Enzymatic wound debriding compositions with enhanced enzymatic activity

Abstract

The present invention is directed to topical enzymatic wound debriding compositions with enhanced enzymatic activity. These compositions comprise a dispersed phase comprising at least one proteolytic enzyme and at least one hydrophilic polyol; and a continuous phase comprising a hydrophobic base.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of treating a wound in need of debridement, the method comprising:
 applying to the wound a wound debriding composition comprising:   (a) a hydrophilic dispersed phase comprising a liquid hydrophilic polyol, and an effective debriding concentration of at least one proteolytic enzyme; and   (b) a hydrophobic continuous phase comprising a hydrophobic base,   wherein the composition is a dispersion of the hydrophilic dispersed phase in the hydrophobic continuous phase,   wherein the composition is anhydrous, and   wherein the amount of liquid hydrophilic polyol in the wound debriding composition is within ±10% w/w of X, wherein X is determined by:
 (i) obtaining a series of compositions comprising the hydrophilic dispersed phase and the hydrophobic continuous phase, wherein each composition in the series of compositions includes an identical amount of the proteolytic enzyme and a different amount of the liquid hydrophilic polyol, and wherein each composition in the series of compositions is q.s.-ed to 100% with the hydrophobic continuous phase; 
 (ii) determining the enzymatic activity of each composition in the series of compositions; and 
 (iii) determining the highest point on a graph that plots the enzymatic activity versus the amount of liquid hydrophilic polyol included in each composition of the series of compositions, wherein the highest point on the graph correlates to X. 
   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the amount of liquid hydrophilic polyol in the wound debriding composition is within ±7% w/w of X. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the amount of liquid hydrophilic polyol in the wound debriding composition is within ±5% w/w of X. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid hydrophilic polyol comprises a liquid polyethylene glycol, a liquid poloxamer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrophobic base comprises petrolatum. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is a liquid. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is a semi-solid. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the proteolytic enzyme is a metalloprotease, a cysteine protease, a serine protease, or an aspartic peptidase.