BACTERIA-BASED GEL COMPOSITIONS FOR TOPICAL APPLICATIONS AND USES THEREOF"

The present invention relates to a composition for use as a medicament in the form of a gel with characteristics of a reversible thermogel, based on one or more poloxamers, water and optionally excipients, and an effective amount of an active substance. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of said composition and uses thereof.

In the market, there exist various forms of administration of active ingredients, e.g. microorganisms such as bacteria, at least one flavonoid such as rutin, oxerutin, diosmin, hesperidin and troxerutin, chemotherapeutic agents and/or arctigenin, arctin, berberine, berbamine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, or rutoxides, as such or in the form of plant extracts containing said compounds, or melatonin or derivatives thereof. The topical forms of administration can be patches, creams, gels or suspensions. An example of a gel composition is described in EP2520279 A1.

However, there continues to be a felt need to be able to have a form of administration for topical use for transdermal application that is economical and easy to prepare, stable, efficacious in dosing the effective amount of active substance contained therein, and easily absorbable at the level of the cutis, dermis and epidermis without leaving residues or streaks.

The Applicant has developed a composition in gel form for topical use which provides an adequate and advantageous response to the above-mentioned needs.

The present invention relates to a composition in the form of gel for topical use, having the features as claimed in the accompanying claims.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of said composition, having the features as claimed in the accompanying claims.

The present invention relates to a composition for use as a medicament in gel form for topical use, having the features as claimed in the accompanying claims.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention set forth in the description that follows are illustrated solely by way of example and in no way limit the broad scope of application of the present invention, which wil appear clear to the person skilled in the art.

In the context of the present invention, composition(s) means a pharmaceutical composition, a composition for medical devices, a composition for dietary supplements or a food composition.

Advantageously, the composition of the present invention is capable of releasing the active substance or active ingredient over time, in a constant, gradual and lasting manner as a controlled transdermal release, in such a way as to prolong its activity and therapeutic effectiveness over time.

Advantageously, the composition of the present invention is a gel in the form of a reversible thermogel thanks to the presence of a vehicle or carrier which contains specific selected polymers of the poloxamer type. Advantageously, the composition of the present invention is for topical use for transdermal and/or transmucosal application, said composition is furthermore economical and easy to prepare, stable, efficacious in dosing the effective amount of active substance contained therein over time, and easily absorbable at the level of the cut ^' s, dermis and epidermis without leaving residues or streaks.

The present invention relates to a composition (abbreviated as CMP) in the form of a gel for topical use. Said composition comprises:

- an effective amount of an active substance selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of:

(i) at least one microorganism selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of: live lactic bacteria, live bifidobacteria, biologically active bacteria or active bacterial components, extracts or cell components, bacterial enzymes, tyndallized bacteria, lysed bacteria, sonicated bacteria and peptidoglycans; and

(ii) melatonin and/or the natural and/or synthetic derivatives thereof;

preferably (iii) at least one compound selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a flavonoid such as rutin, rutoxides, arbutin, oxerutin, diosmin, hesperidin and troxerutin, chemotherapeutic agents, arctigenin, arctin, berberine, berbamine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, as such or in the form of plant extracts containing said compounds, on their own or in combination with one or more chemotherapeutic agents or anti-tumour drugs and a vehicle or carrier, wherein said composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of an effective amount of a microorganism (i) selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of the microorganisms in Table 1; preferably said at least one microorganism is selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of the strains: LactobacNus saJivarius (LS01) DSM 22775, deposited on 23.07.2009; Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604, deposited on 20.072004; Lactobacillus pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, deposited on 14.11.2008; Streptococcus thermophBus (FP4) DSM 18616, deposited on 13.09.2006; Lactobacillus case/ ssp. rhamnosus (LR04) DSM 16605, deposited on 20.07.2004; and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA02) DSM 21717, deposited on 06.08.2008; even more preferably the strain is Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775, and/or Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604, and/or L pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, and wherein said composition is for topical transdermal use in the preventive and/or curative treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases associated with/deriving from alterations of the immune system selected from the group comprising allergies, atopy, allergic rhinitis, food hypersensitivity, dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, asthma and immunodeficiencies. Said vehicle or carrier comprises water, preferably purified water, until reaching 100% by weight of the composition, and a thickening viscous matrix. Said thickening viscous matrix comprises or, alternatively, consists of at least one poloxamer or a mixture of poloxamers and, optionally, additives and/or excipients and/or adjuvants. Said additives and/or excipients and/or adjuvants are selected from among those capable of promoting the formation and stabilisation of the gel (reversible thermogel) and are selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of acid salts, sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, glycols, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

