Therapeutic compositions and methods

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to therapeutic compositions and methods of use. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the field of eye health. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration by administering compounds disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the invention relates to compositions and methods of improving vision.

1 . A method of treating an eye disease, comprising:
 topically administering a composition comprising hydralazine or a salt thereof to at least one eye of a subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eye disease is selected from macular degeneration, a diabetic eye disease, or glaucoma. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein macular degeneration is dry age-related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering comprises topically administering the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a human. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said salt is a hydrochloride salt, a hydrochlorothiazide salt or an isosorbide dinitrate salt. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a liquid solution. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering comprises topically administering the composition to both eyes of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating macular degeneration or a diabetic eye disease, comprising:
 administering a composition comprising an interleukin-1 blocker to at least one eye of a subject diagnosed with age-related dry macular degeneration.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the eye disease is selected from macular degeneration or a diabetic eye disease. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein macular degeneration is dry age-related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the interleukin-1 blocker has a formula selected from 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein, R 1  is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, and substituted arylalkyl; R 2  and R 3  are the same or different and, at each occurrence, independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkylcarboxyl or substituted alkylcarboxyl; R 4  is hydrogen or alkyl; and R 5  is alkyl. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the interleukin-1 blocker has a formula selected from: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said age-related macular degeneration is dry age-related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said treatment is for a human subject. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said composition is administered topically to an eye of a subject. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said composition is a liquid solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is effective to reduce or prevent choroidal neovascularization. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is effective to increase choroidal blood flow.