented in the
accompanying drawings which show:
[0020] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show grey scales representing
antimicrobial efficacies of a range of silver concentrations
against a range of surfactant concentrations and a range of
surfactants and optional ingredients:
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a comparison of the depth of penetration (mm)
of antimicrobial action between silver dressings tested both with
treatment and without treatment of a composition according to the
invention; and
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a comparison of the anti biofilm activity (MBEC
data) of solutions and semi-solid gels.
EXAMPLE 1
[0023] Quaternary Cationic Surfactant Enhancement of Silver
Efficacy
[0024] Method: The MBEC Assay System using the Calgary Biofilm
Device provides an assay for screening antibiotics and biocides for
activity against bacterial biofilms. The system involves a reactor
for the formation of 96 equivalent biofilms. The MBEC Assay System
is suited to determination of MBEC values (Minimum Biofilm
Eradication Concentration) and other related values. A description
of the system and method is given in "The MBEC Assay System:
Multiple Equivalent Biofilms for Antibiotic and Biocide
Susceptibility Testing" by Howard Ceri, Merle Olson, Douglas Morck,
Douglas Storey, Ronald Read,
[0025] Andre Buret and Barbara Olson, 2001 Methods in Enzymology
Vol 337, [25] p 377 and "The Calgary Biofilm Device: New Technology
for Rapid Determination of Antibiotic Susceptibilities of Bacterial
Biofilms" Ceri, Olson, Stremick, Read, Morck and Buret Journal of
Clinical Microbiology, June 1999, Vol 37, No. 6, p 1771-1776.
[0026] Biofilms were grown on the pegs of 96-well plate lids
(Nunc-TSP parts 445497 and 167008, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc);
these were then thoroughly rinsed in purified water. Into a fresh
plate, using aseptic techniques and filter sterilised solutions,
aliquots of an aqueous silver nitrate solution, various quaternary
cationic surfactant aqueous solutions and purified water were
pipetted to give a matrix of 10411 test samples of various silver
and surfactant concentrations. The biofilm covered plate lids were
then replaced and left in contact with the test solution for either
30 minutes, 2 or 4 hours. After this time the lids were removed and
any residual test agent was removed from the pegs by rinsing in
sterile normal saline solution (0.85% wlw NaCl). The residual
biofilms were then physically removed from the pegs by the
established sonication method. The released and still viable
bacteria where then grown-on in their planktonic form for 24 hours
in a new plate in which the wells contained a growth medium. The
concentration of surviving bacteria released from the pegs was then
estimated by turbidity measurement on an optical plate reader.
Although optical densities were recorded, a simple grey scale
representation was adequate for interpretation.
[0027] Tested silver ion concentrations ranged from 1.625 .mu.g/ml
to 200 .mu.g/ml, doubling in concentration between successive
samples. The cationic surfactants tested were benzethonium
benzalkonium chloride, dimethyldialkylammonium chloride,
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and cetylpyridinium chloride at
concentrations ranging from 31.25 .mu.g/ml to 200011 g/till also
doubling in concentration between successive samples.
[0028] Results: The results are presented by the charts in FIG. 1a
and by the lefthand diagram in FIGS. 1b, 1c and 1d. The grey scale
represents the antimicrobial efficacy. The higher the efficacy the
lighter the shade of grey so that no antimicrobial efficacy is
represented by black and high antimicrobial efficacy is represented
by light grey. Positive synergies are represented by a shift to a
paler position on the grey scale from the experimental control (no
surfactant) presented in FIG. 1a. In the figures silver
concentration is shown on the y-axis and surfactant concentration
is shown on the x-axis.
[0029] These results show the concentration ranges where synergy
was observed. All cationic surfactants assayed showed synergy with
ionic silver above a specific critical concentration for each
surfactant. Below this critical concentration inhibition of the
antimicrobial effect of silver ions was observed.
