Creatine ester anti-inflammatory compounds and formulations

Abstract

The present invention provides a creatine ester anti-inflammatory compound which may be received by animals and then metabolized into a biologically active form of creatine. The biologically active creatine inhibits the production of chemical mediators, released during an inflammatory response, which are important components in the inflammatory response and the inflammation and pain resulting from physical or chemical trauma to cells and tissue.

1 . A method for inhibiting inflammatory mediator synthesis in an animal, comprising:
 administering to an animal a formulation comprising creatine ethyl ester, a creatine ethyl ester salt, or a combination thereof;   delivering the creatine to a tissue undergoing a cellular inflammatory response, wherein the creatine inhibits the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator by altering the cellular inflammatory response at a point prior to the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator.   
     
     
         2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is suitable for being formed in a solid form capable of being ingested by the animal. 
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 2 , wherein the formulation further comprises at least one of dextrose and phosphate. 
     
     
         4 . The method as described in  claim 2 , wherein the solid form is configured as at least one of a food supplement, a tablet, a granule, and a capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is suitable for being administered by at least one of ingestion, parenteral application, and topical application. 
     
     
         6 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the animal includes at least one of a human, livestock, and companion animal. 
     
     
         13 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method for inhibiting inflammatory mediator synthesis in an animal, comprising:
 administering to an animal a topical formulation comprising creatine ethyl ester, a creatine ethyl ester salt, or a combination thereof, the creatine ethyl ester, the creatine ethyl ester salt, or combination thereof being suitable for modification by the animal to form creatine;   delivering the creatine to an inflamed target tissue of the animal, wherein the creatine inhibits the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator by altering the cellular inflammatory response at a point prior to the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the animal includes a human and livestock. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the topical formulation is administered to the animal in the form of an ointment, a cream, a patch, or a wrap delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the topical formulation further comprises a penetrating agent. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the topical formulation is comprised in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is impregnated or adsorbed into a patch or wrap. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the topical formulation is comprised in an adhesive patch. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the adhesive patch comprises a semi-permeable membrane disposed on a side of an internal semi-solid reservoir, and wherein the topical formulation is comprised in the reservoir. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the creatine ethyl ester, the creatine ethyl ester salt, or combination thereof is present in an amount of about 15 percent to about 25 percent by weight of the topical formulation.