Cyclosporin formulation

Abstract

Therapeutical compositions comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin and a vehicle comprising from 1 to 60% by weight of polyethers constituted by, preferably, substances like ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to 600 and/or substances like preferably dimethyl isosorbide, dimethyl isoidide and dimethyl isomannide, and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of glyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids and hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:6. The therapeutical compositions preferably additionally comprise further adjuvants like anti-oxidants, preserving agents and stabilizers, flavoring agents, thickening agents and diluents. The compositions for external use preferably additionally comprise lipoaminoacids.

Description

This invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a cyclosporin as active ingredient. The invention relates to formulations for internal use and also to topical formulations.

Cyclosporins are immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptides which are used particularly in relation to organ transplants. Cyclosporins are also used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Further applications include antiparasitic treatments and cancer therapy. Certain Cyclosporins which are devoid of immunosuppressive activity have been found to exhibit an inhibitory effect towards replication of the HIV-1 virus and these compounds can be employed in therapy for treatment and prevention of AIDS or AIDS related diseases.

A wide variety of cyclosporins has been identified. Cyclosporins are highly hydrophobic and are consequently difficult to formulate in dosage forms providing adequate bioavailability. Solubility of cyclosporins in water typically does not exceed 25 mg/l. The high lipophilicity of cyclosporins is indicated by the value of the partition coefficient P in the system n-octanol/water. For ciclosporin, values of log P=2.08 to 2.99 have been reported.

Dispersion systems characterised by the presence of a hydrophilic phase, a hydrophobic phase and a tensoactive component have been used to afford acceptable bioavailability for cyclosporin formulations. Commercially available compositions for oral administration are available under the trade marks Sandimmun, Sandimmun-Neoral, Consupren, Implanta and Imusporin. These formulations are disclosed in GB-A-2015339, GB-A-2222770, GB-A-2270842 and GB-A-2278780. A modification wherein the hydrophilic phase is omitted and replaced by partial esters of fatty acids with polyols such as propylene glycol, glycerol or sorbitol is disclosed in GB-A-2228198.

DE-A-4322826 discloses a carrier system for drugs which are poorly soluble in water, comprising a composition containing polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids as a co-tenside to non-ionic tensides having HLB higher than 10, in the presence of a triacyl glycerol as the lipophilic component. Use of dimethyl iso-sorbide as a co-tenside is mentioned in GB-A-650721.

Compositions for external treatment of inflammatory skin diseases containing, as accelerators of percutaneous absorption, a combination of N-acyl sarcosine and salts thereof with fatty acid amides prepared as reaction products of aliphatic carboxylic acids with mono- and di-ethanolamides are disclosed in JP-A2-07025784.

It has been surprisingly found that it is possible to prepare cyclosporin formulations having advantages over prior compositions by modification of the lipidic components and omission of ethyoxylated tensides from the formulation. While the solubility of cyclosporin in olive oil or corn oil does not exceed 50 mg/ml, we have discovered that solubility of cyclosporin in glyceryl monoesters is higher by approximately an order of magnitude.

According to the present invention a pharmaceutical composition containing cyclosporin for internal or external use is characterised in comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin (I) and a vehicle comprising:

(i) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one polyether (II) of a general formula IIa R--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--).sub.n H (IIa) wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20, R is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, (ii) and/or a compound of general formula IIb ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; (iii) and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of one or more glyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids (III) and one or more polyglyceryl esters selected from hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids (IV) in a ratio of components (III)/(IV) of 1:2 to 1:6.

We have found that mixtures of polar lipids formed by monoesters of fatty acids with glycerol and of pseudolipids formed by monoesters of fatty acids with polyglycerols for example from hexaglycerol to pentadecaglycerol are particularly suitable for formulation of cyclosporin.

Cyclosporins which may be employed comprise one or more of: ciclosporin, [NVa].sup.2 -ciclosporin, [MeIle].sup.4 ciclosporin, [3'-O-acylMeBmt].sup.1 -ciclosporin.

The polyether IIa is preferably selected from: ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to 600.

The compound of formula IIb is preferably selected from dimethyl isoidide, dimethyl isomannide and, more preferably, dimethyl isosorbide.

The compound III is selected from: glyceryl monooctanoate, glyceryl monodecanoate, glyceryl monooleate and glyceryl monolinolate.

