Compositions containing 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol for topical treatment of skin disorders and methods employing same

Abstract

Cosmetic and dermatological compositions containing 1α-hydroxycholeciferol and a suitable carrier useful in topical treatment of skin disorders and methods employing same are disclosed. Compositions containing 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and a suitable carrier and methods employing same are also disclosed for dermatological and cosmetic uses. Various formulations of the compositions including creams, lotions, ointments and sprays are disclosed for use in accordance with this invention. The compositions and formulations may contain additional active ingredients.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition for use in topical treatment of skin disorders selected from the group consisting of dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, lack of adequate skin firmness, dermal hydration and sebum secretion, which comprises between about 0.001 μg and 1.0 μg per gram of the composition of a compound of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is H or OH, and a suitable carrier selected from the group consisting of a cream, an ointment and a lotion. 
     
     
       2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R is H. 
     
     
       3. A cosmetic composition comprising a composition according to claim 1, wherein .[.the effective amount.]. .Iadd.the compound .Iaddend.is .Iadd.present in the composition in an amount .Iaddend.from about 0.001 μg/gm to about 0.03 μg/gm of the composition. 
     
     
       4. A dermatological composition comprising a composition according to claim 1, wherein .[.the effective amount.]. .Iadd.the compound .Iaddend.is .Iadd.present in the composition in an amount .Iaddend.from about 0.03 μg/gm to about 1 μg/gm of the composition. 
     
     
       5. A cream useful in the topical treatment of skin disorders comprising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the suitable carrier comprises a mixture of water, self-emulsifying beeswax, mineral oil and almond oil. 
     
     
       6. A cream according to claim 5, wherein the mixture includes in the following proportions: water, about 40 parts;   self-emulsifying beeswax, about 20 parts;   mineral oil, about 40 parts; and   almond oil, about 1 part.   
     
     
       7. An ointment useful in the topical treatment of skin disorders comprising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the suitable carrier comprises a mixture of vegetable oil and white soft paraffin. 
     
     
       8. An ointment according to claim 7, wherein the vegetable oil is almond oil which is present in the amount of about 30% and the white soft paraffin is present in the amount of about 70%, both on the basis of weight. 
     
     
       9. A lotion useful in the topical treatment of skin disorders comprising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the suitable carrier comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
       10. A composition according to claim 1 which further comprises an effective amount of a compound capable of inducing epithelialization. 
     
     
       11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the compound is a retinoid. 
     
     
       12. A composition according to claim 11, wherein the retinoid is Vitamin A and the effective amount is about 0.003-0.3% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       13. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the compound is a chromanol. 
     
     
       14. A composition according to claim 13, wherein the chromanol is Vitamin E and the effective amount is about 0.1-10% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       15. A composition according to claim 1 which further comprises an effective amount of a β-agonist. 
     
     
       16. A composition according to claim 15, wherein the agonist is isoproterenol and the effective amount is about 0.1-2% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       17. A composition according to claim 15, wherein the agonist is cyclic-AMP and the effective amount is about 0.1-1% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       18. A composition according to claim 1 which further comprises an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent. 
     
     
       19. A composition according to claim 18, wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a corticosteroid. 
     
     
       20. A composition according to claim 19, wherein the corticosteroid is hydrocortisone or its acetate and the effective amount is about 0.25-5% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       21. A composition according to claim 19, wherein the corticosteroid is dexamethasone and the effective amount is about 0.025-0.5% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       22. A composition according to claim 1 which further comprises an effective amount of a keratoplastic agent. 
     
     
       23. A composition according to claim 22, wherein the keratoplastic agent is coal tar and the effective amount is about 0.1-20% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       24. A composition according to claim 22, wherein the keratoplastic agent is anthralin and the effective amount is about 0.05-2% by weight based on the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       25. A method for treating skin disorders which comprises applying an effective amount of a dermatological composition according to claim 4 topically to the skin. 
     
     
       26. A method for treating skin disorders which comprises applying an effective amount of a cosmetic composition according to claim 3 topically to the skin. .Iadd.27. A method for treating skin disorders selected from the group consisting of dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, lack of adequate skin firmness, dermal hydration and sebum secretion which comprises topically applying to the skin an effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR3## 
     
     
        wherein R is H or OH. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  A method of claim 27, wherein R is OH. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A dermatological method of claim 27, wherein the skin disorder is dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or lack of dermal hydration. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A method of claim 29, wherein the skin disorder is psoriasis. .Iaddend.