The present invention relates to the salts of a polyunsaturatcd fatty acid of the omega-3 series, i.e. 4 ,7 ,10,13,16 ,19-cis-docosahexaenoic acid (in the following named DHA) with basic amino acids. It should be. understood that the invention comprises both the amino acids in the natural laevo form and in the dextro form and also the raccmic forms. Preferred amino acids are arginine and lysine.

DHA is obtained from natural sources containing it (fish oils) through chemical-physical methods leading to an acid of high purity (higher than 90%), or alternatively to enriched mixtures, in which it is together with other polyunsaturatcd fatty acids of the omcga-3 scries. The mixtures are also used in therapy or as food supplementers , therefore the invention comprises salts of DHA, which is either pure or present as a component of enriched mixtures.

DHA, together with 5,8 , 11,14 ,17-cis- eicosapentaenoic acid (in the following named EPA), is the more interesting component of the group of the polyunsaturatcd omega-3 fatty acids, present in fish oils. Said acids were recently object of a marked interest, since they have shown important therapeutical properties against various diseases of the cardiocirculatory system (thrombosis, aterosclerosis , platelet hyper-aggregation, and the like; see New Engl.J. ed., 318 , 549, 1988), diseases of inflammatory origin (see J.Biol.Chem. , 359 , 7615, 1984), and ^" some

tumour forms (sec Acta ed.Scand., 220 , 69, 1976). The therapeutical efficacy of DHA and of polyunsaturatcd omega-3 acids, moreover, is also directed to a wide range of other pathological conditions, such as hypcrlipemia and hypcrcholesterolemia , psoriasis, immune and nervous (central and peripheral) disorders, disorders of memory and learning, etc. In the studies carried out up to now, DHA showed a pharmacological profile and biological characteristics similar, but not supcrimposablc , to those of EPA, both in terms of activity range and of potency of action (for example a higher anti-platelet aggregation activity). The administration of DHA increases its in_ vivo level in tissue phospholipids. Particularly interesting is that, in principle,

DHA is present in phospholipids in a much higher amount than EPA. Since DHA is known to be partly converted into EPA ij vivo, it can also be considered as a potential form for the storage of EPA. In man, DHA is present in a particularly high amount in phospholipids of the brain, retina and testes (from 20 to 40% of fatty acid content); the meaning and the function of this presence is up to now an object of research (v. New Engl . J. Med. , 318 , 549, 1988). From what is stated above, the importance of DHA both for its own physiological and pharmacological actions and as an EPA source or precursor iji vivo is clear.

DHA, with EPA, is widely present in oils of sea origin (fish oils), in which it is present mainly as a triglycerid, together with other acids both unsaturated and saturated, from which it can be obtained both as an

enriched mixture and in a very pure form.

From the pharmaceutical technology point of view, DHA and the glycerids or esters thereof are in the form of thick oily liquids, completely insoluble in water, and can accordingly be formulated in practice only in soft gelatin capsules. Therefore, the liquid formulations connected with the presence of water are excluded, from which the oily phase would separate also in the presence of any organic solvents (which on the other hand would be unsuitable for toxicity reasons) used to improve solubility.

Apparently, the easiest method to make DHA water soluble, i.e. salification with alkali metals, proved to be impracticable since the resulting salts give strongly basic aqueous solutions which therefore are poorly tolerated.

An EPA salt with lysine, used to prevent cyclosporin nephrotoxicity, is known from literature (Transplant. Proc . , 24, 6, 2583, 1992). Now it has surprisingly been found that unpredictable, high advantages can be obtained, not only in view of capability to prepare different types of formulations, but also from the biological and pharmacological point of views, using DHA salts with basic amino acids, particularly arginine and lysine. These salts are novel derivatives, never prepared up to now, which are obtained treating aqueous suspensions of DHA, or of DHA-enriched mixtures, with a suitable amount of an amino acid, under stirring at 0-20°C. In some minutes, clear solutions are obtained which, if necessary, are washed with hexane or ligroin and

evaporated to dryness under high vacuum at low temperature, or subjected to frceze-drying. The resulting salts arc in the form of very thick, transparent oils, which transform into solids of waxy appearance and consistency at low temperatures. Elementary analysis is consistent with the expected composition, and IR spectrum shows the peaks characteristic of carboxylatc ion (-C00) at about 1560 cm ^" and 1395 cm- , thus confirming the occurred salification.

Alternatively, the salts are obtained stirring at 0-20 ^β C suitable amounts of DHA and of an amino acid, preferably diluting the mixture with an organic solvent, such as ethanol. In some minutes a clear solution forms, from which the salt is recovered by evaporating the solvent under vacuum.

