Topical fungicidal agents for treating nail disorders

Abstract

Anhydrous agents for topical application, comprising one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid and physiologically acceptable excipients, are described for the treatment of nail disorders caused by mycoses and for nail care. The agents according to the invention are also suitable in veterinary medicine for treating fungal infections of the hooves, claws and talons of pets and farm animals and wild animals living in captivity.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A water-free topical application composition consisting essentially of
 one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid as the sole active ingredient and   one or more physiologically acceptable excipients,   wherein the water-free topical application composition is effective to treat nail diseases caused by mycoses under the nail plate.   
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters is an ethyl ester of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters is an isopropyl ester of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters is lactic acid ethyl ester. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters is malic acid diisopropyl ester. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 12 , consisting essentially of 1 to 99.99% by weight of C1-C4 alkyl esters of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more physiologically acceptable excipients are selected from the group consisting of terpenes or oils containing terpenes, alcohols, ketones, fatty acid esters, polyglycols, tensides, urea, antioxidants and complexing agents. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 12 , consisting essentially of 30 to 98.99% by weight of the one or more physiologically acceptable excipients. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid is/are present in the composition in an amount effective to kill  Candida albicans  and/or  Trichophyton mentagroph.   
     
     
         21 . A water-free topical application composition consisting of
 one or more C1-C4 alkyl esters of lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid as the sole active ingredient and   one or more physiologically acceptable excipients,   wherein the water-free topical application composition is effective to treat nail diseases caused by mycoses under the nail plate.