This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 186,031 filed April 25, 1988, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Ap¬ plication Serial No. 115,923 filed October 28, 1987. Field of The Invention

This invention relates generally to the use of novel combinations of 2'-deoxyribonucleosides and 2 '-deoxyribonucleotides and to the use of these compounds in pharmaceutical carriers to promote wound healing. More specifically, this invention relates to novel combinations of two or more of 2 ' -deoxyadenosine, 2 '-deoxyguanoεine, 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxythymidine and/or their corresponding nucleotideε and their application, locally or topically in a mixture with carrier compounds to increase the supply of the active components to animal tissue and thereby to support cellular metabolic functions. Even more specifically, this invention relates to the use of mixtures of these compounds in carriers to promote and accelerate the healing of wounds, surgical incisions, lesions or ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, burns induced by heat, ultraviolet light, or chemical agents, and superficial tissue damage caused by infections. Background of The Invention

The healing of wounds or related forms of tissue damage generally depends on cellular proliferation and the formation of new connective, endothelial, and epithelial tissue. An agent which stimulates or accelerates the cellular processes involved in wound healing would have great value in medical practice and could be used to improve or speed the healing of many types of wounds or lesions, including surgical incisions, burns induced by heat, chemicals, or irradiation, abrasions, lacerations, amputations, ischemic or decubitus ulcers, lesions or ulcers of the mouth, stomach or intestines, skin graft donor sites, and corneal lesions. Such agents may also be important in

-improving the acceptance of skin or corneal transplants , and in promoting the repair of damaged cartilage or bone.

Agents which accelerate or improve wound healing would be particularly valuable under physiological condi¬ tions in which wound healing is impaired, such as in dia¬ betic patients, or in subjects undergoing cancer chemo¬ therapy (e.g. with adriamycin or cyclophosphamide) or corti- costeroid treatment, or in patients after therapeutic or accidental exposure to ionizing radiation.

Several agents have been reported to favorably influence the cellular processes involved in wound healing, e.g., polypeptide growth factors, allantoin, Vitamin A (and derivatives) , zinc, exogenous DNA, and aloe vera preparations. These compounds operate through various poorly defined mechanisms and display varying degrees of effectiveness in. particular applications.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been used to accelerate wound cicatrization or healing. Du ont, Ann. Surg. 150:799 (1959) discloses that exogenous DNA applied to experimental wounds in rabbit ears, accelerated the growth of granulation tissue in the wounds. A mixture of DNA plus deoxyribonuclease (the enzyme primarily responsible for degradation of DNA) was more effective in accelerating fibroplasia than either DNA or deoxyribonuclease alone. The total amount of granulation tissue formed after treatment with DNA was not greater than in untreated controls; the onset and rate of its growth were, however, significantly accelerated. The authors suggest that low polymer DNA fragments are the actual active agents.

Nicolau and Badanoiu, Der Hautartzt, 17:512 (1966) treated experimental skin wounds on the backs of rats daily with intralesion injection of a 1% solution of DNA in physiological saline. The wounds treated with local injection of DNA were cicatrized within four to eight days, while those treated with only saline were cicatrized after ten to fifteen days. A 2% solution of DNA similarly injected into the wounds caused tissue necrosis.

Marshak and Walker, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 58:62 (1945) applied DNA to experimental skin wounds in rats and found significant acceleration of the growth of granulation tissue within the wounds, as compared to untreated controls. Although the granulation tissue appeared sooner in treated wounds, the final amount of granulation tissue was no greater than in untreated wounds.

Ranson (U.S. Patent 4,560,678) discloses a topical formulation containing DNA and allantoin that was used to treat leg ulcers of venous origin. Flecchia (French Patent 2,556,727) discloses a composition containing DNA and bacteriocidal quaternary ammonium compounds for treatment of wounds. U.S. Patent No. 4,657,896 discloses the use of DNA for treatment of digestive ulcer symptoms particularly when administered parenterally. While local administration of DNA may be effective in promoting wound healing, there are several significant disadvantages to utilization of DNA per se in pharmaceutical preparations which may limit its clinical utility or acceptance. DNA, being extracted from animal tissues, contains other biological materials, e.g., histones or other proteins, which may be antigenic. It is difficult to remove these other biological materials, and, accordingly, commercial high purity DNA is typically about 0.5% protein. In addition, DNA from natural sources may not be uniform from batch to batch. DNA may also have undesirable biological activity beyond its role as a wound healing agent. For example, double-stranded nucleic acids induce interferon formation, probably through interaction with undefined sites on the surface of fibroblaεts or lymphocytes. Such effects may not be beneficial and may even be detrimental to wound healing or other biological processes.

DNA also contains phosphate (equimolar to the content of nucleosides) and topical application to wounds may result in high local concentrations of phosphate as the DNA is metabolized. This may be detrimental to the wound healing process and may account for the tissue necrosis that

was observed after administration of 2% DNA in the studies of Nicolau et al. Lastly, exogenous DNA can be incorporated into cellular DNA and thereby introduce exogenous functional genes into cells. This is clearly undesirable, particularly if the introduced DNA sequence is that of a virus or oncogene.

U.K. Patent Application No. 2,152,814A to Ogoshi relates to compositions for nutritional replenishment which contain at least two nucleic acid compounds selected from: (a) nucleic acid bases, (b) nucleoεides, and (c) nucleotides or salts thereof. The compositions which may be administered parenterally or enterally are said to be capable of enhancing the efficient use of amino acids in the body and of assuring satisfactory nutrition control and maintenance of nitrogen balance.