The compound IV is selected from polyglyceryl monoesters preferably one or more of: hexaglyceryl monooleate, octaglyceryl monostearate, octaglyceryl monooleate, decaglyceryl monolaurate, decaglyceryl monomyristate, decaglyceryl monostearate and decaglyceryl monooleate.

The compositions may include one or more adjuvants (V) for example antioxidants, preserving agents, stabilizers, flavouring agents, thickening agents and diluents.

Compositions in accordance with this matter which are intended for external use may include lipoaminoacids (VI), obtained by an acylation of aminoacids or of protein hydrolyzates with C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids. The weight ratio of the compounds (I)/(VI) is preferably 1:1 to 1:3.

The lipoaminoacids (VI) are preferably selected from capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl cystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate and dioctyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate.

The solvents from the group of polyethers serve to modify the physical characteristics of the formulation, especially in direct contact with the aqueous media of the gastro-intestinal tract or when diluting the concentrate before administration. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of compositions in accordance with the invention indicate reproducible absorption and good bioavailability.

Preferred compositions in accordance with this invention have as the vehicle lipids consisting of monoacyl glycerols wherein the acyl residue is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 and monoacyl glycerols with 6 to 15 glycerol units. Use of C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty acid monoglycerides is preferred although a proportion of shorter chain eg C.sub.8 -C.sub.10 fatty acids may facilitate passage of the active composition through mucosal cells of the gastrointestinal tract into the blood stream. Advantageously, monoacyl glycerols used in the composition of this invention have a monoester content of at least 95%. Suitable products are for example commercial types of glyceryl monooleate (GMO, produced by Grindsted) having the following characteristics:

______________________________________fatty acids composition DIMODAN .RTM. GMO DIMODAN .RTM. GMO 90______________________________________oleic min 78% min 92%linoleic and linolenic max 15% --linoleic -- max 6%saturated C.sub.16, C.sub.18, C.sub.20 max 10% --saturated C.sub.16, C.sub.18 -- max 2%free fatty acids cont max 1.5% max 0.5%______________________________________

Similar products produced by Eastman under the trade names Myverol.RTM. 18-99 (glyceryl monoleate) or Myverole.RTM. 18-92 (glyceryl monolinoleate) with a minimal content of 90% monoesters can also be used.

Further products which are suitable as the polar lipidic component are monesters of polyglycerols of general formula

HOCH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 --(--O--CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2).sub.N --O--CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 OH wherein x=3 to 12.

The polyglycerols are characterised by the following properties:

______________________________________ mol weight OH groups no hydroxyl value______________________________________hexaglycerol 462 8 970heptaglycerol 536 9 941octaglycerol 610 10 920nonaglycerol 684 11 903decaglycerol 758 12 880pentadecaglycerol 1228 17 846______________________________________

Esters of polyglycerols with fatty acids are generally prepared either by partial esterification of the polyglycerols with corresponding saturated or unsaturated fatty acids or by transesterification of vegetable oils with polyglycerol. Each individual monoester of polyglycerol is characterised by is saponification number, the polymerisation degree in turn is best indicated by the hydroxyl value. Monoesters of polyglycerols especially suitable for the compositions of the invention are the following:

______________________________________hexaglyceryl monooleate NIKKOL .RTM. HEXAGLYN 1 - 0octaglyceryl monosteatrate SANTONE .RTM. 8-1-Soctaglyceryl monoleate SANTONE .RTM. 8-1-0decaglyceryl monolaurate NIKKOL .RTM. DECAGLYN 1 - Ldecaglyceryl monomyristate NIKKOL .RTM. DECAGLYN 1 - Mdecaglyceryl monostearate NIKKOL .RTM. DECAGLYN 1 - Sdecaglyceryl monooleate NIKKOL .RTM. DECAGLYN 1 - 0______________________________________ These polyglycerol monoesters are commercialised under the trade mark NIKKOL.RTM. by Nikko Chemicals Co Ltd and under the trade mark SANTONE.RTM. by Durkee Foods.

