Patent Application
20240226185
This invention relates generally to inhaled pharmaceutical treatments for respiratory illnesses and, more particularly, a solution containing free grain alcohol and manuka honey for inhalation, such as using a nebulizer, by a patient who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 or another respiratory illness. Further, the present invention may be inhaled prophylactically by healthcare workers who are tasked with treating patients having respiratory illnesses.
With the recent global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, a heightened level of attention is being paid to respiratory illnesses and promising methods and pharmaceuticals for treating them. One such respiratory illness that is far too common is acute pulmonary edema, also known as fluid on the lungs. Although the patient's lung function may be the first symptom, the root cause of pulmonary edema may be congestive heart failure. When the heart is unable to pump efficiently, blood may back up into the veins that travel to the lungs. As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid may be pushed into the alveoli (air spaces) in the lungs. The patient may present with symptoms such as feelings of suffocation, drowning, severe shortness of breath, and even producing foam and the nose and mouth.
Fortunately, it has been found in practice and in the literature that high doses of alcohol, when inhaled (such as via a nebulizer), is very effective at reducing the foaming and other symptoms of pulmonary edema.
In addition, other respiratory illnesses may be the result of an infection causing severe inflammation. One treatment of inflammation is with manuka honey. Foraged by bees in New Zealand, manuka honey has been shown to reduce inflammation and is, therefore, at least a component of medical treatment of inflammation and bacteria I:
Still another treatment for inflammation and airway discomfort is with menthol. More particularly, menthol can reduce airway pain and irritation when inhaled.
Therefore, it would be desirable to treat the Covid-19 infection using a combination of ethanol grain alcohol, manuka honey, and menthol so as to take advantage of the medicinal aspects of each.
An ethyl grain alcohol, manuka honey, and menthol mixture for the treatment of a patient with a respiratory illness according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. Specifically, this invention is directed to a nebulizer medicine for treating respiratory infections such as COVID-19, its variations, RSV, pulmonary edema, and the like.
Ethyl grain alcohol is the primary and preferred ingredient of the mixture according to the present invention. Ethyl alcohol, when administered in a controlled and precise manner, has the effect on bronchodilation and it relaxes smooth muscle fibers in the airways. This medical effect can facilitate improved airflow and alleviate respiratory distress in patients with conditions characterized by pulmonary edema. Further, ethyl alcohol can decrease the surface tension of alveoli within the lungs. This property may be particularly beneficial in cases of pulmonary edema, where excess fluid in the alveoli can impair gas exchange. By lowering the surface tension, ethyl alcohol may help to mitigate hypoxia and improve oxygenation. In addition, high content ethyl alcohol possesses potent anti-microbial properties. When administered in specific formulations, it can address bacterial or fungal infections that may exacerbate respiratory conditions. Of course, the administration of high content ethyl alcohol for respiratory conditions should be meticulously controlled, with dosages carefully calibrated to avoid potential toxicity and adverse effects. This monitoring would include looking for potential signs of alcohol-related side effects.
In a specific embodiment, Everclearâ„¢ is the brand name of a high content alcoholic beverage and sometimes used as a disinfectant or cleaner. Everclear is a non-denatured mixture of ethyl alcohol (ethanol, grain alcohol) product derived from 100% corn. 190 proof Everclear is designed and sold in some states for use as a beverage. That said, this type of alcohol, when inhaled via a nebulizer, has been shown to be effective in reducing the effects of respiratory illness, such as the foaming from the mouth and nasal regions of a patient. Preferably, 95% of the composition described below will be ethyl alcohol. More particularly, 95% ethyl alcohol means 95 mL out of a 100 mL liquid composition is methyl alcohol. Further, it is understood that ethyl alcohol and ethanol are terms that are used for the same liquid combination.
Manuka honey is a selected ingredient of the present invention because of its remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Derived from the nectar of the Manuka trees blossoms, and traditionally found in New Zealand, this honey is rich in methylglyoxal (MGL), a compound responsible for its potent antibacterial effects. Studies have shown that the Manuka honey exhibits a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against a wide range of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA.
