Liposomal formulation for oral administration of glutathione (reduced) via gel capsule

Abstract

The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation in a gel cap. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for oral delivery of glutathione (reduced) comprising:
 a gel capsule; and   glutathione (reduced) encapsulated within the gel capsule, said glutathione (reduced) being stabilized in a liposomal pharmaceutical carrier capable of being ingested orally, and capable of delivering glutathione (reduced) in a physiologically active state to improve symptoms in disease states by transfer of the glutathione (reduced) into animal cells,   where the concentration of reduced glutathione in the entrapped aqueous space of the liposomes is at least about 123 mM.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 lecithin encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 up to 15-20% water encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 glycerin encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sorbitan oleate encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 polysorbate 20 encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 potassium sorbate encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a disease comprising:
 delivering glutathione orally via a gel capsule including reduced glutathione encapsulated in a liposomal pharmaceutical carrier within said gel capsule where the concentration of reduced glutathione in the entrapped aqueous space of the liposomes is at least about 123 mM.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , where the gel capsule further includes:
 lecithin encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , where the gel capsule further includes:
 up to 15-20% water encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , where the gel capsule further includes:
 sorbitan oleate encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , where the gel capsule further includes:
 polysorbate 20 encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , where the gel capsule further includes:
 potassium sorbate encapsulated within the gel capsule.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , where the disease is selected from the group consisting of cystic fibrosis, liver disease, Parkinson's disease, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.