Neuroprotective composition and method of use

Abstract

A therapeutic composition for treating brain injury comprising a polyarginine peptide of from 5 to 9 arginines, and further comprising 1 or more terminal cysteines. The composition is administered in therapeutically effective dosages prophylactic ally as soon as possible post-injury in treating neuronal injury.

1 . A polyarginine peptide comprising from 5 to 9 arginines. 
     
     
         2 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 1  further comprising 1 or more terminal cysteines. 
     
     
         3 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 2  comprising at least 2 terminal cysteines, said at least 2 cysteines linked by a disulfide bond. 
     
     
         4 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 2  comprising C-s-s-CRRRRRRR where C is cysteine, C-s-s-C is a disulfide bond between 2 cysteines and R is arginine. 
     
     
         5 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 4  wherein said 2 cysteines are N-terminus linked. 
     
     
         6 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 2  comprising CRRRRRRR. 7. The polyarginine peptide of  claim 1  comprising RRRRRRR. 
     
     
         7 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 1  wherein at least 1 arginine is d-arginine. 
     
     
         8 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 2  wherein at least 1 or more said terminal cysteines is d-cysteine. 
     
     
         9 . The polyarginine peptide of  claim 1  further comprising up to 2 terminal neutral amino acids. 
     
     
         10 . A therapeutic method of treating actual or anticipated neuronal injury comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of a polyarginine peptide of from 5 to 9 arginines. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said polyarginine peptide of  claim 9  further comprising 1 or more terminal cysteines 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said polyarginine peptide is C-s-s-CRRRRRRR. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein administration is i.v. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein administration is from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg. 
     
     
         15 . A method of protecting against glaucoma associated vision damage to at least one eye in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective dosage of a polyarginine peptide comprising from 5 to 9 arginines and further comprising 1 or more terminal cysteines. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said administration is in the form of drops to said at least one eye.