Biophotonic compositions and methods for providing biophotonic treatment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides biophotonic topical compositions and methods useful in phototherapy. In particular, the biophotonic topical compositions of the present disclosure are substantially resistant to leaching such that very low amounts of chromophore(s) present in the biophotonic composition leach out of the composition. The biophotonic compositions and the methods of the present disclosure are useful for promoting wound healing and skin rejuvenation, as well as treating acne and various skin disorders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for promoting wound healing, comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to a wound, wherein the biophotonic composition comprises at least a first chromophore and a gelling agent; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into tissue during treatment.   
     
     
         2 . A method for biophotonic treatment of a skin disorder, comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to a target skin tissue afflicted with the skin disorder, wherein the biophotonic composition comprises a first chromophore and a gelling agent; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into tissue during treatment.   
     
     
         3 . A method for biophotonic treatment of acne, comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to target tissue wherein the biophotonic composition comprises a first chromophore and a gelling agent, wherein the tissue is an acne lesion or an acne scar; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into tissue during treatment.   
     
     
         4 . A method for promoting skin rejuvenation comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to skin, wherein the biophotonic composition comprises a first chromophore and a gelling agent; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into the skin during treatment.   
     
     
         5 . A method for providing cosmetic treatment, comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to skin, wherein the biophotonic composition comprises a first chromophore and a gelling agent; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into the skin during treatment.   
     
     
         6 . A method of biophotonic treatment of periodontal disease, comprising:
 applying a biophotonic composition to a periodontal pocket, wherein the biophotonic composition comprises a first chromophore and a gelling agent; and   illuminating said biophotonic composition with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the first chromophore;   wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition into tissue during treatment.   
     
     
         7 . A biophotonic composition comprising a first chromophore and a gelling agent, wherein the gelling agent renders the biophotonic composition substantially resistant to leaching such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out of the biophotonic composition. 
     
     
         8 . A biophotonic composition comprising a first chromophore, wherein the composition is encapsulated in a membrane which limits leaching of the first chromophore such that less than 15% of the total chromophore amount leaches out into tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 8 , wherein the membrane comprises a lipid. 
     
     
         10 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the composition further comprises a second chromophore. 
     
     
         11 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 10 , wherein the first chromophore has an emission spectrum that overlaps at least 20% with an absorption spectrum of the second chromophore. 
     
     
         12 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the gelling agent is hygroscopic. 
     
     
         13 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the gelling agent comprises at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, a high molecular weight, cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymer, hyaluronic acid and glucosamine sulfate. 
     
     
         14 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the gelling agent comprises a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 14 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer comprises a high molecular weight, cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is substantially translucent. 
     
     
         17 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , further comprising an oxygen-releasing agent. 
     
     
         18 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 17 , wherein the oxygen-releasing agent is selected from hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         19 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the first chromophore photobleaches upon illumination with a light. 
     
     
         20 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the first chromophore emits fluorescence upon illumination with a light. 
     
     
         21 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 10 , wherein the first chromophore transfers energy to the second chromophore upon illumination with a light. 
     
     
         22 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the first chromophore is a fluorescent chromophore. 
     
     
         23 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 22 , wherein the first chromophore is a fluorescent xanthene. 
     
     
         24 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 7 , wherein the first chromophore is selected from Eosin Y, Erythrosin B, Fluorescein, Rose Bengal and Phloxin B. 
     
     
         25 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 10 , wherein the second chromophore is selected from chlorophyllin, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. 
     
     
         26 . The biophotonic composition of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second chromophores are selected from Eosin Y, Fluorescein, Rose Bengal, Erythrosine, Phloxine B.