Curcuminoids and metabolites thereof for treating allergic nasal conditions

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition for nasal administration comprising: a nanoemulsified curcumin component; a liquid medium for the curcumin component; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The curcumin component is a natural curcuminoid, a synthetic curcuminoid, a metabolite of a natural or synthetic curcuminoid, or a mixture thereof. The excipient is effective in increasing the bioavailability of the curcumin component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition for topical treatment of a nasal or ocular condition, comprising:
 a nanoemulsified curcumin component, said curcumin component having a mean particle size of between 5 nm and 30 nm, wherein said curcumin component is selected from the group consisting of a natural curcuminoid, a synthetic curcuminoid, a metabolite of a natural or synthetic curcuminoid, and a mixture thereof;   an aqueous carrier, and   a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the curcumin component comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, a demethylated curcuminoid, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the demethylated curcuminoid is bis-O-demethyl curcumin. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the curcumin component has a mean particle size between about 10 nm and about 20 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises the nano emulsified curcumin component in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 5% w/v. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises the nano emulsified curcumin component in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 0.15% w/v. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the curcumin component comprises at least one compound derived from a species selected from the group consisting of  Curcuma longa, Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma zedoaria , and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a co-solvent, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, polyethylene glycol esters, polyethylene glycols, glycerol ethers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the co-solvent is selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a water soluble polymer, a chelating agent, a stabilizing agent, an isotonizing agent, a buffer substance, a preservative, a thickener, an electrolyte and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl ethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbophil, gelatin, alginate, poly(acrylic acid), polyethylene oxide, chitosan, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the chelating agent is a disodium salt of EDTA. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the stabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydrogen sulfite, glycerin, sodium citrate, butyl hydroxyanisole, edetic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, tocopherol, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof, alone or in combination with sodium edetate. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the isotonizing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, D-mannitol, glucose, glycerin, xylitol, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium chondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate, chitosan, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite, sodium bisulfate, sodium thiosulfate, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate, methylparaben, polyvinyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the buffering agent comprises a base selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium tetraborate, sodium phosphate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the electrolyte is sodium chloride or potassium chloride. 
     
     
         21 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating allergic conditions comprising:
 a carrier comprising a liquid medium;   a nanoemulsified curcumin component having a mean particle size of between 5 nm and 30 nm within said liquid medium, said curcumin component being selected from the group consisting of a natural curcuminoid, a synthetic curcuminoid, a metabolite of a natural or synthetic curcuminoid, and a mixture thereof; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,   said excipient being effective in increasing the bioavailability of the curcumin component.