The whole group of polyglycerol monesters, useful for the compositions of the invention, is characterised by the following purity tests:

______________________________________acid number max 6heavy metals content max 10 ppmwater content max 2%fatty acids Na salts content max 2% (as Na stearate)total ash max 1%______________________________________ Preferred compositions may include cyclic ethers obtained by alkoxylation of anhydro derivatives of alcoholic hexoses for example sorbitol, mannitol and iditol. Anhydrisation of sorbitol or of other alcoholic hexoses occurs under catalytic action of concentrated sulphuric acid giving ##STR2##

A subsequent reaction with, for example, methyl chloride gives 2,5-di-O-methyl derivatives, which are useful as solvents for cyclosporin formulations. An especially suitable product is 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide, produced under the trade mark ARLASOLVE.RTM. DMI by ICI.

It was surprisingly found in studies of the solubility of ciclosporin in 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide that, dependent on the water content, the solubility of cyclosporin has an anomalous behaviour and reaches a maximal value at a molar fraction of N=0.5. The solubility of ciclosporin slightly decreases with increasing concentration of dimethyl isosorbide and only 324 mg g.sup.-1 dissolves in the anhydrous product at 20.degree. C. (see Table 1).

TABLE 1______________________________________Solubility of ciclosporin in a binary mixture 2,5-dimethylisosorbide (DMI)/waterConcentration of DMI Solubility of ciclosporinMolar fraction, [N] Weight/% [mg .multidot. g.sup.-1 ]______________________________________0.0 0.0 0.0230.07 40 1.900.13 60 5.600.19 70 45.90.23 74 87.40.25 76 109.30.27 78 161.70.32 82 288.90.39 86 496.30.62 94 487.20.71 96 471.90.84 98 389.91.00 100 324.3______________________________________

Ciclosporin forms, with 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide, a solvated form which crystallises in the monoclinic spatial group P2.sub.1 with the following lattice parameters: a=15.521 (2).ANG., b=20.833 (3).ANG., c=12.223 (3).ANG.,.beta.=100.21 .degree.(1), Z=2 (Husak M, Kratochvil B, Jegorov A, Matha V, Stuchlik M, Andrysek T: The structure of a new cyclosporin A solvated form, Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie, 211, 313-318, 1996).

The improvement of the solubility of ciclosporin in binary systems dimethyl isosorbide-water has a clear advantage when formulating soft gelatine capsules where migration of water from the gelatine layer into the mass of the capsule occurs.

A polyether from the group of general formula II especially preferred for the composition of the invention is ethoxy diglycol, known in the pharmaceutical trade under the trade name TRANSCUTOL.RTM. and commercialised by the French firm Gattefosse.

The solubility of cyclosporin in ethoxy diglycol alone is 578.5 mg.g.sup.-1 at 20.degree. C. and is influenced in an insubstantial way by a small amount of water. Ciclosporin dissolves in a binary mixture of ethyoxy diglycol with water at a concentration of ethoxy diglycol corresponding to a molar fraction of N=0.5, 216 mg.g.sup.-1 at 20.degree. C.

Ethoxy diglycol which is preferred for use in accordance with this invention has the following physical and chemical characteristics:

______________________________________density 0.88-0.989refractive index 1.425-1.429boiling point 295-202.degree. C.acid value max 0.1peroxide value max 12.5water content max 0.1heavy metals content max 10 ppm______________________________________

Products from the group of polyethers of general formula IIa, also suitable for the compositions of the invention, are liquid to semi-solid polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight of 200 to 600. These polyethers tend to form supersaturated solutions with cyclosporins, from which non-solvated orthorhombic forms may crystallise. Stabilisation of these polyethylene glycol solutions is enabled by adding a small amount of propylene glycol, as is demonstrated in Table 2.

TABLE 2______________________________________Solubility of ciclosporin in binary mixture polyethyleneglycol/propylene glycolConcentration of PEG 400 Solubility of ciclosporinMolar fraction [N] weight [%] [mg .multidot. g.sup.-1 ]______________________________________0.0 0.0 214.50.021 10.0 186.10.045 20.0 194.50.059 25.0 182.10.11 40.0 186.20.16 50.0 182.40.22 60.0 189.00.31 70.0 185.60.36 75.0 182.70.43 80.0 183.60.63 90.0 172.91.0 100.0 131.2______________________________________ TABLE 3______________________________________Physical and chemical characteristics of polyethylene glycolspreferred for use in compositions of the invention hydroxyl density viscosity solidification value [g/cm.sup.3 ] [mPa .multidot. s] point [.degree. C.]______________________________________PEG 200 534-591 1.124 60-70 -50PEG 300 356-394 1.125 85-100 -15--10PEG 400 267-295 1.126 110-125 4-8PEG 600 178-197 1.126 16-19* 17-22PEG 1000 107-118 1.200 24-29* 35-40______________________________________ *50% aqueous solution

