Hair loss abstract
A method for treating hair loss by repeated topical application
of a ASCORBATES compound, a flavine or another hydroxyl radical
scavenger.
Hair loss claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for stimulating hair growth comprising repeatedly applying
in a topical pharmaceutical carrier to skin a hydroxyl radical scavenger
selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and ascorbyl
esters, in an amount effective to stimulate hair growth.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising topical application of ascorbic
acid.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising topical application of an
ascorbyl ester.
4. The method of claim 1, comprising topical application of ascorbyl
palmitate.
5. In a method for stimulating hair growth comprising repeated
application to skin of a topical pharmaceutical carrier comprising
a hair growth stimulant, the improvement wherein the carrier comprises
therein a hydroxyl radical scavenger selected from the group consisting
of ascorbic acid and ascorbyl esters, in an amount effective to
stimulate hair growth.
6. The improvement of claim 5, comprising topical application of
ascorbic acid.
7. The improvement of claim 5, comprising topical application of
ascorbyl ester.
8. The improvement of claim 5, comprising topical application of
ascorbyl palmitate.
Hair loss description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the use of sulfhydryl compounds such
as thioproline, homocysteine, cysteine and/or N-acetylcysteine for
treating hair loss.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, several anti-alopecia agents such as minoxidil and cyoctol
have gained attention. However, most of these anti-alopecia agents
are only minimally effective in some cases and/or can cause adverse
dermatological or systemic reactions. Thus, the search continues
for new, safer and more effective anti-alopecia agents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicant has discovered that sulfhydryl compounds such as thioproline,
homocysteine, cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine have restorative
properties in the body and can be administered, for example, as
a anti-alopecia agent to stimulate cosmetic hair growth or as a
protectant to minimize hair loss during cancer treatments known
to induce hair loss.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, sulfhydryl compounds are compounded in
a pharmaceutical formulation or carrier for topical or internal
administration. The pharmaceutical carrier in which the sulfhydryl
is generally substantially homogeneously dispersed can be an aqueous
dispersion or suspension, or a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion
depending on the administration route. Topical pharmaceutical carriers
which can be mentioned include water, urea, alcohols and glycols
such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, propylene
glycol, and the like. Internally administered pharmaceutical carriers
typically include water and ethanol.
Suitable water-in-oil emulsions are commercially available under
the designations Aquaphor, cold cream, Eucerin, hydrous lanolin,
Hydrosorb hydrophilic petrolatum, Nivea, Polysorb, Qualatum and
Velvachol. Suitable oil-in-water emulsions are available commercially
under the designations acid mantle cream, Almay emulsion cream,
Cetaphil, Dermabase, Dermavan, hydrophilic ointment, Keri cream,
Lubriderm cream, Multibase cream, Neobase cream, Unibase cream,
Vanibase cream and Wibi. The carrier may further contain various
other emollients, emulsifiers, water, perfumes, colorants, preservatives,
and the like. The topical formulation is in the form of a cream,
lotion, shampoo, cream rinse, or the like.
The sulfhydryls used in the present invention include pharmaceutically
acceptable sulfhydryl compounds and their derivatives such as esters,
peptides and nitrosoderivatives. Exemplary sulfhydryls include cysteine,
homocysteine, acetylcysteine, glutathione, cysteamine, 2-thiobarbituric
acid, dithiothreitol, penicillamine, N-acetylpenicillamine, taurine,
cysteamide, diethyidithiocarbamate salts, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate
and its hydrocarbyl esters, dimethylthiourea, thiosalicylic acid,
ethiophos, spironolactone, and the like. These can be used alone
or in combination.
Other hair growth stimulants which can be used with or in place
of the sulfhydryls are flavines such as, for example, troxerutin,
quercetin, myricetin, rutin, quercitrin, meciadonol, 7,8-benzoflavine,
catechin, and the like; and other hydroxyl radical scavengers such
as, for example, ascorbic acid and ascorbyl esters such as ascorbyl
palmitate, uric acid, methylated uric acids and purines, butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), 5-aminosalicylic
acid, sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, "Bioharmony," ellagic
acid, mannitol, deferoxamine, benzoate, ethoxyquin, methoxyquin,
pentetic acid, neocuproine, cytokinins, ubiquinones, allopurinol,
tyrosine, piroxicam, lazaroids, and the like.
Effective amounts of the sulfhydryl generally range from about
0.01 to about 20% by weight of the administered composition, more
preferably from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight, most preferably
from about 0.5 to about 3% by weight, but more or less can be present
in the composition depending on the particular formulation and the
treatment conditions.
The sulfhydryls can be used alone or in combination with other
additaments which are available to enhance the function of hair
growth stimulation such as, for example, the hydroxyl radical scavengers,
antiandrogens and others described in International Publication
No. WO 87/00427 (International Application No. PCT/US86/01393) published
on Jan. 29, 1987; and European Patent Application No. 89300785.6,
Publication No. 0327263/A1, published Aug. 9, 1989; both of which
are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein as though fully
set forth verbatim, including reference therein to the publication
of Ross & Ross, "Selected Specific Rates of Reactions of
Transients From Water In Aqueous Solution. III. Hydroxyl Radical
and Pure Hydroxyl Radicals and Their Radical Ions," National
Standard Reference Data Series, National Bureau of Standards, 59
(1977), which is also incorporated herein by reference.
According to the present invention, the sulfhydryl can be administered
to the skin to be treated, such as the scalp. Depending on the type
of hair loss or alopecia being treated and the conditions thereof,
the stimulation of hair growth can usually be obtained by topical
application, preferably repeated daily application for a period
of 3-6 months. The utility of topically applied sulfhydryls is not
limited thereto, however, and the stimulation of hair growth can
include an increased rate of growth, increased hair diameter, follicular
neogenesis, and the like, inhibiting hair loss or alopecia from
progressing, for example, in male pattern baldness, or during the
course of treatment with other therapeutic agents known to induce
hair loss, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy in cancer treatment
as well as a restorative for increasing the overall relative health
of the skin and other treated organs.
The invention is illustrated by way of the following examples:
EXAMPLE 1
A cysteine shampoo is prepared by mixing 0.5 g of N-acetylcysteine
in 500 ml of a commercially available shampoo. The shampoo is used
daily on the scalp for normal shampooing of the hair for a period
of from 3 to 6 months to obtain cosmetic hair growth.
EXAMPLE 2
An ascorbate shampoo is prepared by mixing 0.5 g of ascorbyl palmitate
in 500 ml of a commercially available shampoo. The shampoo is used
daily on the scalp for normal shampooing of the hair for a period
of from 3 to 6 months to obtain cosmetic hair growth.
The invention is described above and illustrated herein with reference
to specific chemical formulas, preparations and therapeutic and
cosmetic applications. Many variations and modifications will become
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure.
It is intended that the following claims are not to be limited thereby,
and are to be construed in accordance with the spirit and scope
thereof.
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