Patent Application
20240016816
The present invention relates to a combination therapy for use in treating hair loss. Methods of treatment using the combination therapy are also provided, as are cosmetic methods for reducing hair loss or stimulating hair growth or regrowth.
Normally, all humans shed around 50 to 100 of the more than 100,000 hairs on the scalp each day. But problems begin when too many follicles enter rest phase permanently or are damaged or killed. When this happens, the rate of replacement may not keep up, eventually causing the hair to thin out visibly. This excessive hair loss is called alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern hair loss is a genetically determined progressive condition with various ages of onset and rates of progression. Although prevalence increases with age, AGA is potentially reversible, particularly if treated early. In both men and women androgens, especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT), have been shown to play a critical role in the hair loss process. DHT is the most potent of the circulating androgens in human plasma and a major testosterone metabolite in human skin. The problem is that DHT extends the telogen (non-growing) phase of the hair cycle. As a result, the growth cycle (anagen) is shorter and it cannot keep up with the loss of hair.
The enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT is 5α-reductase and the important role of 5α-reductase activity in AGA is highlighted by the absence of hair loss in men with a congenital deficiency for a 5α-reductase enzyme. Furthermore, the success of 5α-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, in treating hair loss further supports the targeting of 5α-reductase in AGA.
In addition, the popular use of topical minoxidil highlights another possibility in therapy; to increase/improve the circulation to the scalp.
Clinical trials comparing the two approaches as monotherapies (minoxidil vs finasteride) have generally come to the conclusion that both are effective but that finasteride is the more efficacious treatment option. Since these single therapies have only achieved limited hair regrowth, combination therapies have been emerging as the treatment of choice for most dermatologists. Results have shown that finasteride in combination with either topical minoxidil or ketoconazole was significantly more efficacious than finasteride monotherapy with no differences in the incidence of adverse effects that were observed.
Disappointingly, however, finasteride has been associated with significant sexual side effects including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorder. These symptoms of sexual dysfunction have been reported to persist even after stopping finasteride treatment. Incidences of male breast cancer and depression have also been reported.
While minoxidil represents a safer treatment for hair loss, as noted above, monotherapies have achieved somewhat limited results. Reportedly only 50% of users achieve hair growth after daily use for four months and hair regrowth tends to be vellus hair (non-adult, baby hairs).
Consequently, there is a need for alternative therapies that are effective in treating hair loss in both men and women.
Accordingly, in first aspect the present invention provides a combination therapy for use in treating hair loss comprising: (a) a topical composition comprising a prostaglandin analogue and progesterone; and (b) an enteric composition comprising a vasodilator.
A method for treating hair loss is also provided, the method comprising administering a combination therapy comprising (a) a topical composition comprising a prostaglandin analogue and progesterone; and (b) an enteric composition comprising a vasodilator, to a subject in need thereof.
The present invention additionally provides a cosmetic method for reducing hair loss or stimulating hair growth or regrowth. The method comprises administering a combination therapy comprising: (a) a topical composition comprising a prostaglandin analogue and progesterone; and (b) an enteric composition comprising a vasodilator to a subject in need thereof.
Without being bound by theory, the inventor believes that the combination therapy of the present invention acts to reduce DHT levels in the scalp, improve circulation in the scalp and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the hair follicle, thereby providing an effective therapy for the treatment of hair loss. Current evidence suggests that noticeable hair regrowth of non-vellus hair can be seen in as little as two months. Additionally, the combination therapy of the present invention appears to reduce or avoid the side effects associated with finasteride treatment.
The present invention provides a combination therapy for use in treating hair loss. As used herein, hair loss may refer to alopecia including male-pattern hair loss, female-pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, traction alopecia and telogen effluvium. The combination therapy of the present invention can reduce or prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth and/or regrowth. Treating hair loss as used herein therefore refers to both reducing the rate of loss of hair and stimulating hair growth and/or regrowth. Preferably hair regrowth as used herein refers to the growth of non-vellus hair.
The combination therapy comprises topical and enteric compositions. The topical composition comprises a prostaglandin analogue and progesterone.
The prostaglandin or prostaglandin analogue may be natural or synthetic and may comprise one or more of bimatoprost, latanoprost, travoprost, tafluprost and/or misoprostol. Preferably the prostaglandin analogue is a structural analogue of prostaglandin. In preferred embodiments of the invention the prostaglandin analogue is bimatoprost. Prostaglandins have been used to reduce intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma and in patients using ophthalmic prostaglandins such as travoprost and latanoprost, it has been noted that there had been an increase in diameter, density and length of eyelashes. Bimatoprost has also been shown to significantly increase eyelash length. Prostaglandin analogues such as bimatoprost are believed to increase hair growth by increasing the percent of hairs in, and the duration of, the anagen or growth phase.
