Abstract:
A method of reducing hair growth in a mammal includes applying, to an area of skin from which reduced hair growth is desired, a dermatologically acceptable composition containing a compound that inhibits the formation of glycoproteins, proteglycans, or glycosaminoglycans in an amount effective to cause a reduction in hair growth.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method of reducing unwanted hair growth in mammals. 
     A main function of mammalian hair is to provide environmental protection. However, that function has largely been lost in humans, in whom hair is kept or removed from various parts of the body essentially for cosmetic reasons. For example, it is generally preferred to have hair on the scalp but not on the face. 
     Various procedures have been employed to remove unwanted hair, including shaving, electrolysis, depilatory creams or lotions, waxing, plucking, and therapeutic antiandrogens. These conventional procedures generally have drawbacks associated with them. Shaving, for instance, can cause nicks and cuts, and can leave a perception of an increase in the rate of hair regrowth. Shaving also can leave an undesirable stubble. Electrolysis, on the other hand, can keep a treated area free of hair for prolonged periods of time, but can be expensive, painful, and sometimes leaves scarring. Depilatory creams, though very effective, typically are not recommended for frequent use due to their high irritancy potential. Waxing and plucking can cause pain, discomfort, and poor removal of short hair. Finally, antiandrogens--which have been used to treat female hirsutism--can have unwanted side effects. 
     It has previously been disclosed that the rate and character of hair growth can be altered by applying to the skin inhibitors of certain enzymes. These inhibitors include inhibitors of 5-alpha reductase, ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and transglutaminase. See, for example, Breuer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,289; Shander, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,489; Ahluwalia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,007; Ahluwalia et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,911; Shander et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,293; and Shander et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,925. 
     Glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are three related components present in most mammalian tissues including skin and hair follicles. 
     Glycoproteins are protein molecules with oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to their polypeptide backbone structure. The oligosaccharide chains consist of sugar residues, which may include glucose, galactose, mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose, arabinose, xylose, and sialic acids (example, N-acetylneuraminic acid). The oligosaccharides composed of these nine sugar residues are linked to the protein molecules with either O- or N-glycosidic linkage to form a glycoprotein molecule. The oligosaccharide chain is first synthesized on a lipid carrier, dolichol, and then transferred to the protein molecule to form a glycoprotein. 
     The synthesis of the oligosaccharide chain on dolichol is carried out in a specific manner in which the sequence of sugar residues is pre-determined by the regulatory enzymes involved in the synthesis. The first step in the synthesis is transfer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to dolichyl-phosphate to form GlcNAc-pyrophosphoryl-dolichyl (GlcNAc-P-P-Dol), which acts as an acceptor for an additional molecule of GlcNAc. Nine molecules of mannose (Man) and three molecules of glucose (Glc) are attached to this molecule to form Glc 3  Man 9  (GlcNAc) 2  -PP-dolichol. The completed oligosaccharide chain  Glc 3  Man 9  -(GlcNAc) 2  ! is then transferred to an acceptor protein catalyzed by an enzyme (oligosaccharide transferase). The oligosaccharide chain on this glycoprotein is further modified by enzymes such as glycosidases to form an active glycoprotein. 
     It is known that the process of glycoprotein formation (or protein glycosylation) can be inhibited at several steps by using select inhibitors. 
     For example, the synthesis of N-acetyl-glucosamine-pyrophosphoryl-dolichyl (GlcNAc-P-P-Dol), the first step in lipid linked oligosaccharide formation, is inhibited by antibiotics such as bacitracin, tunicamycin, amphomycin, tsushimycin, diumycin, showdomycin, amphortericine, streptovirudin, and mycospocidin. In addition, the formation of (Glc 3  Man 9  -GlcNAc) 2  -PP-dolichol and the protein glycosylation step of transferring the core oligosaccharide chain to the acceptor protein molecule is inhibited by sugar analogs such as 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-mannose, fucose, mannose, D-glucasoamine, N-acetyl-D-glucasomine, and galactose. Also, the modification of the oligosaccharide chain of glycoprotein to form the active glycoprotein is inhibited by inhibitors of glucosidase I and II (e.g., castanospermine, deoxynojirimycin, and methyldeoxynojirimycin), inhibitors of mannosidase I (e.g., deoxymannojirimycin), inhibitors of mannosidase II (e.g., swainsonine). Other inhibitors of the processing include 2,5-dihydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydropyrrolidine, and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-iminomannitol. 
