OLIGOSACCHARIDE ALDONIC ACIDS AND THEIR TOPICAL USE

Title:

OLIGOSACCHARIDE ALDONIC ACIDS AND THEIR TOPICAL USE

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO/2001/001932

Kind Code:

A2

Abstract:

Compositions comprising oligosaccharide aldonic acids are useful for general care, as well as for treatment and prevention, of various cosmetic conditions and dermatological disorders, including those associated with intrinsic and/or extrinsic aging, as well as with changes or damage caused by extrinsic factors; general care, as well as treatment and prevention of diseases and conditions, of the oral, and vaginal mucosa; for general oral care, as well as treatment and prevention of oral and gum diseases; and for wound healing of the skin. Compositions comprising oligosaccharide aldonic acids may further comprise a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or other topical agent to enhance or create synergetic effects.

Inventors:

YU RUEY J (US)
VAN SCOTT EUGENE J (US)

Application Number:

PCT/US2000/016301

Publication Date:

January 11, 2001

Filing Date:

June 28, 2000

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

YU RUEY J (US)
SCOTT EUGENE J VAN (US)

International Classes:

A61K8/06; A61K8/00; A61K8/02; A61K8/36; A61K8/365; A61K8/49; A61K8/60; A61K8/73; A61K31/191; A61K31/365; A61K31/573; A61K31/7028; A61K31/7032; A61K45/00; A61K47/02; A61K47/16; A61P1/02; A61P15/02; A61P17/00; A61P17/02; A61P17/04; A61P17/06; A61P17/10; A61P17/12; A61P17/14; A61P17/16; A61P29/00; A61P39/00; A61P39/06; A61P43/00; A61Q3/00; A61Q5/00; A61Q5/02; A61Q11/00; A61Q19/00; A61Q19/02; A61Q19/08; A61Q19/10; A61Q5/12; (IPC1-7): A61K7/00

Domestic Patent References:

WO1996040047A1

1996-12-19

Foreign References:

US4666712A	1987-05-19
US5877212A	1999-03-02
EP0508324A2	1992-10-14
US5714163A	1998-02-03
US5554597A	1996-09-10
US5478829A	1995-12-26
US5290766A	1994-03-01
GB1316971A	1973-05-16
GB1337408A	1973-11-14

Other References:

PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 03, 31 March 1997 (1997-03-31) & JP 08 291192 A (NIPPON SHOKUHIN KAKO CO LTD), 5 November 1996 (1996-11-05)

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

Sandercock, Colin G. (LLP 815 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Suite 200 Washington, DC, US)

Download PDF:

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Claims:

We claim:

1.

A composition comprising (A) an acceptable vehicle or base and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oligosaccharaide aldonic acids and related compounds, and isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, and straight or branched chain, or cyclic forms thereof, wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid has the formula: Rl (CHOR2) (CH,o COOR3 wherein, R, and R3 are independently H or an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms; m is 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 or 11; n is 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and any carbohydrate having 1 to 9 monomers, wherein at least one R2 is a carbohydrate; H attached to carbon atom is optionally substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, NH2, NHCOCH3, SH, or an alkyl, alkoxyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R,, R2, OR2 or H optionally carry or are optionally substituted with CHO, COOH, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or a lower alkoxyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and H of the OH group is optionally substituted by an acyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms, and wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid is not lactobionic acid.

2.	The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

3.	The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

4.	The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

5.

The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

6.

The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

7.

The composition of claim 6, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, salt, ester, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

8.

The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

9.

The composition of claim 1, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

10.

A method for treating or preventing cosmetic conditions or dermatological disorders, comprising topically applying a composition comprising (A) a topically acceptable vehicle or base and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oligosaccharaide aldonic acids and related compounds, and isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, and straight or branched chain, or cyclic forms thereof, wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid has the formula: R, (CHOR2) (CH2) n COOR3 wherein, R, and R3 are independently H or an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms; m is 7,8,9,10 or 11; n is 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and any carbohydrate having 1 to 9 monomers, wherein at least one R2 is a carbohydrate; H attached to carbon atom is optionally substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, NH2, NHCOCH3, SH, or an alkyl, alkoxyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R"R2, OR2 or H optionally carry or are optionally substituted with CHO, COOH, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or a lower alkoxyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and H of the OH group is optionally substituted by an acyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms, and wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid is not lactobionic acid.

11.	The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

12.	The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

13.	The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

14.

The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at leastone member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

15.

The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

16.

The method of claim 15, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

17.

The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

18.

The method of claim 10, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

19.