Japanese Patent No. 60028929 discloses the use of orally administered deoxyguanosine for preventing the formation of stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats. No data were provided concerning the effect (if any) of deoxyguanosine on the healing of gastric ulcers.

U.S. Patent No. 4,208,406, Lapinet, discloses the use of cyclic 3 ' ,5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) as a topical antiinflammatory and healing agent.

While the strategy of delivering healing agents which include inter alia DNA to wounds to accelerate wound healing has been recognized, there remains a need for more effective compositions for the healing of wounds, burns, and other lesions which do not cause undesirable side effects.

Objects of the Invention

It is a primary object of this invention to provide novel compounds and pharmaceutical products which can efficiently promote accelerated healing of wounds, ulcers, burns, and other types of lesions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a family of effective wound healing agents which are nonantigenic and do not carry genetic information.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a family of effective wound healing agents which are inexpensive, uniform and stable.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide wound healing agents which can be effectively administered locally, which have no undesirable toxic effects, and which can be administered to animals and humans to effectively promote healing of wounds, ulcers, burns, and other types of lesions.

It is a further and related object of this invention to provide effective wound healing agents which can be applied locally or topically in a variety of delivery vehicles.

Summary of The Invention These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the administration of novel mixtures of 2 ' -deoxyribonucleosides, preferably incorporated in carrier compositions, to improve the healing of wounds, or repair damaged tissues, and in the treatment of other physiological and pathological tissue conditions which may be appropriately treated by application or instillation of a topical or local preparation to accelerate healing. Broadly, the invention is in mixtures of 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides in particular ratios dissolved or suspended in suitable pharmaceutical carriers. While the application of single 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides alone to experimental wounds has been found to produce little or no acceleration of wound healing, specific mixtures of two or more different 2 ' -deoxyribonucleosides have been found to accelerate the healing of experimental wounds. Each specific mixture produces a characteristic healing response.

More particularly, it has been found that the combination of 2 ^• -deoxyribonucleosides, 2 ' -deoxycytidine and 2 ' -deoxyguanosine, produces a substantial increase in the rate of healing of experimental wounds compared to controls and other two-way combinations. The compositions may contain (a) a major amount of 2 ^• -deoxycytidine and an

-effective amount of 2*-deoxyguanosine, or, (b) a major amount of 2 '-deoxyguanosine and an effective amount of 2'-deoxyc tidin . Desirably the binary composition contains from 10% to 90% (by mole) 2'-deoxycytidine and 90% to 10% 2'-deoxyguanosine. Preferred compositions contain from 25% to 75% of the two components.

Three component combinations of 2 '-deoxycytidine, 2'-deoxyguanosine, and 2'-deoxyadenosine, as well as three-component combinations of 2 *-deoxycytidine, 2'-deoxyguanosine, and 2'-deoxythymidine also produce substantial increases in the rate of healing of experimental wounds compared to controls and other three-way combinations. Four component combinations of 2' -deoxyc tidine, 2'-deoxyguanosine, 2'-deoxyadenosine, and 2 '-deoxythymidine are the most effective in improving the rate of healing of experimental wounds.

The three and four component compositions contain effective amounts of 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine, typically 50% or more of the binary mixtures as described above.

The wound healing compositions contain the 2'-deoxyribonucleosides and/or their corresponding 3' and/or 5' phosphate ester derivatives. These compounds may be further substituted and may be in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.

The mixtures of 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, preferably in pharmaceutical carriers, accelerate the rate of wound healing by delivering 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides to areas of damaged tissue. The preparations of the invention may be administered in combination with any of a variety of conventional pharmaceutical carriers, ointments, gels, pastes, suppoεitorieε, sprays or irrigation solutions, or may be incorporated into carriers including liposomes, polymers or biodegradable polymers for gradual release, or from impregnated bandages, sutures, and similar materials.

The compositions of the invention may be used to promote healing of any type of wound, including cuts,

incisions, abrasions, burns, and the like, which may be treated by the administration of a local, especially topical, preparation, or by the application of any other material which may hold and release a supply of the appropriate mixture of 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention as well as other objects, features and advantages thereof will be understood more clearly and fully from the following detailed description, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the scale values for four wound-healing parameters, degree of angiogenesis (A) , macrophage density (M) , fibroblast density (F) , and epithelial coverage (E) , in control rats and rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine for one week. All rats were pre-treated with dexamethasone in order to retard wound healing. Scale values are: 0=absent, 1--minimal, 2=mild, 3=moderate, and 4=marked. The * indicates statistically significant differences compared to control values in this and all subsequent figures.

Fig. 2 shows the scale values for three indices of inflammation, necrosis (N) , polymorphonuclearluekocyte density (P) , and fibrinous exudate (FE) , in control rats and rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine for one week. All rats were pre-treated with dexamethasone in order to retard wound healing. Scale values are: 0=absent, 1--minimal, 2=mild, 3=moderate, and 4=marked.

Fig. 3 shows the percentage of the original wound area covered by new epithelium in rats 5 and 7 days after initiating treatment with vehicle alone (control) and with the combinatin of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine.

Fig. 4 shows the length of the new epithelium growing in from the wound margins (in histological cross-section) in rats 5 and 7 days after initiating

-treatment with vehicle alone (control) and with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine.