In a preferred embodiment (CMP1), the composition of the present invention (CMP) comprises a poloxamer which is selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of Poloxamer 124 CAS N. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 2090-2360, Poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F66) CAS No. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 7680-9510, Poloxamer 237 CAS N. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 6840-8830, Poloxamer 338 CAS N 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 12700-17400, Poloxamer 407 (Lutrol® F127 Prill) CAS No. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 9840-14600, or mixtures thereof; preferably said Poloxamer 188 is present in an amount comprised from 0.1% to 10% by weight out of 100 g of composition, preferably in an amount comprised from 0.5% to 5% by weight, for example from 1% to 3% by weight; and/or preferably said Poloxamer 407 is present in an amount comprised from 1% to 40% by weight out of 100 g of composition, preferably in an amount comprised from 5% to 30% by weight, for example from 10% to 20% by weight (composition CMP1). Advantageously, the composition CMP1 contains Poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F66) CAS No. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 7680-9510 and/or Poloxamer 407 (Lutrol F127 Prill) CAS No. 900-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 984014600.

In another preferred embodiment (CMP4), the composition CMP or CMP1 comprises said microorganisms at a concentration comprised from 1x10 ⁶ CFU/g to 1x10 ¹² CFU/g of composition, preferably from 1x10 ⁷ CFU/g to 1x10 ¹¹ CFU/g of composition, even more preferably from 1x10 ⁸ CFU/g to 1x10 ¹⁰ CFU/g of composition, for example 1x10 ⁹ CFU/g of composition, and wherein:

- said microorganisms are present in said composition in an amount by weight comprised from 0.1% to

5%, preferably in an amount by weight comprised from 0.5% to 3%, even more preferably in an amount by weight comprised from 1% to 2%, relative to the total weight of the composition (CMP4).

In another preferred embodiment (CMP5), the composition CMP, CMP1 or 4 comprises an effective amount of an active substance selected from:

(iii) at least one compound selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a flavonokJ such as rutin, rutoxides, arbutin, oxerutin, diosmin, hesperidin and troxerutin, chemotherapeutic agents, arctigenin, arctin, berberine, berbamine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, as such or in the form of plant extracts containing said compounds, on their own or in combination with one or more chemotherapeutic agents or anti-tumour drugs; and

(ii) melatonin and/or the natural and/or synthetic derivatives thereof;

said active substance being present in said composition in an amount by weight comprised from 0.1% to 10% by weight preferably in an amount comprised from 0.5% to 5% by weight even more preferably from 1% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition (CMP5).

In another embodiment (CMP6), the composition as described above is for use: ^• in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to the pathological malfunctioning of physiological functions connected with circadian rhythms;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an abnormal or excessively high or excessively low blood pressure;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an excess of free radicals and oxidative stress;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an imbalance of the immune system;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to inflammatory states;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to acquired immunodeficiency;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to viral infections and bacterial Infections;

- in a treatment as a support or adjuvant to chemotherapy;

- in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapeutjc agents;

- in the treatment of sleep disorders in order to favour, In the treated subjects, the quality of sleep and regularity of sleep, with particular reference to REM sleep;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases of the eyes, of the retina, of the bis, of the optic nerve, retinal detachment and macular degeneration;