The method of claim 10, wherein said cosmetic conditions or dermatological disorders are selected from the group consisting of disturbed keratinization, defective syntheses of dermal components, and changes associated with aging of skin, nail and hair; and those indications which include dryness or loose of skin, nail and hair; xerosis; ichthyosis ; palmar and plantar hyperkeratoses; uneven and rough surface of skin, nail and hair; dandruff; Darier's disease; lichen simplex chronicus; keratoses; acne; pseudofolliculitis barbae; eczema; psoriasis; itchy scalp and skin; pruritus; warts; herpes; age spots; lentigines; melasmas; blemished skin; hyperkeratoses; hyperpigmented skin; abnormal or diminished syntheses of collagen, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and elastin as well as diminished levels of such components in the dermis; stretch marks; skin lines; fine lines; wrinkles; thinning of skin, nail plate and hair; skin thickening due to elastosis of photoaging, loss or reduction of skin, nail and hair resiliency, elasticity and recoilability; lack of skin, nail and hair lubricants and luster; dull and olderlooking skin, nail and hair; and fragility and splitting of nail and hair.

20.	The composition of claim 1, further comprising a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent.

21.	The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial. salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

22.	The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

23.	The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt,, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

24.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

25.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

26.

The composition of claim 25, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

27.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

28.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

29.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent is selected from the group consisting of agents that improve or eradicate age spots, keratoses and wrinkles; local analgesics and anesthetics; antiacne agents; antibacterials; antiyeast agents; antifungal agents; antiviral agents; antidandruff agents; antidermatitis agents; antihistamine agents; antipruritic agents; antiemetics; antimotion sickness agents; antiinflammatory agents; antihyperkeratolytic agents; antiperspirants; antipsoriatic agents; antiseborrheic agents; hair conditioners and hair treatment agents; antiaging and antiwrinkle agents; sunblock and sunscreen agents; skin lightening agents; depigmenting agents; vitamins; corticosteroids; tanning agents; hormones; retinoids; topical cardiovascular agents; hydroxyacids, ketoacids and related compounds; phenyl alpha acyloxyalkanoic acids and derivatives thereof; and Nacetylaldosamines, N acetylamino acids and related Nacetyl compounds.

30.

The composition of claim 20, wherein said cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent is selected from the group consisting of aclovate, acyclovir, acetylsalicylic acid, adapalene, albuterol, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum chlorohydroxide, amantadine, aminacrine, aminobenzoic acid (PABA), aminocaproic acid, aminosalicylic acid, amitriptyline, anthralin, ascorbic acid, ascoryl palimate, atropine, azelaic acid, bacitracin, bemegride, beclomethasone dipropionate, benzophenone, benzoyl peroxide, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, brompheniramine, bupivacaine, butoconazole, calcipotriene, camphor, capsaicin, carbamide peroxide, chitosan, chlorhexidine, chloroxylenol, chlorpheniramine, ciclopirox, clemastine, clindamycin, clioquinol, clobetasol propionate, clotrimazole, coal tar, cromolyn, crotamiton, cycloserine, dehydroepiandrosterone, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, doxypin, doxylamine, dyclonine, econazole, erythromycin, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, 5fluorouracil, griseofulvin, guaifenesin, haloprogin, hexylresorcinol, homosalate, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone 21acetate, hydrocortisone 17valerate, hydrocortisone 17butyrate, hydrogen peroxide, hydroquinone, hydroquinone monoether, hydroxyzine, ibuprofen, ichthammol, imiquimod, indomethacin, ketoconazole, ketoprofen, kojic acid, lidocaine, meclizine, meclocycline, menthol, mepivacaine, methyl nicotinate, methyl salicylate, metronidazole, miconazole, minocycline, minoxidil, monobenzone, mupirocin, naftifine, naproxen, neomycin, nystatin, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, oxiconazole, oxymetazoline, padimate O, permethrin, pheniramine, phenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, piperonyl butoxide, podophyllin, podofilox, povidone iodine, pramoxine, prilocaine, procaine, promethazine propionate, propranolol, pseudoephedrine, pyrethrin, pyrilamine, resorcinol, retinal, 13cis retinoic acid, retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, salicylamide, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, shale tar, sulconazole, sulfur, sulfadiazine, tazarotene, terbinafine, terconazole,tetracaine, tetracycline, tetrahydrozoline, thymol, tioconazole, tolnaftate, triamcinolone diacetate, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone hexacetonide, triclosan, triprolidine, undecylenic acid, urea, vitamin E acetate, wood tar, zinc pyrithione, glycolic acid, lactic acid, methyllactic acid, 4hydroxy mandelic acid, mandelic acid, gluconolactone, Nacetylglucosamine, Nacetyl proline, phenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid and diphenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid.

31.	The method of claim 10, wherein said composition further comprises a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent.

32.	The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

33.	; The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

34.	The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

35.

The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

36.

The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

37.

The method of claim 36, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

38.

The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

39.

The method of claim 31, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

40.

