Composition and method of treating dopamine deficiency in brain tissue

Abstract

The dopamine content in brain tissue of animals is increased by administering to the animal L-dopa or its salts in combination with L-α-hydrazino-α-lower alkyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid or its salts .[.or α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid or its salts.].. The increased dopamine content in brain tissue tends to alleviate some of the symptoms caused by Parkinsonism and similar diseases.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of increasing the dopamine content in the brain tissue of an animal which comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition containing a Compound (A) selected from the group consisting of L-dopa and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof and a Compound (B) selected from the group consisting of .Iadd.L.Iaddend.-α-hydrazino-α-lower alkyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid .[.and α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid.]. and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof, wherein the ratio of Compound (A) to Compound (B) is from about 0.05 to about 500. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Compound (B) is L-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid. .[.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the Compound (B) is 
     
     
        α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid..]. 4. A method of increasing the dopamine content in the bran tissue of an animal which comprises administering to the animal from about 0.05 to about 300 mg./kg. of body weight of a composition containing a Compound (A) selected from the group consisting of L-dopa and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof and a Compound (B) selected from the group consisting of L-α-hydrazino-α-lower alkyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid .[.and α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid.]. and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof, wherein the ratio of 
     
     
        Compound (A) to Compound (B) is from about 0.05 to about 500. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the Compound (B) is L-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid. .[.6. The method of claim 4 wherein the Compound (B) is 
     
     
        α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid..]. 7. The method of 
     
     
        claim 4 wherein the compounds are administered orally. 8. The method of 
     
     
        claim 4 wherein the compounds are administered sequentially. 9. The method 
     
     
        of claim 4 wherein the compounds are administered simultaneously. 10. The method of claim 4 wherein the ratio of Compound (A) to Compound (B) is 
     
     
        from about 0.5 to about 50. 11. The method of claim 4 wherein the ratio of 
     
     
        Compound (A) to Compound (B) is from about 1 to about 30. 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a Compound (A) selected from the group consisting of L-dopa and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof and a Compound (B) selected from the group consisting of L-α-hydrazino-α-lower alkyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid .[.and α-hydrazino-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid.]. and a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt thereof, wherein the ratio of 
     
     
        Compound (A) to Compound (B) is from about 0.05 to about 500. 13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the ratio of Compound (A) 
     
     
        to Compound (B) is from about 0.5 to about 50. 14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the ratio of Compound (A) to Compound (B) is from about 1 to about 30. .Iadd. 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the Compound (B) is L-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl propionic acid..Iaddend.