Use of ascorbyl-gamma-linolenate or a ascorbyl-dihomo-gamma-linolenate for the treatment of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory disorders

Abstract: Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA in medicaments for treatment of asthma and other disorders.

Description: The invention relates to ascorbic acid (Vit. C) derivatives of fatty acids. Ascorbic acid derivatives of fatty acids (1) are known, where R is a fatty acid chain and R 1 = H or R. Thus Kaneko et al Arch. Biochm. Biophys. 3 04 No. 1,176-180, (1993) report protective action against the cytoxicity of linoleic acid hydroperoxide in human cell cultures, shown by 6-0-palmitoyl, 6-0-stearoyl and 2,6-0-dipalmitoyl ester and 2-0-octadecyl ether derivatives of ascorbic acid. Similarly the preparation of ascorbyl docosahexaenoate has been described. Further, unsaturated fatty acids have been protected from atmospheric oxidation by ascorbic acid used with phosphorylated mono- or di-fatty acyl glycerides, the ascorbic acid optionally being in the form of a palmitate or stearate (Cloughley, EPA 0 577 305, based on UK 92 13322.2). Also, the idea of co-administering gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) with ascorbic acid has been published in a number of previous applications by the inventors, for example EPA 0 019 423 and EPA 0 085 579. Generally however little attention has been paid to ascorbate esters of fatty acids though Kanebo in JP-A-62 081307 discloses GLA esters of ascorbic acid in cosmetic compositions. Ascorbic acid is of course well known as a water-soluble vitamin essential for health. Less remarked but see D.F. Horrobin Med. Hypotheses, 5 , No. 8,849-858, (1979), concerning regulation of PGE1 production, actions of vitamin is the fact that ascorbic acid is able to stimulate the conversion of DGLA to prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ). PGE 1 is a short lived substance which has an exceptionally wide range of desirable effects. It dilates blood vessels and bronchi and bronchioles, inhibits platelet aggregation, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, lowers cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, and is believed to have a range of other desirable actions including anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects. In view of the desirable effects of PGE 1 optimum conditions should exist for its formation in the body. One way of seeking to ensure this is to increase intake of DGLA or its immediate precursor GLA. Another is to provide appropriate levels of ascorbic acid to encourage the formation of PGE 1 . We now find that it is specifically advantageous to give GLA and DGLA as their ascorbic-6-acid esters subsequently referred to as Ascorbyl GLA and Ascorbyl DGLA. These compounds can be synthesised by the reaction of the acid chloride or anhydride of the fatty acid in the presence of a mineral acid catalyst i.e. hydrogen chloride, in a suitable solvent e.g. dimethyl acetamide/dichloromethane at a temperature between -10°C and 30°C as described herein. They have pharmaceutical uses in many conditions and the invention extends to their use in such conditions and in the preparation of medicaments for the purpose. The conditions include:- (a) asthma and related disorders, where PGE 1 is an effective and safe bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory agent and is likely to have a particularly desirable effect both in dilating airways and, in the longer term, suppressing the airway inflammation that is now recognised as a major factor in asthma (b) cardiovascular disorders associated with atherosclerosis, and/or elevated cholesterol, and/or hypertension, and/or excessive platelet aggregation (c) rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dermatitis and other inflammatory disorders (d) cancer Uses also extend to cosmetic or skin care preparations and also to foods of any type but particularly nutritional supplements. The particular valve of ascorbyl DGLA is the provision at the same time and in precisely the same place both the immediate substrate, DGLA, for PGE 1 biosynthesis and a stimulating agent, ascorbate which will enhance the conversion of the substrate DGLA to PGE 1 . As far as we are aware the compound ascorbyl-DGLA has never previously been described. The ester may be administered orally, enterally or parenterally in capsules, tablets, sachets, solutions, emulsions, powders, liposomes or other forms in doses of 0.1mg to 50g per day, preferably 10mg to 10g and very preferably 100mg to 5g per day. The ester may also be applied topically in creams, ointments, lotions, emulsions, pessaries, suppositories, sticks or other appropriate forms in which the compound is present in a concentration of 0.001% to 50%, preferably 0.1% to 20% and very preferably 1% to 10% by weight. Similar concentrations may be used to deliver aerosols, liposomes or other appropriate delivery systems which will ensure delivery of the drug directly to the airways. A particular appropriate formulation is for the ester to be dissolved or dispersed in free fatty acids or triglycerides in which one or more of GLA, DGLA and/or the further anti-inflammatory fatty acid EPA is an important constituent preferably 5% or more by weight. Particularly suitable triglycerides are ones containing 1, 2 or 3 moieties selected from GLA, DGLA and EPA. Synthesis Example The Preparation of Ascorbic acid 6-( z,z,z -octadeca-6,9,12-trienoate) (Ascorbyl GLA; Ascorbyl DGLA may be prepared in the same way) Hydrogen chloride gas (2.0g) was bubbled into N,N-dimethyl acetamide (26.5ml) at 0°C. To the resultant slurry was added a slurry of ascorbic acid (9.69g) in dichloromethane (13.25ml) and the mixture was stirred at 0°C until solution occurred. To this solution at 0°C under nitrogen, was added z , z , z -octadeca-6,9,12-trienoyl chloride (14.8g) over a period of 4 hours and the resulting mixture was allowed to stand at the above temperature for 18 hours and room temperature for 1 hour. On cooling to 0°C, ethyl acetate (200ml) and water (100ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 1 hour. The organic layer was washed with brine (5 x 100ml), dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and evaporated at 50°C/10mmHg then 50°C/0.1mm/4 hours to give ascorbic acid 6-[( z , z , z )-octadeca-6,9,12-trienoate] (18.25g, 88%) as a pale yellow wax. Use Examples 1. Tablets containing 50, 100, 250, 500 or 750mg of Ascorbyl GLA or Ascorbyl DGLA either as such or with an appropriate excipient. 2. Soft gelatin or hard gelatin capsules containing 50, 100, 250 or 500mg Ascorbyl GLA or Ascorbyl DGLA dissolved in free fatty acids enriched in GLA, DGLA or EPA or in triglycerides in which 1, 2 or 3 of the moieties are selected from GLA, DGLA or EPA. 3. Emulsion, powders, liquids, slurries, or solutions for oral, enteral or parenteral administration of Ascorbyl GLA or Ascorbyl DGLA in a concentration as referred to herein. 4. Ointments, creams, lotions, shampoos, or other appropriate formulations for the topical application of Ascorbyl GLA or Ascorbyl DGLA in a concentration as referred to herein. 5. Liposomes made using either phospholipids or glycolipids, for the oral, topical, parenteral or direct airway delivery of Ascorbyl-DGLA. 6. Sprays, suspensions, inhalers or other respiratory delivery systems containing Ascorbyl-DGLA.

