Compositions and methods for treating acne vulgaris

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions, methods of treatment using the compositions and methods of preparing the compositions for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The compositions include succinic acid, Brij®-30 and a molecular penetration enhancer in a pharmaceutically acceptable preparation. The molecular penetration enhancer may include one or more of DMSO, dimethyl isosorbide, lauryl lactate and isopropyl myristate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A topical composition for treating acne vulgaris in a subject, the composition comprising succinic acid, a nonionic surface active agent, and a molecular penetration enhancer, wherein
 the nonionic surface active agent is the nonionic surface active agent is a sorbitan alkyl ester, a polyethoxylated alkyl sorbitan ester, or a polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ether;   the molecular penetration enhancer is selected from the group consisting of DMSO, dimethyl isosorbide, lauryl lactate, isopropyl myristate and combinations thereof, and the composition is suitable for delivering to epidermis and/or dermis, an amount of succinic acid that is at least about two-fold greater than that of succinic acid in vehicle in absence of the nonionic surface active agent and the molecular penetration enhancer.   
     
     
         26 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein
 the succinic acid is present in the composition in an amount at least 0.5 w/w %;   the nonionic surface active agent is present in an amount at least 0.1 w/w %; and   the molecular penetration enhancer is present in the composition in an amount at least 0.1 w/w %.   
     
     
         27 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein the succinic acid is present in the composition in an amount of 0.5-4 w/w %. 
     
     
         28 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein the succinic acid is present in the composition in an amount of 0.5-2 w/w %. 
     
     
         29 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein the nonionic surface active agent is a polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ether. 
     
     
         30 . The topical composition of  claim 29 , wherein the polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ether is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1-3 w/w %. 
     
     
         31 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein the molecular penetration enhancer is dimethyl isosorbide. 
     
     
         32 . The topical composition of  claim 31 , wherein the dimethyl isosorbide is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1-5 w/w %. 
     
     
         33 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , wherein
 the nonionic surface active agent is a polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ether; and   the molecular penetration enhancer is dimethyl isosorbide.   
     
     
         34 . The topical composition of  claim 33 , wherein
 the succinic acid is present in the composition in an amount of 0.5-4 w/w %;   the polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ether is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1-3 w/w %; and   the dimethyl isosorbide is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1-5 w/w %.   
     
     
         35 . The topical composition of  claim 25 , further comprising glycerol. 
     
     
         36 . The topical composition of  claim 34 , further comprising glycerol. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 25 , in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for tropical application. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 34 , in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for tropical application. 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating acne vulgaris in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising topically administering the topical composition of  claim 25  to the subject. 
     
     
         40 . A method of treating acne vulgaris in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising topically administering the topical composition of  claim 34  to the subject. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the subject is an adolescent. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the subject is an adolescent.