Compositions comprising a combination of a free sphingoid base and a ceramide and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a composition for topical use comprising a free sphingoid base and a ceramide. The compositions of the invention are suitable for application to skin conditions associated with an impaired barrier function, in particular to skin conditions further associated with a deranged regulation of cell growth and differentiation, an inflammatory condition and/or an infectious state

1 . A composition for topical use comprising a combination of a free sphingoid base and a ceramide, said free sphingoid base having a general structure according to Formula 1:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 A is CH 2 —CH 2 , CH═CH or C(H)OH—CH 2 , and  
 R is a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may optionally contain one or more double bonds and/or may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, preferably is a straight chain alkyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably is a straight chain alkyl group having 13 carbon atoms, and  
 said ceramide having a general structure according to Formula 2:  
                     
 wherein:  
 A and R are defined as above, and  
 R′ is a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 13 to 55 carbon atoms, preferably 15 to 50 carbon atoms, more preferably 17 to 44 carbon atoms; the alkyl chain may optionally be interrupted by an oxygen atom or by an internal ester group; may optionally contain one or more double bonds; and may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups.  
 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the free sphingoid base is selected from the group of sphingosine, sphinganine and phytosphingosine.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the ceramide is a ceramide which corresponds in stereochemical configuration to a ceramide isolatable from mammalian skin.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of any one of the claims  1 - 3 , wherein the ceramide is a mixture of two or more different ceramides.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of any one of the claims  1 - 4 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more additional skin lipid compounds.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of any one of the claims  1 - 5 , wherein a ceramide is present in addition to or instead of the ceramide according to Formula 2 which is selected from the group of glycoceramides and short chain ceramides.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  which is a dermatological composition.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  which is a cosmetic composition.  
     
     
         9 . Use of the composition of  claim 1  for the manufacture of a topical composition for the treatment of a skin condition associated with an impaired barrier function.  
     
     
         10 . Use according to  claim 9 , wherein said skin condition is further associated with a condition selected from the group consisting of a deranged regulation of cell growth and differentiation, an imflammatory condition or an infectious state.  
     
     
         11 . A method for the treatment of a skin condition associated with an impaired barrier function comprising the topical application of a composition according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said skin condition is further associated with a condition selected from the group consisting of a deranged regulation of cell growth and differentiation, an imflammatory condition or an infectious state.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  which is a non-therapeutical method.