For the compositions of the invention intended for external application to the skin and mucous membranes the vehicle as described above may be complemented with lipoaminoacids. These function as biovectors allowing passage through the skin and fixing the aminoacids in the upper layers of the epidermis. By their ampiphilic structure lipoaminoacids may be incorporated into the intercellular tissue and may play an important role in cohesion properties of corneocytes, and may thus contribute to the working of the hydroregulation and barrier function of the skin. By means of their bioaffinity to the skin lipoaminoacids may regulate the speed of penetration of the vehicle containing dissolved cyclosporin to the site of effect. The carboxyl functions of the lipoaminoacids are regulators of the desired pH reaction of the skin, thus contributing to the therapeutic effect of the immunomodulating drug.

Especially preferred lipoaminoacids are non-ionic derivatives of an N-acyl glutamic acid and higher fatty alcohols like, eg dioctyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate eg Amiter LGOD (trade mark of Ajinmoto) as a pseudolipidic component compatible with monoesters of glycerol.

Other suitable lipoaminoacids for topical compositions of the invention are, eg, capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl crystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate, or N-acyl derivatives of aminoacids prepared from protein hydrolyzates like collagen or milk or wheat proteins. These products are commercialised, eg under the trade mark LIPACID.RTM. by the French firm Seppic.

This invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense.

EXAMPLE 1

Soft Gelatine Capsules

The following ingredients were used.

______________________________________(I) ciclosporin 10.00 g(IIb) dimethyl isosorbide 30.00 g(III) glyceryl monooleate 15.00 g(IV) decaglyceryl monooleate 44.40 g(V) tocopherol linoleate 0.60 g______________________________________

The ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIb) were mixed at 50.degree. C. To the resulting mixture, (I) and an anti-oxidating additive (V) were added and the mixture was stirred until dissolution under a blanket of an inert gas. The resulting product was filtered and filled into soft gelatine capsules.

______________________________________(I) ciclosporin 10.00 g(IIa) polyethylene glycol 400 40.00 g(III) glyceryl monooleate 10.00 g(IV) decaglyceryl monooleate 30.00 g(V) propylene glycol 9.40 g(V) neohesperidine dihydrochalcone 0.20 g(V) tocopherol R,R,R-.alpha. 0.40 g______________________________________

The ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIa) were mixed at 50.degree. C. To the resulting mixture, (I) a mixture of adjuvants (V) was added. The resultant mixture was stirred until dissolution under a blanket of an inert gas. The resulting product was filtered and filled into glass vials.

EXAMPLE 3

Ointment for External Use

An ointment with the following composition was prepared.

______________________________________(I) ciclosporin 3.00 g(IIa) ethoxy diglycol 12.00 g(III) glyceryl monolinolate 62.00 g(IV) decaglyceryl monolaurate 16.00 g(VI) di-octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate 5.00 g(VI) caproyl glycine 2.00 g______________________________________

Substances (III), (IV), (V), (VI) were melted at 50.degree. C. and mixed together. Substance (I) was dissolved individually in (II) and the resulting solution was homogenized with the melt and filled into suitable containers allowing external application.

The ointment was tested in comparison with a placebo. Albinotic guinea pigs were used for testing. The animals were sensitized at the bases of both ears with 50 .mu.l of 5% dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and repeatedly with 2% DNFB dissolved in a 1:1 mixture acetone/olive oil. After 6 days the animals were shaved and epilated on both sides. On the following day, 20 .mu.l of 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene dissolved in a 1:1 mixture acetone/olive oil was applied to both sides. Immediately after this application, 250 mg of the composition of Example 3 was applied to the right side of the guinea pig and 250 mg of the placebo composition of Example 3 to the left side of the guinea pig. Two control groups of the animals were used in testing the composition.

Negative control: the animals obtained 20 .mu.l of 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene to both side.

Positive control: the animals were not treated with the tested composition.