- in the treatment of vision disorders, in particular in macutopathy of the retina, via external applications in the vicinity of the eye and the temple;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to autism and Down's syndrome, in particular in children and adolescents, by favouring balance and control also of states of anxiety;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to Parkinson's disease or neurological dysfunctions, by improving sleep and tremors;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to pulmonary cystic fibrosis in children, by performing an anti-inflammatory activity;

- in the treatment of prostate tumours, by preventing the propagation thereof;

- in the treatment of tumours, as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour adjuvant;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to heart attack, myocardial infarction, cardiopathies, cardiac or coronary failure or myocardial insufficiency.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition in accordance with the compositions CMP or CMP1 or 4 or 5 or 6, said process comprising the following steps:

- mixing in water, under continuous stirring, the various components, added in succession one after the other or separately premixed and added together, using a mixer provided with a temperature control and adjustment means and a stirring means, wherein the temperature is set at values tower than room temperature, comprised from 2°C to 16°C, preferably from 4°C to 10°C, for example from 6°C to 8°C, for a time comprised from 1 minute to 15 minutes so as to obtain a homogeneous mixture; - maintaining said homogeneous mixture, preferably under continuous stirring, at a temperature comprised from 2°C to 10°C, preferably at a temperature comprised from 4°C to 8°C, for example from 5°C to 7°C, for a time comprised from 1 minute to 60 minutes, preferably from 5 minutes to 40 minutes, even more preferably from 10 minutes to 20 minutes, so as to obtain said composition in a liquid state;

- packaging said composition in sealed containers.

The vehicle present in the composition of the present invention comprises water and a thickening viscous matrix comprising at least one poloxamer or a mixture of at least due poloxamers.

In the context of the present invention, the term 'reversible thermogeT refers to a gel obtained from aqueous copolymer solutions, wherein the copolymer is a poloxamer, capable of gelling in a reversible manner according to the temperature.

Typically, the composition, i.e. the reversible therrrtogel, of the present invention is liquid at temperatures below room temperature and becomes gelatinous at temperatures close to human body temperature. For example, said composition is liquid at temperatures approximately comprised from 3°C to 15°C; in particular, at about 5°C. Said composition in turn gels, that is, becomes a gel, starting from about 20°C until about 37°; in particular it gels between about 20° and 25°C, preferably, between about 21*and 23°C.

In the context of the present invention, the active agent, for example the melatonin, is present In the composition of the invention in an amount comprised from 0.1% to 3% by weight out of 100 g of composition; preferably, comprised from 0.5% to 2% by weight, out of 100 g of composition; more preferably, about 1% by weight, out of 100 g of composition; even more preferably, 1% by weight, out of 100 g of composition. The melatonin can be added into the composition as such, in powder, with a purity comprised from 96% to 99.9%; in particular, with a purity comprised from 97% to 99%; for example, with a purity of the 98%. Alternatively, the melatonin can be added into the composition also in the form of microparticles, for example of a size comprised from 50 to 100 μm.

In the context of the present invention, the poloxamers are a series of block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in accordance with the following structural formula:

where a and o are whole numbers expressing the number of the oxyethylene and oxypropylene residues present in the molecule. Poloxamers are non-ionic copolymers of poryoxyethylene-poryoxypropylene used primarily in pharmaceutical formulations as emulsifying, solubilising or wetting agents.

The poloxamers of the present invention are capable of thickening the aqueous solutions and giving rise to reversible thermogels possessing rheological properties that vary according to their concentration and molecular weight A large number of poloxamers (whose molecular weight varies widely according to the values of a and b) can be used for the purposes of the present invention. Among them, the five poloxamers (characterised by the codes 124, 188, 237, 338, 407, respectively) included in the US Pharmacopeia USP NF XVII, in the chapter headed 'Poloxamer', whose contents are incorporated herein in their entirety, have proven to be preferable. Among these, the poloxamers are preferably selected from the group consisting of Poloxamer 188 (Lutrol® F 68, BASF SE, Ludwigstiafen, DE), CAS 9003-11-6; Poloxamer 407 (Litre® F 127, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, DE), CAS 900-11-6; or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of Poloxamer 188 and Poloxamer 407 Is used.