The method of claim 31, wherein said cosmetic conditions or dermatological disorders are selected from the group consisting of disturbed keratinization, defective syntheses of dermal components, and changes associated with aging of skin, nail and hair; and those indications which include dryness or loose of skin, nail and hair; xerosis; ichthyosis; palmar and plantar hyperkeratoses; uneven and rough surface of skin, nail and hair; dandruff; Darier's disease; lichen simplex chronicus; keratoses; acne; pseudofolliculitis barbae; eczema; psoriasis; itchy scalp and skin; pruritus; warts; herpes; age spots; lentigines; melasmas; blemished skin; hyperkeratoses; hyperpigmented skin; abnormal or diminished syntheses of collagen, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and elastin as well as diminished levels of such components in the dermis; stretch marks; skin lines; fine lines; wrinkles; thinning of skin, nail plate and hair; skin thickening due to elastosis of photoaging, loss or reduction of skin, nail and hair resiliency, elasticity and recoilability; lack of skin, nail and hair lubricants and luster; dull and olderlooking skin, nail and hair; and fragility and splitting of nail and hair.

41.

The method of claim 31, wherein said cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent is selected from the group consisting of agents that that improve or eradicate age spots, keratoses and wrinkles; local analgesics and anesthetics; antiacne agents; antibacterials; antiyeast agents; antifungal agents; antiviral agents; antidandruff agents; antidermatitis agents; antihistamine agents; antipruritic agents; antiemetics; antimotion sickness agents; antiinflammatory agents; antihyperkeratolytic agents; antiperspirants; antipsoriatic agents; antiseborrheic agents; hair conditioners and hair treatment agents; antiaging and antiwrinkle agents; sunblock and sunscreen agents; skin lightening agents; depigmenting agents; vitamins; corticosteroids; tanning agents; hormones; retinoids; topical cardiovascular agents; hydroxyacids, ketoacids and related compounds; phenyl alpha acyloxyalkanoic acids and derivatives thereof; and Nacetylaldosamines, N acetylamino acids and related Nacetyl compounds.

42.

The method of claim 31, wherein said cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent is selected from the group consisting of aclovate, acyclovir, acetylsalicylic acid, adapalene, albuterol, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum chlorohydroxide, amantadine, aminacrine, aminobenzoic acid (PABA), aminocaproic acid, aminosalicylic acid, amitriptyline, anthralin, ascorbic acid, ascoryl palimate, atropine, azelaic acid, bacitracin, bemegride, beclomethasone dipropionate, benzophenone, benzoyl peroxide, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, brompheniramine, bupivacaine, butoconazole, calcipotriene, camphor, capsaicin, carbamide peroxide, chitosan, chlorhexidine, chloroxylenol, chlorpheniramine, ciclopirox, clemastine, clindamycin, clioquinol, clobetasol propionate, clotrimazole, coal tar, cromolyn, crotamiton, cycloserine, dehydroepiandrosterone, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, doxypin, doxylamine, dyclonine, econazole, erythromycin, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, 5fluorouracil, griseofulvin, guaifenesin, haloprogin, hexylresorcinol, homosalate, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone 21acetate, hydrocortisone 17valerate, hydrocortisone 17butyrate, hydrogen peroxide, hydroquinone, hydroquinone monoether, hydroxyzine, ibuprofen, ichthammol, imiquimod, indomethacin, ketoconazole, ketoprofen, kojic acid, lidocaine, meclizine, meclocycline, menthol, mepivacaine, methyl nicotinate, methyl salicylate, metronidazole, miconazole, minocycline, minoxidil, monobenzone, mupirocin, naftifine, naproxen, neomycin, nystatin, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, oxiconazole, oxymetazoline, padimate O, permethrin, pheniramine, phenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, piperonyl butoxide, podophyllin, podofilox, povidone iodine, pramoxine, prilocaine, procaine, promethazine propionate, propranolol, pseudoephedrine, pyrethrin, pyrilamine, resorcinol, retinal, 13cis retinoic acid, retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, salicylamide, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, shale tar, sulconazole, sulfur, sulfadiazine, tazarotene, terbinafine, terconazole, tetracaine, tetracycline, tetrahydrozoline, thymol, tioconazole, tolnaftate, triamcinolone diacetate, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone hexacetonide, triclosan, triprolidine, undecylenic acid, urea, vitamin E acetate, wood tar, zinc pyrithione, glycolic acid, lactic acid, methyllactic acid, 4hydroxy mandelic acid, mandelic acid, gluconolactone, Nacetylglucosamine, Nacetyl proline, phenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid and diphenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid.

43.	The composition of claim 1, further comprising an inorganic or organic alkali, or amphoteric.

44.	The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

45.	The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

46.	The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

47.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

48.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

49.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

50.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

51.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

52.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said inorganic alkali is selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium phosphate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, and alkalis formed from potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, aluminum, zinc, and lithium.

53.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of amines, hydroxylamines, imines, guanidines, amine oxides, alkanolamines, alkoxylated amines, alkylamido alkylamines, organic amines, polyamines, hydroxylamines, amino acid esters, amino acid amides, aminosaccharides, aminoalditols, aminocyclitols, fattyamines, and imidazolines.

54.