Fig. 5 shows the depth of the granulation tissue (in histological cross-section) in the wounds of rats 5 and 7 days after initiating treatment with vehicle alone (control) and with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycy idine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine.

Fig. 6 shows the gastric ulcer area (the area of the ulcer remaining unepithelialized) of control rats and rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine 10, 20, and 30 days after initiating treatment.

Fig. 7 shows the gastric ulcer area of control rats and rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, .deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine after 10 and 16 days of treatment.

Fig. 8 shows the gastric ulcer area of control rats, rats treated with cimetidme (Cim) , rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (N) , and rats treated with both cimetidine and the deoxyribonucleosides (N-Cim) 14 days after treatment began. The * indicates statistically significant differences compared to control values, while ** indicates statistically significant differences compared to Cim- and N- treated values.

Fig. 9 shows the gastric ulcer area of control rats, rats treated with the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (N) , and rats treated with deoxyguanosine alone (dG) .

Detaάled Description of The Invention

In its broadest aspects, the invention is in a discovery that a composition of matter comprising from 10 to 90 percent by mol of 2'-deoxycytidine and from 90 to 10 percent by mol 2'-deoxyguanosine, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, has very significant activity in wound healing applications. It has been discovered that the

binary mixtures of 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxyguanosine, preferably those mixtures wherein each of the two components is present in from 25 to 75 percent of the composition, when applied locally or topically to wounds, including cuts, incisions, abrasions, burns, and the like, substantially increase the rate of healing. While other wound healing materials may be included in the compositions of the invention, the active wound healing agents consist essentially of the binary mixtures of 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxyguanosine.

The 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides may be present in their free form or as the corresponding nucleotides, i.e., a 3', a 5' or a 3' ,5' phosphate ester derivative. Alternatively, the deoxyribonucleosides may be present as substituted derivatives of either the free form or the nucleotide form. The substituted derivatives of 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxyguanoεines include compounds substituted at one or both hydroxyl groups in the deoxyribose moiety and/or substituted in the exocyclic amine on the purine ring of 2 ' -deoxyguanosine or in the exocyclic amine on the pyrimidine ring of 2 '-deoxycytidine by a radical selected from the group consisting of biocompatible acyl radicals containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms. Where there is more than one substituent, the substituents may be the εame or different. The active components may also be present as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the 2'-deoxyribonucleosides or their derivatives. In this context, the substituted derivatives are preferably enzymatically converted back to nucleosides after application to tissues. Thus, the derivatives may serve as a vehicle for sustained delivery of nucleosides to tissues or may have other advantages in pharmaceutical formulations.

The effective binary mixtures described above may be contained in compositions of matter adapted to promote wound healing which contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, if desired, other wound healing agents.

^■ Typically, the carrier is one adapted for local or topical administration.

The binary mixtures described may be combined with 2'-deoxyadenosine, 2'-deoxythymidine, or mixtures of 2 '-deoxyadenosine and 2 '-deoxythymidine. Good results are obtained with wound healing compositions of matter which comprise an effective amount of the binary mixture of 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine, as described, and additionally, either (or both) 2'-deoxyadenosine or 2'-deoxythymidine. Desirably, the binary mixture of 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxygua.nosine is present in at least 50 mol percent of the overall composition and the 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxyguanosine are present in that binary mixture in from 25 to 75 percent thereof. The 2'-deoxycytidine, 2 '-deoxyguanosine, 2'-deoxyadenosine, and 2'-deoxythymidine may be present as the free forms thereof, as nucleotides, or as substituted derivatives of the free form or nucleotide form.

The substituted derivatives of 2 *-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine include compounds substituted at one or both hydroxyl groups in the deoxyribose moiety and/or substituted in the exocyclic amine on the purine ring of 2'-deoxyguanosine or in the exocyclic amine on the pyrimidine ring of 2'-deoxycytidine by a radical selected from the group consisting of biocompatible acyl radicals containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms. Where there is more than one substituent, the substituentε may be the same or different.

The substituted derivatives of 2'-deoxyadenosine include compounds substituted at one or both hydroxyl groups in the deoxyribose moiety and/or substituted in the exocyclic amine on the purine ring thereof by a radical selected from the group consisting of biocompatible acyl radicals containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms. Where there is more than one substituent, the εubεtituentε may be the same or different.

The substituted derivatives of 2 '-deoxythymidine include compounds substituted at one or both hydroxyl groups in the deoxyribose moiety by one or more biocompatible acyl radicals containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms which may be the same or different.

The active components may also be present as pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Wound healing compositions of matter containing the binary mixture and 2 ' -deoxyadenosine or, respectively, 2 '-deoxythymidine, can advantageously be prepared using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers adapted for local or topical administration.

Best results are obtained with quarternary mixtures containing an effective amount, preferably at least 50 mol percent of the overall composition, of a mixture of 10 to 90 percent by mol 2 * -deoxycytidine and 90 to 10 percent by mol 2 '-deoxyguanosine, and, 2 '-deoxyadenosine, and 2 ' -deoxythymidine. The 2 ' -deoxyribonucleosides, as in the binary and ternary mixtures described above, may be present as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Desirably, the binary mixture of 2 '-deoxycytidine and 2 '-deoxyguanosine contains at least 25 mol percent of each of those two components. The four 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides may be present in their free form, as a 3 ' , a 5', or a 3', 5' phosphate ester derivative, or as a substituted derivative, as described above, of either the free form or the nucleotide form. Advantageous compositions may be prepared using carriers adapted for local or topical administration.

