Topical drug delivery using phosphatidylcholine

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for transdermal drug delivery comprising formulating a phosphatidylcholine carrier composition containing the drug and applying the composition to the skin.

1 . A composition comprising crystallized phosphatidylcholine and molecules entrapped within said phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         2 . A composition of  claim 1 , wherein the molecules comprise polypeptides. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the molecules are selected from the group consisting of oxytocin, vasopressin, insulin, somatotropin, calcitonin, chorionic gonadotropin, menotropins, follitropins, somatostatins, progestins, and combinations of any of these. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition contains about 85% phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the phosphatidylcholine is soybean lecithin. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the phosphatidylcholine contains polyenylphosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of ascorbyl palmitate and lipoic acid. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating skin comprising formulating a composition containing a phosphatidylcholine carrier and applying the composition to the skin. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the composition contains about 85% phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claims 8 , wherein the phosphatidylcholine is soybean lecithin. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claims 8 , wherein the phosphatidylcholine contains polyenylphosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the macromolecular drug is a polypeptide. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of oxytocin, vasopressin, insulin, somatotropin, calcitonin, chorionic gonadotropin, menotropins, follitropins, somatostatins, progestins, and combinations of any of these. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the polypeptide is somatotropin. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the polypeptide is insulin. 
     
     
         16 . A method for administering insulin to a patient comprising topically applying a composition comprising a crystal or non-polar phosphatidylcholine carrier and insulin to skin of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the phosphatidylcholine carrier comprises about 85% phosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claims 17  wherein the phosphatidylcholine carrier contains polyenylphosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         19 . A composition for treating skin comprising phosphatidylcholine and at least one additional active ingredient. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the phosphatidylcholine is a polyenylphosphatidylcholine.