CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[01] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application no. 62/140,640, filed March 31, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[02] A number of conditions, such as UV radiation, environmental toxins, physiological stress, and the natural aging process, can be detrimental to skin. The skin on the face is made up of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, T-cells, etc. Environmental aggressors may cause damage to DNA of skin cells and affect the cellular circadian rhythm in general. The body's natural circadian rhythms are synchronized such that during exposure to environmental aggressors, typically during daylight hours, certain genes in the cells are activated to produce proteins that protect the cells against damage.

[03] Genes associated with natural bodily circadian rhythms have been identified and include the clock (Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput) gene and the perl (Period Homolog 1) gene, both of which encode proteins (CLK and PERI) that regulate circadian rhythms. Clock and perl genes are also present in skin cells. The induction of perl gene expression initiates a program of cellular activity that is associated with biological processes that take place at night (e.g., repair). It is known that skin cells exposed to environmental aggressors will often exhibit decreased, irregular, or asynchronous clock or perl gene expression. This in turn causes disruption of normal circadian rhythm in the exposed skin cells. Over a prolonged period of time, disruption of normal cellular circadian rhythm and synchronicity can accelerate the natural aging process of skin which leads to wrinkles, fine lines, skin laxity, uneven pigmentation, age spots, mottling, and so on.

[04] There remains a need for improved skin care products for addressing these and other dermatological conditions or otherwise improving the appearance of the skin. It would be particularly desirable to develop a skin care product that can treat autoimmune dermatological disorders and/or dermatological disorders associated with chronic inflammation.

SUMMARY

[05] In one aspect, a skin care product comprises isomyosmine or a salt thereof, and a suitable cosmetic or pharmaceutical vehicle. In some aspects, the skin care product is a paste, cream, lotion, gel, moisturizer, cleanser, or sunscreen. In some aspects, the skin care product may be applied topically to an individual in need thereof to reduce inflammation, redness, or irritation, and/or to improve the appearance of the skin. For example, a skin care product may be topically administered to reduce the appearance of redness on the skin. In other aspects, the skin care product may be applied topically to treat a dermatological condition such as acne, psoriasis, or rosacea.

[06] In another aspect, skin care products containing isomyosmine may exhibit significantly longer shelf lives when compared to skin care products of the same composition but which do not contain isomyosmine. To this end, it is believed that isomyosmine provides a biocidal effect which contributes to a composition exhibiting greater stability and shelf life.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[07] Skin care products may contain an isolated form of isomyosmine or a salt thereof.

Such formulations are useful for maintaining inflammation at levels that promote well- being, such as skin having a normal appearance. As used herein, the term "skin care product" refers to solid, semisolid, or liquid formulations suitable for topical application, particularly to the skin, and in some cases may be categorized as pharmaceutical or cosmetic-type products.

Isomyosmine

[08] Isomyosmine (3-(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-yl)-pyridine) is a nicotine related alkaloid present in solanecea plants containing nicotine.

[09] Isomyosmine may be prepared synthetically using known techniques, and also is commercially available from several chemical suppliers. Isomyosmine has two optical isomers (+/-) owing to an asymmetric carbon atom within its pyrrole ring that joins to the pyridine ring. Unless otherwise clear from context, the term "isomyosmine," as used herein, is inclusive of enantiomeric mixtures (+/-) including racemic mixtures, as well as isolated forms of one or the other enantiomer.

[10] Unless otherwise clear from context, "isomyosmine" as used herein refers to both salt and non-salt forms of isomyosmine. Non-limiting examples of possible salts are described in P. H. Stahl et al., Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection and Use, Weinheim/Ziirich: Wiley- VCH/VHCA, 2002, including salts of 1 -hydroxys- naphthoic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, 2-oxoglutaric acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, acetic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid (L), aspartic acid (L), benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, camphoric acid (+), camphor- 10-sulfonic acid (+), capric acid (decanoic acid), caproic acid (hexanoic acid), caprylic acid (octanoic acid), carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane- 1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid (D), gluconic acid (D), glucuronic acid (D), glutamic acid, glutaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid (DL), lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid (- L), malonic acid, mandelic acid (DL), methanesulfonic acid, naphthalene- 1,5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, nicotinic acid, nitric acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, phosphoric acid, proprionic acid, pyroglutamic acid (- L), salicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfuric acid, tartaric acid (+ L), thiocyanic acid, toluenesulfonic acid (p), and undecylenic acid.

[11] As an alternative to preparing isomyosmine synthetically, isomyosmine can be obtained by extraction from tobacco or other sources in which it occurs naturally. For example, a tobacco extract may be prepared from cured tobacco stems, lamina, or both. In the extraction process, cured tobacco material is extracted with a solvent, typically water, ethanol, steam, or carbon dioxide. The resulting solution contains the soluble components of the tobacco, including isomyosmine. Isomyosmine may be purified from the other components of the tobacco using suitable techniques such as liquid chromatography.