In the context of the present invention, the at least one poloxamer or mixture of poloxamers is present in a total amount comprised from 1 % to 35% by weight, out of 100 g of composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention,

the Poloxamer 188 is present in an amount comprised from 1% to 5% by weight out of 100 g of composition; preferably, comprised from 1% to 3% by weight, out of 100 g of composition; more preferably, comprised from 1% to 2% by weight out of 100 g of composition; even more preferably, of 1% by weight out of 100 g of composition; and

the Poloxamer 407 is present in an amount comprised from 15% to 30% by weight out of 100 g of composition; preferably, comprised from 18% to 25% by weight out of 100 g of composition; more preferably, comprised from 20% to 23% by weight out of 100 g of composition; even more preferably, of 21% by weight, out of 100 g of composition.

In the context of the present invention, the water is preferably purified water and is present in an amount such as to reach a balance at 100% by weight of the composition.

The composition of the present invention further comprises known additJves/excipients/adjuvants commonly used in the pharmaceutical formulation technique; in particular, said additives/exdpients/adjuvants are selected from among those partjculariy advantageous for the formation and the stabilisation of the reversible thermogel of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said additives/exdpients/adjuvants are selected from the group consisting of acid salts, such as sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate; and glycols, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

In a particulariy preferred embodiment said additives/exdpients/adjuvants consist of potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and propylene glycol, in a total amount comprised from 1 to 5% by weight, out of 100 g of composition.

The pharmaceutical composition for topical use in the form of a reversible thermogel of the present invention can be prepared by adopting well-known apparatus and processing conditions commonly used in the industry for the preparation of a reversible thermogel.

Essentially, the various ingredients making up the desired composition, added in succession or p remixed, undergo cold mixing using a suitable mixer provided with a refrigeration temperature control and adjustment means and a stirring means. The mixing temperature is set on values below room temperature, preferably between 3° and 8°C, and the mixture of components is kept under cold stirring for an amount of time sufficient to obtain a completely homogeneous mixture which, in an amount of time that will vary depending on the type of poloxamers used, will transform, still cold, into a completely liquid solution. The product thus obtained is then packaged in suitable containers, e.g. sealed tubes, and subsequently, on reaching room temperature, will transform into a gel, in particular at the moment when it is applied on the skin.

In one embodiment (FR1), the present invention relates to a composition in the form of a gel for topical use comprising:

- an effective amount of an active substance selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of:

(i) at least one microorganism selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of: live lactic bacteria, live bifidobacteria, biologically active bacteria or active bacterial components, cellular extracts or components, bacterial enzymes, tyndallized bacteria, lysed bacteria, sonicated bacteria and peptidoglycans; and/or

(ii) at least one compound selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a flavonoid such as rutin, rutoxlles, arbutin, oxerutin, diosmin, hesperidin and troxerutin, chemotherapeutic agents, arctigenin, arctin, berberine, berbamine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, as such or in the form of plant extracts containing said compounds, on their own or in combination with one or more chemotherapeutic agents or anti-tumour drugs; and/or

(ill) melatonin and/or the natural and/or synthetic derivatives thereof; and

- a vehicle or carrier comprising water, a thickening viscous matrix comprising or, alternatively, consisting of at least one poloxamer or a mixture of poloxamers and, optionally, additives and/or excipients and/or adjuvants selected from among those capable of promoting the formation and stabilisation of the gel, selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of acid salts, sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, glycols, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol;

