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 tissuelacking 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 hairfor 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 . A composition for topical application to the skin of a subject, the composition comprising:
 a cream containing oil and water, the cream further comprising L-arginine and one or more ionic salts, wherein the one or more ionic salts together is present in the cream at a concentration that is higher than the concentration of ionic salts in human skin.   
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises choline chloride. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more ionic salts is present at a concentration able to cause the L-arginine to migrate from the cream into the skin when the composition is topically applied to the skin. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the L-arginine is contained within a liposome contained within the cream. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the L-arginine is present in a concentration of 0.25% to 25% by weight of the cream. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein the cream comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         41 . A method, comprising applying the composition of  claim 33  to the skin of a subject. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         43 . A composition for topical application to the skin of a subject, the composition comprising:
 a cream containing oil and water, the cream further comprising an L-arginine salt and one or more ionic salts, wherein the one or more ionic salts together is present in the cream at a concentration that is higher than the concentration of ionic salts in human skin.   
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises magnesium chloride. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more ionic salts comprises choline chloride. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the L-arginine salt comprises L-arginine hydrochloride. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more ionic salts is present at a concentration able to cause the L-arginine salt to migrate from the cream into the skin when the composition is topically applied to the skin. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the L-arginine salt is contained within a liposome contained within the cream. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the L-arginine salt is present in a concentration of 0.25% to 25% by weight of the cream. 
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the cream comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         52 . A method, comprising applying the composition of  claim 43  to the skin of a subject. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         54 . A composition for topical application to the skin of a subject, the composition comprising:
 a cream containing oil and water, the cream further comprising an L-arginine compound selected from the group consisting of L-arginine and an L-arginine salt,   wherein the cream further comprises an ionic salt selected from the group consisting of choline chloride, magnesium chloride, and sodium chloride, wherein the ionic salt is present in the cream at a concentration that is higher than the concentration of ionic salts in human skin.   
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the ionic salt comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the L-arginine compound is L-arginine. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the L-arginine compound is L-arginine hydrochloride. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the cream comprises propylene glycol.