[12] In some embodiments, an isolated form of isomyosmine is used. An "isolated form of isomyosmine," as used herein, refers to isomyosmine that either has been prepared synthetically or has been substantially separated from natural materials in which it occurs. The isolated form of isomyosmine should have a very high purity (including enantiomeric purity in the case where an enantiomer is used). In the case of synthetic isomyosmine, for example, purity refers to the ratio of the weight of isomyosmine to the weight of the end reaction product. In the case of isolating isomyosmine from native material, for example, purity refers to the ratio of the weight of isomyosmine to the total weight of the isomyosmine-containing extract. Usually, the level of purity is at least about 95%, more usually at least about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, or higher. For example, the level of purity may be about 98.5%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or higher.

Formulations

[13] Skin care products may be formulated by combining isomyosmine and a suitable cosmetic or pharmaceutical vehicle. Non-limiting examples of components conventionally used in skin creams include thickeners; preservatives; lipid-soluble components; methoxycinnamate esters of medium-chain alcohols; benzophenone-3; fragrance; complexes of polyacrylamide, C ₁₃ -C ₁₄ isoparaffin, laureth-7, and water; and colorings. The concentrations of individual components present may vary widely, but often range from about 0.01% to about 10%, more usually from about 0.05% to about 5% (w/w).

[14] The concentration of isomyosmine in the formulation may vary over a wide range. By way of example, the concentration of isomyosmine may be at least 0.00001 mg/mL, at least 0.0001 mg/mL, at least 0.001 mg/mL, at least 0.01 mg/mL, at least 0.1 mg/mL, at least 1 mg/mL, at least 10 mg/mL, at least 25 mg/mL, at least 50 mg/mL, at least 100 mg/mL, or at least 200 mg/mL. The concentration of isomyosmine may be, e.g., at most 500 mg/mL, at most 400 mg/mL, at most 300 mg/mL, at most 200 mg/mL, at most 100 mg/mL, or at most 75 mg/mL. In some instances, the concentration of isomyosmine may be in a range of, e.g., about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 800 mg/mL, about 0.0001 mg/mL to about 500 mg/mL, about 0.01 mg/mL to about 400 mg/mL, about 0.1 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL, about 1 mg/mL to about 200 mg/mL, about 2 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.0001 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.001 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.01 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.1 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 0.01 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 0.1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or about 0.001 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL.

[15] Non-limiting examples of thickeners xanthan gum, carrageenan, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of preservatives include methylparaben; butylparaben; propylparaben; a complex of propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, and methylparaben; and combinations thereof. Suitable preservatives are commercially available.

[16] The skin care product may also include lipid-soluble component(s) that provide smoothness. Non-limiting examples of lipid-soluble components include steareth-2; steareth-21; dimethicone; and branched-chain neopentanoate ester selected from the group consisting of octyldodecyl neopentanoate, heptyldodecyl neopentanoate, nonyldodecyl neopentanoate, octylundecyl neopentanoate, heptylundecyl neopentanoate, nonylundecyl neopentanoate, octyltridecyl neopentanoate, heptyltridecyl neopentanoate, and nonyltridecyl neopentanoate. Steareth-2 is polyoxyethylene stearylether with 0.01% butylated hydroxyanisole and 0.005% citric acid added as preservatives. Steareth-21 is polyoxyethylene stearylether with 0.01% butylated hydroxyanisole and 0.005% citric acid added as preservatives.

Other components that may be present include benzophenone-3, which screens out ultraviolet rays. The composition also may include a variety of other components such as coloring agents, fragrance, and the like. [18] In some cases, the pH of the formulation may be adjusted with acceptable acids, bases or buffers. The compositions also may contain diluents commonly used in the art such as water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) dimethylformamide, oils, glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof.

[19] In some embodiments, an isolated form of isomyosmine or salt thereof is provided in a liquid or semisolid form (e.g. , liquid, paste, gel, cream, lotion, etc.) for topical application. In some aspects, the skin care product may be applied topically to reduce inflammation, redness, or irritation. For example, the skin care product may be topically administered to reduce the appearance of redness and/or to reduce the appearance of dark circles on the skin. In other aspects, the skin care product may be applied topically to treat an autoimmune and/or dermatological condition such as acne, including acne vulgaris, a bullous phemigoid, a dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis and chronic actinic dermatitis, an eczema like atopic eczema, contact eczema, xerotic eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis, dyshidrosis, discoid eczema, venous eczema, dermatitis herpetiformis, neurodermatitis, and autoeczematization, and statis dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, psoriasis including plaqure psoriasis, nail psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermis psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, rosacea and scleroderma including morphea.

[20] The following examples illustrate but do not limit the scope of the disclosure set forth above.

EXAMPLE 1

[21] This example illustrates a skin cream containing isomyosmine. A skin cream is prepared by combining isomyosmine with water and thickener, preservative, and lipid- soluble components to yield a cream containing about 7% isomyosmine (w/w) and about 60% water (w/w). While particular embodiments have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by persons skilled in the art. The present application contemplates any and all modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the underlying invention disclosed and claimed herein.