Abstract:
There is disclosed an improved method for topically administering a physiologically active agent to a human or animal by dissolving an effective amount of the agent in a carrier containing suitable amounts of 1-substituted azacyclopentan-2-one, as defined herein, and contacting the skin or other membranes of the human or animal with the resulting composition, whereby penetration of the skin or membranes is enhanced.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many physiologically active agents are best applied topically to obtain desirable results. Topical application, as contrasted to systemic application, largely avoids side effects of the agents and permits high local concentrations of the agents. 
     The greatest problem in applying physiologically active agents topically is that the skin is such an effective barrier to penetration. The epidermis of the skin has an exterior layer of dead cells called the stratum corneum which is tightly compacted and oily and which provides an effective barrier against gaseous, solid or liquid chemical agents, whether used alone or in water or oil solutions. If a physiologically active agent penetrates the stratum corneum, it can readily pass through the basal layer of the epidermis and into the dermis. 
     Although the effectiveness of the stratum corneum as a barrier provides great protection, it also frustrates efforts to apply beneficial agents directly to local areas of the body. The inability of physiologically active agents to penetrate the stratum corneum prevents their effective use to treat such conditions as inflamation, acne, psoriasis, herpes simplex, eczema, infections due to fungus, virus or other microorganisms, or other disorders or conditions of the skin or mucous membranes, or of conditions beneath the exterior surface of the skin or mucous membranes. The stratum corneum also prevents the skin from absorbing and retaining cosmetic-type materials such as sunscreens, perfumes, mosquito repellants and the like. 
     Physiologically active agents may be applied to locally affected parts of the body through the vehicle system described herein. Vehicles such as USP cold cream, ethanol and various ointments, oils, solvents, and emulsions have been used heretofore to apply physiologically active ingredients locally. Most such vehicles are not effective to carry significant amounts of physiologically active agents through the skin. One such vehicle is dimethyl sulfoxide, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,551,554. In this description, the term &#34;animal&#34; includes human beings as well as other forms of animal life, and especially domesticated animals and pets. 
     A number of 1-substituted-azacyclopentan-2-one compounds are known. The 1-lower alkyl substituted azacyclopentane-2-ones having 1-4 carbon atoms are known to moderately enhance percutaneous absorption of chemicals, e.g., drugs. It would be desirable to obtain the same or higher level of percutaneous absorption with substantially lower concentrations of the penetration-enhancing compound. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is a method for carrying physiologically active agents through body membranes such as skin and for retaining these agents in body tissues. The invention also relates to compositions for use in the method. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for topically administering a physiologically active agent to a human or animal comprising administering topically to a human or animal an effective amount of a composition containing the agent and an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound having the structural formula ##SPC1## 
     wherein R is H or a lower alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and n is a positive integer from 0-10. In a preferred embodiment, R is H and n is 1. 
     It has been found that the physiologically active agents are carried through body membranes by the claimed vehicles and are retained in body tissue. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring more particularly to the structural formula, R is H or a straight or branch chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and preferably 1 carbon atom. n is a positive integer from 1-10 and preferably 1. 
     The compounds described herein are useful in research relating to percutaneous absorption, i.e., the compounds of the present invention enhance percutaneous absorption of topically administered chemical agents, e.g., drugs, perfumes, dyes, insect repellants, etc. 
     The compounds covered by the general formula above may be prepared, for example, by heating γ-butyrolactone with an aralkyl or aryl amine at 170°-250° C for 24-48 hours and the product is distilled at reduced pressure. Preferably, a slight excess of the amine is used which is removed at reduced pressure prior to the distillation of the product. 
     In an alternate method, azacyclopentan-2-one is treated with an aralkyl halide or a compound containing an aralkyl radical and an excellent leaving group such as mesylate, tosylate, triflate, etc. in presence of a base. Sodium hydride is preferred as a base and the preferred halide is bromide. The reaction is carried out under anhydrous conditions in a hydrocarbon solvent, for example dry toluene in an inert atmosphere. 
     The amount of 1-aralkyl-azacyclopentan-2-one which may be used in the present invention is an effective, non-toxic amount for enhancing percutaneous absorption. Generally, this amount ranges between about 1 to about 95 and preferably 5 to 20 percent by weight of the composition. 
     The process of this invention may find use with many physiologically active agents which are soluble in the vehicles disclosed. 