In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties stem from its ability to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines making it a natural remedy for inflammatory conditions. Manuka honey has demonstrated its efficacy in wound healing, soothing sore throats, and alleviating gastrointestinal issues and offers a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Stated another way, Manuka honey is a type of honey that originates from certain parts of Australia and New Zealand and is made primarily from the nectar of Manuka flowers. It is understood that the nectar is largely collected by bees and their beehives. Manuka honey is considered a monofloral honey, and includes real and active ingredient known as methylglyoxal (MGO). Much more detail is available regarding the medicinal properties of manuka:
In another critical aspect according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inventive mixture may include a predetermined quantity of menthol. Menthol is a naturally occurring compound found in various plants and, more particularly, in various mint species. As will be discussed below, the addition of menthol enhances the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities that are advantageous when treating respiratory illnesses such as pulmonary edema.
Menthol is a preferred component of the present invention because of its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral properties. Menthol acts by inhibiting the activity of certain inflammatory enzymes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and LIFO oxygenase, both of which are key mediators of the inflammatory response. Further, menthol provides a cooling sensation that can help alleviate pain associated with inflammation. It achieves this by modulating the cold receptors on the skin, providing a temporary numbing effect. Moreover, menthol has relaxing properties that can ease muscle tension and spasms associated with inflammation.
For the reasons stated above, Menthol may be used in the treatment of respiratory illnesses. More particularly, menthol has a bronchodilator effect, namely, it can help open a person's airways which may become narrow and inflamed. This property is particularly valuable in treating pulmonary disease where airflow obstruction is a significant problem. Further, menthol can help loosen it as phlegm in the respiratory tract. This makes menthol even more beneficial for individuals suffering from bronchitis, pneumonia, or other respiratory illnesses. Research has shown that menthol in an amount up to 16% of the weight of a mixture is FDA approved. However, a preferred amount of menthol for the present application is about 1% to 2%.
Menthol is an organic compound, otherwise known as a monoterpenoid that is made synthetically or otherwise obtained from the oils of corn mint, peppermint, or other mint plant. Further, menthol is a waxy, clear, or white crystalline substance that dissolves at a temperature just above room temperature.
In an embodiment, a batch formula having two solutes may be mixed together to form the inventive composition. Batch processing is a manufacturing method for producing items requiring multiple steps for completion. Preferably, the elements are combined in a pair of solutes before a final combination is made. In general, it is understood that menthol crystals may be concentrated in a range from 1% to 10% of the total weight of the composition. Further, the Manuka honey is present at a concentration ranging from 1% to 15% of the total weight of the composition. Regarding the solution process, when one substance dissolves into another, a solution is formed. A solution is a homogenous mixture consisting of a solute dissolved into a solvent. The solute is the substance that is being dissolved, while the solvent is the dissolving medium. Solutions can be formed with many different types and forms of solutes and solvents.
In a preferred embodiment, the batch includes 100 mL of 95% ethanol, 1 gram of menthol crystals, 20 mL of Manuka honey, and 50 mL of normal saline. This combination provides about 1% menthol in the overall mixture. Preferably, however, a first solute is formed by dissolving the menthol crystals into the ethanol in the amounts stated previously. Further, the second solute is formed by dissolving the Manuka honey into the normal saline. After mixing the two solutes separately, the two solutes may be mixed together. The final mixture may be administered to a human person via a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a machine that turns a liquid medicine, into a fine mist which is then directed toward the airways of a patient, such as via a mask or a mouthpiece. A patient may breathe deeply through the nose or mouth or both so that the fine mist is inhaled into the bronchial tubes and beyond. In the present instance, a patient who is suffering from Covid-19, RSV, pulmonary edema, or other respiratory infections may be treated by breathing in the fine mist generated from the combination of ethyl grain alcohol with manuka honey, and menthol.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
This application claims priority to provisional patent application 63/438,394 filed Jan. 11, 2023 entitled Ethyl Alcohol Manuka Honey for Treatment of Respiratory Illnesses, and which is incorporated in its entirety in the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63438394 | Jan 2023 | US |