According to a further method, the novel salts are obtained by double exchange between DHA alkali salts and an amino acid salt, such as the hydrochloride.

These salts are well soluble in water, in which they give solutions of pH not higher than 8, suitable for the preparation of any kind of liquid pharmaceutical formulations, such as injectables, drinkable vials, drops, syrups, lotions for topical use, aqueous creams, etc. Depending on the requirements, together with the active ingredient, the most suitable adjuvants and excipients are used.

Due to the water-solubility characteristics thereof, the salts of the present invention are suitable for the manufacture of granulates, optionally

also in monodose sachets, for the preparation of extemporary solutions for use by the oral route; in fact they can be included in a number of water soluble excipients, such as saccharose, or in cyclodextrins, then worked according to conventional technologies to give water-soluble granulates.

Moreover, the DHA salts of the present invention can be formulated also similarly to ethyl esters and water-insoluble glycerids and dosed into soft-gelatin capsules. By adding small amounts of the diluents conventionally used in the preparation of the soft- gelatin capsules, they give fluid mixtures which arc then handled as normal oily substances and formulated in capsules. The diluents used for this purpose are, for example, triacetin, polyethylene glycol mixtures (PEG 200-600 + PEG 400) , the various types of Twcen , optionally in admixture with ethanol, propylene glycol, etc.

From what is stated above, the advantages provided by the salts of the present invention from the technological point of view over DHA glycerids or ethyl esters used up to now, are clear.

From the pharmacobiological point of view, the salts of the invention have a series of definitely favourable characteristics, which make them therapeutical means of great interest. First of all, they maintain, or even increase, through an enhanced bioavailability, all of the properties which have made DHA so interesting, such as capability of modifying the arachidonic acid metabolic cascade, leading by the action of cyclooxygenase to metabolites (belonging to

the thromboxane and prostacyclin classes) of an higher insaturation degree, with a reduced platelet- aggregating potential and an higher vasodilating activity. The fact that they are DHA salts with natural amino acids, such as argininc and lysine, warrants that no additional toxicity is present following salification. On the contrary, the presence of two amino acids considered "essential" can be a further advantage when these salts arc used as components of liquid formulations for the parentcral nutrition. The well-known detoxyfying action exerted by arginine and lysine adds to the similar DHA action, enhancing it. Of course, the peculiar pharmacological properties of the two amino acids, such as the action stimulating the synthesis of growth hormone by arginine, and the anti- hypcrammonia activity of both amino acids arc unchanged.

Finally, a further example of favourable interaction between DHA and argininc is evidenced. The latter, in fact, through the guanidine portion of the molecule, is the physiological precursor of the formation - by endothelial cells - of NO, (nitrogen oxide) of which the paramount role in the processes of vascular relaxation and the platelet- aggregation and adhesion activity has recently been acknowledged (sec for example Biochem. Biophys. Res.Comm., 153 , 3, 1251, 1988). An advantageous complementarity between the DHA vascular activity and that of the arginine used as the salifying agent, and an evident syncrgistic effect, result.

From the biological-therapeutical point of view,

the preferred salt among those claimed in the present invention is the DHA arginine salt.

The anti-platelet aggregation activity of DHA arginine salt was tested ij vit-o on platelets according to Born's method (Nature, 194,927,1962). Platelet enriched plasma was prepared by ccntrifugation of human venous blood from healthy volunteers. After adding ADP to platelet-enriched plasma, in such an amount as to obtain a 2 micromolar concentration, platelet aggregation was measured in the presence of a 2 micromolar concentration of DHA arginine salt. For comparison, the aggregation induced by ADP in the presence of DHA acid and EPA lysine salt, again in a 2 micromolar concentration, was determined. Aggregation was expressed as maximal percent decrease of the optical density, at 5 minutes at a 600 μm wavelength. The obtained values arc reported in the following:

Aggregation ADP 53.5%

OADP + DHA arginine salt 24.4%

ADP + DHA 33.2%

ADP + EPA lysine salt 40.1%

The following examples illustrate the invention, without limiting it.

Example 1 32.8 g of 4 ,7 ,10 ,13 ,16 ,19-cis-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, titre 90%) are suspended in 40 ml of distilled water and kept under stirring at room temperature. After that, under cooling, 17.4 g of arginine dissolved in the minimum amount of water are added, keeping

stirring for 10 minutes, thus obtaining a complete dissolution. The solution is washed with 50 ml of petroleum ether and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and temperature, thus obtaining DHA arginine salt in a nearly theoretical yield.

The elementary analysis of the product (C,H,N,0,) and the acid and base titres are consistent with the expected ones.

IR Spectrum: peak of carboxylate ion at 1560 cm ^" and 1395 cm ^"1 .

