Remedy for skin injuries and diseases

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides a composition suitable for external application against skin injuries and diseases, such as ulcera, [e.g., Ulcus Cruris (indolent leg ulcer)], burns, scalds, open skin wounds, and the like, and having as its active ingredient a compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein Y is hydrogen or --OX in which X represents hydrogen, a carboxylic acid residue, or a derivative of a carboxylic acid residue, and R 1 and R 2 are alkyl groups, e.g., lower alkyl groups such as methyl, and mixtures of these compounds. The most active of these ingredients is the compound of the above formula wherein X is the acetyl ester of the 3-methyl-3-hydroxy-butanecarboxylic acid residue. When mixtures of compounds including said most active compound of said general formula are employed against the aforesaid skin injuries and diseases, a synergistic effect is obtained. The compounds are preferably applied in admixture with a carrier, particularly in the form of a lipophil ointment, which, in addition to triglycerides, such as olive oil, also contains a wax, e.g., beeswax, and/or a vegetable gum, e.g., mastix. The invention also contemplates the extraction of the active compounds from the plants in which they occur at a temperature not exceeding about 80%, preferably not exceeding about 40° C., and in the substantial absence of light and oxygen, i.e., in substantial darkness and in an inert atmosphere, such as nitrogen.

Inventors

• 👤 Vassilios P. Papageorgiou

Bibliographic Details