Nitric oxide releasing bath compositions and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to bath compositions that may release nitric oxide when combined with an aqueous solution, thereby producing a nitric oxide releasing soak and/or bath. The present invention also relates to methods of using nitric oxide releasing bath compositions.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A composition comprising an acid at a concentration in a range from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition, and a nitrite,
 wherein the composition provides a total NO release of about 1 μmol NO/L to about 100 mmol NO/L.   
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 47 , further comprising an effervescent agent, wherein the concentration of the effervescent agent is in a range from about 25% to about 65% by weight. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 47 , further comprising a pH-modifying agent, wherein the concentration of the pH modifying agent is in a range from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 47 , further comprising an aromatherapy agent, wherein the concentration of the aromatherapy agent is in a range from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight. 
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 50 , wherein the aromatherapy agent is selected from menthol and/or camphor. 
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 47 , further comprising a glidant, wherein the concentration of the glidant is in a range from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight. 
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 52 , wherein the glidant is selected from colloidal silicon dioxide and/or talc. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 47 , further comprising an inert filler, wherein the concentration of the inert filler is in a range from about 0.1% to about 60% by weight. 
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the inert filler is selected from microcrystalline cellulose and/or lactose. 
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the composition is in the form of a powder, a bead, a granule, a tablet, a film, a coating, a film-coated tablet, a polymer sheet, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the composition is present as a coating on a surface of a container. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one compound that provides a visual indicator of when NO, nitrous acid and/or salts thereof are present. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the composition provides a total NO release of about 1 mmol NO/L to about 100 mmol NO/L. 
     
     
         60 . A method of treating a subject comprising:
 a) contacting the composition of  claim 47  with an aqueous solution to form NO, thereby producing a nitric oxide releasing bath, and   b) exposing at least a portion of the subject to the bath.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising adjusting the release rate of the NO by changing the temperature of the bath and/or modifying the pH of the bath. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the composition is in the form of a powder, a bead, a granule, a tablet, a film, a coating, a film-coated tablet, a polymer sheet, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the composition is coated on one or more interior surfaces of a container and the contacting step comprises contacting the aqueous solution with the one or more surfaces of the container. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising providing a visual indicator to the aqueous solution that signals the presence or absence of NO, nitrous acid and/or salts thereof in the aqueous solution.