     Fungistatic and fungicidal agents such as, for example, thiabendazole, chloroxine, amphotericin, candicidin, fungimycin, nystatin, chlordantoin, clotrimazole, ethonam nitrate, miconazole nitrate, pyrrolnitrin, salicylic acid, fezatione, ticlatone, tolnaftate, triacetin and zinc and sodium pyrithione may be dissolved in the vehicles described herein and topically applied to affected areas of the skin. For example, fungistatic or fungicidal agents so applied are carried through the stratum corneum, and thereby successfully treat fungus-caused skin problems. These agents, thus applied, not only penetrate more quickly than when applied in the vehicles of the prior art, but additionally enter the animal tissue in higher concentrations and are retained for substantially longer time periods whereby a far more successful treatment is effected. 
     For example, the method of this invention may also be employed in the treatment of fungus infections on the skin caused by candida and dermatophytes which cause athletes foot or ringworm, by dissolving thiabendazole or similar antifungal agents in one of the vehicles and applying it to the affected area. 
     The invention is also useful in treating skin problems, such as for example, herpes simplex, which may be treated by a solution of iododeoxyuridine dissolved in one of the vehicles, or such problems as warts which may be treated with agents such as podophylline dissolved in one of the vehicles. Skin problems such as psoriasis may be treated by topical application of a solution of a conventional topical steroid in one of the vehicles or by treatment with theophylline or antagonists of β-adrenergic blockers such as isoproterenol in one of the vehicles. Scalp conditions such as alopecia areata may be treated more effectively by applying steroids such as triamcinolone acetonide dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention directly to the scalp. 
     The present invention is also useful for treating mild eczema, for example, by applying a solution of fluocinolone acetonide or its derivatives; hydrocortisone, triamcinolone acetonide, indomethacin, or phenylbutazone dissolved in one of the vehicles to the affected area. 
     Examples of other physiologically active steroids which may be used with the vehicles include corticosteroids such as, for example, cortisone, cortodoxone, flucetonide, fludrocortisone, difluorsone diacetate, flurandrenolone acetonide, medrysone, amcinafel, amcinafide, betamethasone and its esters, chloroprednisone, clocortelone, descinolone, desonide, dexamethasone, dichlorisone, difluprednate, flucloronide, flumethasone, flunisolide, fluocinonide, flucortolone, fluoromethalone, fluperolone, fluprednisolone, meprednisone, methylmeprednisolone, paramethasone, prednisolone and prednisone. 
     This invention is also useful in antibacterial chemotherapy, e.g., in the treatment of skin conditions involving pathogenic bacteria. Typical antibacterial agents which may be used in this invention include sulfonomides, penicillins, cephalosporins, penicillinase, erythromycins, lincomycins, vancomycins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicols, streptomycins, etc. Typical examples of the foregoing include erythromycin, erythromycin ethyl carbonate, erythromycin estolate, erythromycin glucepate, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, erythromycin lactobionate, lincomycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, methacycline, oxytetracycline, minocycline, etc. 
     This invention is also useful in protecting ultra-sensitive skin or even normally sensitive skin from damage or discomfort due to sunburn. Thus, dermatitis actinica may be avoided by application of a sunscreen, such as para-aminobenzoic acid or its well-known derivatives dissolved in one of the vehicles, to skin surfaces that are to be exposed to the sun; and the protective para-aminobenzoic acid or its derivatives will be carried into the stratum corneum more successfully and will therefore be retained even when exposed to water or washing for a substantially longer period of time than when applied to the skin in conventional vehicles. This invention is particularly useful for ordinary suntan lotions used in activities involving swimming because the ultraviolet screening ingredients in the carriers of the prior art are washed off the skin when it is immersed in water. 
     This invention may also find use in treating scar tissue by applying agents which soften collagen, such as aminoproprionitrile or penicillamine dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention topically to the scar tissue. 
     Agents normally applied as eye drops, ear drops, or nose drops are more effective when dissolved in the vehicles of this invention. 
     Agents used in diagnosis may be used more effectively when applied dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention. Patch tests to diagnose allergies may be effected promptly without scratching the skin or covering the area subjected to an allergen when the allergens are applied in one of the vehicles of this invention. 
     This invention is also useful for topical application of cosmetic or esthetic agents. For example, compounds such as melanin-stimulating hormone (MSH) or dihydroxy acetone and the like are more effectively applied to skin to simulate a suntan when they are dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention. The agent is carried into the skin more quickly and in greater quantity when applied in accordance with this invention. Hair dyes also penetrate more completely and effectively when dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention. 
     The effectiveness of such topically applied materials as insect repellants or fragrances, such as perfumes and colognes, can be prolonged when such agents are applied dissolved in one of the vehicles of this invention. 
