Chemodenervating pharmaceutical as anti-inflammatory agent

Abstract

Pharmaceutical application of a chemodenervating agent, particularly botulinum toxin, reduces inflammatory response and serves as an anti-inflammatory agent without systemic side effects and with long duration action, on the order of 12-24 weeks. In one embodiment, the effective dosage for allergy provoked inflammation reduction is an order of magnitude less than dosages associated with treatment of regional movement diseases, since the agent works to reduce inflammation by reducing histamine and other preformed mediator releases associated with mast cell degranulation.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a botulinum toxin and an adjuvant, wherein said composition is formulated for topical administration to deliver a therapeutically effective dose of a botulinum toxin to an affected area of a subject suffering from inflammation, wherein the botulinum toxin reduces at least one symptom of inflammation and wherein said therapeutically effective dose is sufficient to reduce said at least one symptom of inflammation but less than a dose necessary to produce substantial muscle weakness within the affected area. 
   
   
       18 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein said adjuvant increases penetration of said botulinum toxin upon topical application. 
   
   
       19 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein said botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of immunotypes A, B, C, D, E, F and G. 
   
   
       20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein said botulinum toxin is immunotype A. 
   
   
       21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein said composition further comprises another anti-inflammatory agent. 
   
   
       22 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 21 , wherein the other anti-inflammatory agent is a steroid. 
   
   
       23 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 21 , wherein the other anti-inflammatory agent is non-steroidal. 
   
   
       24 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one symptom of inflammation is heat release, vasodilation, erythema, edema or pain. 
   
   
       25 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one symptom of inflammation is pain. 
   
   
       26 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is between one third and several orders of magnitude less than the dose necessary to produce substantial muscle weakness in an affected area.