Use of a specific inhibitor of hedgehog/smoothened signaling on hyperpigmented skin to obtain decrease of pigmentation

• US 8,025,893 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sinan Tas
• Original Assignee: Sinan Tas
• Inventors: Tas, Sinan, Avci, Oktay
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Gina C
• Application Number:
  US11/874,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20080089915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 424/401, 424/62, 514/278
• US Class Current: 424/401
• 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 31/4355 the heterocyclic ring system containing a five-membered ring having oxygen as a ring hetero atom
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/44 Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/58 containing heterocyclic rings, e.g. danazol, stanozolol, pancuronium or digitogenin digitoxin A61K31/7048
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/63 Steroids; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/00 Drugs for dermatological disorders
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/06 Antipsoriatics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/02 for chemically bleaching or whitening the skin

Abstract

Cyclopamine or a similarly specific inhibitor of Hedgehog/Smoothened (Hh/Smo) signaling can be used for obtaining decrease of pigmentation of hyperpigmented skin areas.

Claims

1. A method for causing decrease of pigmentation in hyperpigmented skin areas of a human, comprising

administration of cyclopamine or another compound that selectively inhibits Hedgehog/Smoothened signaling,

wherein said administration is in a dosage that provides decrease of pigmentation in said skin areas.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein cyclopamine or said compound is applied in a cosmetic formulation.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound binds to the same biological target as cyclopamine.

4. A method, for causing decrease of pigmentation in hyperpigmented skin areas of a human, comprising

administration of cyclopamine or another compound that binds to the same biological target as cyclopamine to inhibit Hedgehog/Smoothened signaling,

wherein said compound is applied in a cosmetic formulation and in a dosage that provides decrease of pigmentation in said skin areas.