Topical compositions of invention typically comprise at least about 0.05% (w/v) prostaglandin analogue or at least about 0.1% (w/v) prostaglandin analogue or at least about 3% (w/v) prostaglandin analogue. The topical composition may comprise from about 0.05% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v) or from about 0.1% (w/v) to about 5% (w/v) prostaglandin analogue. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 3% (w/v) prostaglandin analogue.
Suitable progesterone for use in the present invention may be natural or synthetic. However, natural progesterone is preferred. Hair thinning can be a symptom of oestrogen dominance in women or oestrogen excess in men. Oestrogens endogenous or can be introduced from environmental sources such as commercially raised meat, spermicide, detergents, soft plastics, pesticides, herbicides, personal care products and even tap water. Progesterone can be helpful to redress oestrogen imbalances, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic sources, or even a combination of the two.
In embodiments of the invention the topical composition comprises at least about 0.5% (w/v) progesterone or at least about 1% (w/v) progesterone or at least about 5% (w/v) progesterone. The topical composition may comprise from about 0.5% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v) progesterone or from about 1% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v). In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 5% (w/v) progesterone.
The topical composition may comprise one or more additional components such as a polyphenol and/or an α-amino acid.
Polyphenols are known to have antioxidant activity and the inventor of the present therapy has recognised that this may provide benefits in reducing or preventing damage to hair follicles. Indeed, antioxidants reduce the activity of Protein Kinase C (PKC), an enzyme which has been identified as a negative regulator of hair follicle growth and which may play a part in the transduction of follicular growth-inhibitory signals. Polyphenols also reduce or prevent inflammation through their activity on the tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) pathway. Certain polyphenols, such as those obtained from grape seed extract, are also believed to be nitric oxide releasers. Polyphenols may also be provided in the form of proanthocyanidins, which are known to act as growth stimulants for hair follicles.
Suitable polyphenols for use in the present invention may be natural or synthetic, but natural polyphenols are preferred. Preferably the polyphenols are plant-based. The polyphenol may be provided in the form of a polyphenolic extract, for example from grape skin, grape seeds, berries, olive pulp or maritime pine bark. In preferred embodiments of the invention the polyphenol is provided in the form of grape seed extract. Preferably the grape seed extract comprises at least 90% (w/v) oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) or at least 40% w/v proanthocyanidins. Suitable polyphenols additionally include resveratrol.
The topical composition may comprise at least about 0.5% (w/v) polyphenol or at least about 1% (w/v) polyphenol or at least about 5% (w/v) polyphenol. The topical composition may comprise from about 0.5% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v) polyphenol or from about 1% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v). In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 5% (w/v) polyphenol.
Certain α-amino acids, such as arginine or citrulline, are known to increase nitric oxide activity and can therefore act as vasodilators, improving blood supply to hair follicles and may contribute to hair regrowth by stimulating the production of new hair follicles.
The topical composition may comprise at least about 0.5% (w/v) α-amino acid or at least about 1% (w/v) α-amino acid or at least about 5% (w/v) α-amino acid. The topical composition may comprise from about 0.5% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v) α-amino acid or from about 1% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v). In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 5% (w/v) α-amino acid.
The α-amino acid may be one or more of arginine or citrulline, preferably L-arginine or L-citrulline or a combination thereof.
The topical composition may additionally comprise an essential oil and/or a 5α-reductase inhibitor.
In preferred embodiments of the invention the essential oil is rosemary oil. When applied topically rosemary can promote new cell growth on the scalp, at least in part by curbing the build-up of sebum, which can plug hair follicles. Rosemary also contains an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known as rosmarinic acid, which is believed to reduce age-related damage to the body's protein structures.
5α-reductase inhibitors are known to have anti-androgenic activity. These compounds inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase, which is most known for conversion of testosterone to DHT. 5α-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, have been successfully used in topical compositions for treating hair loss. Suitable 5α-reductase inhibitors for use in the present invention are preferably plant-based and may comprise one or more of Reishi mushroom, saw palmetto, green tea or extracts or combinations thereof. Both progesterone and grape seed extract are known to have 5α-reductase inhibitory activity in addition in addition to the other specific activities mentioned above and can therefore be used as 5α-reductase inhibitors in the present invention. Preferably the 5α-reductase inhibitor is not finasteride.
