Extended production of nitric oxide from a microencapsulated nitrite salt and an aqueous acidified gel

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for generating and applying long-lasting therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas from the reaction of a least one microencapsulated nitrite salt and an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide comprising a microencapsulated nitrite salt and an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form. 
     
     
         2 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the nitrite salt is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, alkali metal nitrite and alkaline earth nitrite. 
     
     
         3 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by an organic acid selected from one or more of the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, formic acid and ascorbic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by boric acid. 
     
     
         5 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the reducing property is provided by a reductant selected one or more of the group consisting of: ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative, ascorbate salts, tocopherols, erythrobates, carotenoids, tocotrienols and thiols. 
     
     
         6 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidity is provided by a citric acid and the reducing property is provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative. 
     
     
         7 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidity and the reducing property are together provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative. 
     
     
         8 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidified aqueous gel comprises a polymer selected from one or more of the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gelatin, agar, natural gums, starches and pectins. 
     
     
         9 . The extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 , wherein the acidified aqueous gel comprises a quantity of a polymer that provides a viscosity of that of a solution of from 0.7 to 3.0 w/v percent hydroxyethyl cellulose in water. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for providing extended release therapeutic nitric oxide to a patient comprising: a microencapsulated nitrite salt and an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous acidified gel includes ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivatives that provide both the sufficient acidity and the reducing property. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising an instruction to the patient to apply both the microencapsulated nitrite salt and the activating volume of aqueous acidified gel to a tissue in need thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising an instruction to the patient to add a reactivating volume of aqueous acidified gel if the activating volume of aqueous acidified gel is reduced to dryness. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the kit further includes at least one reactivating volume of aqueous acidified gel in a premeasured container. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the microencapsulated nitrite salt is provided in a wound dressing or bandage and the activating volume of the aqueous acidified gel is provided in a premeasured container. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the microencapsulated nitrite salt is provided as a coating in a condom and the activating volume of the aqueous acidified gel is provided in a premeasured container. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a wound using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating hair loss using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating of sexual dysfunction using the extended release generator of therapeutic nitric oxide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing extended release therapeutic nitric oxide comprising:
 applying a least one microencapsulated nitrite salt;   adding an activating volume of an aqueous acidified gel that has sufficient acidity to convert the nitrite salt to a nitric oxide (NO) and further provides a reducing property that retains the NO in bioactive form.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the nitrite salt is selected from one or more of the group consisting of: sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, alkali metal nitrite and alkaline earth nitrite. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by an organic acid selected from one or more of the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, formic acid and ascorbic acid. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by boric acid. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the reducing property is provided by a reductant selected one or more of the group consisting of: ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid derivatives, ascorbate salts, tocopherols, erythrobates, carotenoids, tocotrienols and thiols. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sufficient acidity and the reducing property are together provided by an ascorbic acid and/or an ascorbic acid derivative. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the acidity is provided by a citric acid and the reducing property is provided by an ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid derivative.