Example 2 A solution of 16.4 g of DHA in ethanol is treated with 8.7 g of finely powdered arginine, under stirring at room temperature. After some minutes, the resulting solution is decolourized with carbon and evaporated to dryness at reduced temperature and pressure. The residue is washed with 50 ml of petroleum ether (b.p. 40-70 ^c C) and dried again under vacuum, to obtain the DHA arginine salt in an almost theoretical yield. The chemical-physical and analytical characteristics of the product are consistent with those reported in Example 1.

Example 3

32.8 g of DHA (titre 90%) are suspended in 160 ml of distilled water and treated with 14.6 g of lysine, under stirring, then dissolved in a small amount of water. The resulting solution is stirred for 10 minutes, washed with 50 ml of petroleum ether and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and temperature, to obtain 46.5 g of DHA lysine salt.

The elementary analysis of the product (C,H,N,0)

and the acid and base titres are consistent with what expected.

IR Spectrum: carboxylate ion peak at 1550 cm ^" and 1400 cm ^"1 . Example 4

32.8 g of DHA dissolved in 120 ml of ethanol are kept under slow stirring and added with 14.6 g of finely powdered lysine, cooling to 0°C. The starting mixture becomes a solution after some minutes. After a further 10 minutes under stirring, the solution is decolourized with active carbon and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is washed with 50 ml of hexane , and dried again under vacuum, to obtain 46 g of DHA lysine salt. The chemical-physical and analytical characteristics of the product are consistent with those reported in Example 3.

Example 5 32.8 of a mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil, enriched in DHA (DHA = 45%) , is suspended in 140 ml of distilled water and kept under stirring at room temperature. 16.5 g of arginine dissolved in a small amount of water are added thereto, keeping stirring for 10 minutes, to obtain an opalescent solution. The solution is washed with 50 ml of petroleum ether, which extracts opalescencc, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. 47.3 g of a thick oil are obtained, which is soluble in water and contains 31.5% of DHA (determined by means of GC) . Example 6

The procedure of Example 5 is followed, starting

from 32.8 g of a fatty acid mixture enriched with 45% DHA, and 13.8 g of lysine. 44.5 g of a thick oil are obtained, which is soluble in water and contains 32.9% of DHA (determined by means of GC ) . Example 7

Formulation in gelatin capsules DHA argininc salt (459.1 mg) , equivalent to DHA mg 300

Triacetin mg 100 Gelatin mg 127

Glycerol mg 62

Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoatc mg 0.58

Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate mg 0.29

Vitamin E mg 1 Example 8

Formulation in gelatin capsules DHA arginine salt (mg 153) , equivalent to DHA mg 500

Triacetin mg 200 Gelatin mg 325

Glycerol mg 160

Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate mg 1.5

Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate mg 0.75

Vitamin E mg 2.5.pa Example 9

Formulation in gelatin capsules DHA lysine salt (mg 722) , equivalent to DHA mg 500

Polyethylene glycol 300 g 200 Gelatin mg 170

Glycerol mg 83

Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate mg 1 Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate mg 0 . 5 Vitamin E mg 1

Ascorbyl palmitate mg 2 . 5 Example 10

Formulation in syrup

DHA arginine salt (g 4.59) , equivalent to DHA g 3

Saccharose g 50 Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.075

Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoatc g 0.029

Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.021

Sodium ascorbate g 0.100

Orange flavour g 0.250 Depurated water q.s.to ml 100

Example 11 Formulation in syrup

Arginine salt of a mixture enriched in DHA, containing 31.5% of DHA (9.5 g) , equivalent to DHA g 3 Saccharose g 50

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.075

Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.029

Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.021

Sodium ascorbate g 0.100 Orange flavour g 0.250

Depurated water q.s.to ml 100

Example 12 Formulation in drops

DHA lysine salt (43.35 g) , equivalent to DHA g 30

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.090

Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.35

Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate g 0.025

Sodium metabisulfite g 0.300

Orange flavour g 2 Depurated water q.s.to ml 100

Example 13 Formulation in lotion

DHA arginine salt (g 15.3) , equivalent to DHA g 10 Ethanol g 30

Sodium metabisulfite g 0.3

Perfume Pouce g 0.6

Depurated water q.s.to ml 100

Example 14 Formulation in monodose granulate for extemporary oral use

DHA lysine salt (mg 1445) equivalent to DHA mg 1000

Precipitated silica mg 50 Lemon flavour mg 100

Sorbitol q.s.to g 5

-Example 15 Formulation in tablets for the oral use DHA lysine salt (mg 361.3) equivalent to DHA mg 250

Precipitated silica mg 50

Microcrystalline cellulose mg 100

Talc mg 10

Magnesium stearate g 5 Lactose mg 133.5.