The composition of claim 43, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, aminobutanol, aminoethyl propanediol, aminomethyl propanol, aminomethyl propanediol, isopropylamine, methylethanolamine, diisopropylamine, dipropylenetriamine, glucamine, N methylglucamine, morpholine, tromethamine, cocamines, soyamines, oleamines, stearamines, quaterniums, creatinine, glycine ethyl ester, arginine ethyl ester, lysine methyl ester, proline ethyl ester, citrulline benzyl ester, glycinamide, argininamide, prolinamide, lysinamide, glucamine, methylglucamine, glucosamines and glucosylamines, other glycosamines and glycosylamines, aminoinositols, chitosan, stearamidoethyl diethylamine, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidoethyl diethanolamine, and quaternary ammonium hydroxide.

55.	The composition of claim 43, wherein said amphoteric is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, proteins and related compounds.

56.	The composition of claim 43, wherein said amphoteric is selected from the group consisting of glycine, arginine, lysine, cysteine, proline, glutamine, histidine, asparagine, tyrosine, ornithine, citrulline, creatine, creatinine, and tryptophan.

57.	The method of claim 10, wherein said composition further comprises an inorganic or organic alkali, or amphoteric substance.

58.	The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

59.	The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

60.	The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

61.

The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

62.

The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

63.

The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

64.

The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

65.

The method of claim 57, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

66.

The method of claim 57, wherein said inorganic alkali is selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium phosphate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, and alkalis formed from potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, aluminum, zinc, and lithium.

67.

The method of claim 57, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of amines, hydroxylamines, imines, guanidines, amine oxides, alkanolamines, alkoxylated amines, alkylamido alkylamines, polyamines, hydroxylamines, amino acid esters, amino acid amides, aminosaccharides, aminoalditols, aminocyclitols, fattyamines, and imidazolines.

68.

The method of claim 57, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, aminobutanol, aminoethyl propanediol, aminomethyl propanol, aminomethyl propanediol, isopropylamine, methylethanolamine, diisopropylamine, dipropylenetriamine, glucamine, N methylglucamine, morpholine, tromethamine, cocamines, soyamines, oleamines, stearamines, quaterniums, creatinine, glycine ethyl ester, arginine ethyl ester, lysine methyl ester, proline ethyl ester, citrulline benzyl ester, glycinamide, argininamide, prolinamide, lysinamide, glucosamines and glucosylamines, other glycosamines and glycosylamines, aminoinositols, chitosan, stearamidoethyl diethylamine, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidoethyl diethanolamine, and quaternary ammonium hydroxide.

69.	The method of claim 57, wherein said amphoteric substance is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, proteins and related compounds.

70.	The method of claim 57, wherein said amphoteric substance is selected from the group consisting of glycine, arginine, lysine, cysteine, proline, glutamine, asparagine, tyrosine, ornithine, citrulline, creatine, histidine, creatinine, canavanine, and tryptophan.

71.

A method for general care or treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions of the oral or vaginal mucosa or for treating skin wounds, comprising topically applying a composition comprising (A) a topically acceptable vehicle or base and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oligosaccharaide aldonic acids and related compounds, and isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, and straight or branched chain, or cyclic forms thereof, wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid has the formula: R, (CHOR2) m (CH2) n COOR3 wherein, R, and R3 are independently H or an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms; mis2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 or 11; n is 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and any carbohydrate having 1 to 9 monomers, wherein at least one R2 is a carbohydrate; H attached to carbon atom is optionally substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, NH2, NHCOCH3, SH, or an alkyl, alkoxyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; R,, R2, OR2 or H optionally carry or are optionally substituted with CHO, COOH, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or a lower alkoxyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and H of the OH group is optionally substituted by an acyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms.

72.	The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

73.	The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

74.	The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

75.

The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

76.

The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

77.

The method of claim 76, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionic acid, isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

78.

The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

79.

The method of claim 71, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

80.	The method of claim 71, wherein said skin wounds are selected from the group consisting of skin cuts, tears, lacerations, burns, and punctures.

81.	The method of claim 71, wherein said composition further comprises a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent.

82.	The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

83.	The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

84.	The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

85.

The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

86.

The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

87.

The method of claim 86, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionic acid, isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

88.

The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

89.

The method of claim 81, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

90.	The method of claim 81, wherein said skin wounds are selected from the group consisting of skin cuts, tears, lacerations, burns, and punctures.

91.	The method of claim 71, wherein said composition further comprises an inorganic or organic alkali, or amphoteric.

92.	The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 6 carbohydrate monomers.

93.	The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains from 2 to 3 carbohydrate monomers.

94.	The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof contains 2 carbohydrate monomers.

95.

The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionolactone, maltobionolactone, isomaltobionolactone, cellobionolactone, chitobionolactone, gentiobionolactone, glucobionolactone, galactobionolactone, mannobionolactone, ribobionolactone, kojibionolactone, xylobionolactone, arabinobionolactone, nigerobionolactone, laminarabinobionolactone, maltotrionolactone, isomaltotrionolactone, chitotrionolactone, cellotrionolactone, gentiotrionolactone, maltotetraonolactone, cellotetraonolactone, and chitotetraonolactone.

