Compositions

Abstract

The invention also provides methods and kits associated with, or making use of the solutions, and compositions for the preparation of the solutions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A composition optionally presented in two or more parts for the preparation of a first colon cleansing solution, comprising:
 (i) 87.5 to 110 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 2500 to 4500 Da;   (ii) 7.5 to 10 g of one or more alkali metal sulphates, alkaline earth metal sulphates or a mixture thereof;   (iii) 1.5 to 2.5 g sodium chloride and 0.75 to 1.25 g potassium chloride;   (iv) optionally one or more flavouring agents; and   (v) optionally one or more sweeteners.   
     
     
         2 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising
 (i) 100 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da;   (ii) 9.0 g sodium sulphate;   (iii) 2.0 g sodium chloride and 1.0 g potassium chloride;   (iv) optionally one or more flavouring agents; and   (v) optionally one or more sweeteners   
     
     
         3 . A composition as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the sweetener is selected from aspartame, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K), sucralose and saccharine, and/or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A composition as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the sweetener is sucralose. 
     
     
         5 . A composition comprising:
 a) 150 to 400 mmol ascorbate anion provided by a mixture of:
 (i) ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) one or more salts of ascorbic acid, 
 the components (i) and (ii) being present in a molar ratio of from 1:4.5 to 1:7.0; 
   b) 5 to 100 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da;   c) sodium chloride and potassium chloride;   d) optionally sodium sulphate;   e) optionally one or more flavouring agents;   f) optionally one or more sweeteners.   
     
     
         6 . A composition as claimed in  claim 5  comprising:
 a)
 (i) 6.0 to 10 g ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 40 to 60 g sodium ascorbate, 
 the components (i) and (ii) being present in a weight ratio of from 1:5.063 to 1:7.875; 
 
 b) 30 to 50 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 1.5 to 4 g sodium chloride and 0.5 to 3.5 g potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners. 
 
     
     
         7 . A composition as claimed in  claim 6  comprising
 a)
 (i) 7.54 g ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 48.11 g sodium ascorbate, 
 
 b) 40 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 3.20 g sodium chloride and 1.20 g potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners. 
 
     
     
         8 . A composition as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the ascorbate and PEG components are packaged separately from each other. 
     
     
         9 . A composition as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the sweetener is 0.5-1.25 g aspartame. 
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising a first colon cleansing composition comprising a composition as claimed in  claim 1  and a second colon cleansing composition comprising
 a) (i) 6.0 to 10 g ascorbic acid, and
 (ii) 40 to 60 g sodium ascorbate, 
 the components (i) and (ii) being present in a weight ratio of from 1:5.063 to 1:7.875; 
 
 b) 30 to 50 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 1.5 to 4 g sodium chloride and 0.5 to 3.5 g potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners. 
 wherein optionally the ascorbate component (a) is packaged separately to the PEG component (b). 
 
     
     
         11 . A kit comprising a first colon cleansing composition as claimed in  claim 2  and a second colon cleansing composition comprising
 a)
 (i) 7.54 g ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 48.11 g sodium ascorbate, 
 
 b) 40 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 3.20 g sodium chloride and 1.20 g potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners. 
 wherein optionally the second colon cleansing composition comprises one package comprising the ascorbate component and one package comprising the PEG, sodium chloride and potassium chloride components. 
 
     
     
         12 . A kit comprising a first colon cleansing composition comprising a composition as claimed in  claim 2  and a second colon cleansing composition containing:
 a)
 (i) 7.54 g ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 48.11 g sodium ascorbate, 
 
 b) 40 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 3.20 g sodium chloride and 1.20 g potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners; 
 whereby component a) is packaged in a first compartment and components b), c) e) and f) are packaged in a second compartment. 
 
     
     
         13 . A solution consisting essentially of:
 a)
 (i) 14 to 16 g per litre ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 92 to 100 g per litre sodium ascorbate, 
   b) 75 to 85 per litre PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da;   c) 6.0 to 6.8 g per litre sodium chloride and 2.0 to 2.8 g per litre potassium chloride;   d) one or more flavouring agents; and   e) one or more sweeteners,   for use in cleansing the colon of a mammal.   
     
     
         14 . A solution as claimed in  claim 13  consisting essentially of:
 a)
 (i) 15.08 g per litre ascorbic acid, and 
 (ii) 96.22 g per litre sodium ascorbate, 
 
 b) 80 g per litre PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da; 
 c) 6.4 g per litre sodium chloride and 2.4 g per litre potassium chloride; 
 d) one or more flavouring agents; and 
 e) one or more sweeteners, 
 for use in cleansing the colon of a mammal. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method of cleansing the colon comprising a first colon cleansing agent and a second colon cleansing agent, said method comprising:
 a subject taking an effective amount of a first colon cleansing agent; and   a subject taking an effective amount of a second colon cleansing agent,   the first colon cleansing solution in a volume of 500 ml comprising:   (i) 70 to 250 g per litre PEG having an average molecular weight of 2500 to 4500 Da;   (ii) 2.0 to 20 g per litre of one or more alkali metal sulphates, alkaline earth metal sulphates or a mixture thereof;   (iii) 3.0-5.0 g per litre sodium chloride and 1.5-2.5 g per litre potassium chloride;   (iv) optionally one or more flavouring agents; and   (v) optionally one or more sweeteners;   the second colon cleansing agent being a solution in 500 ml water of:   a)   (i) 6.0 to 10 g ascorbic acid, and   (ii) 40 to 60 g sodium ascorbate,   the components (i) and (ii) being present in a weight ratio of from 1:5063 to 1:7.875;   b) 30 to 50 g PEG having an average molecular weight of 3000 to 4000 Da;   c) 1.5 to 4 g sodium chloride and 0.5 to 3.5 g potassium chloride;   d) one or more flavouring agents; and   e) one or more sweetener.