Columbia University

Other

Trupti Gaonkar

Shanta M Modak

Milind S Shintre

Lauserpina Algenio Caraos

Ingrid Geraldo

Lester A Sampath

Lauser Caraos

The present invention relates to compositions comprising quaternary ammonium compounds and essential oils or individual constituents thereof which exhibit enhanced antimicrobial effects. Such combinations may be comprised in lotions, gels, creams, soaps, etc. for application to skin or mucous membranes. The invention is based, at least in part, on the observation that synergistic antimicrobial effects are achieved with combinations of essential oils or individual constituents thereof and low concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds.

Antimicrobial compositions containing synergistic combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds and essential oils and/or constituents thereof

The addition of low concentrations of combinations of water-soluble organic salts of zinc to gels, creams, lotions or ointments can increase the ability of these products to reduce or prevent exogenous irritants from causing irritation of the underlying substrate. The addition of low concentrations of combinations of water-soluble organic zinc salts to these gels, creams, lotions or ointments also can reduce the irritation of skin or mucous membranes caused by the addition of potentially-irritating substances such as spermicides, microbicides, fungicides or other therapeutic agents to the gel, cream, lotion or ointment. The advantages of this anti-irritant approach over others, which generally employ high concentrations of single zinc salts, are the reduced potential for zinc toxicity, the reduced potential for toxicity related to zinc itself, and the preservation of the desirable biological properties of potentially-irritating therapeutic substances added to the gel, cream, lotion or ointment.

Zinc salt compositions for the prevention of dermal and mucosal irritation

Antimicrobial compositions having synergistic combinations of octoxyglycerin and at least one other antimicrobial agent in formulations which are more effective than prior art compositions without causing increased irritation to the skin of the average user. In certain embodiments, skin irritation may be minimized by low concentrations of antimicrobials and/or the presence of soothing compounds such as zinc. Preferred embodiments include combinations of octoxyglycerin, a quaternary compound, and at least one other antimicrobial agent. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is hypothesized that the unexpected antimicrobial effectiveness of combinations of octoxyglycerin may result from an enhancement of the permeability of microbes to antimicrobials caused by octoxyglycerin. Hydroalcoholic gel composition containing alcohol, water, hydrogel, and emollient or emulsifier, wherein the composition has a viscosity of below 2000 centipoises at between 20 and 40&#xb0; C. This skin-friendly hydroalcoholic gel composition, which can be further combined with silicone polymer, emollient solvent, thickening agent and antimicrobial agent, enhances rapid and long-term antimicrobial efficacy.

Gentle-acting skin-disinfectants and hydroalcoholic gel formulations

The present invention provides for compositions and methods that may offer protection from irritants as well as antimicrobial protection. Preferred embodiments of the invention include topical antimicrobial compositions that lack conventional antibiotics or preservatives, wherein the antimicrobial benefit is created by essential oils (or their active ingredients), emollient solvents and, in some instances, anti-inflammatory agents.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions which employ low concentrations of combinations of zinc salts to prevent the irritation of skin or mucous membranes that may be caused by therapeutic agents, by personal hygiene products, by articles such as gloves or condoms, or by various physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological irritants.

Non-irritating compositions containing zinc salts

The present invention relates to methods and compositions which employ low concentrations of combinations of zinc salts to prevent the irritation of skin or mucous membranes that may be caused by therapeutic agents, by personal hygiene products, or by various physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological irritants, including infectious agents.

The present invention provides for compositions and methods that may offer protection from irritants, as well as antimicrobial protection. Preferred embodiments of the invention include topical antimicrobial compositions comprising two or more water-soluble zinc salts in low concentrations.

Antimicrobial compositions having synergistic combinations of octoxyglycerin and at least one other antimicrobial agent in formulations which are more effective than prior art compositions without causing increased irritation to the skin of the average user. In certain embodiments, skin irritation may be minimized by low concentrations of antimicrobials and/or the presence of soothing compounds such as zinc. Preferred embodiments include combinations of octoxyglycerin, a quaternary compound, and at least one other antimicrobial agent. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is hypothesized that the unexpected antimicrobial effectiveness of combinations of octoxyglycerin may result from an enhancement of the permeability of microbes to antimicrobials caused by octoxyglycerin.

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New York, NY, United States of America

Trupti Gaonkar