Compositions for enhancing nail health

Abstract

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing the health 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 enhance nail health. The composition is also effective in strengthening and growing nails.

1 . A composition for use in enhancing nail health in a human patient, the composition comprising an immunomodulator wherein the composition is in an oil-in-water emulsion, and is topically applied to the nail of the patient. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the immunomodulator is cyclosporine. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-inflammatory. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the anti-inflammatory is ketorolac. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsion comprises castor oil and a surfactant. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsion comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerine, polysorbate 80 and carbomer. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.5%-1.5% w/w polysorbate 80, 0.5%-1.5% w/w glycerine, 0.5%-1.5% w/w castor oil, 0.05%-0.1% w/w carbomer 1342 and mannitol. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied at least once a day. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , which is useful for treating brittle nail syndrome. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , which is useful for enhancing nail growth. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , which is useful for treating a disorder of the nail selected from the group consisting of nail psoriasis, psoriatic nail dystrophy, onychia, onychiagryposis, onychia trophia, onychocryptosis, onychodystrophy, onychogryposis, onycholysis, onychomadesis, onychauxis, onychomycosis, onychorrhexis, tinea unguium, onychophosis, onychoptosis, paronychia, pseudomonas, pterygium and pterygium inversum unguis, koilonychia, subungual hematoma or other trauma to the nail, folic acid deficiency, leukonychia, nail patella syndrome, melanonychia, protein deficiency, brittle and peeling nails, methyl methacrylate damaged nails, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin deficiency, tinea unguis, thinning nails associated with lichen planus, Raynaud's disease, beeding associated with rheumatoid arthritis, beau's lines, and Mee's lines associated with certain kinds of poisoning. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is selected from the group consisting of: Anise oil; Castor oil; Clove oil; Cassia oil; Cinnamon oil; oils having a specific gravity between 0.90 and 0.95; Almond oil; Corn oil; Arachis oil; Cottonseed oil; Safflower oil; Maize oil; Linseed oil; Rapeseed oil; Soybean oil; Olive oil; Caraway oil; Rosemary oil; Peanut oil; Peppermint oil; Sunflower oil; Eucalyptus oil; Sesame oil; an oil having a specific gravity specific gravity below 0.9; Mineral oil; Coriander oil; Lavender oil; Citronella oil; Juniper oil; Lemon oil; Orange oil; Clary sage oil; Nutmeg oil; and, Tea tree oil or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oil-in-water emulsion further contains a surfactant selected from the group consisting of Polysorbate  80 , carboxylated and ethoxylated alcohols, amine oxides, block polymers, fatty acids including carboxylic fatty acids, ethoxylated alkyl phenols, ethoxylated fatty esters, glycerol esters, lanolin-based derivatives, lignin derivatives, methyl esters, mono- and tri-glycerides, polyethylene glycols, polymeric surfactants, propoxylated and ethoxylated fatty acids, alcohols, or alkyl phenols, protein based surfactants, sucrose and glucose esters and derivatives or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is present in a concentration selected from the group consisting of 1.25% w/v, 0.01%-w/v-10.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-5.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-4.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-3.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-2.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-1.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.9% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.8% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.8% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.7% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.6% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.5% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.4% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.3% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.2% w/v, 0.09%-0.1% w/v, 0.08%-0.1% w/v, 0.07%-0.1% w/v, 0.06%-0.1% w/v, 0.05%-0.1% w/v, 0.04%-0.1% w/v, 0.03%-0.1% w/v, 0.02%-0.1% w/v, 0.01%-0.1% w/v, 0.01-0.09%, 0.01-0.08% 0.01-0.07% w/v, 0.01-0.06% w/v, 0.01-0.05% w/v, 0.01-0.04% w/v, 0.01-0.03% w/v, 0.01-0.02% w/v, 0.01-0.0125% w/v and 0.05% w/v-5.0% w/v. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present in a concentration selected from the group consisting of 1.0% w/v, 0.01%-w/v-10.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-5.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-4.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-3.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-2.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-1.0% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.9% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.8% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.7% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.6% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.5% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.4% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.3% w/v, 0.1% w/v-0.2% w/v, 0.09%-0.1% w/v, 0.08%-0.1% w/v, 0.07%-0.1% w/v, 0.06%-0.1% w/v, 0.05%-0.1% w/v, 0.04%-0.1% w/v, 0.03%-0.1% w/v, 0.02%-0.1% w/v, 0.01%-0.1% w/v, 0.01-0.09%, 0.01-0.08% 0.01-0.07% w/v, 0.01-0.06% w/v, 0.01-0.05% w/v, 0.01-0.04% w/v, 0.01-0.03% w/v, 0.01-0.02% w/v and 0.01-0.0125% w/v.