Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Radical -xh acid – or anhydride – acid halide or salt thereof...
Patent
1996-04-18
1998-01-27
Reamer, James H.
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Radical -xh acid, or anhydride, acid halide or salt thereof...
A61K 31195
Patent
active
057123098
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a composition which may be used to treat hangovers and which may be used to prevent or reduce hangovers. In particular, the invention is directed toward preventing or reducing the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangovers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hangovers which result from the over indulgence of alcohol are believed to have two basic causes. The first of these is the diuretic effect of ethanol, caused by inhibition of release of endogenous antidiuretic hormone. The result of this diuretic effect is dehydration, which may be overcome by ingestion of large amounts of water following consumption of alcohol.
The second cause of hangovers is the toxic effect of acetaldehyde on the body. The major route for elimination of alcohol is by conversion of ethanol in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase to produce acetaldehyde. Increase in water consumption has little effect on the elimination of alcohol or acetaldehyde from the body, and hence little effect on this cause of hangover.
The present invention aims to provide a composition which is useful in preventing or reducing the effects of hangovers. It further aims to provide a method of preventing or reducing the effect of hangovers.
In Alcoholism 13, 164-71 (1989), Tabakoff, Eriksson and von Wartburg show that methionine ingestion can lower circulating levels of acetaldehyde after ethanol ingestion in mice, rats and humans. The mechanism for this effect is not known, but since liver and serum levels of acetaldehyde are reduced without concurrent reduction in ethanol concentration, it is believed that methionine may increase the clearance of acetaldehyde.
Another amino acid which affects acetaldehyde metabolism is L-alanine. L-alanine has been shown to prevent acute toxicity of acetaldehyde in mice (Fujiwara, Suwa, Yoshizumo, Yamatodani and Wada; Arukoru Kenkyuto Iakubutsu Ison, (1988) 23, 58-69).
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It has now surprisingly been discovered that by administering a composition containing both L-methionine and L-alanine in conjunction with alcohol consumption, the effects of a hangover may be alleviated or prevented. The effect of this composition is beyond that expected for the combined individual effects of L-methionine and L-alanine, showing a synergy of effect.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition for reducing the symptoms of hangover, including therapeutically effective amounts of L-methionine and L-alanine, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients.
It is preferred that the weight ratio of L-methionine to L-alanine is from 1:2 to 2:1 to maximize the effectiveness of the composition.
In a preferred form of the invention, a composition containing substantially equal quantities by weight of L-methionine and L-alanine as active ingredients is prepared. The composition may also contain known pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an effervescent composition is prepared containing, in addition to the active ingredients, effervescing agents (for example citric acid anhydrous and sodium bicarbonate), surfactants and wetting agents (for example sodium lauryl sulphate), colouring and flavouring agents and fillers.
The compositions of the invention may be used to treat the effects of a hangover or as a prophylaxis for hangover. The invention also encompasses a method of treatment which includes administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to the invention to a patient. Administration may be before and/or during and/or after consumption of alcohol, to prevent or reduce the effects of a hangover. Preferably, an effervescent composition containing effective quantities of L-methionine and L-alanine, as well as effervescing agents, and optionally one or more wetting agents, surfactants, colouring agents, flavouring agents or fillers is administered prior to and after consumption of alcohol. In a particularly preferred method, a composition according to the invention is administe
REFERENCES:
patent: 4357343 (1982-11-01), Madsen
patent: 4416898 (1983-11-01), Le Fur
patent: 4792549 (1988-12-01), Takahashi
patent: 4871550 (1989-10-01), Millman
patent: 5053429 (1991-10-01), Hirsch et al.
patent: 5430064 (1995-07-01), Hirsch et al.
Derwent Accession No. 84-059245, English Abstract of JP, A2,59016817 (Eisai KK) 28 Jan. 1984 (Jan. 28, 1984).
Derwent Accession No. 87-076349, English Abstract of JP, A2, 62029519 (Daigo Eiyo Kagaku) 7 Feb. 1987 (Feb. 2, 1987).
Derwent Accession No. 26847B, English Abstract of JP, AZ, 54026324 (Morishita Pharm KK) 27 Feb. 1979 (Feb. 27, 1979).
Finnin Barrie Charles
Horewood Timothy Frederick
Musashi Pty Ltd.
Reamer James H.
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