You’re using a public version of DrugPatentWatch with 5 free searches available | Register to unlock more free searches. CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Claims for Patent: 6,028,118


✉ Email this page to a colleague

« Back to Dashboard


Summary for Patent: 6,028,118
Title: Methods of using extracts of shark cartilage
Abstract:The present invention relates to cartilage extracts and to a method of producing the same. Shark cartilage extracts having anti-angiogenic, anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenolytic activities have been obtained by an improved process. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a homogenate of cartilage in an aqueous solution, this homogenate being separated in a solid fraction (SOLID EXTRACT) and a liquid fraction which was further fractionated to obtain a LIQUID EXTRACT having molecules of a molecular weight comprised between 0 to 500 kDa. The composition of the liquid extract has then been investigated by different ways. Further fractionation of this extract led to the preliminary characterization of some of its active components. Due to the multiplicity of biological activities of the total liquid extract, it can be used for treating numerous diseases or conditions such as those having components selected from the group consisting of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation and collagenolysis. Several cosmetic applications based on the capacity of the liquid extract to improve skin barrier function are also under the scope of this invention. These extracts have no offensive effect on normal body functions. Therefore, these shark cartilage extracts have a very promising therapeutic value. The process for the obtention of cartilage extracts is simple and efficient. The unexpectedly valuable products obtained by this process are therefore an indication of a new and non-obvious process.
Inventor(s): Dupont; Eric (St. Nicholas, CA), Brazeau; Paul (Montreal, CA), Juneau; Christina (Ste. Foy, CA), Maes; Daniel H. (Huntington, NY), Marenus; Kenneth (Dix Hills, NY)
Assignee: Les Laboratoires Aeterna Inc. (Quebec, CA)
Application Number:08/693,535
Patent Claims:1. A method for improving mammalian skin barrier function which translates into more resistance to transepidermal water loss, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles; and

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa).

2. A method for soothing irritated mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles;

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa); and

e) filtering said final liquid extract on a membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut-off value of about 0.1 KDa, whereby said final liquid extract comprises molecules of a molecular weight lower than about 500 KDa and is enriched in molecules having a molecular weight of more than about 0.1 KDa.

3. A method for reducing inflammation in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles;

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 kilodaltons (KDa); and

e) filtering said final liquid extract on a membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut-off value of about 0.1 KDa, whereby said final liquid extract comprises molecules of a molecular weight lower than about 500 KDa and is enriched in molecules having a molecular weight of more than about 0.1 KDa.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said inflammation is caused by physical abrasion.

5. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein said inflammation is caused by chemical irritant.

6. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said inflammation is caused by ultraviolet radiation.

7. A method for inhibiting collagenase activity in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles;

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa); and

e) filtering said final liquid extract on a membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut-off value of about 0.1 KDa, whereby said final liquid extract comprises molecules of a molecular weight lower than about 500 KDa and is enriched in molecules having a molecular weight of more than about 0.1 KDa.

8. A method for regulating wrinkles or atrophy in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixtur eof solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biological active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles; and

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa).

9. A method for reducing acne in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles;

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa); and

e) filtering said final liquid extract on a membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut-off value of about 0.1 KDa, whereby said final liquid extract comprises molecules of a molecular weight lower than about 500 KDa and is enriched in molecules having a molecular weight of more than about 0.1 KDa.

10. A method for treating psoriasis in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles;

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than bout 500 Kilodaltons (KDa); and

e) filtering said final liquid extract on a membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut-off value of about 0.1 KDa, whereby said final liquid extract comprises molecules of a molecular weight lower than about 500 KDa and is enriched in molecules having a molecular weight of more than about 0.1 KDa.

11. A method for retarding premature aging in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles; and

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa).

12. A method of decreasing the expression of eczema in mammalian skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the skin a therapeutically effective amount of a shark cartilage extract obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

a) homogenizing shark cartilage in an aqueous solution in conditions which are substantially non-denaturing towards biologically active components extracted from cartilage, until the cartilage is reduced to solid particles whose size is lower than or equal to about 500 .mu.m;

b) extracting said biologically active components into said aqueous solution, which results in a mixture of solid particles and of crude liquid extract having said biologically active components;

c) separating said crude liquid extract from said solid particles; and

d) further separating the crude liquid extract so as to obtain a final liquid extract containing cartilage molecules having a molecular weight lower than about 500 Kilodaltons (KDa).

Make Better Decisions: Try a trial or see plans & pricing

Drugs may be covered by multiple patents or regulatory protections. All trademarks and applicant names are the property of their respective owners or licensors. Although great care is taken in the proper and correct provision of this service, thinkBiotech LLC does not accept any responsibility for possible consequences of errors or omissions in the provided data. The data presented herein is for information purposes only. There is no warranty that the data contained herein is error free. thinkBiotech performs no independent verification of facts as provided by public sources nor are attempts made to provide legal or investing advice. Any reliance on data provided herein is done solely at the discretion of the user. Users of this service are advised to seek professional advice and independent confirmation before considering acting on any of the provided information. thinkBiotech LLC reserves the right to amend, extend or withdraw any part or all of the offered service without notice.