96.

The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerbionic acids, erythrobionic acids, threobionic acids, ribobionic acids, arabinobionic acids, xylobionic acids, lyxobionic acids, allobionic acids, altrobionic acids, glucobionic acids, mannobionic acids, gulobionic acids, idobionic acids, galactobionic acids, talobionic acids, alloheptobionic acids, altroheptobionic acids, glucoheptobionic acids, mannoheptobionic acids, guloheptobionic acids, idoheptobionic acids, galactoheptobionic acids, taloheptobionic acids, chitobionic acids, hyalobiouronic acids, hyalourobionic acids, chondrosines, chondrosinbionic acids, cellobiouronic acids, and cellourobionic acids.

97.

The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactobionic acid, isolactobionic acid, maltobionic acid, isomaltobionic acid, cellobionic acid, gentiobionic acid, laminarabionic acid, melibionic acid, nigerobionic acid, rutinobionic acid, sophorobionic acid, and kojibionic acid.

98.

The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycertrionic acids, erythrotrionic acids, threotrionic acids, ribotrionic acids, arabinotrionic acids, xylotrionic acids, lyxotrionic acids, allotrionic acids, altrotrionic acids, glucotrionic acids, mannotrionic acids, gulotrionic acids, idotrionic acids, galactotrionic acids, talotrionic acids, alloheptotrionic acids, altroheptotrionic acids, glucoheptotrionic acids, mannoheptotrionic acids, guloheptotrionic acids, idoheptotrionic acids, galactoheptotrionic acids, taloheptotrionic acids, chitotrionic acids, hyalotriouronic acids, hyalourotrionic acids, chondrosintrionic acids, cellotriouronic acids and cellourotrionic acids.

99.

The method of claim 91, wherein said oligosaccharaide aldonic acid or related compound, or isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain, or cyclic form thereof is at least one member selected from the group consisting of aldotetraonic acids, aldopentaonic acids, aldohexaonic acids, aldoheptaonic acids, aldooctaonic acids, aldononaonic acids, and aldodecaonic acids.

100.

The method of claim 91, wherein said inorganic alkali is selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium phosphate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, and alkalis formed from potassium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, aluminum, zinc, and lithium.

101.

The method of claim 91, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of amines, hydroxylamines, imines, guanidines, amine oxides, alkanolamines, alkoxylated amines, alkylamido alkylamines, organic amines, polyamines, hydroxylamines, amino acid esters, amino acid amides, aminosaccharides, aminoalditols, aminocyclitols, fattyamines, and imidazolines.

102.

The method of claim 91, wherein said organic alkali is selected from the group consisting of diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, aminobutanol, aminoethyl propanediol, aminomethyl propanol, aminomethyl propanediol, isopropylamine, methylethanolamine, diisopropylamine, dipropylenetriamine, glucamine, N methylglucamine, morpholine, tromethamine, cocamines, soyamines, oleamines, stearamines, quaterniums, creatinine, glycine ethyl ester, arginine ethyl ester, lysine methyl ester, proline ethyl ester, citrulline benzyl ester, glycinamide, argininamide, prolinamide, lysinamide, glucamine, methylglucamine, glucosamines and glucosylamines, other glycosamines and glycosylamines, aminoinositols, chitosan, stearamidoethyl diethylamine, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidoethyl diethanolamine, and quaternary ammonium hydroxide.

103.	The method of claim 91, wherein said amphoteric is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, proteins and related compounds.

104.	The method of claim 91, wherein said amphoteric is selected from the group consisting of glycine, arginine, lysine, cysteine, proline, glutamine, asparagine, tyrosine, ornithine, citrulline, creatine, histidine, canavanine, and tryptophan.

105.

A method of using lactobionic acid for general treatment of skin and nail and topical treatment or prevention of cosmetic conditions or dermatological disorders selected from the indications consisting of dryness of skin, nail and hair; xerosis; ichthyosis; palmar and plantar hyperkeratoses; uneven and rough surface of skin, nail and hair; dandruff; Darier's disease; lichen simplex chronicus; keratoses; acne; pseudofolliculitis barbae; eczema; psoriasis; pruritus; warts; herpes; age spots; lentigines; melasmas; blemished skin; mottled skin; hyperkeratoses; hyperpigmented skin; stretch marks; thinning of nail plate and hair; fragility and splitting of nail and hair; woundhealing and treatment of skin wounds; general care as well as treatment and prevention of diseases and conditions of oral, gum and vaginal mucosa.

106.

