Method of enhancing the efficacy and stability of ingredients in suspensions

Abstract

A composition comprises a low-solubility ingredient having a particle size of at most 10 μm dispersed in a solvent. The ingredient is present in an amount greater than the saturation limit of the ingredient in the solvent. The composition passes the freeze-thaw cycling test.

1 . A composition, comprising a low-solubility ingredient having a particle size of at most 10 μm dispersed in a solvent,
 wherein the ingredient is present in an amount greater than the saturation limit of the ingredient in the solvent, and 
 the composition passes the freeze-thaw cycling test. 
 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition passes the extended freeze-thaw cycling test. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition passes the skin feel test. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ingredient is selected from the group consisting of drug actives, claims actives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ingredient has a particle size of at most 5 μm by volume and at most 1 μm by number as determined by optical microscopy. 
     
     
         6 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ingredient comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of allantoin, quercetin, quercetin dihydrate, rutin, multifunctional curcuminoid additives and their derivatives, curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, tetrahydrodiferuloyl-methane, phenol antioxidants, tannic acid, ellagic acid, raspberry ellagitannin, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, glabridin, flavanols, catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), dimethylmethoxy chromanol, carotenoids, xanthophylls, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and resveratrol. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, humectants, hydrocarbons, alcohols, glycerides, cosmetic fluids, vegetable oils, and silicones. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as a topical solution, lotion, cream, ointment, gel, hydrogel, foam, paste, tincture, liniment, sprayable liquid or aerosol. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a formulation selected from the group consisting of medications, baby products, bath products, eye makeup, fragrance products, hair care products, makeup/cosmetics, nail care products, oral hygiene products, personal hygiene products, shaving products, skin care products, sun exposure products and nutritional supplements. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a sunscreen. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a skin care product. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ingredient comprises a nutritional supplement or a food additive. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of preparing a suspension, comprising:
 reducing the particle size of a low-solubility ingredient to at most 10 μm; and   adding the ingredient to a solvent;   wherein the ingredient is present in an amount greater than the saturation limit of the ingredient in the solvent, and   the suspension passes the freeze-thaw cycling test.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the suspension is prepared at 15-30° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the ingredient is selected from the group consisting of drug actives, claims actives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reducing comprises reducing the particle size of an ingredient to at most 5 μm. 
     
     
         21 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the ingredient comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of allantoin, quercetin, quercetin dihydrate, rutin, multifunctional curcuminoid additives and their derivatives, curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, tetrahydrodiferuloyl-methane, phenol antioxidants, tannic acid, ellagic acid, raspberry ellagitannin, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, glabridin, flavanols, catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), dimethylmethoxy chromanol, carotenoids, xanthophylls, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and resveratrol. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reducing comprises milling. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, triglycerides, linear alkyl benzoates, vegetable oils, and silicone oils. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the suspension is not supersaturated. 
     
     
         29 - 42 . (canceled)