     It is to be emphasized that the foregoing are simply examples of physiologically active agents including therapeutic and cosmetic agents having known effects for known conditions, which may be used more effectively for their known properties in accordance with this invention. 
     In addition, the vehicles of the present invention may also be used to produce therapeutic effects which were not previously known. That is, by use of the vehicles described herein, therapeutic effects heretofore not known can be achieved. 
     As an example of the foregoing, griseofulvin is known as the treatment of choice for fungus infections of the skin and nails. Heretofore, the manner of delivery of griseofulvin has been oral. However, it has long been known that oral treatment is not preferred because of side effects resulting from saturation of the entire body with griseofulvin and the fact that only the outer layers of affected skin need to be treated. Therefore, because fungal infections are generally infections of the skin and nails, it would be advantageous to utilize griseofulvin topically. However, despite a long-felt need for a topical griseofulvin, griseofulvin has been used orally to treat topical fungus conditions because there was not heretofore known any formulation which could be delivered topically which would cause sufficient retention of griseofulvin in the skin to be useful therapeutically. 
     However, it has now been discovered that griseofulvin, in a range of therapeutic concentrations between about 0.1 and about 10% may be used effectively topically if combined with one of the vehicles described herein. 
     As a further example, acne is the name commonly applied to any inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands; also acne vulgaris. The microorganism typically responsible for the acne infection is Corynebacterium acnes. Various therapeutic methods for treating acne have been attempted including topical antibacterials, e.g. hexachlorophene, and systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline. While the systemic antibiotic treatment are known to be partially effective, the topical treatments are generally not effective. 
     It has long been known that systemic treatment of acne is not preferred because of side effects resulting from saturation of the entire body with antibiotics and the fact that only the affected skin need by treated. However, despite a long-felt need for a topical treatment for acne, antibiotics generally have been used only systemically to treat acne because there was not heretofore known an antibacterial formulation which could be used topically which would be effective therapeutically in the treatment of acne. However, it has now been discovered that antibiotics, especially those of the lincomycin and erythryomycin families of antibiotics, may be used in the treatment of acne topically if combined with one of the vehicles described herein. 
     The antibiotics composition so applied is carried into and through the epidermis and deeper layers of the skin as well as into follicles and comedones (sebum-plugged follicles which contain C. acnes) in therapeutically effective amounts and thereby successfully may be used to temporarily eliminate the signs and symptoms of acne. 
     The term &#34;physiologically active agent&#34; is used herein to refer to a broad class of useful chemical and therapeutic agents including physiologically active steroids, antibiotics, antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, antineoplastic agents, allergens, antihistaminic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, ultraviolet screening agents, diagnostic agents, perfumes, insect repellants, hair dyes, etc. 
     Dosage forms for topical application may include solution nasal sprays, lotions, ointments, creams, gels suppositories, sprays, aerosols and the like. Typical inert carrier which make up the foregoing dosage forms include water, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, freons, ethyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, fragrances, gel-producing materials, mineral oil, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, spermaceti, sorbitan monooleate, &#34;Polysorbates&#34;, &#34;Tweens&#34;, sorbital, methylcellulose, etc. 
     The amount of the composition, and thus of the physiologically active agent therein, to be administered will obviously be an effective amount for the desired result expected therefrom. This, of course, will be ascertained by the ordinary skill of the practitioner. Due to enhanced activity which is achieved, the dosage of agent may often be decreased from that generally applicable. In accordance with the usual prudent formulating practices, a dosage near the lower end of the useful range of the particular agent may be employed initially and the dosage increased as indicated from the observed response, as in the routine procedure of the physician. 
     The examples which follow illustrate the compositions of the present invention. Temperatures are given in degrees Centigrade. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Preparation of 1-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one 
     6.97 g (0.06 M) of γ-butyrolactone is mixed with 6.97 g (0.065 M) of benzylamine and heated at 190° for 24 hours. Excess benzylamine was removed at reduced pressure and the residue was distilled at 125°-130°/1 mm. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Preparation of 1-phenyl-azacyclopentan-2-one 
     9.3 g (0.1M) aniline and 9.5 g (0.11M) γ-butyrolactone were mixed and heated to 200° for 48 hours. The mixture was then placed under high vacuum whereupon unreacted γ-butyrolactone, analine and water were removed. Distillation of the residue at 138°-140°/300 μ gave 6.3 g (39%) of the product. [84% yield, based on reclaimed starting materials.] 
     