     Proteoglycans, like glycoproteins, consist of a core protein molecule covalently attached to glycosaminoglycan (polysaccharide) chain(s). The distinction between proteoglycans and glycoproteins is based on the chemical nature and the arrangement of sugar residues of the attached polysaccharides. Glycosaminoglycan consists of linear polysaccharide chains made of a repeating sequence of an aminosugar hexosamine (D-glucosamine or D-galactosamine) and uronic acid (D-glucuronic acid or L-iduronic acid) residues. At least seven different types of glycosaminoglycans have been identified. Each differs from the others by the nature and/or arrangement of the sugar moieties and the degree of sulfation. Glycosaminoglycans, except hyaluronic acid, typically are synthesized attached to the protein molecule (i.e., as proteoglycans). The chain elongation is initiated by either xylosylation of select serine residues of protein (the xylose-serine bond formed is unique to proteoglycans), or a bond between N-acetylhexosamine (GalNAc or GlcNAc) and either the serine or the asparagine residue of a protein. Additional sugar residues then are added, and are further modified by the introduction of sulfate groups. 
     The proteoglycans generally are referred to by simple names based on their localization and/or function, or by names based on the attached glycosaminoglycan chains. The common proteoglycans include aggrecan, decorin, syndecan 1, versican, BM-CSPG (basement membrane-chondroitin sulfate containing proteoglycan), perlecan (heparan sulfate proteoglycan), biglycan, and fibromodulin. 
     The common glycosaminoglycans include chondroitin sulfates, keratan sulfates, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, and hyaluronic acid. With the exception of hyaluronic acid, which is found as a free polysaccharide, all other glycosaminoglycans typically exist as proteoglycans. 
     It is known that inhibitors of glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan formation include xylosides such as nitrophenyl-β-xylopyranoside, nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-D-xalactosamide, 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-xyloside, and methyl-β-xylopyranoside. These act as artificial acceptors and compete with the core protein molecule for the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan chain, especially at the initial xylosylation step. 
     Additional compounds that are known to affect one or more steps in the synthesis of glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans include an ionophore monensin, which inhibits the terminal glycosylation reaction; inhibitors of β-galactosidase like benzyl-N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamide, phenyl-N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamide, and nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamide; and compounds that affect exocytosis (release) of proteoglycans, like diethylcarbamazine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has now been found that unwanted mammalian (including human) hair growth--particularly androgen stimulated hair growth--can be reduced by applying to the skin a dermatologically acceptable composition including a compound that inhibits the formation of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, or glycosaminoglycans. The unwanted hair growth which is reduced may be normal hair growth, or hair growth that results from an abnormal or diseased condition. 
     Preferred inhibitors of the formation of glycoproteins include compounds that inhibit the synthesis of N-acetyl-glucosamine-pyrophosphoryl-dolichyl; compounds that inhibit the formation of Glc 3  Man 9  -(GlcNAc) 2  -PP-dolichol; compounds that inhibit the transfer of Glc 3  Man 9  -(GlcNAc) 2  to an acceptor protein; and compounds that inhibit one or more of the glycoprotein processing enzymes. 
     Preferred inhibitors of proteoglycan synthesis include compounds that inhibit the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans like chondroitin sulfate, keratin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, and heparin; and compounds that inhibit the formation of aggrecan, decorin, syndecan 1, versican, BM-CSPG (basement membrane-chondroitin sulfate containing proteoglycan), and perlecan (heparan sulfate proteoglycan). 
     Compounds that inhibit the formation of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid also can be used. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The hair growth reducing compound is incorporated in a non-toxic dermatologically acceptable topical composition which preferably includes a vehicle or carrier which is adapted to be spread upon the skin. Examples of suitable vehicles are acetone, alcohols, or a cream, lotion, or gel which can effectively deliver the active compound. One such vehicle is disclosed in co-pending application PCT/US93/0506A. In addition, a penetration enhancer may be added to the vehicle to further enhance the effectiveness of the formulation. 
     The concentration of the hair growth inhibiting compound in the composition may be varied over a wide range up to a saturated solution, preferably from 0.1% to 30% by weight or even more; the reduction of hair growth increases as the amount of compound applied increases per unit area of skin. The maximum amount effectively applied is limited only by the rate at which the hair growth inhibiting compound penetrates the skin. Generally, the effective amounts range from 10 to 3000 micrograms or more per square centimeter of skin. 
     The composition should be topically applied to a selected area of the body from which it is desired to reduce hair growth. For example, the composition can be applied to the face, particularly to the beard area of the face, i.e., the cheek, neck, upper lip, and chin. The composition can also be applied to the legs, arms, torso or armpits. The composition is particularly suitable for reducing the growth of unwanted hair in women suffering from hirsutism or other conditions. In humans, the composition should be applied once or twice a day, or even more frequently, for at least three months to achieve a perceived reduction in hair growth. Reduction in hair growth is demonstrated when the frequency or hair removal is reduced, or the subject perceives less hair on the treated site, or quantitatively, when the weight of hair removed by shaving (i.e., hair mass) is reduced. 
