Cyclosporine compositions for enhancing nail growth

Abstract

The present invention is directed to cyclosporine compositions and methods for stimulating the growth of nails and cuticles in a mammal, including humans. The compositions may be administered topically to the nail bed, nail matrix and cuticle in an amount effective to increase nail growth and thicken, strengthen and smooth the nail. The composition is also effective in strengthening and growing nails, including fingernails and toenails.

1 . A composition for use in accelerating nail growth, treating brittle nails and strengthening nails in a human or animal, the composition comprising:
 a composition selected from the group consisting of an emulsion, solution, gel, paste, dispersion or suspension comprising cyclosporine.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the cyclosporine is a cyclosporine A derivative or segment. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 2  wherein the composition is an emulsion. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 2  wherein the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A and is present in an emulsion in the amount of 0.05% w/v. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 5  wherein the emulsion also contains glycerin, castor oil, polysorbate 80 and carbomer 1342. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 2  where in the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A and is present in a solution in the amount 0.01-0.0125% w/v. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the cyclosporine is present in the amount of 0.001-50% w/v of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . A method of accelerating nail growth, treating brittle nails or strengthening nail growth in a human or animal, the method comprising:
 applying a composition selected from the group consisting of an emulsion, solution, gel, paste, dispersion or suspension comprising cyclosporine,   wherein the emulsion, solution, gel, paste, dispersion or suspension comprising cyclosporine is applied topically to the nails, cuticles or nail matrix of the human or animal at least once a day.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the cyclosporine is a cyclosporine A derivative or segment. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the composition is an emulsion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A and is present in an emulsion in the amount of 0.05% w/v. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the emulsion also contains glycerin, castor oil, polysorbate 80 and carbomer 1342. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  where in the cyclosporine is cyclosporine A and is present in a solution in the amount 0.01-0.0125% w/v. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the cyclosporine is present in the amount of 0.001-50% w/v of the composition.