The method of claim 105, further comprising a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent selected from the group consisting of local analgesics and anesthetics; antibacterials; antiyeast agents; antifungal agents; antiviral agents; antidandruff agents; antidermatitis agents; antihistamine agents; antipruritic agents; antiemetics; antimotion sickness agents; antiinflammatory agents; antihyperkeratolytic agents; antiperspirants; antipsoriatic agents; antiseborrheic agents; vitamins; corticosteroids; tanning agents; hormones; retinoids; wound healing agents; oral and vaginal care or treatment agents; gum disease treatment or care agents; hydroxyacids, ketoacids and related compounds; phenyl alpha acyloxyalkanoic acids and derivatives thereof; and Nacetyl aldosamines, Nacetylamino acids and related Nacetyl compounds.

107.

The method of claim 106, wherein said cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent is selected from the group consisting of aclovate, acyclovir, acetylsalicylic acid, adapalene, albuterol, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum chlorohydroxide, amantadine, aminacrine, aminobenzoic acid (PABA), aminocaproic acid, aminosalicylic acid, amitriptyline, anthralin, ascorbic acid, ascoryl palimate, atropine, azelaic acid, bacitracin, bemegride, beclomethasone dipropionate, benzophenone, benzoyl peroxide, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, brompheniramine, bupivacaine, butoconazole, calcipotriene, camphor, capsaicin, carbamide peroxide, chitosan, chlorhexidine, chloroxylenol, chlorpheniramine, ciclopirox, clemastine, clindamycin, clioquinol, clobetasol propionate, clotrimazole, coal tar, cromolyn, crotamiton, cycloserine, dehydroepiandrosterone, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, doxypin, doxylamine, dyclonine, econazole, erythromycin, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, 5fluorouracil, griseofulvin, guaifenesin, haloprogin, hexylresorcinol, homosalate, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone 21acetate, hydrocortisone 17valerate, hydrocortisone 17butyrate, hydrogen peroxide, hydroquinone, hydroquinone monoether, hydroxyzine, ibuprofen, ichthammol, imiquimod, indomethacin, ketoconazole, ketoprofen, kojic acid, lidocaine, meclizine, meclocycline, menthol, mepivacaine, methyl nicotinate, methyl salicylate, metronidazole, miconazole, minocycline, minoxidil, monobenzone, mupirocin, naftifine, naproxen, neomycin, nystatin, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, oxiconazole, oxymetazoline, padimate O, permethrin, pheniramine, phenol. phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, piperonyl butoxide, podophyllin, podofilox, povidone iodine, pramoxine, prilocaine, procaine, promethazine propionate, propranolol, pseudoephedrine, pyrethrin, pyrilamine, resorcinol, retinal, 13cis retinoic acid, retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, salicylamide, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, shale tar, sulconazole, sulfur, sulfadiazine, tazarotene, terbinafine, terconazole, tetracaine, tetracycline, tetrahydrozoline, thymol, tioconazole, tolnaftate, triamcinolone diacetate, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone hexacetonide, triclosan, triprolidine, undecylenic acid, urea, vitamin E acetate, wood tar, zinc pyrithione, glycolic acid, lactic acid, methyllactic acid, mandelic acid, 4hydroxymandelic acid, gluconolactone, Nacetylglucosamine, Nacetyl proline, phenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid and diphenyl 2acetoxyethanoic acid.

108.	The method claim 105, wherein said lactobionic acid is free acid, ester, salt, partial salt or lactone.

109.

A method of forming on the skin, hair, nail or mucosa a gel matrix comprising applying to the the skin, hair, nail or mucosa at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oligosaccharaide aldonic acids and related compounds, and isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, and straight or branched chain, or cyclic forms thereof, wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid has the formula: Rl (CHOR2) m (CH2) n COOR3 wherein, R, and R3 are independently H or an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms; m is 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 or 11; n is 0,1,2,3,4,5+6,7,8, or 9; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and any carbohydrate having 1 to 9 monomers, wherein at least one R2 is a carbohydrate; H attached to carbon atom is optionally substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, NH2, NHCOCH3, SH, or an alkyl, alkoxyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated, or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; RI, R2, OR2 or H optionally carry or are optionally substituted with CHO, COOH, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or a lower alkoxyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and H of the OH group is optionally substituted by an acyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms.

110.

An antioxidant comprising (A) an acceptable vehicle or base and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oligosaccharaide aldonic acids and related compounds, and isomeric or nonisomeric, free acid, ester, salt, partial salt, lactone, saturated or unsaturated, and straight or branched chain, or cyclic forms thereof, wherein said oligosaccharide aldonic acid has the formula: Rl (CHORJm (CH2) COOR3 wherein, R, and R3 are independently H or an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having from 1 to 25 carbon atoms; m is 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 or 11; n is 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and any carbohydrate having 1 to 9 monomers, wherein at least one R2 is a carbohydrate; H attached to carbon atom is optionally substituted by I, F, Cl, Br, NH2, NHCOCH3, SH, or an alkyl, alkoxyl, aralkyl or aryl group of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain or cyclic form, having 1 to 9 carbon atoms; Rl, R2, OR2 or H optionally carry or are optionally substituted with CHO, COOH, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, or a lower alkoxyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and H of the OH group is optionally substituted by an acyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms.

