Gum resin as a carrier for topical application of pharmacologically active agents
Described are pharmacological compositions comprising a gum resin; a pharmacologically active agent and a topically acceptable volatile solvent for the gum resin and active agent. Also described are methods for the transdermal or transmucosal delivery of a pharmacologically active agent using such compositions.
1. A method for the transmucosal delivery of a pharmacologically active agent, comprising applying to the mucosa of a subject in need thereof a liquid composition comprising:
(a) a gum resin;
(b) an active agent selected from the group consisting of nicotine, nitroglycerin and scopolamine; and
(c) a topically acceptable volatile solvent for said gum resin and said active agent, at a concentration of 40-90%.
2. The method of claim 1 , comprising applying said composition to a buccal membrane of the subject.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said gum resin is selected from the group consisting of benzoin gum and mastic gum.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said topically acceptable volatile solvent is ethanol and comprises about 60% to 90% of said composition.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a penetration enhancer.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the active agent is nicotine.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the active agent is nitroglycerin.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the active agent is scopolamine.
9. The method of claim 1 , where the volatile solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
10. The method of claim 1 , where the volatile solvent comprises ethanol.
11. The method of claim 1 , where the volatile solvent comprises isopropanol.
12. The method of claim 1 , where the gum resin comprises benzoin, the active agent comprises nicotine, and the volatile solvent comprises isopropanol.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gum resin comprises about 10% to 60% (w/v) of the composition.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gum resin comprises about 20% to 50% (w/v) of the composition.
15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nitroglycerin comprises 0.5% to 2.0% of the composition.
16. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nitroglycerin comprises 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% of the composition.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volatile solvent comprises about 60% to 90% (v/v) of the composition.