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 method of enhancing nail health in a human patient, the method comprising topically administering to the nail of the patient a composition comprising least one of a prostaglandin, prostamide, prodrug thereof, and derivative thereof; or a mixture of the aforementioned prostaglandin, prostamine, prodrug and derivative, wherein the composition is applied topically to the nail of the patient. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prostamide is bimatoprost. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering at least one of an anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulator; or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the anti-inflammaotry is ketorolac. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the immunomodulator is cyclosporine A. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the emulsion comprises castor oil and a surfactant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the emulsion comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerin, polysorbate 80 and carbomer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising 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. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered at least once a day. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enhancing nail health comprises treating brittle nail syndrome. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enhancing nail health comprises enhancing nail growth. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , enhancing nail health comprises 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. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , 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 and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , 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.