Description:

INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Int : : ional Application No PCT/US00/16301 C. (Continuation) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. X EP O 508 324 A (YU RUEY J; SCOTT EUGENE J 1-110 VAN (US)) 14 October 1992 (1992-10-14) claims9,19 X US 5 714 163 A (COX GERRY ET AL) 1-110 3 February 1998 (1998-02-03) column 4, line 63,64; examples 1-3,5,6; tables 1-3 A WO 96 40047 A (YU RUEY J ; SCOTT EUGENE J 1-110 VAN (US)) 19 December 1996 (1996-12-19) page 14, line 18,19 page 45, line 12; claim 18 page 56, line 3; claim 34 X US 5 554 597 A (YU RUEY J ET AL) 1-110 10 September 1996 (1996-09-10) column 7, line 57 column 18, line 15; claim 1 X US 5 478 829 A (CONRATH GUILLAUME) 1-110 26 December 1995 (1995-12-26) examples 7-9 X US 5 290 766 A (CHOONG YEE S) 1-110 1 March 1994 (1994-03-01) tables X GB 1 316 971 A (HAYASHIBARA CO) 1-110 16 May 1973 (1973-05-16) examples X GB 1 337 408 A (HAYASHIBARA CO) 1-110 14 November 1973 (1973-11-14) claims; examples 1 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCT/ISA/210 Continuation of Box 1. 2 The present application has no less than 110 claims. This presentation makes it difficult, if not impossible, to determine the matter for which protection is sought, to the extent that a complete search is not possible. The number of claims has to be reasonable in consideration of the nature of the invention claimed. Obviously no hard and fast definition can be accorded to the term reasonable, but this does not mean that the requirement is wholly devoid of meaning and legal effect. What is or what is not reasonable depends on the facts and circumstances of each particular case. In deciding the matter, regard has to be had to the interest of the relevant public, since patents should not be allowed to erect a legal maze or smoke screen in front of potential users of the inventions to which they lay claim. Patent claims, taken singly as well as in totality, must be clear and concise (Art. 6 and Rule 6.1 (a) PCT), in order to enable such potential users to ascertain, without undue burden, let alone recourse to litigation, whether their planned commercial use is likely to infringe the patent monopoly. Having to construe the 110 claims and to form a valid and commercially useful opinion on whether or not any one of them could prevent or hinder the commercial activities, must in the nature of things impose a severe and totally undue burden on the public. It follows that the present application as it stands falls foul of the clear provisions not only of Rule 6.1 (a) PCT but also of Article 6 PCT. The expression"oligosaccharide aldonic acids"in claim 1, and"inorganic or organic alkali, or amphoteric"in claim 43,57 are open-ended, and relate to a large number of possible compounds. Also the Markush formulae shown in claim 1 and 71,110 relate to a very elevated number of possible compounds. Moreover, support within the meaning of Article 6 PCT and/or disclosure within the meaning of Article 5 PCT is to be found only for a small proportion of the compounds, namely only for the compounds "maltobionic acid, cellobionic acid and lactobionic acid" (see examples at pages 33-45 of the application). Also the expressions"method for treating or preventing cosmetic conditions or dermatological disorder"in claim 10,"further comprising a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other topical agent"in claim 20 and 31, are obscure and renders it difficult, if not impossible, to determine the matter for which protection is sought. In the present case, the claims so lack support, and the application so lacks disclosure, that a meaningful search over the whole scope of the claims is impossible. Furthermore, the fact that a large part of the examples provided disclose compositions comprising lactobionic acid, which is actually disclaimed in the application (see claim 1 and following), augments the unclarity of the application, and makes even more difficult to ascertain the subject matter for which protection is sought. Consequently, the search has been carried out for those parts of the claims which appear to be supported and disclosed, namely those parts relating to the compounds"maltobionic acid, cellobionic acid and lactobionic acid"which are exemplified in Example 1 to 26, their use for the preparation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, alone or in FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCTASA/210 association with clotrimazole, hydrocortisone 