Methods and compositions for preventing and treating auditory dysfunctions
Inventors
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication Number
US-12336974-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
2033-05-31
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Abstract
The invention provides methods for treating auditory impairments in a subject in need of treatment comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising, as an active agent, one or more of a carboxy alkyl ester, a quinic acid derivative, a caffeic acid derivative, a ferulic acid derivative, or a quinic acid lactone or derivative thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an acceptable carrier or excipient, so as to treat auditory impairments in the subject.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods for treating auditory impairments in subjects by administering an effective amount of compositions comprising active agents selected from carboxy alkyl esters, quinic acid derivatives, caffeic acid derivatives, ferulic acid derivatives, quinic acid lactones or derivatives thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, together with acceptable carriers or excipients. It also includes compositions where the active agents are alkaloids, pentacyclic alkaloids, tannins, or phytochemicals derived from the inner bark or root of Uncaria tomentosa or their derivatives or salts.
The problem being solved relates to auditory dysfunctions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and auditory processing disorders arising from exposure to loud sounds, ototoxic chemicals, aging, drug side effects, and industrial chemicals. Current treatment options are limited largely to prevention and use of hearing aids or cochlear implants, which have constraints including invasiveness, limited functional restoration, and cost. There is a long-felt need for methods to protect auditory cells before injury and to preserve or promote function after injury.
The invention addresses this need by providing a novel means of preventing and treating auditory dysfunctions through the administration of specific chemical agents including carboxy alkyl esters and other derivatives that enhance DNA repair, inhibit cochlear inflammation, prevent cell loss or death in the auditory system, promote cell growth, and reverse or inhibit ion dyshomeostasis, mitochondriopathy, energy catastrophe, and free radical proliferation within the auditory system. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations comprising these active agents are also provided.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim focusing on a method of treating auditory impairment due to noise exposure using a purified carboxyl alkyl ester derived from Uncaria tomentosa.
Use of purified carboxyl alkyl ester purified from Uncaria tomentosa for auditory impairment treatment
A method of treating auditory impairment due to noise exposure by administering an effective amount of purified carboxyl alkyl ester (CAE) derived from an aqueous extract of Uncaria tomentosa.
Source of the aqueous extract for purification of CAE
The aqueous extract used to purify the CAE is derived from Uncaria tomentosa bark, leaves, or root.
Selection of specific carboxy alkyl esters
The CAE used in treatment comprises any of various specified carboxy alkyl esters such as 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, various caffeoylquinic and feruloylquinic acids, other quinic acid esters or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Formulation and administration routes
The composition is formulated for administration by auricular, oral, parenteral, intraperitoneal, local, buccal, nasal, or topical routes and may be presented as liquid, tablet, or capsule.
Treatment of specific auditory impairments
The method is applicable for treating auditory impairments such as hearing loss or deafness caused by insults damaging the auditory system.
The claims cover a method of treating noise-induced auditory impairments by administering purified carboxyl alkyl esters from Uncaria tomentosa in specified formulations and routes, with detailed identification of active agent species and targeted conditions.
Stated Advantages
Treatment with carboxy alkyl esters facilitates almost complete recovery of outer hair cell function following noise injury.
The agents reduce loss of outer hair cells and preserve neural sensitivity impaired by noise exposure.
The agents act as multifunctional cytoprotective compounds by enhancing DNA repair, reducing cochlear inflammation, and inhibiting auditory cell death.
The compositions provide protection to auditory sensory and neural functions following noise injury with faster functional recovery compared to untreated subjects.
Documented Applications
Treating auditory impairments such as permanent sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, loudness recruitment, hyperacusis, diplacusis, and speech intelligibility deficits in humans and other mammals.
Preventing or treating auditory dysfunctions induced by noise exposure, ototoxic chemicals, aging, and drug side effects.
Use as nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals for augmenting DNA repair capacity and protecting auditory systems.
Combination therapy with other treatments such as anti-cancer therapies to protect hearing during potentially ototoxic treatments.
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