The topical composition may therefore comprise a prostaglandin analogue, such as bimatoprost, progesterone, a polyphenol, such as grape seed extract, an alpha amino acid, such as L-arginine and an essential oil, such as rosemary essential oil. The topical composition may additionally comprise a 5α-reductase inhibitor, such as saw palmetto.
The topical composition may additionally comprise magnesium. Suitable forms of magnesium will be familiar to the skilled person and may include magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, magnesium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and/or magnesium citrate. Magnesium interacts with calcium in many body processes, such as regulation of blood vessels, contraction of muscles. Calcium stimulates contraction of muscles and blood vessels, while magnesium relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels. Magnesium therefore has a vasodilatory activity. Magnesium may also have a calcium chelating effect in the scalp, which may provide beneficial effects in terms of treating hair loss or stimulating hair regrowth.
The topical composition may additionally comprise Vitamin K2 (also known as menaquinone) Similarly to magnesium, Vitamin K2 has calcium chelating activity, which may provide beneficial effects in terms of treating hair loss or stimulating hair regrowth. Vitamin K2 has several subtypes, which are generally divided into the short-chain menaquinones (such as MK-4) and the long-chain menaquinones, including MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9. MK-7 is particularly preferred in compositions of the present invention.
The enteric composition comprises a vasodilator. As explained above, vasodilators can be beneficial in treating hair loss by improving blood supply to hair follicles, and may contribute to hair regrowth by stimulating the production of new hair follicles.
In preferred embodiments of the invention the vasodilator comprises minoxidil. Minoxidil is a prodrug that is converted by sulfation via the sulfotransferase enzyme SULT1A1 to its active form, minoxidil sulfate.
Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarization of cell membranes. Hypothetically, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the hair follicles. This may cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, which are then replaced by thicker hairs in a new anagen phase. Minoxidil contains the nitric oxide chemical moiety and acts as a nitric oxide agonist, which is known to have vasodilatory activity. In preferred embodiments of the invention the vasodilator comprises a nitric oxide moiety and/or has nitric oxide agonist activity.
Other suitable vasodilators for use in the enteric composition include α-amino acids, such as arginine or citrulline, preferably L-arginine or L-citrulline. α-amino acids may be included in addition to the vasodilators described above or as an alternative to the vasodilators described above.
The enteric composition preferably comprises at least about 0.5 mg of a vasodilator or at least about 1 mg of a vasodilator or at least about 5 mg of a vasodilator. The topical composition may comprise from about 0.5 mg to about 15 mg of a vasodilator or from about 1 mg to about mg of a vasodilator. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 5 mg or about 2 mg of a vasodilator.
The enteric composition may additionally comprise one or more of zinc, a polyphenol and/or an α-amino acid.
Zinc can act as a 5α-reductase inhibitor, reducing or preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Zinc has also been shown to be an aromatase inhibitor, which can reduce oestrogen production within the body. Zinc also has antioxidant activity. All of these can be beneficial in the therapy of the present invention for at least the reasons discussed herein.
The enteric composition may comprises at least about 1 mg zinc, or at least about 10 mg zinc or at least about 30 mg zinc. The enteric composition may comprise from about 1 mg to about 100 mg of zinc or from about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 30 mg of zinc.
The enteric composition may comprise at least about 50 mg α-amino acid or at least about 100 mg α-amino acid or at least about 500 mg α-amino acid. The enteric composition may comprise from about 50 mg to about 1000 mg α-amino acid or from about 100 mg to about 1000 mg. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 500 mg α-amino acid.
The α-amino acid may be one or more of arginine or citrulline, preferably L-arginine or L-citrulline or a combination thereof.
The enteric composition may additionally comprise magnesium. Suitable forms of magnesium will be familiar to the skilled person and may include magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, magnesium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and/or magnesium citrate. Magnesium interacts with calcium in many body processes, such as regulation of blood vessels, contraction of muscles. Calcium stimulates contraction of muscles and blood vessels, while magnesium relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels. Magnesium therefore has a vasodilatory activity. Magnesium may also have a calcium chelating effect in the scalp, which may provide beneficial effects in terms of treating hair loss or stimulating hair regrowth.