EXAMPLE 2
[0030] EDTA and Quaternary Cationic Surfactant Enhancement of
Silver Efficacy
[0031] Method: As Example 1 but with each test solution also
containing 0.25% w/w di-sodium ethyl enediaminetetra-acetic acid
salt.
[0032] Results: The results are presented in FIGS. 1b, 1c and 1d by
the diagram on the righthand side. Diagrams on the lefthand side
are the corresponding experiments without EDTA.
[0033] These results show that EDTA further enhances the
synergistic antimicrobial activity of the cationic surfactant and
the metal ion.
EXAMPLE 3
[0034] Enhancement of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Examples of Silver
Containing Wound Dressings
[0035] The depth to which an antimicrobial effect on an agar gel
containing Staphylococcus aureus was assessed for different types
of treated and untreated silver containing wound dressings.
[0036] Materials:
[0037] Test Dressings: [0038] AQUACEL Ag (5.times.5 cm), batch
9L019035, absorbent, gelling, fibrous-felt dressing containing 1.2%
w/w ionic silver. [0039] Allevyn Ag Non-adhesive, batch 0935,
absorbent foam dressing containing silver sulphadiazine. [0040]
Silvercel Hydro-alginate, batch, 37923, a dressing comprised of a
mixed alginate and silver-coated nylon fibrous pad wrapped in a
perforated ethylene methyl acrylate film. [0041] Sorbsan
Silver--Plus, batch 012035, an absorbent nonwoven alginate pad
impregnated with silver, bonded to a secondary absorbent viscose
layer. [0042] All of the above treated with di-sodium EDTA and
benzethonium chloride. [0043] Microbiological Media: [0044] Maximal
Recovery Diluent (MRD) [0045] Pre-dried Tryptone Soy Agar (TSA)
plates [0046] 0.85% Saline Solution [0047] Molten Tryptone Soy Agar
(TSA) [0048] Industrial Denatured Alcohol (IDA) [0049] Sterile
Deionised Water (SDW) [0050] Microbial Challenge: Staphylococcus
aureus NCIMB 9518
[0051] Methods: Two 3.75 cm diameter circular samples were
aseptically cut from each dressing. One of each sample was placed
into a sterile Petri dish for later testing. The remaining sample
was treated with a solution according to the invention using the
following procedure: --0.25 grams each of di-sodium EDTA and
benzethonium chloride were weighed into separate sterile bottles
and dissolved in 100 ml of 50:50 (v/v) IDA:SDW and 100% IDA
respectively. 50 .mu.g/cm.sup.2 of EDTA and 50 fig/cm.sup.2 of
benzethonium chloride were added to the dressing by carefully
pipetting 220 .mu.l of each solution over the entire surface of
each dressing sample. The samples were then placed back into the
original packaging and dried in a vacuum oven at 90.degree. C. and
0.9 atmospheres of vacuum for approximately 2 hours.
[0052] A colorimeter was used to prepare a suspension of
Staphylococcus aureus approximately 1.times.10.sup.8 CFU/ml in MRD
(0.16-0.18 OD540) and serially diluted to obtain approximately
1.times.10.sup.4 CFU/ml. Two 100 ml volumes of molten TSA
(approximately 45.degree. C.) were each inoculated with 1 ml of the
1.times.10.sup.4 CFU/ml Staphylococcus aureus suspension and
swirled to mix. 20 ml volumes of this bacterially seeded molten
agar were then measured and poured into nine 60 ml pots (with an
internal diameter of 3.75 cm). When cooled and set these pots were
incubated at 35.degree. C..+-.3.degree. C. for 4 hours.+-.15
minutes to initiate growth. After 4 hours each of the test dressing
was hydrated with 2.5 ml of 0.85% Saline Solution in a sterile
Petri dish and placed into a 60 ml pot and onto the surface of the
seeded agar. One pot had no dressing applied to act as a positive
control. The pots were then incubated for another 24 hours after
which time the dressings were removed and disposed of. The pots
were then re-incubated for a minimum 72 hours to allow the already
established colonies to grow. After the final incubation period the
pots were evaluated and photographed next to a calibrated rule.
