Therapeutic methods and compositions involving isoflavones

Abstract

Therapeutic methods of treatment, compositions and foodstuffs are described which contain isoflavone compounds described by general formula (I), in which Z is H, R 1 is H, or R A CO where R A is C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, R 2 is H, OH, or OR B where R B is an amino acid, or COR A where R A is as previously defined, W is H, A is H or OH, and B is selected from (a), (b), (c), or W is H, and A and B taken together form a six-membered ring selected from (d), or W, A and B taken with the groups with which they are associated comprise (e), or W and A taken together with the groups with which they are associated comprise (f) and B is (g) wherein R 3 is H, COR A where R A is as previously defined, CO 2 R C where R C is C 1-10 alkyl, or COR B where R B is as previously defined, R 4 is H, COR D where R D is H, OH, C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, CO 2 R C where R C is as previously defined, COR E where R E is H, C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, COOH, COR C where R C is as previously defined, or CONHR E where R E is as previously defined, R 5 is H, CO 2 R C where R C is as previously defined, or COR C OR E where R C and R E are as previously defined, and where the two R 5 groups are attached to the same group they are the same or different, R 6 is H or hydroxy C 1-10 alkyl, X is preferably O, but may be N or S, and Y is (h) where R 7 is H, or C 1-10 alkyl.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A method for the treatment of skin ageing, comprising topically administering to skin in need of such treatment a composition comprising at least one topically acceptable carrier, one or more excipients, and one or more compounds of the formula I:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 Z is H;  
 R 1  is H or R A CO, where R A  is C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid;  
 R 2  is H, OH, or OR B , where R B  is an amino acid or COR A , where R A  is C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid;  
 W is H; and A and B taken together form a six membered ring selected from  
                     
 wherein  
 R 4 is H, COR D , CO 2 R C , COR E , COOH, COR C , or CONHR E , where R D  is H, OH, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid;  
 R 5  is H, CO 2 R C , or COR C OR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different;  
 X is O, N, or S;  
 Y is  
                     where R 7 is H, or C 1-10  alkyl; and    with the proviso    
 that compounds of the formula I where  
 R 1 , W and Z are H,  
 R 2  is H or OH,  
 A and B taken together are a six membered ring  
                     
 wherein Y is  
                     
 and R 7  is H or CH 3 , are excluded ,and  
 wherein the at least one topically acceptable carrier is selected from petroleum jelly, lanoline, polyethylene glycols, and alcohols.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the one or more compounds of the formula I is selected from:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 8  is COR D , where R D  is H, OH, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid; 
 R 9  is CO 2 R C , or COR C OR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different;  
 R 10  is COR C , or COR C OR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different;  
 
 R 11  is H or OH; 
 R 12  is H, COOH, CO 2 R C , or CONHR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different; and  
 
    represents either a single bond or double bond.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one or more compounds of the formula I is selected from:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 11  is H or OH;  
 R 12  is H, COOH, CO 2 R C , or CONHR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid; and  
    represents either a single bond or double bond.  
 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , the composition is formulated as a cream, gel, lotion, paste, spray, oil, aerosol, and ointment.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the carrier or excipient is selected from a cosmetic skin cream.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method is a method for the treatment of skin thinning associated with skin ageing.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method is a method for the treatment of skin atrophy associated with skin ageing.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method is a method for the treatment of general degradation of skin associated with skin ageing.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method is a method for the treatment of skin wrinkles associated with skin ageing.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method further comprises administering vitamin E or wherein the composition further comprises vitamin E.  
     
     
         35 . A cosmetic composition for topical administration to the skin comprising at least one topically acceptable carrier, one or more excipients, and one or more compounds selected from:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 8  is COR D , where R D  is H, OH, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid; 
 R 9  is CO 2 R C , or COR C OR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different;  
 R 10  is COR C , or COR C OR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different;  
 
 R 11  is H or OH; 
 R 12  is H, COOH, CO 2 R C , or CONHR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid, and with the proviso that where the two R 5  groups are attached to the same group they are identical or different; and  
 
    represents either a single bond or double bond, and  
 wherein the at least one topically acceptable carrier is selected from petroleum jelly, lanoline, polyethylene glycols, and alcohols.  
 
     
     
         36 . The composition according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the one or more compounds of the formula I is selected from:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 11  is H or OH;  
 R 12  is H, COOH, CO 2 R C , or CONHR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid; and  
    represents either a single bond or double bond.  
 
     
     
         37 . The composition according to  claim 35 , wherein the composition is a cosmetic skin cream.  
     
     
         38 . A cosmetic skin cream comprising a compound of the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 11  is H or OH;  
 R 12  is H, COOH, CO 2 R C , or CONHR E , where R C  is C 1-10  alkyl, and R E  is H, C 1-10  alkyl or an amino acid; and  
    represents either a single bond or double bond; and  
 a cosmetically acceptable carrier selected from petroleum jelly, lanoline, polyethylene glycols, and alcohols.  
 
     
     
         39 . A cosmetic skin cream according to  claim 38 , wherein said composition is an ointment, paste, gel, spray, aerosol or oil.