Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Radical -xh acid – or anhydride – acid halide or salt thereof...
Patent
1997-05-16
2000-02-29
Spivack, Phyllis G.
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Radical -xh acid, or anhydride, acid halide or salt thereof...
A61K 31557
Patent
active
060310014
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
Psoriasis is a common dermatologic disorder affecting 1-2% of the population e.g. in Europe and United States. The disease usually debuts between the age of 10-40 years, but may become manifest at any age. Typically hyperkeratotic pink lesions covered by adherent silver-white scales can be found in patients suffering from psoriasis. The lesions have a characteristic shape and are well-demarcated. Not infrequently these lesions are localised to the elbows, knees, the gluteal regions and the scalp and it is generally believed that a cause of the psoriatic lesions is physical contact, pressure e.g. rubbing.
The underlying mechanism of psoriasis is an increased proliferation of cells in the epidermis, primarily the keratinocytes. Thus, the epidermis becomes thick and hyperkeratotic, particularly superficially. The precise mechanism behind the stimulus of the cell proliferation is not known, but generally it is believed that trauma of the skin leads to an inflammatory reaction involving hyperproliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis. There is a marked genetic disposition to develop psoriasis. Psoriasis may also become generalised over the whole body and psoriasis may cause arthritis, typically in the fingers. Psoriasis may fluctuate but complete and permanent remission is uncommon.
Psoriasis is usually treated with different medications. In simple cases, keratolytics, lubricants and topical corticosteroids are employed. Salicylic acid and anthralin are also used. Another form of medical treatment is PUVA-treatment. PUVA-treatment is based on systemic or local administration of psoralens, e.g. methoxy-psoralen combined with irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet light (UVA). This treatment modality is effective but may predispose to skin cancer. Antimitotics, such as methotrexate, have also been used in severe cases of psoriasis. Although there are presently many treatment modalities for psoriasis there is a definite need for more effective medications with less side-effects.
We have now unexpectedly found that certain prostaglandins may be useful for the treatment of psoriasis. Prostaglandins are fatty acids usually derived from the precursors eicosatrienoic, eicosatetraenoic or eicosapentanoic acid through metabolic steps involving oxygenation. Naturally occurring prostaglandins typically have the general structure ##STR1##
The prostaglandins accordingly carry a cyclopentane ring to which two carbon chains link, the upper usually being called the alpha chain and the lower usually being called the omega chain.
The prostaglandins are classified in subgroups A, B, C, D, E, F and J depending on the structure of the cyclopentane ring: ##STR2##
The alpha chain is a 7 carbon carboxy-terminated aliphatic chain whereas the omega chain is a 8 carbon methyl-terminated aliphatic chain. Depending on the number of double bonds in these chains subscripts of 1 to 3 are given. In prostaglandins with subscript 1, e.g. PGA.sub.1 and PGJ.sub.1, the double bond is situated between carbons 13 and 14 in the omega chain, and it exhibits trans configuration in naturally occurring prostaglandins. In prostaglandins with subscript 2, e.g. PGA.sub.2 and PGJ.sub.2 an additional double bond in the cis configuration exists between carbons 5 and 6 in the alpha chain and finally in prostaglandins with subscript 3 a third double bond is situated between carbons 17 and 18 in the omega chain. This double bond also exhibits cis configuration in naturally occurring prostaglandins. All naturally occurring prostaglandins carry a hydroxyl group in carbon 15, which is essential for biologic activity.
Therapeutic use of prostaglandins for treatment of a great number of various diseases, including psoriasis, has been suggested, especially in patent publications, but no efficient prostaglandin derivative has to be best of our knowledge been presented for treatment of psoriasis.
Prostaglandins to be used according to the present invention are characterized by an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyclopentenone and are in particular of the A and J type in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4009282 (1977-02-01), Voorhees
patent: 4024174 (1977-05-01), Hayashi et al.
patent: 4254145 (1981-03-01), Birnbaum
Chemical Abstract No. 121:91772j (Aug. 22, 1994).
Resul Bahram
Stjernschantz Johan
Spivack Phyllis G.
Synphra AB
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