[0053] Results: Where the dressing had imparted an antibacterial
effect in the seeded agar beneath the dressing the agar appeared
transparent. Where bacterial growth had not been inhibited the agar
appeared opaque. The depth of the transparent zone of agar from the
surface in contact with the dressing was interpreted as an
indication of antimicrobial efficacy. Results are presented in FIG.
2. The positive control was opaque to the surface of the agar, i.e.
there was no transparent zone. The results indicate that all of the
silver containing dressings tested had some antimicrobial potency,
but this varied between dressing types.
[0054] The addition of this example formulation of the invention
increased the depth of the transparent zone by at least a factor of
two for all dressing types but the rank order remained the same.
This suggested that potency is dependent on dressing type but
synergystic enhancement was independent of dressing type.
[0055] The Aquacel Ag had a greater depth of penetration than the
other dressings for both the control and treated tests. Aquacel Ag
also had the greatest improvement in antimicrobial penetration when
treated with a solution according to the invention as the average
depth of penetration was three times greater than the control.
EXAMPLE 4
[0056] Enhancement of Antimicrobial Efficacy with Different
Antimicrobial Metals
[0057] Previous Examples using the MBEC (Minimum Biofilm
Eradication Concentration) method have shown that the addition of
specific antimicrobial agents to silver enhances its antimicrobial
activity. The purpose of this example was to assess the effect of
these agents on the antimicrobial activity of other metals, using
the MBEC method.
[0058] Method: A 0.2% w/w aqueous stock solution of the quaternary
cationic surfactant didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) was
prepared from a concentrated commercial solution (50% w/v solution,
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). Individual stock solutions of
silver nitrate, copper (II) nitrate trihydrate, gallium (III)
nitrate, nickel (II) nitrate hexahydrate, zinc sulphate
heptahydrate, manganese (II) chloride tetrahydrate, iron (II)
sulphate heptahydrate, iron (III) sulphate hydrate, and copper (II)
nitrate trihydrate were prepared from commercially available
laboratory solids. Each solution was adjusted to approximately pH
5.5 by the addition of small amounts of dilute aqueous sodium
hydroxide and/or dilute hydrochloric acid. The metal ion solutions
were then volumetrically diluted to 0.1% w/w (with respect to the
metal) with purified water. Any precipitates were kept homogenously
suspended by vigorous shaking. The MBEC assay as described in
Example 1 was then performed for the surfactant solution alone,
each individual metal ion solution and then for each metal solution
in combination with the surfactant solution.
[0059] Results:
TABLE-US-00001 MBEC for the metal ion (ppm) t Without With 0.1%
Metal pH DDAC DDAC Synergy Silver 5.27 12.5 0.097 +ve Copper * 5.47
15.6 1.95 +ve Iron (II) * 5.30 >1000 .ltoreq.0.24 +ve Iron (III)
* 5.40 >1000 .ltoreq.0.24 +ve Gallium * 5.51 >1000
.ltoreq.0.24 +ve Manganese 5.40 >1000 .ltoreq.0.24 +ve Nickel
5.51 >1000 .ltoreq.0.24 +ve Zinc 5.40 >1000 .ltoreq.125 +ve
DDAC -- 0.2% -na- -na- .dagger. Lowest concentration at which
activity was observed; ppm is equivalent to .mu.g/g (or .mu.g/ml in
aqueous solutions). These values are approximate. * These metals
formed precipitates when the 0.1% solutions were pH adjusted to pH
5.5; however the precipitate was dissolved when diluted in the test
plate.
[0060] Literature data for metal solutions (pH unadjusted) suggests
the following order in terms of antimicrobial activity: [0061]
Silver>Iron>Nickel>Copper>Gallium>Magnesium>Bismuth
[0062] The MBEC for DDAC alone was determined as approximately
0.2%. When 0.1% DDAC was used in combination with the listed metal
ion solutions all produced a significant reduction in the MBEC for
the metal thus demonstrating a synergistic effect which is
independent of the identity of antimicrobial metal used.
