Methods of inhibiting the TSST-1 production in gram positive bacteria

Abstract

The present invention relates to inhibiting the production of TSST-1 using absorbent products and non-absorbent products comprising an additive, as well as methods for inhibiting such production. The absorbent and non-absorbent products or articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound, such as thiolactomycin or thiomalonate to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 or exoprotein by Gram positive bacteria.

1 . A method of inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria located in and around a vagina, the method comprising exposing the Gram positive bacteria located in and around the vagina to a vaginal cleansing formulation, the vaginal cleansing formulation comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of thiomalonate and a second active ingredient selected from the group consisting of glycerol monolaurate and myreth-3-myristate, wherein the thiomalonate is effective in inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria, and wherein the second active ingredient is effective in substantially inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria.  
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the second active ingredient is myreth-3-myristate.  
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the second active ingredient is glycerol monolaurate.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the vaginal cleansing formulation further comprises a pharmaceutically active material selected from the group consisting of supplementary antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-parasitic agents, antipruritics, astringents, local anaesthetics, or anti-inflammatory agents.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the vaginal cleansing formulation reduces the formation of TSST-1 when the absorbent article is exposed to  S. aureus  by at least about 70%.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the vaginal cleansing formulation reduces the formation of TSST-1 when the absorbent article is exposed to  S. aureus  by at least about 90%.  
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the vaginal cleansing formulation reduces the formation of TSST-1 when the absorbent article is exposed to  S. aureus  by at least about 95%.  
     
     
         8 . A method of inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria, the method comprising exposing the Gram positive bacteria to a menstrual tampon comprising an absorbent tampon material, an effective amount of thiomalonate, and a second active ingredient selected from the group consisting of glycerol monolaurate and myreth-3-myristate, wherein the thiomalonate is effective in inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria, and wherein the second active ingredient is effective in substantially inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria.  
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the second active ingredient is myreth-3-myristate.  
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the second active ingredient is glycerol monolaurate.  
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the menstrual tampon comprises from about 0.05 micromoles/gram of absorbent tampon material to about 5 micromoles/gram of absorbent tampon material of thiomalonate.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the menstrual tampon comprises from about 0.1 micromoles/gram of absorbent tampon material to about 1 micromoles/gram of absorbent tampon material of thiomalonate.  
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the menstrual tampon further comprises a pharmaceutically active material selected from the group consisting of supplementary antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-parasitic agents, antipruritics, astringents, local anaesthetics, or anti-inflammatory agents.  
     
     
         14 . A method of inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria, the method comprising exposing the Gram positive bacteria to an absorbent article comprising an absorbent material, an effective amount of thiomalonate, and a second active ingredient selected from the group consisting of glycerol monolaurate and myreth-3-myristate, wherein the thiomalonate is effective in inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria, and wherein the second active ingredient is effective in substantially inhibiting the production of TSST-1 from Gram positive bacteria.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the second active ingredient is myreth-3-myristate.  
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the second active ingredient is glycerol monolaurate.  
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the absorbent article comprises from about 0.05 micromoles/gram of absorbent material to about 5 micromoles/gram of absorbent material of thiomalonate.  
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the absorbent article comprises from about 0.1 micromoles/gram of absorbent material to about 1 micromoles/gram of absorbent material of thiomalonate.  
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the absorbent article further comprises a pharmaceutically active material selected from the group consisting of supplementary antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-parasitic agents, antipruritics, astringents, local anaesthetics, or anti-inflammatory agents.  
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the absorbent article is selected from the group consisting of a catamenial tampon, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinent undergarment, a diaper, a wound dressing, a dental tampon, a medical tampon, a surgical tampon and a nasal tampon.