Use of alkylated semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ethers for the treatment of inflammation

1. A method for treating inflammation in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said modified hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of at least one N-acetyl-glucosamine residue substituted with a C 1 -C 10 unsubstituted branched or straight alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group having the formula —CH 2 (CF 2 ) n CF 3 , where n is an integer from 0 to 10.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unsubstituted alkyl group is methyl.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluoroalkyl group has at least one trifluoromethyl group.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronan has a molecular weight less than 10 kDa prior to alkylation, fluoroalkylation, and sulfation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronan has a molecular weight from 10 kDa to 1000 kDa prior to alkylation, fluoroalkylation, and sulfation.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and C-3 hydroxyl proton is substituted with a sulfate group.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the C-4 hydroxyl proton of the N-acetyl glucosamine moiety is substituted with a sulfate group, the C-2 hydroxyl proton of the glucuronic acid moiety is substituted with a sulfate group, the C-3 hydroxyl proton of the glucuronic acid is substituted with a sulfate group, or any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan has a degree of sulfation from 0.5 to 3.5 per disaccharide unit.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkyl group is methyl and at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and/or C-3 hydroxyl proton is substituted with a sulfate group.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkyl group is methyl, at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and/or C-3 hydroxyl proton is substituted with a sulfate group, and the modified hyaluronan has a molecular weight of 2 kDa to 10 kDa.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered with an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-pyretic agent, steroidal and non-steroidal drugs for anti-inflammatory use, a hormone, a growth factor, an antiviral, an antibacterial, an antifungal, an analgesics, a hypnotic, a sedative, a tranquilizer, an anti-convulsant, a muscle relaxant, a local anesthetic, an antispasmodic, an antiulcer drug, a sympathiomimetic agent, a cardiovascular agent, an antitumor agent, or an oligonucleotide.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is an organic salt, a metal salt, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt selected from ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ferrous hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, copper hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, lysine, arginine, histidine.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered vaginally, rectally, intranasally, or orally to the subject.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered intranasally.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is formulated into an aerosol or spray.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammation is caused by rhinitis or sinusitis.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered rectally.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the composition is formulated into an ointment, cream, gel, suppository, or an enema.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered orally.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition is formulated into a cream, gel, mouthwash, capsule, film or patch.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammation is caused by a respiratory disorder.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the respiratory disorder is cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, rhinosinusitis, and chronic bronchitis (COPD), acute lung injury/adult respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung fibrosis, SARS, asthma, and respiratory syncytial virus.

24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the inflammation is caused by a respiratory pathogen comprising Stretococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Chlamydial pneumonia, or Gram negative bacteria.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammation is caused by otitis media.

26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammation is caused by a gastrointestinal disease or a bowel disease.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modified hyaluronan is administered to a natural cavity of the subject.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the natural cavity is oral, vaginal, rectal, or nasal.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflammation is caused by radiation-induced dermatitis.

30. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said modified hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of at least one N-acetyl-glucosamine residue substituted with a C 1 -C 10 unsubstituted branched or straight alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group having the formula —CH 2 (CF 2 ) n CF 3 , where n is an integer from 0 to 10, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a form an aerosol or spray for intranasal administration.

31. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said modified hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of at least one N-acetyl-glucosamine residue substituted with a C 1 -C 10 unsubstituted branched or straight alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group having the formula —CH 2 (CF 2 ) n CF 3 , where n is an integer from 0 to 10, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a form an ointment, cream, gel, suppository, or enema for rectal administration.

32. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said modified hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of at least one N-acetyl-glucosamine residue substituted with a C 1 -C 10 unsubstituted branched or straight alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group having the formula —CH 2 (CF 2 ) n CF 3 , where n is an integer from 0 to 10, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a form a cream, gel, mouthwash, capsule, film, or patch for oral administration.