The mixtures of active components may be prepared by mixing individual free form, nucleotide or derivatized components, or may be prepared by hydrolysis of DNA without separating the component nucleosides or nucleotides.

The discovery that deoxyribonucleosides are effective in promoting wound healing opens several important opportunities for administration of these agents. For ease of description, in the following discussion

deoxyribonucleosideε may be understood to include the free form, the nucleotide form, substituted derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

A preferred strategy is to administer these compounds locally or topically in gels, ointments, solutions, impregnated bandages, liposomeε, biodegradable inicrocapsules or artificial skin containing the natural nucleosides. Unlike DNA, the deoxyribonucleosides contain no genetic information and are not antigenic. They are also chemically stable and can be purified easily and incorporated into a range of compositions. DNA, in contrast, is labile and easily broken into oligonucleotide fragments with random molecular weights and accordingly is unsuitable for incorporation in pharmaceutical preparations that require standards for uniformity and stability.

Compositions or dosage forms for topical application may include solutions, lotions, ointments, creams, gels, suppositories, sprays, aerosols, suspensions, dusting powder, impregnated bandages and dressings, liposomes, biodegradable polymers, and artificial skin. Typical pharmaceutical carriers which make up the foregoing compositions include alginateε, carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, agarose, pectins, gelatins, collagen, vegetable oils, mineral oils, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, petrolatum, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, polylactate, polyglycolate, polyanhydrideε, phospholipids, polyvinyl- pyrrolidone, and the like.

The concentrations of deoxyribonucleosides in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may range from 0.1 to 20%. The dose uεed in a particular formulation or application will be determined by the requirements of the particular type of tissue lesion and the constraints imposed by the characteristics and capacities of the carrier materials. For a suntan lotion, 0.1 to 5% by weight of the above compoεitions may be added.

The compositions described above may be combined or used together or in coordination with an antibiotic.

antifungal, or antiviral substance or εubεtanceε to accelerate the healing of sores or other infection-damaged tissue simultaneouεly or in coordination with the treatment of the underlying infection. In addition, the 2 '-deoxyribonucleoεides of the invention may be combined with or used simultaneously or in coordination with other tissue healing promoters, such as epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (Brunt, J.V., and Tilansner, A., Biotechnology 6:25-30 (1988)) to promote a more rapid healing of damaged tissue.

It is also useful to coadminister the 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides of the invention with topical corticosteroid and antiinflammatory agents to accelerate the healing of lesions in patients suffering from allergic or inflammatory procesεeε, εince εteroidε are known to εlow the healing of wounds.

The compositionε of the invention are particularly useful in conditions in which normal wound healing is impaired. Examples of types of wounds that heal poorly or slowly include venous stasiε ulcers, decubituε ulcers, and cutaneouε and alimentary tract wounds or ulcers in patients with diabetes, and in patients subjected to irradiation, cancer chemotherapy (e.g. with adriamycin or cyclophosphamide) , and topical or systemic anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteriodε.

The following compounds may also be uεeful to combine or coordinate with the 2 ' -deoxyribonucleosides in the treatment of wounds. These compounds may be used in parallel or in series with the 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides. They include, but are not limited to: allantoin, retinoic acid, aloe vera, glycine, vitamin A, the B vitamins, especially nicotinamid , vitamins C and E, antibacterial agents (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds, bacitracin, neomycin and polymyxin) , comfrey root preparations, platelets and/or platelet extracts, ribonucleosides,

-collagen, proline, lyεine, elastin, fibronectin, glycosaminoglycanε, εpermidine (and other polyamineε) , angiogenic factorε, zinc, sucrose, and various peptide growth factors such as the somatomedinε, lamin, EGF, the IGF's, PDGF, FGF, EDGF, TGF, CDGF, MDGF, and NGF. The compositions of the invention may also be used in conjunction with synthetic skin in treating burns and other wounds, and in supporting the healing of skin or corneal transplants.

For treatment of gastric or duodenal ulcers, the 2'-deoxyribonucleoεides of the invention can be coadministered with other anti-ulcer agents. Such agents include, but are not limited to, cimetidine, ranitidine, omeprazole, sucralfate (an ulcer adherent complex) , misoproεtil (a cytoprotective proεtaglandin) , or antacids.

The 2',ς-deoxyribonucleoside-carrier composition may be formulated aε part of a suntan lotion that may be applied before or after exposure to sunlight. The suntan lotion may also comprise one or more sun blockers such as PABA, esters of PABA, and other non-PABA chemical sunscreens. Compositionε for treatment or amelioration of the effectε of aging may be applied locally, in the form of a skin lotion.

The deoxyribonucleoεideε , incorporated into a εuitable ophthalmic ointment, εolution, or inεert, may alεo be uεed to treat corneal lesions or ulcerε such as may result from chemical damage, surgery, injury, burns, or infection. Such compositions may also be uεed to improve the healing between tranεplated corneas and recipient εiteε.

The deoxyribonucleoεide compoεitionε may be incorporated into space-filling surgical implants or bone matrix implantε in order to accelerate or improve the ingrowth of granulation or connective tiεεue.

Medical cr veterinary indicationε for the use of the invention include but are not limited to the following situations. The compositions may be used to accelerate the healing of mechanical wounds or abrasions of the skin or other tissues which are exposed by mechanical injury to the

εkin or gastrointestinal mucosa of the body. The invention may be used to accelerate the healing of burns inflicted upon the skin, and any underlying tissues which may be exposed by such injury. The burns may be those caused by heat, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation including sunlight, electricity, or chemical substances.

Further, the compositions may be used to accelerate the healing of surgical incisions in any part of the body, external or internal, into which a solution or other carrier composition containing the deoxyribonucleosides of the invention may be introduced. The compositions may be used to accelerate the healing of ischemic ulcers, presεure sores, bed sores, or ulcers caused by diabetes or other disease processes. They may also be used to treat mucosal lesionε or ulcers (e.g., in mouth, stomach, or intestines) . This may involve incorporation of the deoxyribonucleosides in a suitable mucilaginous or colloidal dispersion, or demulcent base, that may be administered orally, resulting in local delivery of the nucleosides to the desired sites in the alimentary tract.

In promoting the healing of skin wounds, including surgical incisions, it is best to apply the compounds of the invention locally, either in an ointment or in a wound dressing. A topical antibiotic or antiviral agent might be coadministered. The molar equivalent of 0.1 to 20 mg of a mixture of deoxyribonucleosides according to the compositionε of the invention should be applied per square cm of wound area, or 0.1 to 10 mg per cm of linear incision.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting of the methods and compositionε of the present invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of a variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in clinical therapy v;hich are obvious to the those skilled in the art are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Forty-eight male F344 rats weighing approximately 150 grams were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (100 g/kg) and xylazine (13 g/kg) administered by i.p. injection. The back of each rat was shaved, and an 8 mm diameter dorsal lumbar circular excision (full thickness) wound made, exposing the underlying superficial skeletal muscle. An 8 mm agarose (1%) disc containing one or some combination of the four principal

2 '-deoxyribonucleosideε or left blank (control) was placed in each wound. The concentration of each nucleoεide was 30 mg/ml of physiological saline. The wounds were then covered with a liquid plastic dressing.

After two days, the wound were uncovere , the agarose disc removed, the wound photographed and scored for extent of healing. An alginate gel (2%) containing the same nucleoεide or combination of nucleosides was then applied to each wound and the wounds again covered with a liquid plastic. On the fourth day following wounding, the wounds were again uncovered, the alginate gel removed and the woundε scored for extent of healing. Three animals were used in each of 16 groups. Each group received either one, two, three, or all four of the 2'-deoxyribonucleosideε deoxythymidine, deoxycy idine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxyadenosine in all of the posεible combinationε.

Table 1

Wound Healing Scale:

0 = no connective tiεεue in wound area.

1 = connective tissue covering less than

50% of wound.

2 = connective tissue covering 50-100% of wound,

3 = connective tissue covering wound area completely.

4 = connective tissue filling the entire wound, completely opaque.

Score

Treatment Day 2 Day 4

1 Control 0 2.33

2 dA 0 3.00

3 dC 0 0

4 dG 0 2.00

5 dT 0 0

6 dT,dC 0 2.00

7 dG,dA 1.50 2.50

8 dT,dA 0.33 1.66

9 dT,dG 0.66 1.80

10 dC,dG 3.33 3.33

11 dC,dA 0.66 2.50

12 dC,dG,dA 2.00 3.66

13 dϊ,dG,dA 0.33 2.66

14 dT,dC,dG 3.00 3.00

15 dT,dC,dA 0.66 2.50

16 dA,dC,dG,dT 4.00 4.00

Of the εix different combinations of two 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides, only the combination of dC and dG is more effective in promoting the development of connective tissue after 4b and 9C hours compared to the controls. Of the four different combinations of three 2' -deoxyribonucleosides, only the combinations that included

dC and dG (dC,dG,dA and dC,dG,dT) were more effective in promoting wound healing than control after 48 and 96 hours. None of the individual 2'-deoxyribonucleosideε or combinations of two or three 2'-deoxyribonucleosideε were as effective in promoting the development of connective or granulation tiεεue aε was the combination of all four of the principal 2'-deoxyribonucleosides at 48 or 96 hours.

EXAMPLE 2

A study was conducted to compare the healing effects of the four principal deoxyribonucleoεideε (dA, dC, dG, and dT) with the corresponding monophosphate deoxyribonucleotides.

Eight male F34 rats weighing approximately 200 grams each were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (100 mg/kg) and xylazine (13 mg/kg) and their backs shaved. Standard 8 mm diameter full-thickness wounds were made on the back of each rat. An agarose diεc containing either all four deoxyribonucleosides (dA, dC, dG, and dT) (n=3) or all four corresponding deoxyribonucleotides (dAMP, dCMP, dGMP, and dTMP) in a concentration of 30 mg/ml of physiological saline (n=4) , or a blank agarose disc (n=2) was placed in each wound. All wounds were then covered with methacrylate. On post-wounding day 2 , each wound was treated with an alginate gel containing either nucleosides, nucleotides, or nothing at all. Woundε were uncovered, examined, and εcored for extent of healing on days 2 and 4. In addition, on day 4 the skin surrounding the wound and the wound area itself were removed and placed in 10% formalin for histological examination. Results after 2 days

Both controls were scored 0. Both of the nucleoside-treated wounds were scored 3+ (completely covered and opaque in some areas) . All four of the wounds treated with the nucleotides were also scored 3+. All of the treated wounds were quite indistinguishable after 48 hours.

Results after 4 days

Both of the controls were scored 2-3 (completely covered, but the tissue was very thin and fragile) . The nucleoside-treated wounds were rated 3+ and 4. All four of the nucleotide-treated wounds were scored 2-3. They were indistinguishable from controls. They did not appear to be as well developed as they were on day 2. The connective tissue covering these wounds was noticeably thinner and less durable than that covering the nucleoside-treated wounds.

EXAMPLE 3 Acute toxicity test of deoxyribonucleoside mixture

A mixture of equimolar amounts of deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxycytidine, and thymidine was suspended in water and administered to groups of 200 gram male F344 rats by oral intubation. During the observation period of one week following administration, no signs of toxicity or death were observed at any dose, including lOg/kg, the highest dose tested. Accordingly, the 50% lethal dose (LD50) is demonstrated to be greater than lOg/kg.

EXAMPLE 4 Glucocorticosteroids, which are widely uεed in clinical therapy, are known to retard the wound-healing process in humans and animals. Corticosteroid treatment is also a standard model for impaired wound healing. The purpose of this experiment was to teεt the efficacy and safety of the combination of the four principal deoxyribonucleosides in overcoming εteroid-induced impairment of the healing of dermal ulcers.

Fourteen male F344 rats weighing approximately 200 grams each (8 weeks of age) were treated with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg i.p.) . Twenty-four hours later, a standard, full-thickness 8 mm circular midline excision wound was made in the dorsal cervical region. Fifty microliters of a combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (0.025/ml each) in a hydrogel vehicle or the vehicle alone were applied to wounds on the day of surgery and once every 48 hours thereafter. Woundε were covered with a liquid plastic dressing as

.described by Marεhak [Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 58: 63-65 (1945) ] . Following macroscopic examination and photographing, the woundε and surrounding tiεsueε were, collected 7 days after wounding for microscopic and histopathological evaluation. Tissue sectioning and evaluation waε performed by Pathology Aεεociateε Inc., Frederick MD.

The results are presented in Figures 1 and 2. A semiquantitative method was used to evaluate: the extent of angiogenesis and re-epithelialization; the number of macrophages and fibroblastε in each wound; the degree of tiεεue and cellular necroεiε; infiltration by poly orphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's); and the amount of fibrinouε exudate. The indiceε of wound healing in those wounds treated with the deoxyribonucleosides were all significantly grseater (P .001) than in wounds treated with the vehicle alone (Figure 1) . The extent of tissue necrosis, accumulation of fibrinous exudate, and infiltration of the wound by PMN's were not different between control and treated groups (Figure 2) , indicating that the deoxyribonucleoεideε do not elicit excess inflammation in these wounds. Histopathological analysis revealed normal cell and tissue morphology in all wound samples.

The differences in the extent of healing of the deoxyribonucleoside-treated woundε compared to the wounds treated with vehicle alone were striking at the gross macroscopic level. The day-seven appearance of the control woundε was very similar to that at the time of wounding, having, at best, very small areas of granulation tiεεue and minimal development of new epithelium. The nucleoside-treated wounds, in contrast, were all completely covered with a thick bed of granulation tisεue. New epithelium covered more than 50% of the initial area of these wounds.

Therefore, application of the combination of the four principal deoxyribonucleosides to full thickness wounds

^• overcomes the wound-healing impairment induced by dexamethasone, with no apparent deleterious effects, greatly accelerating the rate of wound healing.

EXAMPLE 5 The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of the four principal deoxyribonucleosides in accelerating the wound healing process in young, normal rats, which are known to heal rapidly without intervention.

Thirty-six male F344 rats weighing approximately 200 grams each (8 weeks of age) were each given a standard, full-thickness 8 mm circular midline excision wound in the dorsal cervical region. Fifty microliters of a combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (0.025/ml each) in a hydrogel vehicle or the vehicle alone were applied to woundε on the day of surgery and once every 48 hours thereafter. Wounds were covered with a liquid plastic dressing as described by Marεhak [Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 58: 63-65 (1945)] . Following macroscopic examination and photographing, the wounds and surrounding tissues were collected five (n = 8 per group) and seven (n = 10 per group) days after wounding for microscopic and histopathological evaluation. Tissue sectioning and evaluation was performed by Pathology Associates Inc., Frederick MD.

On both days 5 and 7 the macroscopic appearance of the nucleoside-treated wounds showed a markedly greater degree of granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization than the vehicle-treated control wounds. The resultε of the microscopic and histopathological evaluation are presented in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and corroborate the macroscopic observations. On day 5 and on day 7 the percentage of the wound with new epithelium was significantly greater (P .001 and P .01, respectively) in the nucleoside treated group than in the vehicle-treated controls. Likewise, the absolute length of the new epithelium from the wound margins was significantly

greater in the nucleoside-treated group on both day 5 (P .001) and day 7 (P .005) than in the control group. The depth of the granulation tissue (Figure 5) was also significantly greater (P .001) in the nucleoside-treated group than in the control group on day 5. By day 7 the granulation tissue in the control wounds had reached a depth equivalent to that of the experimental group on day 5. The depth of granulation tissue in the nucleoside-treated group was not different than that seen at day 5 in this group. Histopathological evaluation revealed normal cell and tissue morphology and normal levels of inflammation in both the control and nucleoside-treated wounds and surrounding tissue.

These data indicate that treatment of full-thickness dermal ulcers in young, normal rats with a combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine significantly accelerates the rate of normal healing. Treated wounds were as well healed by day 5 as controls were on day 7. This represents a 28.6% increase in the rate of healing over the course of one week in young, normal animals.

EXAMPLE 6

1. PREPARATION OF LIPOSOMES

CONTAINING DEOXYRIBONUCLEOSIDES

Liposomes or other biodegradable vesicles containing deoxyribonucleosideε may be utilized with advantage, in order to provide prolonged delivery of deoxyribonucleoεides to wound tiεsueε.

The following protocol for liposome preparation was adapted from Szoka and Papahadjopouloε (PNAS 75:4194-4198 (1978)) . Other methods for preparation of lipoεomeε (and variouε other lipid componentε) may alεo be used to prepare vesicles containing deoxyribonucleosides.

Cholesterol (50 micromoles) , phoεphatidylcholine (40 micromoles) , and phoεphatidylglycerol (10 micromoles) were dissolved in chloroform (5 ml) and diethyl ether (5 ml) in a 50 ml round-bottom flask. The flask was capped and

•purged with nitrogen. 1.5 ml of an aqueous solution containing deoxyribonucleosideε, (e.g. 10 mg/ml of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and thymidine in 15 mM NaCl) was added to the organic phase. The mixture was sonicated for 5 minutes at 0-5 degrees C in a bath sonicator until the 2-phaεe system becomes a homogenouε dispersion. A probe sonicator may alεo be uεed. The organic solvents were removed with rotary evaporator under reduced pressure (e.g. a water aspirator) at 35-40 degrees

C, rotating at about 200 rpm. The mixture initially frothed, then became a viscous gel, and finally, it became an aqueous suεpension. At this point, 2 ml of εaline solution were added, and the suspenεion was evaporated for an additional 15 minutes to remove remaining traces of ether or chloroform. The preparation was then centifuged, to separate the liposomes from non-encapsulated material. 35 to 40% of the original deoxyribonucleoside solution was encapsulated within the liposomes. Following purification, the liposomes were concentrated by centrifugation, and suspended in 3 ml physiological εaline for topical application to wounds.

The deoxyribonucleoside-containing liposomes can also be εuεpended in ointments, creams, or other delivery vehicles for topical application to wounds, damaged skin, or ulcers.

2. EFFECT OF LIPOSOMES CONTAINING

DEOXYRIBONUCLEOSIDES ON WOUND HEALING Liposomes can be effective vehicles for the delivery of a variety of pharmaceutical compounds. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate liposomes as potential delivery vehicles for the topical application of the deoxyribonucleosideε to dermal wounds.

Fourteen male F344 rats weighing approximately 200 grams each (8 weeks of age) were each given a standard, full-thickness 8 mm circular midline excision wound in the dorsal cervical region. A combination cf deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (0.010/ml each) were incorporated into liposomes as described. Blank

liposomes (made with saline solution only) or liposomes containing the deoxyribonucleosides were applied to the wounds on the day of εurgery and once every 48 hourε there¬ after. Wounds were covered with a liquid plastic dressing as described by Marshak [Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 58: 63-65 (1945)]. Seven days after wounding, the woundε were examined macroεcopically for the degree of granulation tissue formation and extent of re-epithelialization.

The amount of granulation tissue present and the extent of new epithelium that had begun to cover the woundε treated with the nucleoside-containing liposomes was significantly greater than in the wounds treated with the blank liposomes only. These results show that liposomes containing deoxyribonucleosideε are useful embodiments of the Invention.

EXAMPLE 7

In order to test the efficacy of the combination of the four principal deoxyribonucleosides in the healing of mucosal wounds, the rat chronic gastric ulcer model of Okabe et al. [Digestive Diseases 16:227-284 (1971)] was utilized.

Forth-eight male F344 ratε weighing approximately 190 grams were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (100 mg/kg) and xylazine (13 mg/kg) administered by i.p. injection. The ventral surface of each rat waε εhaved and treated with an antibacterial solution. The stomach waε then expoεed through a ventral incision, a 7 mm (internal diameter) plastic cylinder placed on the seroεal εurface at the border of the corpuε and the antrum of the stomach, and 0.07 ml acetic acid applied for 1 minute. The acid-treated area waε then thoroughly rinεed with sterile saline, and the ventral incision closed. Treatment began 5 days later.

The treatment agent was prepared by mixing 1.25 grams (each) of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine in a demulcent base consiεting of 0.27 grams (each) of carboxymethylcelluloεe and gum xanthan in 50 ml of εterile water. The control preparation consisted of the carboxy ethylcellulose and gum

xanthan vehicle. Ratε received 1 ml of either the treatment or control agent twice daily (morning and late afternoon) by oral intubation. Animalε were fed standard laboratory rat chow. Food and water were available ad libitum. On days 10, 20, and 30, eight animals from each group were sacrificed, and their stomachs removed. Following light fixing in 1% formalin, the ulcer area (the area of the ulcer baεe remaining without new epithelial coverage) was measured and recorded for each ulcer.

The results of this experiment are displayed in Figure 6. At each point the ulcer area was significantly smaller in the treated group compared to the control group. These data demonstrate the efficacy of the deoxyribonucleoside preparation in accelerating the healing of gaεtric mucosal ulcers.

EXAMPLE 8 Standard laboratory rat chow used in the initial gastric ulcer experiments (see Example 7 above) contains a great deal of fiber and roughage that is known to irritate healing gastric ulcers in rats, thereby complicating the healing process. Therefore, the effect of deoxyribonucleosideε on the healing of gastric ulcers was examined in rats receiving a soft, agar-based rat food, which eliminated any potential complications created by the standard laboratory rat chow diet.

Sixty male F344 ratε received gastric ulcers according to the protocol described in Example 7 above. The animalε were fed a diet conεiεting Bioεerv Baεal Gel Diet (Bioεerv, Inc., Frenchtown, NJ) . Food and water were available ad libitum. The animals were treated with vehicle alone (carboxymethylcelluloεe and gum xanthan) or a combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine and deoxythymidine in gum xanthan and carboxymethylcellulose, as described in Example 7. Fifteen animals in each group were sacrificed on days 10 and 16 of treatment. The ulcer area remaining non-epithelialized in each stomach was measured and recorded.

The resultε, aε illuεtrated in Figure 7, show that, while the rate of healing of both control and treated ulcers was greater than that seen when using standard laboratory rat chow (Figure 6) , treatment of these mucosal wounds with the deoxyribonucleoside preparation accelerated the healing process significantly compared to vehicle-treated control ulcers at both 10 and 16 days. (P .002 and P .001, respectively) . Microscopic examination and histopathology confirmed our macroεcopic findings of significantly greater epithelialization of the treated ulcerε, and revealed that cell and tissue morphology were normal in both control and treated ulcers.

EXAMPLE 9

Cimetidine iε known aε an effective anti-ulcer agent. The mechanism of action of cimetidine is primarily inhibition of gagtric acid secretion via its action at gastric hiεtamine (H_) receptors. This provides a less hostile gastric milieu for the ulcer to heal, but does not necessarily directly stimulate the healing process itself. Agents which directly accelerate the healing proceεses should produce effects on gastric ulcer healing greater than those obtained by cimetidine treatment alone. Therefore, the effects of cimetidine and a deoxyribonucleoside preparation, alone and in combination, on gaεtric ulcer healing were inveεtigated.

Fifty-one male F34 rats were given gastric ulcerε according to the method deεcribed in Example 7. Five dayε later treatment began. Animalε received 1 ml of either vehicle alone (carboxymethylcelluloεe and gum xanthan; see Example 7 above) , a combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine (0.025 grams/ml of each) in the vehicle, cimetidine (15 mg/ml) in the vehicle, or cimetidine plus the deoxyribonucleosides in the vehicle. Treatments were administered twice daily, in the morning and late afternoon, by oral intubation. Rats were treated for 14 dayε and then sacrificed. Stomachs were removed and lightly fixed with 1% formalin. The remaining

ulcer and εurrounding tiεεueε were then exciεed and the areas of the ulcers remaining non-epithelialized were determined. Samples were stored in 10% formalin.

The results of this experiment are shown in Figure 8. The area of both the cimetidine-treated and deoxyribonucleoεide-treated ulcers was significantly reduced compared to the vehicle-treated (control) ulcers (P .001 and P .002, respectively) . The ulcerε treated with cimetidine pluε the deoxyribonucleoεideε were not only significantly smaller than controls (P .001) , but were also significantly εmaller than the ulcers treated with cimetidine (P .05) or with the deoxyribonucleoside preparation (P .05) . Thus, it appears that the deoxyribonucleosideε act by a different mechanism than that of cimetidine, and that the combined treatments have additive effectε in promoting the healing of chronic gastric ulcers.

EXAMPLE 10 Japanese patent J 60028929-A, assigned to Hokuriku Pharm. KK claims to be a remedy for peptic ulcerε, although only data on the partial prevention of acute stress-induced ulcers were discloεed. Thiε remedy containε 2 '-deoxyguanosine. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the efficacy of deoxyguanosine alone with the efficacy of the combination of the 2 '-deoxyribonucleosides of adenine, cytidine, guanine, and thymine in treating chronic gastric ulcerε.

Forty-eight F344 male ratε weighing approximately 210 gramε each were given gastric ulcers by the acetic acid method described in Example 7 above. Treatment was begun 5 days after initiating the ulcers and was done according to the method and schedule described previously. Animals received 1 ml of either the vehicle alone (control) , the four deoxyribonucleosides in the vehicle (0.025 gramε/ml of each) , or deoxyguanosine (0.025 grams/ml) in the morning and in the late afternoon daily for 14 dayε. On the final day of treatment all 16 animals in each group were sacrificed, their stomachs removed and liσhtlv fixed in formalin, and

-the ulcer areas remaining non-epithelialized were measured and recorded.

The resultε of thiε experiment are preεented in

Figure 9. The ulcer area of the vehicle-treated controls

- was 12.6 - 1.5, while the area of those ulcers treated with all four deoxyribonucleosides was 7.7 - 0.87 (P .01) and of those treated with deoxyguanosine alone 16.3 - 1.5 (P .05).

Thus, deoxyguanosine alone appears to be ineffective in treating chronic gastric ulcers, while the combination of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxythymidine, and deoxyguanosine is effective in accelerating the healing of these mucoεal wounds.