Compositions and methods for skin care

Abstract

Compositions and methods are for disclosed for treating a skin condition that results from reactive oxygen species production in skin of a subject, including applying a topical formulation that contains a lipophilic cation-mitochondrially targeted antioxidant compound and that delivers a therapeutically effective amount of the antioxidant compound to skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 041,551 filed Apr. 1, 2008; which provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates generally to biomedical compositions and methods for treating diseases, disorders and conditions affecting skin. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating skin conditions that result from reactive oxygen species production in human skin, such as photoaging and other age-related skin damage, by highly effective delivery of antioxidants to skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes, including delivery to mitochondria in these cell types.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In higher vertebrates including mammals and particularly in humans, skin is the largest body organ and serves as an important environmental interfac...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Degradation of dermal extracellular matrix, which is composed primarily of type I collagen, impairs the structural integrity of the skin, and is largely responsible for the thin, wrinkled appearance of aged and photoaged skin.

Unfortunately, these homeostatic defenses, although highly effective, have limited capacity and can be overwhelmed, thereby leading to increased ROS in the skin that can foster the development of dermatological diseases.

CoQ10, however, is a physiologically untargeted compound that generally exhibits poor bioavailability, at least in part due to its high degree of hydrophobicity, making it difficult to achieve protective levels of CoQ10 antioxidant activity at sites of oxidative damage.

As an untargeted antioxidant, however, idebenone lacks the ability to deliver high local concentrations of antioxidant activity to tissue, cellular and subcellular sites where oxidative damage may be occurring.

Highly reactive free radicals that have the potential for damaging cells and tissues may result from altered or defective mitochondrial activity, including but not limited to failure at any step of the ETC.

These free radicals may include reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals, and potentially other reactive species that may be toxic to cells.

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