Method for removal of toxins from mucosal membranes

Abstract

The present invention provides novel mucoadhesive compounds useful in the prevention of diseases and disorders of or which are associated with the mucosal membrane.

1 . A compound of the formula A-(B) n :
 wherein
 A is a mucoadhesive backbone, 
 B is a ligand group being chemically substituted to A and capable of interacting with a toxin, and 
 n is the number of ligand groups substituted to said A, being greater or equal to 1. 
   
     
     
         2 . The compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said mucoadhesive backbone is a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The compound according to  claim 2 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of anionic polymer, cationic polymer, non-ionic polymer and thiolated polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer is alginate and said ligand group is selected from the group consisting of a saturated carbon chain of at least two carbon atoms, aromatic ring, crown ether, cryptate, amide, carboxylic acid, ester, sulfonate, sulfoxide, sulfoneamide, porphyrin, metalloporphyrin, bis(dimethylglyoximate), bis(acetylacetonato), bis(8-quinolinato), bis(4-fluorosalicylaldeydato), N,N′-ethylenebis salicylideneiminato, macromolecule, peptides, extracellular matrix proteins and biologically active molecule. 
     
     
         5 . The compound according to  claim 4 , wherein said ligand group is a macromolecule or a biologically active molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The compound according to  claim 5 , wherein said biologically active molecule is an antibody. 
     
     
         7 . The compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said toxin is selected from the group consisting of pollen, dander, mold, dust, gas, vapor, dust molecules from industrial, medicinal or other environmental sources, chemical warfare agents, biological toxins, viruses, bacteria, fungus, and biological warfare agents. 
     
     
         8 . The compound according to  claim 7 , wherein said toxin is a virus. 
     
     
         9 . The compound according to  claim 7 , wherein said toxin is pollen. 
     
     
         10 . The compound according to  claim 1 , wherein A is alginate, B is an antibody and n is between 1 and 10. 
     
     
         11 . The compound according to  claim 10 , wherein n is between 1 and 5. 
     
     
         12 . The compound according to  claim 10 , wherein n is 1, 2 or 3. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising a compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 14 , being a pharmaceutical or hygienic composition. 
     
     
         16 . A method for toxin removal from a mucosal membrane or the environment thereof, said method comprising contacting said mucosal membrane with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for the prevention of a disease or disorder of the mucosal membrane, being associated with a toxin, said method comprising contacting a mucosal membrane of a subject with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for shielding a mucosal membrane from contacting toxins or being penetrated thereby or adsorbed thereto, comprising contacting said mucosal membrane with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one compound according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said mucosal membrane is selected from the group consisting of a membrane of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), nose, nasal cavity, lungs, larynx, trachea, pharynx, vagina, rectum and urethra. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said mucosal membrane is related to the respiratory system. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said toxin is selected from the group consisting of pollen, dander, mold, dust, gas, vapor, dust molecules from industrial, medicinal or other environmental sources, chemical warfare agents, biological toxins, viruses, bacteria, fungus, and biological warfare agents.