Claims: Use of Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA in preparation of a medicament for treatment of: (a) asthma and related disorders; (b) cardiovascular disorders associated with atherosclerosis, and/or elevated cholesterol, and/or hypertension, and/or excessive platelet aggregation; (c) rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dermatitis or other inflammatory disorders; (d) cancer. Use of Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA as claimed in claim 1, formulated for administration of 0.1mg to 50g, preferably 10mg to 10g and very preferably 100mg to 5g of the ester daily. Use of Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA as claimed in claim 1, formulated in a concentration of 0.001% to 50%, preferably 0.1 to 20% and very preferably 1% to 10% by weight of a composition. Use of Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA, as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in relation to asthma and related disorders, formulated in a suspension, spray, aerosol, liposomal or other form for the delivery of the compound to the respiratory passages. Use of Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, formulated by mixing it with an oil which contains by weight 5% or more of GLA, DGLA or EPA in the free fatty acid or triglyceride form. Ascorbyl-DGLA as such and when for use in therapy or in a cosmetic or skin care preparation or in a food of any type including a nutritional supplement. Ascorbyl-GLA when for use in therapy or in a food of any type including a nutritional supplement. Ascorbyl-GLA or Ascorbyl-DGLA formulated in a suspension, spray, aerosol, liposomal or other form for delivery of the compound to the respiratory passages.

Inventors: HORROBIN D F DR, KNOWLES P, MANKU M, HORROBIN, D.F., DR., KNOWLES, P., MANKU, M., HORROBIN, D.F., DR., SCOTIA PHARMACEUTICALS LTD, KNOWLES, P., SCOTIA PHARMACEUTICALS LTD, MANKU, M., SCOTIA PHARMACEUTICALS LTD
Applicants: SCOTIA HOLDINGS PLC
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C07D307
IPC codes: A61P9, A61K8, A61P43, A23L1, A61K31, C07D307, A61P11, A61Q19, A61P29, A61P35, A61P7, A61P17, A61P3