Aqueous gel composition and its use

Abstract

An aqueous gel composition comprising a) water, at least one polysaccharide and at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the water content is at least 90% by weight of the composition, and b) a local anaesthetic agent or an analgesic agent, for use as a local anaesthetic or analgesic. The aqueous gel shows transparency, lubricity, stringiness, elongation, extensiveness, and cohesiveness while being devoid of taste and smell and non-tacky or non-sticky.

1 . An aqueous gel composition comprising:
 a. water, at least one polysaccharide and at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the water content is at least 90% by weight of the composition; and   b. a local anaesthetic agent or an analgesic agent;   
       for use as a local anaesthetic or analgesic for mucosal membranes. 
     
     
         2 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the water content is at least 95% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the water content is in the range 98-99.5% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of cellulose and derivatives thereof, optionally substituted alkylcelluloses, gums, pectin, carrageenan and alginates. 
     
     
         5 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one cellulose and derivatives thereof, optionally substituted alkylcelluloses, gums, pectin and carrageenan is selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, xanthan gum, tara gum, guar gum, arabic (Acacia) gum, gellan gum, pullulan gum, cassia gum, carob gum, carregeenan, pectin, locust bean gum, welan gum, konjac, and karaya, preferably selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, xanthan gum, and guar gum, more preferably methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, gellan gum or xanthan gum. 
     
     
         6 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one cellulose and derivatives thereof is selected from methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and is preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. 
     
     
         7 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is of a molecular weight 200,000 to 7,000,000 in the range. 
     
     
         8 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of the at least one polysaccharide is in the range 0.1-3% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of the at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is in the range 0.05-2% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of the at least one polysaccharide in the composition is in the range 0.5-1.5% by weight of the composition, and the content of the at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide in the composition is in the range 0.1-1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the local anaesthetic agent or analgesic agent are selected from procaine, amethocaine, cocaine, lidocaine (also known as Lignocaine), prilocaine, bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, mepivacaine, dibucaine, benzocaine, tetracaine, etidiocine, and ropivacaine. 
     
     
         12 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a flavouring agent, a taste correcting substance, a colourant, a pH regulating agent, a preservative, a texture modifier, a therapeutically active agent, such as a caries-preventive agent, an antifungal agent, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, and an anti-parasitic agent. 
     
     
         13 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous gel composition is an oral or endoscopic local anaesthetic or analgesic. 
     
     
         14 . A saliva substitute composition comprising:
 a. water, at least one polysaccharide and at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the water content is at least 90% by weight of the composition; and   b. optionally a caries-preventive agent, an antifungal agent, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a flavouring agent, a taste correcting substance, a texture modifier, a colourant, a pH regulating agent, and a preservative.   
     
     
         15 . A food lubricant comprising:
 a. water, at least one polysaccharide and at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the water content is at least 90% by weight of the composition; and   b. optionally a caries-preventive agent, an antifungal agent, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a flavouring agent, a taste correcting substance, a texture modifier, a colourant, a pH regulating agent, and a preservative.   
     
     
         16 . An aqueous gel composition comprising water, at least one polysaccharide and at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, wherein the water content is in the range 98-99.5% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to any one of  claims 14 - 16 , wherein the at least one polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of cellulose and derivatives thereof, optionally substituted alkylcelluloses, gums, pectin, carrageenan and alginates. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to any one of  claims 14 - 16 , wherein the at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is of a molecular weight in the range 200,000-7,000,000. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to any one of  claims 14 - 16 , wherein the content of the at least one polysaccharide in the composition is in the range 0.5-1.5% by weight of the composition, and the content of the at least one high molecular weight polyethylene oxide in the composition is in the range 0.1-1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to any one of  claims 14 - 16 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a therapeutically active agent, such as a local anaesthetic agent, an analgesic agent, an anti-infective agent such as an antifungal agent, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, and an anti-parasitic agent, a caries-preventive agent, a flavouring agent, a taste correcting substance, a texture modifier, a colourant, a pH regulating agent, and a preservative. 
     
     
         21 . An aqueous gel composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the aqueous gel composition is a lubricant for mucosal membranes, serosal surfaces and skin and for submucosal applications. 
     
     
         22 . An aqueous gel composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the aqueous gel composition is a lubricant for devices and appliances. 
     
     
         23 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the water content is in the range 98.5-99.5% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         24 . The aqueous gel composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the water content is in the range 98.7-99.3% by weight of the composition.