17-valerate, salicylic acid, arginine, lysine, and in particular in relation to their topical use. The applicant's attention is drawn to the fact that claims, or parts of claims, relating to inventions in respect of which no international search report has been established need not be the subject of an international preliminary examination (Rule 66.1 (e) PCT). The applicant is advised that the EPO policy when acting as an International Preliminary Examining Authority is normally not to carry out a preliminary examination on matter which has not been searched. This is the case irrespective of whether or not the claims are amended following receipt of the search report or during any Chapter II procedure. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Int, tional Application No Intormation on patent tamiiy members PCT/US 00/16301 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member (s) date US 4666712 A 19-05-1987 DE 3239296 A 14-06-1984 AT 22654 T 15-10-1986 DE 3366659 D 13-11-1986 EP 0107159 A 02-05-1984 JP 59093017 A 29-05-1984 US 5877212 A 02-03-1999 AU 6893998 A 11-11-1998 EP 1009398 A 21-06-2000 WO 9846217 A 22-10-1998 JP 08291192 A 05-11-1996 NONE EP 0508324 A 14-10-1992 AT 177629 T 15-04-1999 AU 664987 B 14-12-1995 AU 1409492 A 15-10-1992 AU 1926592 A 17-11-1992 AU 2390599 A 17-06-1999 AU 701232 B 21-01-1999 AU 3319295 A 07-12-1995 BR 9205870 A 27-09-1994 CA 2065664 A 11-10-1992 DE 69228622 D 22-04-1999 DE 69228622 T 02-12-1999 DE 508324 T 08-07-1993 ES 2039336 T 01-10-1993 GR 93300044 T 21-06-1993 JP 5139947 A 08-06-1993 WO 9218116 A 29-10-1992 US 5547988 A 20-08-1996 US 5561158 A 01-10-1996 US 5554597 A 10-09-1996 US 5834510 A 10-11-1998 US 5942250 A 24-08-1999 US 5942250 A 24-08-1999 US 5714163 A 03-02-1998 AU 684209 B 04-12-1997 AU 2998495 A 19-01-1996 CA 2191077 A 04-01-1996 EP 0734252 A 02-10-1996 WO 9600057 A 04-01-1996 US 5888537 A 30-03-1999 WO 9640047 A 19-12-1996 US 5686489 A 11-11-1997 AU 701517 B 28-01-1999 AU 6035796 A 30-12-1996 CA 2223324 A 19-12-1996 EP 0831767 A 01-04-1998 US 5554597 A 10-09-1996 US 5547988 A 20-08-1996 US 5091171 A 25-02-1992 US 5561158 A 01-10-1996 US 5834510 A 10-11-1998 US 5942250 A 24-08-1999 AT 177629 T 15-04-1999 AU 664987 B 14-12-1995 AU 1409492 A 15-10-1992 AU 1926592 A 17-11-1992 AU 2390599 A 17-06-1999 AU 701232 B 21-01-1999 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Int ional Applicatlon No Information on patent family members PCT/US 00/16301 PCT/US 00/16301 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member (s) date US 5554597 A AU 3319295 A 07-12-1995 BR 9205870 A 27-09-1994 CA 2065664 A 11-10-1992 DE 69228622 D 22-04-1999 DE 69228622 T 02-12-1999 DE 508324 T 08-07-1993 EP 0508324 A 14-10-1992 ES 2039336 T 01-10-1993 GR 93300044 T 21-06-1993 JP 5139947 A 08-06-1993 WO 9218116 A 29-10-1992 US 5665776 A 09-09-1997 US 5389677 A 14-02-1995 US 5702688 A 30-12-1997 US 5422370 A 06-06-1995 US 5470880 A 28-11-1995 US 5561159 A 01-10-1996 US 5591774 A 07-01-1997 US 5550154 A 27-08-1996 US 5589505 A 31-12-1996 US 5561155 A 01-10-1996 US 5670541 A 23-09-1997 US 5668177 A 16-09-1997 US 5580902 A 03-12-1996 US 5612376 A 18-03-1997 US 5574067 A 12-11-1996 US 5556882 A 17-09-1996 US 5554651 A 10-09-1996 US 5583156 A 10-12-1996 US 5561156 A 01-10-1996 US 5571841 A 05-11-1996 US 5561153 A 01-10-1996 US 5578644 A 26-11-1996 US 5565487 A 15-10-1996 US 5599843 A 04-02-1997 US 5550158 A 27-08-1996 US 5621006 A 15-04-1997 US 5561157 A 01-10-1996 US 5478829 A 26-12-1995 FR 2681863 A 02-04-1993 AT 168008 T 15-07-1998 AU 671602 B 05-09-1996 AU 2772292 A 27-04-1993 CA 2119270 A 01-04-1993 CZ 9400694 A 13-07-1994 DE 69226192 D 13-08-1998 EP 0534860 A 31-03-1993 EP 0605646 A 13-07-1994 FI 941399 A 25-03-1994 WO 9305782 A 01-04-1993 HU 67672 A 28-04-1995 IL 103270 A 14-11-1996 JP 7503941 T 27-04-1995 MX 9205461 A 01-03-1993 NO 941036 A 22-03-1994 NZ 244479 A 27-04-1995 PL 170495 B 31-12-1996 PL 170357 B 31-12-1996 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Int. ional Application No ", tormation on patent tamily members PCT/US 00/16301 Patent document Publication Patent Publication cited in search report date member (s) date US 5478829 A SG 59982 A 22-02-1999 SK 34894 A 10-08-1994 ZA 9207330 A 21-04-1993 US 5290766 A 01-03-1994 NONE GB 1316971 A 16-05-1973 US 3862005 A 21-01-1975 GB 1337408 A 14-11-1973 DE 2059790 A 15-07-1971 FR 2072692 A 24-09-1971 IT 1050656 B 20-03-1981 US 3899604 A 12-08-1975

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