Self-emulsifying formulations of dim-related indoles

Abstract

Disclosed herein are self-emulsifying compositions and formulations of Diindolylmethane (“DIM”) and certain derivatives of DIM, their uses and methods of making. In particular, the disclosed compositions comprise a DIM-related indole as an active agent and a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a solvent, one or more surfactants with an HLB of greater than 7, and one or more co-surfactants with an HLB equal to or less than 7. In certain aspects of the invention, the compositions disclosed herein show improved bioavailability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-3,3′-diindolylmethane (LTR) and a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises: (i) a caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glyceride, (ii) a lauroyl polyoxyl-32 glyceride, (iii) phosphatidyl choline or lysophosphatidyl choline, (iv) an oleoyl polyoxyl-6 glyceride, and (v) a polyoxythene/ polyoxypropylene copolymer (“poloxamer”), wherein the molecular mass of the hydrophobic block of the poloxamer is greater than 50% of the total molecular mass of the poloxamer and the molecular mass of the hydrophilic block of the poloxamer is less than 2250 Daltons, wherein the composition, upon dispersion in water or contact with gastrointestinal fluids, emulsifies to form a dispersion of oil-in-water globules. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) and/or a retinoid compound. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM). 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a retinoid compound. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the retinoid compound is a substituted or unsubstituted first generation retinoid, a substituted or unsubstituted second generation retinoid or a substituted or unsubstituted third generation retinoid. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the retinoid compound is a substituted or unsubstituted retinol, a substituted or unsubstituted retinal, a substituted or unsubstituted tretinoin (e.g., retinoic acid or Retin A), a substituted or unsubstituted isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid), or a substituted or unsubstituted alitretinoin. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the retinoid compound is a substituted or unsubstituted etretinate, a substituted or unsubstituted acitretin, a substituted or unsubstituted tazarotene, a substituted or unsubstituted bexarotene, or a substituted or unsubstituted adapalene. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the retinoid compound is retinyl palmitate or retinoic acid. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , which is formulated for oral or topical administration. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating or preventing a disease in a human subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering the composition of  claim 1  to the subject, wherein the disease is acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, malaria, prostate cancer, breast cancer, psoriasis, or allergic contact dermatitis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the acne is acne vulgaris. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the disease is acne vulgaris, rosacea, atompic dermatitis or psoriasis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is administered alone or in combination with a retinoid compound. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the disease is prostate cancer or breast cancer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is administered alone or in combination with 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM).