Hyaluronate compositions

1. A composition suitable for topical administration to a mammalian subject, the composition comprising, by mass, from about 0.05% to about 5% sodium hyaluronate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 0.01 megadaltons and about 0.4 megadaltons; at least 50 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 1.65 and 4.0 megadaltons and less than about 0.001 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight above about 4.0 megadaltons;

and wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is predominantly in the liquid phase at ambient temperature.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 0.5 megadaltons and about 1.6 megadaltons.

3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein from about 50 wt % to about 95 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 1.7 megadaltons and about 4.0 megadaltons.

4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, an oil, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, lanolin, petrolatum, wax, and poloxamer.

5. The composition according to claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is water.

6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the ratio of the mass of water to the total mass of the composition ranges from about 60% to about 99.9%.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of an antifungal agent, an antibiotic, an anti-acne agent, an antiviral agent, and a combination thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition has an apparent viscosity of from about 10,000 centipoise to about 300,000 centipoise.

9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is from about 4 to about 8.

10. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises white petrolatum.

11. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, one or more ceramides, a corticosteroid, or a combination thereof.

12. A method for treating a skin disorder on a mammalian subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the composition according to claim 1 .

13. A composition suitable for maintaining or enhancing the moisture of skin, the composition comprising, by mass, at least about 80% water; sodium hyaluronate; one or more preservatives; one or more thickening agents; and one or more bases; wherein the ratio of the mass of sodium hyaluronate to the total mass of the composition is about 0.05% to about 5%, and wherein from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 0.01 megadaltons and about 0.4 megadaltons; at least 50 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight ranging between about 1.65 and 4.0 megadaltons and less than about 0.001 wt % of the sodium hyaluronate in the composition has a molecular weight above about 4.0 megadaltons.

14. The composition of claim 13 , wherein the pH of the composition is between about 4 and about 8.

15. The composition of claim 13 , wherein the composition has an absorbance of not more than 0.1 at 600 nm and a path of 1.0 cm and wherein the composition has a viscosity measured at temperature of 25 degree Celsius of not less than 5,000 centipoise and not more than 100,000 centipoise.

16. The composition of claim 13 , comprising, by mass, at least about 90% water; sodium hyaluronate; methylparaben; propylparaben; carbomer 940; and trolamine, wherein the ratio of the mass of sodium hyaluronate to the total mass of the composition is about 0.05% to 0.3%.

17. The composition of claim 13 , comprising, by mass, at least about 95% water; 0.1% sodium hyaluronate; one or more preservatives; one or more thickening agents; and one or more bases; wherein the composition has an absorbance of not more than 0.1 at 600 nm and a path of 1.0 cm and wherein the composition has a viscosity measured at temperature of 25 degree Celsius of not less than 11,000 centipoise and not more than 18,000 centipoise.

18. The composition of claim 13 , consisting essentially of, by mass, at least about 99% water; about 0.1% sodium hyaluronate; one or more preservatives;

one or more thickening agents; and one or more bases.

19. The composition of claim 13 , consisting essentially of, by mass, about 0.1% sodium hyaluronate, about 0.2% methylparaben, about 0.02% propylparaben, about 0.3% carbomer 940, about 0.15% trolamine, and about 99.23% water.

20. A process for manufacturing a composition of claim 13 , the process comprising the steps of:

(a) admixing the one or more preservatives, the sodium hyaluronate, and the one or more thickening agents to form a pre-water mixture;

(b) admixing the one or more bases and water to form a water mixture;

(c) admixing the pre-water mixture and the water mixture to form a post-water mixture; and

(d) homogenizing the post-water mixture to form the composition.

21. A composition suitable for maintaining or enhancing the moisture of skin, the composition comprising, by mass, at least about 80% water; sodium hyaluronate; one or more preservatives; one or more thickening agents; and one or more bases; wherein the ratio of the mass of sodium hyaluronate to the total mass of the composition is about 0.05% to about 5%, and wherein the sodium hyaluronate has a molecular weight between about 1.6 megadaltons and about 2.8 megadaltons.

22. The composition of claim 21 , consisting essentially of, by mass, about 0.1% sodium hyaluronate, about 0.2% methylparaben, about 0.02% propylparaben, about 0.3% carbomer 940, about 0.15% trolamine, and about 99.23% water.