said composition being for use as a medicament

In a preferred embodiment (FR2), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to FR1, wherein said poloxamer is selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of Poloxamer 124 with an average molecular weight of 2090-2360, Poloxamer 188 (Lutrol F66) CAS No. 9003-11-6 with an average molecular weight of 7680-9510, Poloxamer 237 with an average molecular weight of 6840-8830, Poloxamer 338 with an average molecular weight of 12700-17400, Poloxamer 407 (Lutrol F127 Prill) CAS No. 900-11-6, with an average molecular weight of 984014600, or mixtures thereof; preferably said Poloxamer 188 is present in an amount comprised from 0.1% to 10% by weight, out of 100g of composition, preferably In an amount comprised from 0.5% to 5% by weight, for example from 1% to 3% by weight; and/or preferably said Poloxamer 407 is present In an amount comprised from 1% to 40% by weight, out of 100g of composition, preferably in an amount comprised from 5% to 30% by weight, for example from 10% to 20% by weight

In a preferred embodiment (FR3), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to FR1, wherein: - said composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of an effective amount of an active substance selected from at least one microorganism (i) and, wherein:

- said composition is for topical transdermal use in the preventive and/or curative treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases associated with/deriving from alterations of the immune system selected from, the group comprising allergies, atopy, allergic rhinitis, food hypersensitivity, dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, asthma and immunodeficiencies.

In a preferred embodiment (FR4), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to one of FR1-FR3, wherein said at least one microorganism is selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of the microorganisms in Table 1; preferably said at least one microorganism is selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of the strains: Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775, deposited on 23.07.2009; Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604, deposited on 20.072004; Lactobacillus pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, deposited on 14.11.2008; Streptococcus thermophilus (FP4) DSM 18616, deposited on 13.09.2006; Lactobacillus case/ ssp. rhamnosus (LR04) DSM 16605, deposited on 20.07.2004; and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA02) DSM 21717, deposited on 06.08.2008; even more preferably the strain is Lactobacillus salh/arius (LS01) DSM 22775, and/or Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604, and/or L pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980.

In a preferred embodiment (FR5), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to

FR4, wherein said microorganisms are present at a concentration comprised from 1x10 ⁶ CFU/g to

1x10 ¹² CFU/g of composition, preferably from 1x10 ⁷ CFU/g to 1x10 ¹¹ CFU/g of composition, even more preferably from 1x10 ⁸ CFU/g to 1x10 ¹⁰ CFU/g of composition, for example 1x10 ⁹ CFU/g of composition, and wherein:

- said microorganisms are present in said composition in an amount by weight comprised from 0.1% to 5%, preferably in an amount by weight comprised from 0.5% to 3%, even more preferably in an amount by weight comprised from 1% to 2%, relative to the total weight of composition.

In a preferred embodiment (FR6), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to FR.1 or the FR2, wherein:

- said composition comprises or, alternatively, consists of an effective amount of an active substance selected from:

(ii) at least one compound selected from the group comprising or, alternatively, consisting of a flavonoid such as rutin, rutoxides, arbutin, oxerutin, diosmin, hesperidin and troxerutin, chemotherapeutJc agents, arctigenin, arctin, berberine, berbamine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, as such or in the form of plant extracts containing said compounds, on their own or in combination with one or more cnemotherapeutic agents or anti-tumour drugs; and/or

(ill) melatonin and/or the natural and/or synthetic derivatives thereof; said active substance being present in said composition in an amount by weight comprised from 0.1% to 10% by weight, preferably in an amount comprised from 0.5% to 5% by weight, even more preferably from 1 % to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment (FR7), the present invention relates to the composition for use according to one of FR1- FR6, for use:

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to the pathological malfunctioning of physiological functions connected with arcadian rhythms;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an abnormal or excessively high or excessively low blood pressure;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an excess of free radicals and oxidative stress;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to an imbalance of the immune system;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to inflammatory states;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to acquired immunodeficiency;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to viral infections and bacterial infections;

- in a treatment as a support or adjuvant to chemotherapy;

- in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapeutic agents;

