Composition for external use on skin for inflammatory diseases

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a composition for external skin use that has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity and is very safe. [Solution] A composition for external skin use for inflammatory diseases contains dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) as the active ingredient thereof. It is preferable for the DGLA to be present as a glyceride, a phospholipid, or an alkyl ester. The amount of DGLA contained in the composition for external use is 0.1-50 wt %.

1 . A method for treating inflammatory disease comprising administering topically, to the skin of a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dihomo-y-linolenic acid (DGLA) is in the form of any one of a glyceride, a phospholipid, a glycolipid, an alkyl ester, a salt, or a free fatty acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the glyceride is a triglyceride, a diglyceride, or a monoglyceride. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the alkyl ester is an ester with a lower C 1-4  alcohol. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the phospholipid is diacylglycerophospholipid or lysoacylglycerophospholipid. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.01 to 50 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inflammatory disease is an inflammatory skin disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the inflammatory disease is atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, psoriasis, rheumatism, or lupus. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.01 to 50 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wherein the composition is applied continuously for at least 7 consecutive days to an area affected by the inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.05 to 10 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wherein the composition is applied continuously for at least 7 consecutive days to an area affected by the inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.05 to 7 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wherein the composition is applied continuously for at least 7 consecutive days to an area affected by the inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.01 to 50 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wherein the composition is applied continuously for at least 10 consecutive days to an area affected by the inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.01 to 50 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and wherein the composition is applied continuously for at least 14 consecutive days to an area affected by the inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , which is for suppressing the itch of the inflammatory disease.