Olfactory enhancers

Abstract

To provide an olfactory enhancement solution.SOLUTION: Experimental confirmation indicated that the response of olfactory electroencephalograms to odors heightens with the administration of trace amounts of zinc ions to the olfactory mucosa. As a result, a chemical solution was developed to enhance olfactory sensitivity by incorporating trace amounts of zinc ions into liquids that reach the olfactory mucosa, like nasal drops or sprays. The desired zinc ion level should be between 1 femtomole per liter and 1 picomole per liter, and it should be less than 100 picomoles per liter. The inventive olfactory enhancement solution may be formulated with other agents and may contain fragrances.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention adds a very small amount of zinc ions to a solution, and reaches the olfactory mucosa by dropping or spraying the solution, so as to enhance and improve the olfaction of humans and animals.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for the treatment of patients with reduced olfaction, nasal drops of steroids have been performed. Also, nasal drops of insulin are known as in Patent Document 1.

[0003] In the known method of nasal drops of steroids, it is effective for conductive olfactory disorders which are in a so-called nasal congestion state, but the effect is weak for olfactory nerve disorders. Also, the nasal drops of insulin in Patent Document 1 had no immediate effect.

[0004] Also, it is known from Non-Patent Document 2 that the olfaction is enhanced when zinc nanoparticles are administered to the olfactory mucosa. However, they are metal nanoparticles, which are different from zinc ions, are special substances, and are also expensive in terms of price.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0007] Conventional methods lacked a way to enhance olfactory sensitivity or quickly improve reduced olfactory sensitivity. However, we discovered that applying a very small amount of zinc ions to the surface of the olfactory mucosa enhances the olfactory response. Therefore, we devised an olfactory-enhancing agent by adding zinc ions to a solution such as a nasal spray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The solution containing trace amounts of zinc must be harmless to the nasal mucosa, especially the olfactory mucosa. This could be physiological saline alone or physiological saline with antibiotics or steroids dissolved in it, but other drugs such as Ringer's solution may also be used as nasal sprays if they are suitable for use as pharmaceuticals. In addition, drugs such as preservatives to maintain the stability of the nasal spray may be present. The present invention is a drug solution to which a very small amount of zinc ions have been added, and the desirable zinc ion concentration is 1 femtomol to 1 picomole per liter.

[0009] The zinc ions mentioned above should preferably be harmless in trace amounts, such as zinc sulfate or zinc chloride. Other drugs containing zinc ions are also acceptable, but the amount should be less than 100 picomoles per liter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Figure 1 shows that when zinc sulfate at concentrations of 1 femtomol / liter and 10 femtomol / liter was added to Ringer's solution, the amplitude of the electroolfactory graph increased when stimulated with n-amyl acetate at a concentration of 20 μmol / liter for 2 seconds, as confirmed in animals (frogs). This zinc ion-added Ringer's solution was administered only to the surface of the olfactory mucosa and not to the submucosa.

[0011] Figure 2 shows the electroolfactory amplitude in response to a 2-second stimulus of n-amyl acetate at a concentration of 20 μmol / liter, both when 1 femtomol of zinc sulfate was added to Ringer's solution and when no zinc sulfate was added. When comparing the cases with and without the addition of 1 femtomol / liter of zinc ions in 5 cases, a statistically significant increase in electroolfactory amplitude was confirmed with the addition of zinc ions (t-test, p<0.05).

[0012] Since the mechanisms of olfactory cells in vertebrates are almost identical, a similar olfactory-enhancing effect from trace amounts of zinc ions can be expected in mammals, including humans. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Examples of changes in electroolfactory graphs due to trace amounts of zinc ions. [Figure 2] Changes in electroolfactory amplitude due to 1 femtomol / liter of zinc ions [Examples]

[0014] When the olfactory enhancer of the present invention is administered directly to the olfactory mucosa, if it consists only of zinc ions as the active ingredient, the osmotic pressure would be too low. Therefore, it is added to a solution harmless to the olfactory mucosa, such as physiological saline. However, it may also contain other components different from the active ingredient. Examples of other components include additives commonly used in nasal sprays, which are known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, these include preservatives, isotonic agents, buffers, stabilizers, pH adjusters, thickeners, and suspending agents, but those containing zinc ions or chelating zinc ions are excluded.

[0015] The olfactory enhancer of the present invention may be a combination with a known nasal drop. For example, antibiotics, steroids, insulin, vitamin agents, etc. can be mentioned, but all drugs administered nasally for medical purposes are candidates for the combination, excluding those containing zinc ions or chelating zinc ions.

[0016] The zinc of the present invention must be an ion, excluding metallic zinc and its nanoparticles.

[0017] Now, regarding the usage example of the nasal drops of the solution of the present invention in humans, there are methods such as dropping, spraying, or pouring using a syringe of this nasal drops onto the olfactory mucosa of the olfactory cleft via the anterior nasal cavity. Even if it is another method, it only needs to be administered onto the olfactory mucosa, and it may be via the posterior nasal cavity instead of the anterior nasal cavity, but it must be administered onto the olfactory mucosa and must not be injected under the olfactory mucosa.

[0018] As another administration method of this medicinal solution, it may also be a method of reaching the olfactory mucosa by inhaling what has been once atomized into the air as a nebulizer or spray.

[0019] The medicinal solution of the present invention may contain a fragrance harmless to the living body in addition to trace amounts of zinc ions as the main component.

[0020] The implementation methods described above assume directly administering the medicinal solution of the present invention to the olfactory mucosa. However, when not directly administering, such as when mixing the olfactory enhancer of the present invention with a fragrance sprayed into the air in an indoor environment, it does not have to be isotonic with biological fluids.

Industrial Applicability

[0021] The technology according to the present invention is a technology of useful pharmaceuticals and has manufacturing value in the pharmaceutical industry, so it has industrial utility value.

Claims

1. An olfactory-enhancing solution containing zinc ions in concentrations from 1 femtomol / liter to 10 femtomol / liter, for delivering zinc ions to the olfactory mucosa surface.

2. The olfactory-enhancing drug solution according to claim 1, which is a combination drug with other agents and is administered to the surface of the olfactory mucosa.

3. The olfactory-enhancing drug solution according to claim 1 or claim 2, which is a nasal spray.

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