Erythemas at 24 and 32 hours after application of the compositions were evaluated.

Scale for evaluating erythema:

4-dark red protruding stain 3-red stain 2-rose coloured stain 1-small spots 0-without any visible change ______________________________________Evaluation of erythema:animals 5% DNFB 2% DNFBnumber 24 h 32 h 24 h 32 h______________________________________comp of 5 *0.2 0.05 *0.2 0.05 **0 **0ex 3placebo, 5 1.3 1.03 1.1 0.64 1.7 0.82 1.3 1.3ex 3negat 5 0 0 0.2 0.05 0.2 0.06controlposit 5 2.49 0.52 2.1 0.88 2.2 0.63 1.5 0.71control______________________________________ *- p < 0.01 ** p < 0.001

The importance was evaluated by student's t-test against the placebo composition.

Evaluation of oedema was obtained by reading the values of skin thickness [mm] one day before application and the values of skin thickness at 8, 24, 32 and 48 h after application.

______________________________________number of animals 8 h 24 h 32 h 48 h(pieces) [mm]______________________________________comp of ex 3 5 0.11 0.42 0.33 0.24placebo, ex 3 5 0.35 0.63 0.63 0.49negat control 5 0.15 0.24 0.17 0.08posit control 5 0.20 0.44 0.35 0.19______________________________________

EXAMPLE 4

Hard Gelatine Capsules

The following ingredients were used.

______________________________________(I) [NVa].sup.2 -ciclosporin 15.00 g(IIb) dimethyl isosorbide 95% 35.00 g(III) glyceryl monocaprinate 5.00 g(III) glyceryl monolinolate 12.00 g(IV) octaglyceryl monostearate 32.60 g(V) tocopherol R,R,R-.alpha. 0.40 g______________________________________

Substances (IV) and (III) were melted at 50.degree. C., mixed together and an anti-oxidant (V) added. To the resulting mixture a solution of (I) n (IIb) was added, homogenised and the product after filtration was filled into hard gelatine capsules at 50.degree. C.

______________________________________(I) ciclosporin 10.0 g(II) 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide (95%) 30.0 g(III) glyceryl monooleate 20.0 g(IV) hexaglyceryl monoleate 40.0 g______________________________________

The composition was filled into starch capsules CAPILL to give 50 mg cyclosporin in each capsule.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of the composition and comparison with the commercial product was carried out after administering a single dose of 100 mg of cyclosporin in a two-phase cross-over experiment on 10 Beagle dogs. Male dogs of the age of 12 to 36 months and weighing 9 to 13 kg were fed a standard pelleted diet in the amount of 300 g daily, with water ad libitum.

The composition was administered after starving for 18 hr. Further food was given to the animals after an interval of 10 hr. Blood was taken from the forearm vein in the intervals 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 hr. The blood samples were frozen at -20.degree. C. for storage prior to analysis of the cyclosporin content by liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 1 compartment analysis using the programme KIN FIT and are as follows:

______________________________________AUC.sub.0-8h AUC.sub.0-.infin. T.sub.1/2E1 Tmax Cmax[h .multidot. mg .multidot. l.sup.-1 ] [h .multidot. mg .multidot. l.sup.-1 ] [h] [h] [mg - 1.sup.-1 ]______________________________________comp of .O slashed. 2.474 4.274 4.822 1.953 0.465ex 1 SD 1.022 2.037 1.994 1.505 0.157commerc .O slashed. 2.900 3.687 2.890 1.493 0.735comp SD 0.534 0.900 1.024 0.812 0.260______________________________________ Explanation of abbreviations: AUC area under curve T.sub.1/2E1 elimination halftime Tmax time of attaining maximal concentration Cmax maximal concentration SD standard deviation .O slashed. average concentration

EXAMPLE 6

Oral Solution

The following ingredients were used.

