Sphingomyelinase compositions and use thereof

Abstract

The use of sphingomyelinase to increase the levels of skin and mucosal ceramides, as well as dermatological and cosmetic compositions containing same which are suitable for topical application are disclosed.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method of enhancing the cutaneous permeation or absorption or a transdermally administered pharmaceutically active substance in a pharmaceutical composition, said method comprising including in said pharmaceutical composition a sphingomyelinase obtained from lactic bacteria in the form of sonicated cells.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the lactic bacteria is selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus catenaforme, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillusfermentum, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus leichmanii, Lactobacillus minutus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rogosae, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium adolescents, Bifidobacterium angulatum, Bifidobacteriumbifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Bifidobacterium dentium, Bifidobacterium eriksonii, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium plantarum, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus raffinolactis  and  Streptococcus thermophilus.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the composition contains 1×10 2  to 1×10 15  lactic bacteria per gram of composition.