Method of Topically Administering a Curcumin Derivative

Abstract

The present invention is directed to topically administering a compound represented by Structural Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The variables for Structural Formula (I) are defined herein. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Structural Formula (I).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for administering an effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the method comprising topically administering the compound to the dermis. 
       
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein topical administration is enhanced using a transdermal patch. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein topical administration is enhanced using a transdermal vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is formulated as a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers and/or one or more diluents. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a powder, a spray, a gel, and an ointment or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises an absorption enhancer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the absorption enhancer is one or more of an agent that inhibits enzyme activity, opens tight junctions, and/or solubilizes the compound. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the enhancer is one or more of a chelating agent, fatty acid, bile acid salt, surfactant, and/or preservative. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises one or more flavonoid compounds selected from the group consisting of resveratrol, hispidin, genistein, ellagic acid, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, the green tea catechin EGCG, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the flavonoid is resveratrol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the wherein the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier comprises a lipophilic micelle, liposome, or a combination thereof.