EXAMPLE 5
[0063] The Effect of pH
[0064] When used at high concentration many cationic surfactants
have antimicrobial activity; typically this is enhanced by an
alkaline pH. Similarly, many researchers have found that the
activity of some silver compounds is also enhanced by elevated pH.
To prevent pain and tissue damage, products applied to broken skin
need to be near pH neutral or have slightly acidic in pH. This
Example investigates the effect of pH on the synergystic effect
between a quaternary cationic surfactant and an antimicrobial
metal.
[0065] Method: The following aqueous stock solutions were prepared:
--benzethonium chloride (1.0% w/w), silver nitrate (0.1% w/w with
respect to the metal), sodium acetate (0.5M) and acetic acid
(0.5M).
[0066] In the control experiment sodium acetate and acetic acid
solutions were mixed at various ratios and diluted with purified
water to give a range of pH buffer solutions with different pH's
but with the same overall ionic strength (0.1M with respect to
acetate ion). To each, sufficient silver nitrate solution was added
to make the solution 0.01% w/w with respect to silver. Each
solution was then challenged in the MBEC method as described in
Example 1 to determine if, at this level of pH and silver, the
solution was above or below the MBEC.
[0067] Using a second set of similarly prepared solutions (0.1M
acetate buffer, 0.01% silver) a second MBEC experiment was
performed in which the concentration of the surfactant solution was
varied.
[0068] Results: None of the 0.01% silver solutions pH buffered in
the range 4.7 to 7.7 were effective against biofilms in the MBEC
model. Surfactant concentrations of >0.25%, 5_ 0.10% and 0.025%
were required to eradicate biofilm in the MBEC model at pH 6.9, 6.2
and 5.5 respectively.
[0069] This suggests the synergystic antimicrobial effect of the
current invention is enhanced by reducing pH (becoming more acidic)
which is counter to current wisdom.
EXAMPLE 6
[0070] Enhancement of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of a Semi-Solid
(Gel) Composition Containing Silver, EDTA and Quaternary
Surfactant
[0071] Previous Examples (1, 2, 4 & 5) illustrate applicability
to simple solutions. This example seeks to demonstrate that the
addition of inert excipients that modify the physical form and
properties of the base active solution have no effect on the
observed efficacy. Increasing the viscosity by the addition of the
gelling agent hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC, Aqualon type: Natrosol
2501{X Pharm) is used in this example with the activity of the
formulated gels being compared to the equivalent solution using the
MBEC assay as previously described.
[0072] Method: Stock solutions of silver nitrate, benzethonium
chloride, di-sodium EDTA (pH .about.4), tri-sodium EDTA (pH
.about.8) and HEC were prepared. These were then combined in
various ways to produce a matrix of samples of one, two, three
components (EDTA being included only once in any combination) with
and without HEC. The final component concentrations being 0%,
0.0001% or 0.02% for silver (Ag); 0%, 0.1% or 1% for benzethonium
chloride (BeCl); 0%, 0.2% or 1% for EDTA; 0% or 0.1% for HEC. Test
samples were challenged against a microbial biofilm using the MBEC
method previously outlined in Example 1. The results were recorded
as either effective (no bacterial growth) or ineffective (bacterial
growth as indicated by turbidity). All test samples were prepared
in duplicate and each MBEC determination was performed in
triplicate therefore six assays results were obtained for each
sample.
[0073] Results:
[0074] A summary of the results for combinations are shown in FIG.
3. Adding an inert excipient (HEC) to modify the physical
properties of the test substance did not alter the anti-biofilm
activity of the test mixture. Synergistic behaviour was still
observed for the combinations at pH 4 and pH 8 at the lower end of
the preferred concentration ranges. No inhibitory effects of the
addition of the inert excipient were observed at the upper end of
the preferred concentration ranges.
* * * * *