Therapeutic uses of mastic gum fractions

Abstract

The invention relates to therapeutic uses of gum mastic, and compounds found therein including polymeric myrcene. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of treating impaired neurological function using compositions comprising polymeric myrcene.

1 . A method of treating a wound, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated fraction of mastic gum, wherein the isolated fraction of mastic gum is characterized in that it is soluble in at least one polar organic solvent and in at least one non-polar organic solvent, and wherein the isolated fraction of mastic gum is substantially devoid of compounds which are soluble in said polar organic solvent but insoluble in said non-polar organic solvent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the wound. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wound is selected from the group consisting of a venous ulcer, a retinal detachment, a burn wound, a bite wound, a frostbite wound, a puncture wound, a shrapnel wound, a contusion, an infection wound and a surgical wound. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the isolated fraction of mastic gum is substantially devoid of monoterpene compounds. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the isolated fraction of mastic gum comprises less than about 5% of myrcene monomers and myrcene oligomeric forms having a degree of polymerization less than about 6. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an ether, an ester, an amide, an aldehyde, a ketone, a nitrile, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, sec-butanol, t-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, neopentanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, ethyleneglycol, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether, diethyl ether, methylethyl ether, ethylpropyl ether, methylpropyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, dihydrofuran, furan, pyran, dihydropyran, tetrahydropyran, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, acetaldehyde, methylformate, ethylformate, ethyl propionate, methyl propionate, dichloromethane, chloroform, dimethylformamide, acetamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, acetone, ethylmethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, acetonitrile, propionitrile, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of acyclic or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons, each of which is optionally substituted by one or more halogens, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the non-polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, nonanes, decanes, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, benzene, toluene, xylene, and isomers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the isolated fraction is disposed on an article of manufacture in the form of a coating. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the article of manufacture is selected from the group consisting of a fabric article, a diaper, a wound dressing, a medical device, a needle or plurality of needles, a microneedle or plurality of microneedles, an injection device and a spray dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering is carried out by a route selected from the group consisting of oral, topical, parenteral, and transdermal.