Topical delivery of l-arginine to cause beneficial effects

Abstract

A preparation is disclosed for producing enhanced blood flow in tissue thus causing beneficial effects such as promoting hair growth on scalp tissue lacking sufficient hair, restoring normal sexual function in males with erectile dysfunction. Specifically, this is a preparation which provides local delivery of the amino acid L-arginine, an important biological precursor to the main substance which is responsible for relaxation of blood vessels permitting enhancement of blood flow. In the preferred embodiments, the L-arginine is provided so that it can be topically applied to the scalp or penis. The preparation also contains an agent which aids in the transfer of L-arginine into the tissue. In the preferred embodiments this agent overcomes the resistance to transfer caused by the high charge density of L-arginine. In the preferred embodiments this means is high ionic strength created by addition of choline chloride, magnesium chloride and sodium chloride. This preparation when applied nightly to scalp tissue lacking sufficient hair for a period of time causes substantial growth of hair on the scalp. Further, when applied to the penis of a subject with erectile dysfunction causes restoration of normal sexual function.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An article, comprising:
 a trans-dermal patch comprising an environment comprising one or more ionic salts together at a concentration higher than the concentration of ionic salts in human skin.   
     
     
         34 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         35 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         36 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises choline chloride. 
     
     
         37 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the trans-dermal patch further comprises L-arginine. 
     
     
         38 . The article of  claim 37 , wherein the environment causes the L-arginine to migrate from the patch into the skin once the patch is applied to the skin. 
     
     
         39 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the trans-dermal patch further comprises an L-arginine salt. 
     
     
         40 . The article of  claim 39 , wherein the L-arginine salt comprises L-arginine hydrochloride. 
     
     
         41 . The article of  claim 39 , wherein the environment causes the L-arginine salt to migrate from the patch into the skin once the patch is applied to the skin. 
     
     
         42 . The article of  claim 33 , wherein the trans-dermal patch further comprises a penetrating agent. 
     
     
         43 . A method, comprising applying the trans-dermal patch of  claim 33  to the skin of a subject. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the subject is a human.