Polysaccharide based gel

• US 7,208,480 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chesham Chemicals Limited
• Original Assignee: Chesham Chemicals Limited
• Inventors: Williams, Peter, Mitchell, David, Hickey, Martina
• Primary Examiner(s): Padmanabhan; Sreeni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yu; Gina C.
• Application Number:
  US10/311,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,139 Days
• Field of Search: 424/195.18, 424/70.1, 424/401, 514/782, 514/780
• US Class Current: 514/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/594 Mixtures of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/042 Gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/73 Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/737 Galactomannans, e.g. guar; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0095 Drinks; Beverages; Syrups; Compositions for reconstitution thereof, e.g. powders or tablets to be dispersed in a glass of water; Veterinary drenches A61K9/0007 takes precedence; eatable gels or foams A61K9/0056; oral mucosa adhesive forms A61K9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/205 Polysaccharides, e.g. alginate, gums; Cyclodextrin
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/16 Emollients or protectives, e.g. against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 1/02 Preparations containing skin colorants, e.g. pigments preparations in powder form A61Q1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 1/12 Face or body powders for grooming, adorning or absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 15/00 Anti-perspirants or body deodorants deodorisation of air A61L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/04 Topical preparations for affording protection against sunlight or other radiation; Topical sun tanning preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/10 Washing or bathing preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 5/006 Antidandruff preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 5/02 Preparations for cleaning the hair
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 5/06 Preparations for styling the hair, e.g. by temporary shaping or colouring
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 5/12 Preparations containing hair conditioners
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/00 Compositions of polysaccharides or of their derivatives not provided for in groups C08L1/00 or C08L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/14 : Hemicellulose; Derivatives thereof

Abstract

A fluid gel obtainable by a process which comprises subjecting a solution comprising a mixture of xanthan and one or more non-gelling polysaccharides selected from galactomannans or glucomannans in a solvent to shear while cooling the solution from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture, and recovering the resulting continuous gel. The gel is useful in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions where it may, for instance, be generated in situ.

Claims

1. A fluid gel obtained by a process which comprises subjecting a solution consisting of a mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan and, optionally, an electrolyte in a solvent to shear while cooling the solution from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture, to the gelation temperature and recovering the resulting continuous gel, wherein the solvent is selected from water, alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof.

2. A gel according to claim 1 wherein the xanthan and konjac mannan are present in a weight ratio of from 1:

10 to 10;

1.

21. A cosmetic composition comprising the gel of claim 1.

22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the gel of claim 1.

23. A method of treating mucous tissues comprising applying a topical or mucosal contact gel or lotion comprising the gel of claim 1.

24. A method of ultrasound or ECG imaging a subject comprising topically applying to the area or areas to be imaged a gel or lotion comprising the gel of claim 1.

3. A process for producing a fluid gel, which process comprises subjecting a solution consisting of a mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan and, optionally, an electrolyte in a solvent to shear while cooling the solution from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture, to gelation temperature and recovering the resulting continuous gel, wherein the solvent is selected from water, alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof.

4. A process according to claim 3 which further comprises the preliminary step of heating the said mixture to a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture.

5. A process according to claim 3 wherein the solution consists of from 0.05 to 2% by weight of the mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan and a solvent.

6. A process according to claim 3 wherein the solution before cooling is at a temperature from just above the gelation temperature of the mixture to 95°

C.

7. A process according to claim 3 wherein the solution is cooled to room temperature.

8. A process according to claim 3 which further comprises, in either order, (i) heating the xanthan and the konjac mannan to a temperature greater than or equal to the gelation temperature of the mixture and (ii) mixing the xanthan and the konjac mannan together.

20. A fluid gel produced by the process of claim 3.

9. A composition comprising:

(i) a fluid gel obtained by a process which comprises subjecting a solution comprising a mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan in a solvent to shear while cooling the solution from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture, to gelation temperature and recovering the resulting continuous gel wherein the solvent is selected from water, alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof; and

(ii) a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or diluent.

10. A composition according to claim 9 which further comprises one or more of a pigment, a pharmaceutically active compound, a sunscreen active component, a silicone or derivative thereof, an inorganic salt or a solvent.

11. A composition according to claim 10 wherein one or more of the further components is added to the solution before subjecting the solution to shearing.

12. A composition according to claim 9 which takes the form of a topical, oral or mucosal contact gel or lotion, or a viscous fluid.

13. A composition according to claim 9 obtained by a process which comprises:

(a) forming a mixture in solution comprising one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants or diluents and a mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan in a solvent which is selected from water, alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof;

(b) subjecting the mixture to shear while cooling it from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture;

to gelation temperature and

(c) recovering the resulting cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition.

14. A process for producing a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition which process comprises:

(a) forming a mixture in solution comprising one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants or diluents and a mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan;

(b) subjecting the aqueous phase to shear while cooling it from a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture;

to gelation temperature and

(c) recovering the resulting cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition.

15. A process according to claim 14 which further comprises the preliminary step of heating the mixture to a temperature above the gelation temperature of the mixture.

16. A process according to claim 14 wherein the solution comprises from 0.05% to 2% by weight of the mixture of xanthan and konjac mannan.

17. A process according to claim 14 wherein the solution before cooling is at a temperature from just above the gelation temperature of the mixture to 95°

C.

18. A process according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the solution is cooled to room temperature.

19. A process according to any one of claim 14 to 18 which further comprises, in either order:

(i) heating the xanthan and the one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier adjuvant or diluent, and the konjac mannan in a solvent which is selected from water, alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof to a temperature greater than or equal to the gelation temperature of the mixture; and

(ii) mixing the xanthan, the one or more cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier adjuvant or diluent, and the konjac mannan together.