PROBIOTIC BACTERIA FOR THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF SKIN DISORDERS
The present invention relates to a probiotic bacteria, and/or soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with Tight Junction function, characterised in that the probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria is formulated for topical administration.
1 . A probiotic bacteria, and/or soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with Tight Junction function, characterised in that the probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria and/or a cell lysate of a probiotic bacteria is formulated for topical administration.
2 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , formulated for administration to the skin.
3 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , formulated for administration to a mucous membrane, wherein said mucous membrane is selected from the group consisting of the mucosa of: the vagina, the penis, the uretha, the bladder, the anus, the mouth, the nose, the throat, the bronchi, the lungs, the eye and the ear.
4 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises more than one probiotic bacteria and/or soluble metabolite and/or cell lysates.
5 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprises at least one lactic acid bacteria.
6 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium lactis and Propionibacterium jensenii.
7 . The probiotic bacteria, and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 ; wherein the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus salivarius Ls-33, and Propionibacterium jensenii P63.
8 . The soluble metabolite of a probiotic bacteria for use according to claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of one or more of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus salivarius Ls-33 and Bifidobacterium lactis 420.
9 . The soluble metabolite of claim 7 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is Bifidobacterium lactis 420.
10 . The cell lysate and/or soluble metabolite for use according to claim 1 , wherein the probiotic bacteria is L. acidophilus La-14.
11 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of betaine, a polyol (e.g. xylitol or lactitol) and/or a polyphenol (e.g. epicatechin or gallocatechin).
12 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the disorder associated with Tight Junction function is selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis dry skin, allergy, rashes, UV-irritated skin, detergent irritated skin (including irritation caused by enzymes used in washing detergents and sodium lauryl sulphate) and thinning skin (e.g. skin from the elderly and children).
13 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
14 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation comprises between about 0.01% and about 30% by weight of probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate.
15 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 1 , wherein the formulation is selected from the group consisting of a cream, lotion, spray, solution, gel, ointment, paste, plaster, paint, bioadhesive or suspension.
16 . The probiotic bacteria, soluble metabolite and/or cell lysate for use according to claim 14 , wherein the formulation comprises liposomes, micelles, and/or microspheres.