Composition for treating inflammatory diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of hyaluronic acid for treating inflammatory diseases, in particular skin or mucous membrane diseases.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for preventing or treating an inflammatory skin or mucous membrane disease, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of hyaluronic acid in crosslinked form. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflammatory skin or mucous membrane disease is atopic dermatitis. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflammatory skin or mucous membrane disease is psoriasis. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein administering is by local administration. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein administering is by intradermal administration, by administration to the border of the dermoepithelial transition or by topical administration. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the degree of crosslinking is 0.1% to 10%. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the crosslinked hyaluronic acid is present in a mixture with uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid is
 (i) long-chain hyaluronic acid having an average molecular weight (weight-average) of at least 200 kD, or   (ii) short-chain hyaluronic acid having an average molecular weight (weight-average) up to 50 kD, or   (iii) a mixture thereof.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is in a composition which contains an inhibitor of hyaluronic acid degradation. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the inhibitor of hyaluronic acid degradation is heparin, indomethacin, a salicylate, a free radical trap, or vitamin A, C or E, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is present as an injectable preparation, ointment, cream, lotion, gel, spray, tincture, shampoo, occlusive film, powder or inhalable preparation. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is in a composition which contains a further glycosaminoglycan in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the inflammatory skin or mucous membrane disease is atopic dermatitis, eczema, seborrheic or microbial eczema, pruritus, prurigo, urticaria, red lichen, psoriasis, psoriasis vulgaris, vitiligo, a viral skin disease which leads to wart formation, verruca vulgaris, Condylomata accuminata, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, acne, acne vulgaris, acne conglobata, a polypous mucous membrane disease, nasal polyposis, an inflammatory intestinal disease, a chronic or acute ulceration of the skin, aphthae or mycoses. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the subject is a veterinary patient. 
     
     
         37 . A process according to  claim 22 , which is for treating an inflammatory skin or mucous membrane disease. 
     
     
         38 . A method for preventing or treating an inflammatory disease of the eye, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of hyaluronic acid in crosslinked form. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38 , which is for preventing or treating an inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva or cornea; or which is for preventing or treating after-cataract or inflammation of the conjunctiva; or wherein the crosslinked hyaluronic acid is present in a mixture with uncrosslinked hyaluronic acid; or wherein the hyaluronic acid is in a composition which contains a further glycosaminoglycan in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form. 
     
     
         40 . A method for treating skin or soft tissue defects and skin wrinkles comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a mixture of hyaluronic acid in crosslinked and uncrosslinked form. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 40 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is in a composition which contains a further glycosaminoglycan in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form.