GB2290470A

GB2290470A - Topical treatment with an isoquinoline and a vasodilator

Info

Publication number: GB2290470A
Application number: GB9512877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Milan Kumar Amin; Satnam Singh Butter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-24
Filing date: 1995-06-23
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: GB9412716D0; GB9512877D0

Abstract

A topical composition comprising an isoquinoline (1 to 15%) and a vasodilator (0.25 to 5%) for alleviating skin complaints such as dry skin, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. A preferred isoquinoline source is coal tar and a preferred vasodilator is menthol. The composition may be in the form of an ointment and may further comprise an emollient such as glycerol.

Description

SKIN CARE PRODUCT This invention relates to skin care products.

The skin is a rather remarkable organ and extremely resistant to attack.

However on occasion many people get patches of dry skin for example following exposure to wind or sun. Some people also suffer from pruritis, dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema.

The invention seeks to alleviate these symptoms.

According to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a composition for topical application comprising at least one of i) an isoquinolone and ii) a topical vasodilator.

The accompanying Figure illustrates the intersection between the various components of some embodiments.

A preferred isoquinolone source is coal tar. It is believed but we do not wish to be bound by the theory that the isoquinolone exhibits an anti-mitotic effect.

Profileration of the skin cells which is a symptom of both eczema and dermatitis is thus reduced.

A preferred vasodilator is menthol. The vasodilatation produces a cooling effect. Menthol may also be analgesic in view of its local anaesthetic properties.

The cooling and anaesthetic effect give relief from pruritis. This can be important since there is a scratch-itch cycle in which dry skin gives rise to itching. Scratching relieves momentarily the itch but once the scratching is stopped the itching returns even more strongly. The anaesthetic effect can break this cycle.

Typically 0.25 to 5% by weight preferably 0.5 to 2% vasodilator is used.

Typically 1 to 15% by weight preferably 2 to 10% isoquinolone is used.

Preferably both menthol and coal tar used.

It is also preferred for the formulation to include an emollient such as glycerol which counteracts dry skin. More preferably all three components are present. At least some embodiments of the invention attack the feed-back reaction between itching, dry skin and eczema/psoriasis shown in Figure 1 at several points.

The benefit may be synergistic.

Any form suitable for topical application may be adapted. Ointments are often used to present dehydration of the skin by preventing evaporation.

Ointments however can be messy or uncomfortable. Preferably therefore a high water content emulsion of the oil in water type is used. The oil is present in sufficient amounts to reduce dehydration. Water comes out of the emulsion and wets the skin.

Examples By way of example only the invention will be illustrated by reference to the example.

Example 1 A cream was made by compounding petrolatum, glycerol, glyceryl monostearate, dioctyl adipate, cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, dimethicone, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, coal tar 5%, methol 1% and deionise water.

Example 2 With the exception of menthol which was omitted the product was made up in the same way as Example 1.

Each product substantially alleviated symptoms of dry skin pruritis, eczema and psoriasis.

It will be apparent to the skilled that the invention is not restricted to the particular presentation. Nor is the invention to be construed as restricted to particular vasodilator, isoquinolones or emollients. Those skilled will have little difficulty in finding suitable amounts of these materials. In general they may be reduced until the fall-off in performance is too marked or increased until (or beyond) no extra benefit results.

Claims

1. A composition for topical application comprising at least one of i) an isoquinolone and ii) a topical vasodilator

2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 comprising both an isoquinolone and a topical vesodilator.

3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the isoquinolone is coal tar.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the vasodilator is menthol.

5. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in an oil and water emulsion base.

6. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising an emollient.

7. A composition as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the emollient is glycerol.

8. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims as a medicament.

9. The use of a composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of itching, dry skin, eczema or psoriasis.