Vitamin c composition for use in the prevention and treatment of stretch marks, radiation dermatitis, and other skin conditions and methods of using the same

Abstract

A formulation for a stable ascorbic acid composition which, in a simplified form, is comprised of ascorbic acid in solution with a hygroscopic compound (i.e., a substance with the ability to attract water molecules from the surrounding environment through either absorption or adsorption). Also disclosed herein are methods for the production of such compounds and methods of using such compounds in the prevention, inhibition and treatment of striae gravidarum, radiation dermatitis, rhytids, lentigoes, dyschromia, sun-damage induced hyperpigmentation, cellulite, scars and purpura, among other skin diseases or conditions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 292,365, filed Jan. 5, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This disclosure relates to the field of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, compositions. This disclosure also relates to the field of treatments for striae, including but not exclusive to, striae gravidarum, striae atrophicae, striae distensae, and pubertal striae; i.e., stretch marks, and the fields of treatments for radiation dermatitis, rhytids, lentigoes, dyschromia, sun-damage hyperpigmentation, cellulite, purpura and scars, amongst other skin diseases and conditions.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble micronutrient; it is an essential nutrient for humans. The vital role of ascorbic acid in human physiology flows from the essential role that a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]Due to these and other problems in the art, disclosed herein, among other things, is a formulation for a stable ascorbic acid composition. This composition, in a simplified form, is comprised of ascorbic acid in solution with a hygroscopic compound (i.e., a substance with the ability to attract water molecules from the surrounding environment through ei...

Problems solved by technology

The same properties that make vitamin C an excellent antioxidant (its electron donor propensities) render it difficult to create a stable vitamin C formulation, as it generally rapidly oxidizes upon exposure to air.

Notoriously, in the presence of water, light, air and/or high temperatures, vitamin C is not stable, generally having a half life of minutes.

In fact, at higher pHs ascorbic acid increasingly becomes more unstable.

Thus, historically, it has been difficult to develop stable vitamin C compositions.

After that time, the formulation begins to rapidly oxidize and decompose.

Thus, even the “stable” topical vitamin C formulations that are currently known to those of skill in the art have a minimal shelf life and efficacy period.

Furthermore, typically, when these known ascorbic acid solutions are exposed to heat, rapid degradation of the ascorbic acid solution results.

This instability and potential for rapid degradation of the prior topical vitamin C formulations generally results in a high cost of manufacturing, high cost of distribution, and issues associated with storage and availability to the end consumer.

In addition to issues of stability, there also has been uncertainty with regard to the ability of the currently utilized ascorbic acid compositions to deliver pharmacologic doses of ascorbic acid percutaneously (i.e., through the skin).

This difficulty in the art with regard to the ability to deliver pharmacologic doses of ascorbic acid percutaneously has resulted in ascorbic acid formulations with four main problems.

First, these formulations often lack a sufficient concentration of ascorbic acid to be effective.

Second, these formulations are often in suspension rather than solution, making the formulation unavailable for percutaneous absorption since it is not in a dissolved state.

Third, these formulations often incorporate ascorbic acid salts that, while being more stable, do not have the same pharmacological effect as ascorbic acid on the fibroblast for collagen synthesis and do not have the same percutaneous absorption characteristics.

Fourth, the rapid degradation of the ascorbic acid prevents the ascorbic acid from reaching its target in the dermal layer of the skin in a stabilized form.

Thus, it is unable to exert a physiologic effect on the fibroblasts.

While the development of stretch marks is commonly thought to be caused by rapid we...

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