Treatment of acne

• US 20020192298A1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (The Westaim Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (The Westaim Corporation)
• Inventors: Yin, Hua Qing, Burrell, Robert Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,008,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/618
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/24 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/242 Gold; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/243 Platinum; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/38 Silver; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0014 Skin, i.e. galenical aspects of topical compositions non-active ingredients are additionally classified in A61K47/00; A61K9/0009, A61K9/0021, A61K9/7015, A61K9/7023 take precedence; cosmetic preparations A61K8/00, A61Q; preparations for wound dressings or bandages A61L26/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/14 Particulate form, e.g. powders, Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles microspheres A61K9/16; microcapsules A61K9/50; nanocapsules, nanoparticles of the matrix type A61K9/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/70 Web, sheet or filament bases ; Films; Fibres of the matrix type containing drug hollow drug-filled fibres A61K9/0092
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/46 Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/145 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/104 Silver, e.g. silver sulfadiazine
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/63 Crystals
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/30 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/10 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/082 Inorganic materials

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of one or more antimicrobial metals selected from silver, gold, platinum, and palladium but most preferably silver, preferably formed with atomic disorder, and preferably in a nanocrystalline form, for the treatment of a acne. The nanocrystalline antimicrobial metal of choice may be used in the form of a nanocrystalline coating of one or more antimicrobial metals, a nanocrystalline powder of one or more antimicrobial metals, or a solution containing dissolved species from a nanocrystalline powder or coating of one or more antimicrobial metals.

Claims

1. A method of treating acne conditions, which comprises:

contacting an acne problem area of a patient, with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antimicrobial metals in a crystalline form to provide a localized antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more antimicrobial metals are characterized by sufficient atomic disorder, such that the metal, in contact with an alcohol or water-based electrolyte, releases atoms, ions, molecules, or clusters of at least one antimicrobial metal at a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial and anti- inflammatory effect.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial metal is nanocrystalline silver.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the one or more antimicrobial metals are provided as a coating on, or filler in, a dressing, or in a pharmaceutical composition with one or more pharmaceutically and dermatogically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients suitable for topical application.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a nanocrystalline powder of one or more antimicrobial metals, or a solution containing dissolved species from a nanocrystalline powder or coating of one or more antimicrobial metals.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a gel, cream or lotion containing the antimicrobial metal powder in an amount of 0.01-5% by weight, or a liquid containing 0.001-1% by weight of the antimicrobial metal.

7. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the coating is provided on a dressing.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the coating is 150-3000 nm thick.

9. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the nanocrystalline silver is formed with sufficient atomic disorder such that, in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, the silver releases ions, atoms, molecules or clusters of the silver on a sustainable basis.

10. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the nanocrystalline antimicrobial metal coating comprises:

a base layer of a partly reflective material capable of generating an interference colour when covered with a partly reflective, partly light transmissive top layer;

a top layer formed over said base layer, said top layer being a partly reflective, partly light transmissive thin film containing at least one antimicrobial metal and having a thickness such that a first or second order interference colour is produced, said top layer having a refractive index different from that of the base layer, and antimicrobial metal being formed with sufficient atomic disorder such that the top layer, in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, releases ions, atoms, molecules or clusters of the antimicrobial metal into the alcohol or water based electrolyte on a sustainable basis.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the dressing fixed in place with an occlusive or semi-occlusive layer which maintains the dressing in a moist condition.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the occlusive or semi-occlusive layer is an adhesive tape or film.