         ______________________________________N.M.R.:   (CDCl.sub.3)                 1.7 - 2.7 δ                             complex                 3.6 - 3.9 δ                             triplet                 4.1 - 4.4 δ                             triplet                 6.7 - 7.0 δ                             complex                 7.1 - 7.8 δ                             complex______________________________________ 
    
     G.C. Gas chromatographic analysis on 7&#39; 5% SE-30 (150°) column showed a single peak. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     The following solution formulation is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            Solution (%)______________________________________Griseofulvin       11-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              10Isopropyl myristate              5Fragrance          0.1Ethanol qs. ad______________________________________ 
    
     This formulation is effective in the treatment of fungus infections. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     An aerosol form of the formulation of Example 3 is prepared by preparing the following mixture: 
     
         ______________________________________Formulation       25%Freon.sup.1       75%______________________________________ .sup.1 Freon is 75/25 Freon 114/12. 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     The following cream formulation is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________Clindamycin (base) 1.0Stearyl alcohol, U.S.P.              12.0Ethoxylated cholestrol              0.4Synthetic spermaceti              7.5Sorbitan monooleate              1.0Polysorbate 80, U.S.P.              3.01-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              20.5Sorbitol solution, U.S.P.              5.5Sodium citrate     0.5Chemoderm No. 844 Fragrance              0.2Purified water qs. ad______________________________________ 
    
     This formulation is effective in the treatment of acne. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     The following solution formulations are prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            A(%)    B(%)______________________________________Clindamycin base   --        1.0Clindamycin phosphate acid              1.3       --Sodium hydroxide   0.077     --1.0 Molar hydrochloric acid              --        2.27Disodium edetate . 2H.sub.2 O              0.0033    0.0033Fragrances         0.5       0.51-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              21.0      21.0Purified water     20.0      17.73Isopropanol qs. ad.______________________________________ 
    
     These solutions are effective for the treatment of acne in humans. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     The following solution formulation is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________Neomycin sulfate   0.5Lidocaine          0.5Hydrocortisone     0.251-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              20.5Propylene glycol qs. ad.______________________________________ 
    
     This solution is effective for the treatment of otitis in domestic animals. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     The following sunscreen emulsion is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________p-amino benzoic acid              2.0Benzyl alcohol     0.51-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              31.0Polyethylene glycol 400-MS              10.0Isopropyl lanolate 3.0Lantrol            1.0Acetylated lanolin 0.5Isopropyl myristate              5.0Light mineral oil  8.0Cetyl alcohol      1.0Veegum             1.0Propylene glycol   3.0Purified water qs. ad______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 9 
     The following antineoplastic solution is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________5-Fluorouracil     51-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              40.1Polyethylene glycol              5Purified water qs. ad______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 10 
     The following insect repellant atomizing spray is prepared: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________Diethyltoluamide   0.11-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              10.1Ethanol qs. ad______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 11 
     The following lotion formulation may be prepared containing about 0.001 to 1 percent, with preferably 0.1 percent fluocinolone acetonide: 
     
         ______________________________________            %______________________________________Fluocinolone acetonide              0.001 - 1Cetyl alcohol      15Propylene glycol   10Sodium lauryl sulfate              151-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one              51Water qs. ad.______________________________________ 
    
     The steroid is dissolved in the vehicle and added to a stirred, cooling melt of the other ingredients. The preparation is particularly useful for the treatment of inflammed dermatoses by topical application to the affected skin area. The amount and frequency of application is in accordance with standard practice for topical application of this steroid. Penetration of the steroid into the inflammed tissue is enhanced and a therapeutic level is achieved more rapidly and sustained for longer duration than when the steroid is applied in conventional formulations. 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     The percutaneous penetration of one of the claimed vehicles was compared to a structurally related prior art vehicle by means of a diffusion cell using excised hairless mouse skin as a membrane. Skin specimens were obtained from male mice 14-16 weeks old. Each test solution contained 2% 8-Bromo-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate and 10% phosphate buffer (0.1 M; pH 6.2) and equimolar amounts of the test vehicle. The volume of test solution applied to the membrane was 0.5 Ml/cm 2 . The results represent average values obtained from 2-4 skin cells and are shown in Table 1 below. 
     
                                           Table 1__________________________________________________________________________  Penetration (hrs)            Flux    P.C.sup.3Composition  25 50 75  (mole/cm.sup.2 /min)                    (μcm/min)                          P.R..sup.4__________________________________________________________________________A.sup.1   5 60 155 0.061    2.489                          moderateB.sup.2  10 95 435 0.256   10.445                          fast__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1 A: 40% 1-methyl-azacyclopentan-2-one in propylene glycol. .sup.2 B: Equimolar amount of 1-benzyl-azacyclopentan-2-one in propylene glycol. .sup.3 PC: Permeability constant. .sup.4 PR: Penetration rating.