Buffered microencapsulated compositions and methods

1. A therapeutic composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules and a carrier, said plurality of microcapsules formed as a polymer substantially disposed as a semi-permeable shell prepared by an interfacial polymerization of a reverse emulsion by combining: (a) a buffered solution comprising a therapeutic agent, (b) an oil phase, (c) said polymer, and (d) an emulsifying agent, which is soluble into the oil phase and which sterically stabilizes the buffered solution, and wherein the therapeutic agent permeates the shell of the microcapsule.

2. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, corticosteroids, retinoids, salicyclic acid, antiviral agents, immunosuppressants, and biologic agents for treating psoriasis.

3. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 wherein the carrier is in the form of a moisturizer, cream, lotion, foam, gel, shampoo, hair conditioner, hair gel, or a nail polish.

4. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is from about 1,000 to about 50,000.

5. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is cross-linked.

6. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the microcapsule has a diameter of from about 1 micron to about 3 mm.

7. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microcapsules comprises a first subset of microcapsules encapsulating a first therapeutic agent and further comprising a second subset of microcapsules, wherein the second subset of microcapsules comprises a second therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agents permeate the shell, and wherein the composition is suitable for delivery to a mammal.

8. The therapeutic composition of claim 7 , wherein the first subset of microcapsules has a therapeutic agent release profile that differs from the therapeutic agent release profile of the second subset of microcapsules.

9. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the microcapsule is made of a polymeric system that undergoes a sol-gel transition once administered.

10. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a natural antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of: beta lactam antiobiotics such as penicillins or cephalosporins, protein synthesis inhibitors such as aminoglycosides, macrolides, ketolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and polypeptides; penicillins including: penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V; cephalosporins including: cefacetrile, cefadroxil, cephalexin, cefaloglycin, cefalonium, cefaloridine, cefalotin, cefapirin, cefatrizine, cefazaflur, cefazedone, cefazolin, cefradine, cefroxadine, ceftezole, cefaclor, cefonicid, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefuzonam, cefmetazole, cefotetan and cefoxitin; aminoglycosides including: amikacin, arbekacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, rhodostreptomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, and apramycin; Macrolides including: azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, and telithromycin; Ketolides including: telithromycin, cethromycin, solithromycin, spiramycin, ansamycin, oleandomycin, carbomycin and tylosin; naturally occurring tetracyclines including: tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and demeclocycline; semi-synthetic tetracyclines including: doxycycline, lymecycline, meclocycline, methacycline, minocycline and rolitetracycline; polypeptides including: actinomycin, bacitracin, colistin, and polymyxin B; synthetic antimicrobial agents including: sulphonamides, cotrimoxazole, quinolones, antivirals, antifungals, anticancer drugs, antimalarials, antituberculosis drugs, antileprotics and antiprotozoals; sulphonamide antibacterials including: sulfamethoxazole, sulfisomidine, sulfacetamide, sulfadoxine, dichlorphenamide, and dorzolamide; Sulphonamide diuretics including: acetazolamide, bumetanide, chlorthalidone, clopamide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, mefruside, metolazone, and xipamide; sulphonamide anticonvulsants including: acetazolamide, ethoxzolamide, sultiame and zonisamide; and other sulfonamide therapeutic agents including: celecoxib, darunavir, probenecid, sulfasalazine, and sumatriptan.

11. The therapeutic composition of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an antifungal agent selected from: amphotericin B, candicidin, filipin, hamycin, natamycin, nystatin, rimocidin; and imidazole, triazole, and thiazole types including: bifonazole, butoconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, isoconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, omoconazole, oxiconazole, sertaconazole, sulconazole, tioconazole, albaconazole, fluconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole, terconazole, voriconazole and abafungin; and ecninocandins including anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin.

12. A method of forming a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules: said plurality of microcapsules being formed by combining a polymer and at least one buffered solution, by combining: (a) said buffered solution comprising a therapeutic agent, (b) an oil phase, (c) said polymer, and (d) an emulsifying agent, which is soluble into the oil phase and which sterically stabilizes the buffered solution, wherein the polymer substantially forms a semi-permeable shell around the sterically stabilized buffered solution comprising a therapeutic agent; and adding said plurality of microcapsules to a carrier.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said plurality of microcapsules comprises a first and a second plurality of microcapsules, wherein a first plurality of microcapsules is formed using a first therapeutic agent, and a second plurality of microcapsules is formed using a second therapeutic agent.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second plurality of microcapsules have a different release profile.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising a diol, an isocyanate or both.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the oil phase is methyl benzoate.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the emulsifying agent is a polyglyceryl-3-polyricinoleate.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein said therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, corticosteroids, retinoids, salicyclic acid, antiviral agents, and immunosuppressants.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the carrier is in the form of a moisturizer, cream, lotion, foam, gel, shampoo, hair conditioner, hair gel, or a nail polish.

