Treatment and prevention of benign pigmented moles (naevi) using artemisinine and the derivatives thereof
A method of treating a benign pigmented mole or a dermatomycosis. The method comprises locally applying to a subject in need thereof artemisinine and/or one or more structurally related compounds. Also disclosed is a plaster which comprises a topical formulation comprising artemisinine and/or one or more structurally related compounds.
1. A method of treating at least one benign pigmented mole, wherein the method comprises locally applying to a subject in need thereof one or more compounds of formula (I):
wherein:
X represents CO, CHOZ or CHNRZ;
Z is selected from hydrogen; straight-chain and branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkenyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkynyl; (C 3 -C 8 ) cycloalkyl; (C 6 -C 24 ) aryl; (C 7 -C 24 ) aralkyl; m- and p-CH 2 (C 6 H 4 )COOM; COR 3 ; CSR 3 ; C(NR 6 )R 3 ; SOR 4 ; SO 2 OM; SO 2 NR 7 R 8 ; SO 2 O-artemisinyl; SO 2 NH-artemisinyl; POR 4 R 5 ; and PSR 4 R 5 ;
R 3 is selected from straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkoxy; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkenyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkynyl; (C 3 -C 8 ) cycloalkyl; (C 6 -C 24 ) aryl; (C 6 -C 10 ) aryloxy; (C 7 -C 24 ) aralkyl; —(CH 2 ) n —COOM, with n being an integer of from 1 to 6; and 10α-di-hydroartemisinyl;
R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkenyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkynyl; (C 3 -C 8 ) cycloalkyl; (C 6 -C 24 ) aryl; (C 7 -C 24 ) aralkyl; OM; straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkoxy; (C 6 -C 10 ) aryloxy; and NR 7 R 8 ;
R 6 is selected from straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkenyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkynyl; (C 3 -C 8 ) cycloalkyl; (C 6 -C 24 ) aryl; and (C 7 -C 24 ) aralkyl;
M represents hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
R 7 and R 8 are independently selected from straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl, or R 7 and R 8 together form a (C 4 -C 6 ) alkylene bridge; and
R is selected from hydrogen; straight-chain or branched (C 1 -C 6 ) alkyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkenyl; straight-chain or branched (C 2 -C 6 ) alkynyl; (C 3 -C 8 ) cycloalkyl; (C 6 -C 24 ) aryl; and (C 7 -C 24 ) aralkyl.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more compounds of formula (I) are applied in a form of a topical formulation.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the topical formulation comprises at least one of a paste, an ointment, a suspension, a solution, a gel, a spray, and a cream.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the topical formulation comprises an ointment and loss of moisture from skin is prevented by application of the ointment.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the topical formulation is applied in conjunction with a plaster.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one benign pigmented mole is selected from one or more of acquired nevus cell nevi; congenital nevus cell nevi, disorders of melanin pigmentation, and pigmented moles of the mucous membranes.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one benign pigmented mole comprises an acquired nevus cell nevi.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one benign pigmented mole comprises a congenital nevus cell nevi.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one benign pigmented mole is selected from one or more of birthmarks, liver spots, sun spots and age spots.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more compounds of formula (I) comprise at least one compound wherein X is CHOZ, Z is selected from m- and p-CH 2 (C 6 H 4 )COOM and COR 3 ; and R 3 represents —(CH 2 ) n —COOM.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more compounds of formula (I) comprise at least one compound selected from artemisinine; dihydroartemisinine; carboxyl group containing derivatives of formula (I); artemether; arteether; propyl carbonate of dihydroartemisinine, and artelinic acid.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more compounds of formula (I) comprise at least one compound selected from artemisinine, dihydroartemisinine, and artesunate.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more compounds of formula (I) comprise artesunate.