Transdermal drug delivery using an osmolyte and vasoactive agent
A formulation and method for delivery of bioactive substances when applied to, or within, the skin or other exterior region of a mammal. for example, a patient, includes a vasoactive agent; an osmolyte; and an active ingredient. The formulation is sufficiently hygroscopic so as to create a condition of hypertonicity when absorbed by the skin. When the formulation is applied to the skin, the vasoactive agent can be delivered to the dermis so as to contact the vasculature of a patient.
1. A formulation for topical delivery of an active ingredient to a mammal, said mammal having a body surface and the body surface having a topical application site comprising skin, the formulation comprising:
a vasodilator, an osmolyte, and an active ingredient, wherein:
a) the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of a salt and a sugar;
b) the vasodilator and the osmolyte are present in amounts effective to work together in a synergistic manner to enable penetration of the active ingredient into or through the skin;
c) the vasodilator, the osmolyte, and the active ingredient are non-identical; and
d) the formulation has an osmolarity that is greater than 350 milliOsmol/L.
2. The formulation of claim 1 , further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a transpiration barrier, a penetration enhancer, and a drug administration patch.
3. The formulation of claim 1 , further comprising a transpiration barrier, wherein the transpiration barrier includes at least one of a chemical barrier or a physical barrier.
4. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein said formulation is packaged in a water-resistant delivery system.
5. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the osmolarity is greater than 600 milliosmol/L.
6. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of thiabendazole, resveratrol, and ibuprofen sodium.
7. The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of MgSO 4 and dextrose.
8. A method for enhancing the penetration of an active ingredient into or through a body surface of a mammal, the method comprising introducing a formulation into or onto a region of the body surface comprising skin cells so as to cause the active ingredient to cross the body surface, the formulation comprising:
a) the active ingredient;
b) a vasodilator; and
c) an osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of a salt and a sugar;
wherein the vasodilator and the osmolyte are present in amounts effective to work together in a synergistic manner to enable penetration of the active ingredient into or through the skin, and
wherein the vasodilator, the osmolyte, and the active ingredient are non-identical, and wherein the formulation has an osmolarity that is greater than 350 milliOsmol/L.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the active ingredient penetrates to at least one of an epidermis, a dermis, or a systemic circulatory vessel of the mammal.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the region of the body surface is skin.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the osmolarity is greater than 600 milliosmol/L.
12. A method for topical delivery of an active ingredient to a mammal, said mammal having a body surface and said body surface comprising a dermis and a topical application site, the method comprising:
administering a vasodilator to the topical application site, said vasodilator being deliverable to a region of said dermis;
administering an osmolyte to the topical application site, wherein the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of a salt and a sugar; and
administering the active ingredient to the topical application site,
wherein the vasodilator and the osmolyte are present in amounts effective to work together in a synergistic manner to enable penetration of the active ingredient into or through the skin,
wherein the vasodilator, the osmolyte, and the active ingredient are non-identical, and
wherein the vasodilator, the osmolyte, and the active ingredient have an osmolarity that is greater than 350 milliOsmol/L.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vasodilator and osmolyte are applied sequentially.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vasodilator and osmolyte are applied together.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising applying an occlusive barrier to the topical application site.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the osmolarity is greater than 600 milliosmol/L.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vasodilator induces an increased blood flow in the body surface.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein administration of the vasodilator, the osmolyte, and the active ingredient results in passage of the vasodilator through a basement membrane of the body surface.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the administered vasodilator and the osmolyte exert a physiological change in the body surface of the mammal to thereby allow transport of the administered active agent through the body surface.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the administered vasodilator and the osmolyte exert a physiological change in the body surface of the mammal to thereby allow transport of the administered active agent into at least one of an epidermal tissue of the body surface, a dermal tissue of the body surface, or a portion of a systemic circulatory system of the mammal.
21. A kit for topical delivery of an active ingredient to a mammal, said kit comprising:
a) a vasodilator;
b) an osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of a salt and a sugar;
c) an active ingredient; and
d) a set of written instructions for use, by or on said mammal, of said vasodilator, said osmolyte, and said active ingredient according to the method of claim 12 .
22. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the osmolarity is greater than 600 milliosmol/L.
23. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of thiabendazole, resveratrol, and ibuprofen sodium.
24. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the osmolyte is selected from the group consisting of MgSO 4 and dextrose.
25. The kit of claim 21 , the formulation further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a transpiration barrier, a penetration enhancer, and a drug administration patch.