Treatment of hepatic cirrhosis

Abstract

A composition for treating hepatic fibrosis and a method of using and manufacturing the composition are provided. The composition includes a quinazolinone derivative, preferably Halofuginone.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for the treatment of hepatic cirrhosis in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound having a formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, benzo, lower alkyl, phenyl, and lower alkoxy;  
 R 2  is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy, acetoxy and lower alkoxy, and  
 R 3  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkenoxy-carbonyl;  
 wherein n is 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound is Halofuginone.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hepatic cirrhosis is caused by contact with a hepatotoxic chemical substance.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hepatic cirrhosis caused by a factor selected from the group consisting of chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, hemochromatosis, passive congestion, hypercholesterolemia, exposure to poisons or toxins, exposure to drugs, immune reactions, genetically determined sensitivities to a certain substance and infections.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the hepatic cirrhosis is caused by a factor selected from the group consisting of viral hepatitis, syphilis and a parasitic infection.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said parasitic infection is selected from the group consisting of  Schistosomiasis mansoni  and  S. japonica.    
     
     
         8 . A method for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in a subject, the hepatic fibrosis being caused by contact with a hepatotoxic chemical substance, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound having a formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, benzo, lower alkyl, phenyl, and lower alkoxy;  
 R 2  is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy, acetoxy and lower alkoxy, and  
 R 3  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkenoxy-carbonyl;  
 wherein n is 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said compound is Halofuginone.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said compound further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         11 . A method for the treatment of an existing condition of hepatic cirrhosis in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound having a formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, benzo, lower alkyl, phenyl, and lower alkoxy;  
 R 2  is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy, acetoxy and lower alkoxy, and  
 R 3  is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkenoxy-carbonyl;  
 wherein n is 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said compound is Halofuginone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said compound further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.