Nanoparticle compositions and methods for treating onychomychosis
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10201571-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nanoparticle composition for treating onychomycosis includes spherical-shaped nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution and coral-shaped nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution mixed within a penetrating solvent configured to deliver the nanoparticles to target area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue. The nanoparticle composition can be mixed with a carrier to provide or augment application of the nanoparticle composition to a target area. The penetrating solvent can deliver the nanoparticles to an infected area within the nail and/or at the bed of the nail so as to kill or deactivate the fungal microbes causing the onychomycosis.
Core Innovation
The invention provides stabilized multi-component antifungal nanoparticle compositions for treating or preventing onychomycosis. The compositions include spherical-shaped and coral-shaped metal nanoparticles delivered in a penetrating solvent configured to penetrate a targeted treatment area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue.
The nanoparticle compositions are described as nonionic and in a ground-state configuration, and as highly stable and resistant to ionization and agglomeration. The compositions provide an antifungal effect without release of metal ions, including without reliance on silver ion release.
The compositions further emphasize designer nanoparticle sizes and narrow size distributions to achieve stability and antifungal performance. The multi-component combination of spherical-shaped and coral-shaped metal nanoparticles is described as having synergistic effects, and carrier formats include mixtures containing water and a penetrating solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), with formulation types including cream, gel/paste, petroleum jelly, and powder.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes independent claims covering nanoparticle compositions with laser-ablated nonionic ground-state metal nanoparticles, specified shape/morphology, and a penetrating solvent configured to target a nail and/or surrounding tissue. The independent claims collectively emphasize antifungal effects without release of metal ions and include defined nanoparticle size/distribution and concentration constraints for certain nanoparticle types.
Laser-ablated ground-state nonionic silver nanoparticles with no external edges or bond angles
A first plurality of ground-state, nonionic silver nanoparticles formed through a laser ablation process, having no external edges or bond angles, with a mean diameter and a particle size distribution such that 99% of the silver nanoparticles have a diameter within ±3 nm of the mean diameter.
Antifungal effect without release of silver ions and reduced toxicity
The silver nanoparticles provide an antifungal effect without release of silver ions and having reduced toxicity as compared to silver ions.
Penetrating solvent configured to penetrate targeted nail area
A penetrating solvent selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), alcohols, ketones, esters, fatty acids, diols, amines, surfactants, and alkanes, configured to penetrate a targeted treatment area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue.
Silver nanoparticle concentration range
The silver nanoparticles are included in the composition at a concentration of about 0.5 ppm to about 100 ppm.
Spherical-shaped and coral-shaped metal nanoparticles with antifungal effect without metal-ion release
A composition including a plurality of spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles and a plurality of coral-shaped metal nanoparticles having a non-uniform cross section and a globular structure of multiple, non-linear strands joined together without right angles, wherein the spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles and/or the coral-shaped metal nanoparticles provide an antifungal effect without release of metal ions.
Laser-ablated first plurality of metal nanoparticles with no external edges or bond angles
A first plurality of metal nanoparticles comprised of silver, gold, or alloy thereof, formed through a laser ablation process, having no external edges or bond angles, providing an antifungal effect without release of metal ions, with a mean particle size within about 5 nm to about 40 nm and a particle size distribution such that 99% of the metal nanoparticles have a diameter within ±3 nm of the mean particle size.
Second plurality larger mean particle size differing by metal/shape/type
A second plurality of metal nanoparticles that differ from the first plurality by mean particle size and at least one of particle shape or type of metal, wherein the mean particle size of the second plurality is larger than the mean particle size of the first plurality.
Ground-state nonionic gold-silver alloy nanoparticles by laser ablation
Ground state, nonionic metal nanoparticles comprised of a gold-silver alloy formed through a laser ablation process, having no external edges or bond angles and providing an antifungal effect without release of metal ions.
Aqueous penetrating medium of DMSO and water for targeted nail penetration
An aqueous penetrating medium comprised of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water and configured to penetrate a targeted treatment area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is directed to treating or preventing onychomycosis with nanoparticle compositions that include ground-state, nonionic metal nanoparticles (including silver, and optionally gold or gold-silver alloy) formed through laser ablation, having no external edges or bond angles, and having defined size and size-distribution constraints. A penetrating solvent is included and configured to penetrate a targeted treatment area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue, and the compositions are characterized by providing antifungal effect without release of metal ions, including reduced toxicity relative to silver ions for silver nanoparticle embodiments.
Stated Advantages
Antifungal effect without release of metal ions (including without release of silver ions).
Reduced toxicity as compared to silver ions.
Documented Applications
Treating or preventing onychomycosis by delivering the nanoparticle compositions to a targeted treatment area of a nail and/or surrounding tissue using a penetrating solvent.
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