The enteric composition may additionally comprise Vitamin K2 (also known as menaquinone) Similarly to magnesium, Vitamin K2 has calcium chelating activity, which may provide beneficial effects in terms of treating hair loss or stimulating hair regrowth. Vitamin K2 has several subtypes, which are generally divided into the short-chain menaquinones (such as MK-4) and the long-chain menaquinones, including MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9. MK-7 is particularly preferred in compositions of the present invention.
The enteric composition may comprise at least about 50 mg polyphenol or at least about 100 mg polyphenol or at least about 250 mg polyphenol. The enteric composition may comprise from about 50 mg to about 500 mg polyphenol or from about 100 mg to about 500 mg. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical composition may comprise about 250 mg polyphenol.
Suitable polyphenols for use in the present invention may be natural or synthetic, but natural polyphenols are preferred. The polyphenol may be provided in the form of a polyphenolic extract, for example from grape skin, grape seeds, olive pulp or maritime pine bark. In preferred embodiments of the invention the polyphenol is provided in the form of grape seed extract. Preferably the grape seed extract comprises at least 90% (w/v) oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) or at least 40% (w/v) proanthocyanidins. Suitable polyphenols additionally include resveratrol.
The enteric composition may additionally comprise a 5α-reductase inhibitor. 5α-reductase inhibitors for use in the present invention are preferably plant-based and may comprise one or more of Reishi mushroom, saw palmetto, green tea or extracts or combinations thereof. Preferably the 5α-reductase inhibitor is not finasteride.
The enteric composition may therefore comprise a vasodilator, such as minoxidil, an alpha-amino acid, such as L-citrulline, a polyphenol, such as grape seed extract, and zinc. The enteric composition may additionally comprise a 5α-reductase inhibitor, such as saw palmetto.
The topical and enteric compositions are preferably administered sequentially. The topical composition may be administered before the enteric composition. Alternatively, the enteric composition may be administered before the topical composition.
The interval between administering the topical and enteric compositions is preferably not more than 12 hours, or 24 hours, or 48 hours. Preferably the interval between administering each composition is 24 hours or less, or 12 hours or less. In preferred embodiments of the invention the topical and enteric compositions are to be administered at least once every three days, or at least once every two days. Preferably the topical and enteric compositions are to be administered at least once daily. The topical composition may be administered once or twice per day. The enteric composition may be administered once per day or once every two days. In some embodiments of the invention the enteric composition may be administered twice per day. The combination therapy may be administered indefinitely in order to provide continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth.
Topical and enteric compositions of the present invention may additionally include one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients, such as diluents, adjuvants, vehicles, fillers, binders, disintegrating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, perfuming agents, buffers, dispersants, thickeners, solubilising agents, lubricating agents and dispersing agents, depending on the nature of the mode of administration and dosage forms. In embodiments of the invention the compositions may be sterile.
The topical composition may be provided in the form of a lotion, a gel, an ointment, a cream, a foam, a transdermal patch, a dressing, a powder, a paste or a tinctures. In preferred embodiments of the invention the composition may be in the form of a lotion.
The enteric composition may take the form, for example, of a solid preparation including tablets, capsules, dragees, lozenges, granules, powders, pellets and cachets; and liquid preparations including gels, lotions, suspensions, elixirs, syrups, suspensions, sprays, emulsions and solutions. In preferred embodiments of the invention the enteric composition is in the form of a capsule.
The hair loss may be caused by alopecia, especially androgenic alopecia. The hair loss may be caused by male-pattern hair loss, female-pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, traction alopecia or telogen effluvium.
The subject is a mammal, preferably a human, and may be male or female. The subject may be an adult human. Preferably the subject is an adult human male.
The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the figures.
A combination therapy comprising enteric and topical compositions comprising the BioGroHair® treatment was administered to volunteers. The enteric and topical compositions were provided as a prescription supplement (in the form of a capsule) and a lotion, both formulated as outlined below. Both were taken once a day. The principle behind the BioGroHair® treatment involves improving blood flow to the scalp, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation on the hair follicles and preventing the hair shedding effect of excessive Dihydrotestosterone.
Lotion:
Supplement (capsule):
Results
The User Testified that:
The User Testified that:
The user testified:
The user testified:
The user testified:
The user testified that:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1713113.7 | Aug 2017 | GB | national |
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/639,071, filed Feb. 13, 2020, incorporated by reference herein, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/GB2018/052315, filed Aug. 15, 2018, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 1713113.7, filed Aug. 16, 2017.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16639071 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 18373774 | US |