     Male intact Golden Syrian hamsters are considered acceptable models for human beard hair growth in that they display oval shaped flank organs, one on each side, each about 8 mm in major diameter, which grow thick black and coarse hair similar to human beard hair. These organs produce hair in response to androgens in the hamster. To evaluate the effectiveness of a composition including a hair growth reducing compound, the flank organs of each of a group of hamsters are depilated by applying a thioglycolate based chemical depilatory (Surgex); alternatively, hair were removed by shaving the flank organs prior to topical treatments. To one organ of each animal 10 μl of vehicle alone once a day is applied, while to the other organ of each animal an equal amount of vehicle containing a hair growth reducing compound is applied. After thirteen applications (one application per day for five days a week), the flank organs are shaved and the amount of recovered hair (hair mass) from each is weighed. Percent-reduction of hair growth is calculated by subtracting the hair mass (mg) value of the test compound treated side from the hair mass value of the vehicle treated side; the delta value obtained is then divided by the hair mass value of the vehicle treated side, and the resultant number is multiplied by 100. 
     The above-described assay will be referred to herein as the &#34;Golden Syrian hamster&#34; assay. Preferred compositions provide a reduction in hair growth of at least about 18%, more preferably at least about 40%, and most preferably at least about 60% when tested in the Golden Syrian hamster assay. A number of compositions were tested in the Golden Syrian hamster assay; the results are provided in the Table. 
     
                                           TABLE__________________________________________________________________________                Hair Mass (mg) ± SEMCompound             Dose                   Vehicle                       pH                         Treated                              Control                                   % Inhibition__________________________________________________________________________D(+)mannose          30%                   A   6.0                         0.61 ± .11                              2.62 ± .19                                   77 ± 3L-(-)mannose         30%                   A   6.5                         0.76 ± .17                              2.48 ± .24                                   71 ± 54-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-xyloside                10%                   C   4.5                         0.69 ± .11                              2.29 ± .24                                   70 ± 4Diethylcarbamazine   10%                   A   6.0                         0.61 ± .06                              2.20 ± .26                                   69 ± 5D-(+)fucose          30%                   A   6.5                         0.78 ± .09                              2.44 ± .15                                   68 ± 4L-(-)fucose          30%                   A   6.5                         0.67 ± .07                              2.03 ± .14                                   65 ± 5Nitrophenyl-N-β-xylopyranoside                20%                   C   6.0                         0.89 ± .12                              2.13 ± .22                                   58 ± 5L-galactose          15%                   A   8.0                         0.92 ± .14                              2.25 ± .20                                   59 ± 4D-(+)galactose       15%                   A   9.0                         0.97 ± .09                              2.16 ± .23                                   57 ± 5Monensin             10%                   B     0.87 ± .09                              2.05 ± .19                                   56 ± 7N-acetyl-D-glucosamine                15%                   A   9.0                         1.30 ± .12                              2.57 ± .07                                   48 ± 6Nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-β-D-Xalactosamide                10%                   C   8.5                         1.12 ± .10                              2.12 ± .20                                   46 ± 4Bacitracin           10%                   A   6.5                         0.58 ± .10                              1.20 ± .14                                    44 ± 12Benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactoproside                10%                   D   7.0                         1.39 ± .16                              2.27 ± .25                                   38 ± 6Methyldeoxynojirimycine                 1%                   A   7.0                         1.24 ± .56                              1.64 ± .71                                    25 ± 11D-glucosamine        10%                   A   6.0                         1.20 ± .15                              1.50 ± .16                                   21 ± 7Methyl-β-xylopyroanoside                10%                   E   6.0                         1.80 ± .28                              2.30 ± .17                                    18 ± 11__________________________________________________________________________ Vehicle A: 68% Water, 16% ethanol, 5% propylene glycol, 5% dipropylene glycol, 4% benzyl alcohol, and 2% propylene carbonate. Vehicle B: Ethanol 100% Vehicle C: 80% Ethanol, 17.5% water, 2% propylene glycol dipelargonate (Emerest 2388), and 0.5% propylene glycol. Vehicle D: 64% Ethanol, 18% propylene glycol, and 18% dimethyl sulfoxide. Vehicle E: 90% vehicle C and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide. 
    
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be performed within a wide range of equivalent parameters of composition and conditions without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or of any embodiment thereof.