______________________________________(I) ciclosporin 10.00 g(IIa) polyethylene glycol 400 19.70 g(III) glyceryl monooleate 16.10 g(IV) decaglyceryl monoolaurate 43.90 g(V) propylene glycol 10.00 g(V) hesperidine dihydrochalcone 0.30 g______________________________________

Ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIa) were mixed together at 50 .degree. C. Ciclosporin (I) and both additives (V) were added and the mixture was stirred until dissolution of (II) under an inert gas blanket. The resultant mixture was filtered and filled into glass vials with gas-tight seals.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of the composition of Example 6 in comparison with the commercial composition CONSUPREN solution was made in 10 Beagle dogs. Males aged two years and of a weight of 13 to 16.5 kg were fed with a standard feed with free access to water. Single administrations of both tested and compared compositions were made after 18 hr starvation. Further feed was given to the animals only after taking blood sample after 12th hour of administration. Blood was taken from the forearm vein in the intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 3, 12 and 24 hr. The blood samples were stored at -20.degree. C. prior to analysis using the RIA kit by IMMUNOTECH for ciclosporin and its metabolites.

__________________________________________________________________________Individual blood levels (ng/ml) after single administration of 100 mgciclosporinCOMPOSITION OF EXAMPLE 6time 1 hr 2 hr 3 hr 5 hr 8 hr 12 hr 24 hr AUC.sub.0-24__________________________________________________________________________levels of 141 883 1423 997 683 498 189 10659individual 1648 1631 1068 755 491 329 110 10382subjects 1244 1316 1018 685 515 391 143 9719 1601 2000 1564 1021 677 498 152 13160 1634 1250 884 664 454 328 96 10850 774 1604 1388 830 514 356 116 11779 50 1245 1208 765 534 384 108 15765 1462 1309 1046 656 449 290 85 11588 561 945 897 764 768 356 92 10609 1444 1447 1030 567 369 267 73 11878mean 1055.9 1363 1152.6 770.4 545.4 369.7 116.4 11638.7SD 592.12 313.00 221.36 138.23 118.14 73.65 33.52 1653.13__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________REFERENCE COMPOSITION CONSUPREN SOLUTIOtime 1 hr 2 hr 3 hr 5 hr 8 hr 12 hr 24 hr AUC.sub.0-24__________________________________________________________________________levels of 502 972 860 667 454 338 91 9271individual 125 613 1153 1377 1172 830 300 18452subjects 470 563 833 899 617 374 123 10420 267 964 1144 1479 922 559 166 15340 379 1028 898 601 380 244 73 7977 221 816 1380 1372 640 769 242 16381 461 1113 1440 863 638 413 137 12251 216 743 706 503 278 250 76 6705 726 1136 909 750 558 335 116 10430 463 1315 1263 678 545 408 140 11379mean 383 926.3 1058.6 918.9 620.4 452 146.4 11860.25SD 169.12 227.96 238.66 340.06 246.62 193.68 69.38 3589.88__________________________________________________________________________ SD standard deviation AUC.sub.0-24 area under curve

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition containing cyclosporin for internal or external use, characterized in comprising

from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin (I), and a vehicle comprising:

(i) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one polyether (II) of a general formula IIa

R-O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--).sub.n H (IIa)

wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20, R is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl,

(ii) and/or a compound of general formula IIb ##STR3## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; (iii) and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of one or more glyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids (III) and one or more polyglyceryl esters selected from hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids (IV) in a ratio of components (III)/(IV) of 1:2 to 1:6.

2. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cyclosporin (I) is selected from: cyclosporin, [NVa].sup.2 -cyclosporin, [MeIle].sup.4 -cyclosporin and [3'-O-acylMeBmt].sup.1 -cyclosporin.

3. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the compound of formula IIa is selected from: ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to 600.

4. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound of formula IIb is selected from: dimethyl isosorbide, dimethyl isoidide and dimethyl isomannide.

5. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the compounds III are selected from: glyceryl monooctanoate, glyceryl monodecanoate, glyceryl monooleate and glyceryl monolinolate.

6. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compounds IV are selected from: hexaglyceryl monooleate, octaglyceryl monostearate, octaglyceryl monooleate, decaglyceryl monolaurate, decaglyceryl monomyristate, decaglyceryl monostearate and decaglyceryl monooleate.

7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more adjuvants (V) selected from: anti-oxidants, preserving agents, stabilizers, flavoring agents, thickening agents and diluents.

8. A pharmaceutical composition for external use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes one or more lipoaminoacids (VI), obtained by an N-acylation of aminoacids or of protein hydrolyzates with C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 fatty acids; the weight ratio of the compounds (I)/(VI) being 1:1 to 1:3.

9. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that lipoaminoacids (VI) are selected from: capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl cystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate and di-octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate.