Novel composition and method for altering allergenic protein in the environment

Abstract

Provided are compositions and methods for prevention or mitigation of allergic reactions in humans and animals. Novel compositions comprised of, e.g., an acidic salt solution of aluminum, calcium or magnesium, are provided for topical or contact application to physically and/or chemically alter an allergenic protein present in the environment and thereby lower the allergenicity of the protein. The compositions of the invention, e.g., comprised of aluminum sulfate, can be used to deactivate many types of proteinaceous allergens such as dust mite and cockroach body dust, animal dander, dried saliva, mold spore antigens, airborne pollen protein and the like. Compositions can be applied on an as needed basis to a wide variety of surfaces, e.g., floor coverings, walls bedding, window coverings, vehicle (e.g., automobile) interiors, furniture, pet bedding, plants (e.g., household plants) and the like. The compositions provided may also be utilized to mitigate allergens present on clothing, e.g., for use in commercial dry cleaning or in household laundry applications.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition capable of altering a protein in an animal's environment whereby the alteration of the protein prevents or mitigates an allergic reaction to the protein it the animal; the composition comprising an effective amount of a suitable salt.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the suitable salt is an acidic salt.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the acidic salt is capable of forming an acidic solution in water with or without the presence of a suitable buffering agent.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the suitable salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the suitable salt is aluminum sulfate.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a suitable solvent.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the suitable solvent is water.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising a suitable buffering agent.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the suitable buffering agent is a citrate buffer.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount comprises from between about 1 percent to about 30 percent of the suitable salt.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the suitable salt is aluminum sulfate and the effective amount is from between about 5 percent to about 10 percent but is especially about 7 percent aluminum sulfate.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the suitable salt is formulated for delivery to the protein in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a gel, an ointment, a cream, a solution, a suspension, a sustained release preparation, a patch, a wet-wipe, a spray and an aerosol.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the protein is an antigen.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the protein is an allergen.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a human.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog, a cat, and a horse.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a human and the protein is an allergen selected from the group consisting of a plant protein and an animal protein.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a human and the protein is derived from the group consisting of a cat, a horse, a dog, a cockroach, a dust mite, a mold and a fungus.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the protein structure is physically altered.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the protein structure is chemically altered.  
     
     
         21 . A method for altering a protein in an animal's environment whereby the alteration of the protein prevents or mitigates an allergic reaction to the protein in the animal; comprising contacting the protein with a composition comprised of an effective amount of amount of a suitable salt.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the suitable salt of the composition is an acidic salt.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the acidic salt is capable of forming an acidic solution in water with or without the presence of a suitable buffering agent.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the suitable salt of the composition is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the suitable salt is aluminum sulfate.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition further comprises a suitable solvent.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the suitable solvent is water.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition further comprises a suitable buffering agent.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the suitable buffering agent is a citrate buffer.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the effective amount of the composition comprises from between about 1 percent to about 30 percent of the suitable salt.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the suitable salt is aluminum sulfate and the effective amount is from between about 5 percent to about 10 percent but is especially about 7 percent aluminum sulfate.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is formulated for contacting the protein from the group consisting of a powder, a gel, an ointment, a cream, a solution, a suspension, a sustained release preparation, a patch, a wet-wipe, a spray and an aerosol.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the protein is an antigen.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the protein is an allergen.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the animal is a human.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog, a cat, or a horse.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the animal is a human and the protein is an allergen selected from the group consisting of a plant protein and an animal protein.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the animal is a human and the protein is derived from the group consisting of a cat, a horse, a dog, a cockroach, a dust mite, a mold and a fungus.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the protein structure is physically altered.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the protein structure is chemically altered.  
     
     
         41 . A method for preventing or mitigating an allergic reaction to a protein in an animal's environment comprising contacting the protein with a composition comprised of an effective amount of amount of a suitable salt which is capable of altering the structure of the protein and thereby to lessen the antigenticity of the protein.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the suitable salt of the composition is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the effective amount of the composition comprises from between about 1 percent to about 30 percent of the suitable salt.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the animal is a human.