Biophotonic compositions, methods, and kits for inhibiting and disrupting biofilms

1. A method for inhibiting biofilm formation, or disrupting existing or developing biofilms in a subject, comprising:

a) topically applying a composition comprising at least one xanthene derivative dye and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and

b) illuminating said composition with actinic light, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation, or disrupting existing or developing biofilms in the subject.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is a biophotonic composition.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one xanthene derivative dye is selected from the group consisting of eosin, erythrosine, fluorescein, phloxine B, rose bengal, and merbromine.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one xanthene derivative dye is eosin Y or eosin B.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one xanthene derivative dye is eosin Y.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one xanthene derivative dye is erythrosine B.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one xanthene derivative dye is present in an amount of from about 0.02% to about 8% by weight of the composition.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one xanthene derivative dye is present in an amount of from about 0.5% by weight of the composition.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one healing factor.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the healing factor is selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and allantoin.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition is illuminated with actinic light for at least one treatment period of from about 1 minute to about 9 minutes per cm 2 of an area to be treated.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition is illuminated with actinic light for at least one treatment period of from about 2 minutes to about 8 minutes per cm 2 of an area to be treated.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition is illuminated with actinic light for at least two treatment periods, each period followed by a resting interval.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition is illuminated with at least two consecutive treatment periods of actinic light wherein each treatment period is from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes per cm 2 of an area to be treated, wherein each treatment period is followed by a resting interval for about 1 minute to about 5 minutes.

15. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a) topically applying the composition to the subject's area of biofilm;

b) illuminating the subject's area of biofilm with actinic light for a period of from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes;

c) removing the source of actinic light away from the subject's area of biofilm treated for a period of from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes;

d) illuminating the subject's area of biofilm with actinic light for a second time period of from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes; and

wherein the first illumination of actinic light activates the composition.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biofilm is associated with at least one of the subject's skin and the subject's soft tissues, and comprises at least one of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Proteus mirabilis.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biofilm comprises one of gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biofilm comprises a gram-positive bacteria.

19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biofilm is associated with wounds, venous leg ulcer (VLU), diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), or pressure ulcer (PU).