20. A method of forming a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules: said plurality of microcapsules being formed by combining a polymer and at least one buffered solution, by contacting: (a) a buffered solution containing an additive, (b) an oil phase, (c) said polymer, and (d) an emulsifying agent, which is soluble into the oil phase and which sterically stabilizes the buffered solution, wherein the polymer substantially forms a semi-permeable shell around the sterically stabilized buffered solution; and adding said plurality of microcapsules to a carrier.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of a sweetener selected from: natural or artificial, nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners, dextrose, polydextrose, sucrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, mannose, xylose, ribose, fructose, levulose, galactose, corn syrup (including high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup solids), partially hydrolyzed starch, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, aspartame, neotame, saccharin and salts thereof, sucralose, dipeptidebased intense sweeteners, cyclamates, dihydrochalcones, and mixtures thereof.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is a biologically active additive.

23. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is a peptide-based or peptide analog-based antimicrobial agent, which is embedded in a surface coating.

24. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is a natural or synthetic flavorant selected from: flavoring oils, flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, similar materials, and combinations thereof, vanillin, sage, marjoram, parsley oil, spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate), peppermint oil, clove oil, bay oil, anise oil, eucalyptus oil, citrus oils, fruit oils and essences including those derived from lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, apricot, banana, grape, apple, strawberry, cherry, pineapple, bean- and nut-derived flavors such as coffee, cocoa, cola, peanut, and almond.

25. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consist of: menthol, menthyl acetate, menthyl lactate, camphor, eucalyptus oil, eucalyptol, anethole, eugenol, cassia, oxanone, a-irisone, propenyl guaiethol, thymol, linalool, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamine, N,2,3trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide, 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, cinnamaldehyde glycerol acetal (CGA), methone glycerol acetal (MGA), and mixtures thereof.

26. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consist of: butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin E, flavonoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, herbal antioxidants, chlorophyll, melatonin, and mixtures thereof.

27. The method of claim 20 , wherein the additive is selected from the group consist of: Halogenated hydrocarbons selected from: salicylanilides, carbanilides, bisphenols, diphenyl ethers, anilides of thiophene carboxylic acids and chlorhexidines; Quaternary ammonium compounds selected from: alkyl ammonium, pyridinum, and isoquinolinium salts, and Sulfur active compounds selected from: thiuram sulfides and dithiocarbamates, and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 20 , wherein the carrier is in the form of a moisturizer, cream, lotion, foam, gel, shampoo, hair conditioner, hair gel, or a nail polish.

29. The method of claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a natural antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of: beta lactam antiobiotics, penicillins or cephalosporins, protein synthesis inhibitors, aminoglycosides, macrolides, ketolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, polypeptides; penicillins including: penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, penicillin V; cephalosporins, cefacetrile, cefadroxil, cephalexin, cefaloglycin, cefalonium, cefaloridine, cefalotin, cefapirin, cefatrizine, cefazaflur, cefazedone, cefazolin, cefradine, cefroxadine, ceftezole, cefaclor, cefonicid, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefuzonam, cefmetazole, cefotetan and cefoxitin; aminoglycosides, amikacin, arbekacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, rhodostreptomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, apramycin; Macrolides, azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, telithromycin; Ketolides, telithromycin, cethromycin, solithromycin, spiramycin, ansamycin, oleandomycin, carbomycin tylosin; tetracyclines, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, demeclocycline; semi-synthetic tetracyclines, doxycycline, lymecycline, meclocycline, methacycline, minocycline rolitetracycline; polypeptides, actinomycin, bacitracin, colistin, polymyxin B; synthetic antimicrobial agents, sulphonamides, cotrimoxazole, quinolones, antivirals, antifungals, anticancer drugs, antimalarials, antituberculosis drugs, antileprotics antiprotozoals; sulphonamide antibacterials, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisomidine, sulfacetamide, sulfadoxine, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide; Sulphonamide diuretics, acetazolamide, bumetanide, chlorthalidone, clopamide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, mefruside, metolazone, xipamide; sulphonamide anticonvulsants, acetazolamide, ethoxzolamide, sultiame, zonisamide; sulfonamide therapeutic agents, celecoxib, darunavir, probenecid, sulfasalazine, sumatriptan, and combinations thereof.

30. The method of claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an antifungal agent selected from the group consisting of: amphotericin B, candicidin, filipin, hamycin, natamycin, nystatin, rimocidin; imidazole, triazole, thiazole, bifonazole, butoconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, isoconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, omoconazole, oxiconazole, sertaconazole, sulconazole, tioconazole, albaconazole, fluconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole, terconazole, voriconazole abafungin; ecninocandins, anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin, and combinations thereof.