Shark cartilage extract: process of making, methods of using, and compositions thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a crude cartilage extract in an aqueous solution, this crude extract being fractionated to recover molecules of a molecular weight less than about 500 kDa. Some of the biologically active components of the extract are prepared by further fractionation. The cartilage extract can be used for treating diseases or conditions having etiological components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, metalloprotease activity and collagenolysis. Several cosmetic applications based on the capacity of the liquid extract to improve skin conditions are also disclosed. A simple and efficient process for the preparation of cartilage extracts is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a skin disease or disorder having an etiology related to angiogenesis, the method comprising the step of applying to the skin of a patient in need of such treatment a topical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract comprising one or more biologically active components, a majority of which have a molecular weight less than about 500 kDa.  
     
     
         2 . A matrix metalloprotease inhibitor isolated from shark cartilage, which has an apparent molecular weight of about 31 KDa and which cross-reacts with anti-TIMP antibodies.  
     
     
         3 . The matrix metalloprotease inhibitor of  claim 2  which is effective against MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-12 metalloproteases.