- in the treatment of sleep disorders in order to favour, in the treated, subjects, the quality of sleep and regularity of sleep, with particular reference to REM sleep;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases of the eyes, of the retina, of the iris, of the optic nerve, retinal detachment and macular degeneration;

- in the treatment of vision disorders, in particular in maculopathy of the retina, via external applications in the vicinity of the eye and the temple;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to autism and Down's syndrome, in particular in children and adolescents, by favouring balance and control also of states of anxiety;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to Parkinson's disease or neurological dysfunctions, by improving sleep and tremors;

- In the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to pulmonary cystic fibrosis in children, by performing an anti-inflammatory activity;

• in the treatment of prostate tumours, by preventing the propagation thereof;

• in the treatment of tumours, as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour adjuvant;

- in the treatment of pathologies, disorders or diseases due to heart attack, myocardial infarction, cardiopathies, cardiac or coronary failure or myocardial insufficiency.

In a preferred embodiment (FR8), the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition in accordance with any one of FR1 - FR7, said process comprising the following steps: - mixing in water, under continuous stirring, the various components, added in succession one alter the other or separately premixed and added together, using a mixer provided with a temperature control and adjustment means and a stirring means, wherein the temperature is set at values lower than room temperature, comprised from 2°C to 16°C, preferably from 4°C to 10°C, for example from 6°C to 8°C, for a time comprised from 1 minute to 15 minutes so as to obtain a homogeneous mixture;

- maintaining said homogeneous mixture, preferably under continuous stirring, at a temperature comprised from 2°C to 10°C, preferably at a temperature comprised from 4°C to 8°C, for example from 5°C to 7°C, for a time comprised from 1 minute to 60 minutes, preferably from 5 minutes to 40 minutes, even more preferably from 10 minutes to 20 minutes, so as to obtain said composition in a liquid state;

- packaging said composition in sealed containers.

Solely by way of example, which does not limit the various possibilities of production, an example of preparation of a reversible thermogel/composition of the present invention is described here below. Example 1 - Preparation of a lot of a composition (in the form of a reversible thermogel) of the present invention

Mixture (1) consisting of only Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775, or only Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) OSM 16604, or only L perttosus (LPS01) DSM 21980.

Mixture (2) consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775, Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604 and L pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, in a ratio by weight of 1:1:1.

Mixture (3) consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775 and Bifidobacterium breve (BR03) DSM 16604 in a ratio by weight of 1:1.

Mixture (4) consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius (LS01) DSM 22775 and L pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, in a ratio by weight of 1:1.

Mixture (5) consisting of Bifidobacterium breve (BROS) DSM 16604 and L pentosus (LPS01) DSM 21980, in a ratio by weight of 1 :1.

The cold purified water (at 5°C) is weighed into a glass container (for example a beaker) with magnetic stirring, a thermometer, and an external ice bath and the potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are added under stirring. The mixture is maintained under stirring at 5°C until complete dissolution of the salts. Then the following are added, again under stirring: the two poloxamers (crystalline), In succession or in a mixture, the methionine (in powder, or in the form of micro-/nanoparticles) and the propylene glycol and cold stirring is continued for at least 15 minutes until a homogeneous appearance Is obtained. The container is then placed in a refrigerator at 5°C for at least 24 h, until obtaining complete dissolution of the ingredients.

After this, the resulting product (liquid) is packaged in 18-20 g tubes and sealed pending use/experimentation. On reaching room temperature and in contact with the skin the product transforms completely into a gel, which is rapidly absorbed following cutaneous and/or transmucosal administration. The pH of the liquid thermogel is 7.40. The gelling temperature Is 21°-22°C.

