Iptakalim hydrochloride for decreasing nicotine use
A method for decreasing nicotine and other substance use in humans is disclosed. Iptakalim hydrochloride (IPT) is a novel nicotine acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) blocker. According to the disclosed method, IPT is used to block human α4β2-nAChR function. Specifically, IPT exhibits a selective blockade of α4 subunit-containing human nAChR subtypes. According to the disclosed method, IPT is thus used to block the major nicotine targets in the brain, the α4β2-nAChRs natively expressed in midbrain (VTA) DA system, the brain reward center, and in turn to reduce the nicotine-induced reward signals, namely dopamine level increase in nucleus accumbens. Therefore, IPT is capable of servicing as a nAChR antagonist agent and thus is a novel treatment for decreasing nicotine dependence in humans.
1. A method of treating nicotine craving or nicotine withdrawal symptoms in a living organism comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective dose of iptakalim hydrochloride to the living organism.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is an amount between about 0.5 milligrams and about 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of the living organism.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is about 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of the living organism.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein nicotine use is decreased.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered orally.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a powder, a tablet, a chewing gum, a tooth gel, a tooth paste, and a food product.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered by via an administration route selected from the group consisting of sublingual, subcutaneous, intravenous and respiratory inhalation.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered as a suppository.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered by infusion pump.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered in a dermal patch.
11. The method of claim 10 , further including the step of administering nicotine in the dermal patch.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
13. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of administering nicotine-replacement therapy.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the living organism is an animal.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the living organism is a human.
16. A method of decreasing nicotine craving or nicotine withdrawal symptoms in a human comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective dose of iptakalim hydrochloride to the human.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered in an amount about 0.5 milligrams and about 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of administering nicotine-replacement therapy.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the dose of iptakalim hydrochloride is administered in a dermal patch.
20. The method of claim 19 , further including administering nicotine in the dermal patch.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein treating of nicotine craving comprises deactivating nicotine receptors, reducing release of dopamine and blocking nicotine-activated brain reward center functions.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the nicotine receptors are nAChR receptors.