Topical delivery of l-arginine to cause beneficial effects

Abstract

The application of L-arginine and its derivatives to the skin causes beneficial effects of wound healing, increasing erectile function and increased growth of hair when applied in sufficient quantity to the skin. A hostile biophysical agent may be combined with the L-arginine to increase its absorption into the skin. The desired concentrations of the hostile biophysical agent is increased when concentration of L-arginine is less than 20% of the concentration of the substance applied to maximize its effect.

1 . A method of increasing localized bloodflow in tissues to increase growth rate and repair of cells by comprising the steps of:
 selecting a substance from the group consisting of L-arginine and L-arginine derivatives;   applying topically to the skin a delivery vehicle for the substance, said delivery vehicle containing an effective amount of the substance of at least 5% to 50% by weight wherein bloodflow is increased promoting healing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 adding a concentration of an active agent in an amount sufficient to create a hostile biophysical environment.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of high ionic strength, high pH agents, low pH agents, hydrophobic agents and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the substance is delivered in a package selected from the group consisting of liposomes, emulsions of collagen, collagen peptides, skin derivatives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the ion donor is an ionic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, choline chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride and magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof which causes the substance to migrate from the delivery vehicle to the skin where the substance is absorbed by tissue wherein the ionic salt is 5% to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . A topical compound for application to the skin to cause beneficial effects comprising:
 a substance selected from the group consisting of L-arginine and L-arginine derivatives having a concentration of 5 to 35%;   an ion donor capable of causing a hostile biophysical environment, wherein the ion donor is an ionic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, choline chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride and magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof which causes the substance to migrate from the delivery vehicle to the skin where the substance is absorbed by tissue wherein the ionic salt is 5% to 80% by weight.   
     
     
         7 . The topical compound for application to the skin to cause beneficial effects of  claim 6  wherein said L-arginine is in a concentration of 5 to 20% and said ion donor is in a concentration of 25 to 80%. 
     
     
         8 . The topical compound for application to the skin to cause beneficial effects of  claim 6  wherein said L-arginine is in a concentration of 15 to 35% and said ion donor is in a concentration of 5 to 40%. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating impotence in a male comprising:
 delivering a substance selected from the group consisting of L-arginine and L-arginine derivatives to the penis by topically applying to the penis a delivery vehicle for the substance, said delivery vehicle containing an effective amount of the substance of at least 5% to 35% by weight wherein penile function is enhanced through increased bloodflow.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the steps of:
 adding a concentration of an ion donor sufficient to create a hostile biophysical environment.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the ion donor is an ionic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, choline chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride and magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof which causes the substance to migrate from the delivery vehicle to the penis where the substance is absorbed by tissue wherein the ionic salt is 5% to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . A method of promoting hair growth comprising:
 delivering a substance selected from a group consisting of L-arginine and L-arginine derivatives, wherein a selected area of the skin where hair growth is desired by topically applying to the selected area of skin where hair growth is desired a delivery vehicle for the substance, said delivery vehicle containing an effective amount of the substance of at least 5% to 35% by weight.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of:
 adding a concentration of an ion donor sufficient to create a hostile biophysical environment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the ion donor is an ionic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, choline chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride and magnesium chloride and mixtures thereof which causes the substance to migrate from the delivery vehicle to the hair follicles where the substance is absorbed by tissue wherein the ionic salt is 5% to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said delivery vehicle containing an effective amount of the substance within a packaging selected from the group consisting of a liposome, emulsion of collagen, or collagen peptides said packaging being at a concentration sufficient to create an hostile biophysical environment which causes the liposome to migrate from the delivery vehicle to the skin where the substance is released from the packaging and absorbed by hair follicle containing tissue.