The composition in the form of a thermogel of the present invention, topically administered, in particular on wrists and/or forearms, has shown an excellent cutaneous permeability, triggering a fast onset of the pharmacological action. Furthermore, thanks to the fact of going directly into circulation without passing through the gastrointestinal tract (no metabolism by the liver), it has also shown high blood levels of the active ingredient, for example, melatonin, for a prolonged period of time (slow release). This fact has made it possible to apply low dosages of the drug, thus obtaining the desired advantageous results (modest dosage/high, long-lasting activity) compared to the traditional forms of administration thereof. For example, a study was conducted on 10 healthy volunteers with different formulations of melatonin , observing the accumulation of melatonin in the saliva over time (it is well known that melatonin spreads passively into saliva via the bloodstream, and its concentration therein represents 24%-33% of Its plasma levels, that is to say, the amount of free melatonin not bound to globulins).

The following treatments were administered to the volunteers, randomly divided into 3 groups:

1. treatment with a formulation of melatonin in a reversible thermogel in accordance with the present invention (dosage 1 mg/g, single dose)

2. treatment with a formulation of melatonin in a reversible thermogel in accordance with the present invention (dosage 2 mg/g, single dose)

3. treatment with a formulation of melatonin in cream (dosage 1 mg/g, single dose)

4. treatment with melatonin in tablets (dosage 1 mg/tabtet).

A saliva sample was taken at time 0 (basal) and at subsequent times (up to 7 h) after administration, using a CorSsol-Salivette® device (SARSTEDT S.r.l., Verona, IT); the melatonin levels in the saliva were determined by LC-MS (liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (ABSciex QTrap 3200) and substantially following the method of Khan et al.2013.

The study showed that the formulations of melatonin in a reversible thermogel in accordance with the present invention possess an exceflent thermal permeability, a fast onset of the pharmacological action and a lasting duration thereof compared to the other formulations tested. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention also showed to act effectively on all of the patients treated, whereas the commonly used formulations, such as, for example, oral ones, do not act on all individuals.

Furthermore, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention have also shown to possess good stability over time.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are particularly recommended both for transdermal administration and transmucosal administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention have shown to be advantageously active , or in any case very promising in the treatment of a number of disorders/diseases due to dysfunctions of physiological functions connected with circadian rhythms such as, for example, the sleep-wake balance; in the regulation of blood pressure; in eliminating of free radicals; in interacting with the immune system, for example, in the treatment of inflammatory states, in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiencies and in the treatment of viral and bacterial infectious diseases and cancer.

Furthermore, the compositions of the present invention have shown to be useful: in the treatment of sleep disorders in all the treated subjects, by favouring the quality of sleep, in particular of REM sleep; in the treatment of the autism and Down syndrome, particularly in children, by favouring their balance; in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, by improving sleep and tremors; in the treatment of the vision disorders, for example in maculopathy of the retina, via external applications in the vicinity of the eye; in the treatment of the pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis in children, where they provide an anti-inflammatory action; in the treatment of prostate cancer, where they are capable of preventing the propagation thereof; in the treatment of the tumours, as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour adjuvants.

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Materials and Methods

Experimental protocol

The experiment was conducted on a group of 6 volunteers, all female and aged between 29 and 41 years (mean age 34.5 years).

(Each volunteer tested 5 formulations of melatonin (gel 0.1%, gel 0.2%, gel 1%, cream, Circadin 2mg), with a wash-out period of one week after each application.

The saliva samples were taken according to the following experimental scheme:

h 10.00 Basal

h 10.30 30'

h 11.00 1h

h 13.00 3h

h 16.00 6h

The saliva was collected with Salivette (Sarstedt), following the instructions attached thereto (mouth rinsing before each sampling, chewing on the swab for 1 minute). The saliva was extracted from the swab by 2 min centrifugation at 4000 rpm, then divided into 300 μΙ alquots and frozen at -20°C until the time of analysis.

Data analysis

The melatonin assays were performed with the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique, using the Melatonin (direct) Saliva kit (SLV-4779 - DRG Instruments, Germany). The analytical sensitivity and inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation are the following: 0.3 pg/ml, 7.6 - 13.0 % and 6.1 - 10.8 %.

The kit In question is certified for in-vitro diagnostic use.