Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of skin and mucous membranes suffering from a follicular dermatosis. The compositions include one or more pyridine-thiols and tautomers with attached metallic moieties. Administration of the compounds to aging skin and mucous membranes in topical formulations, either as the only active ingredient or in combination with other known active ingredients to treat a follicular dermatosis. Additional compositions for treating follicular dermatosis contain one or more sulfides and oxides of these same metallic ions, either alone or in combination with other molecules. Topical formulations containing both a pyridine-thiol and tautomers with attached metallic moiety and a metallic sulfide and/or metallic oxide effectively treat skin and mucous membranes suffering from a follicular dermatosis.

Abstract: A method for disrupting epithelial barrier function in a host in need of the topical administration of a physiologically active substance which comprises applying to the epithelium of the host, barrier-disrupting amount of at least one agent selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor of ceramide synthesis, inhibitor of acylceramide synthesis, inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthesis, and inhibitor of sphingomyelin synthesis, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, a degradation enzyme of ceramides, acylceramide, glucosylceramides, sphingomyelin, an inhibitor of phospholipid, glycosphingolipid, including glucosylceramide, acylceramide or sphingomyelin degradation, and both inhibitors and stimulators of metabolic enzymes of free fatty acids, ceramide, and cholesterol, as well as a topical composition useful therefore are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and reversing the signs and symptoms of intrinsic and photo aging. The compositions include one or more pyridine-thiols and tautomers with attached metallic moieties. Administration of the compounds to aging skin and mucous membranes in topical formulations, either as the only active ingredient or in combination with other known active ingredients, prevents and reverses aging symptoms. Additional compositions for preventing and reversing aging contain one or more sulfides and oxides of these same metallic ions, either alone or in combination with other molecules known or suspected to exhibit age reversing properties. Topical formulations containing both a pyridine-thiol and tautomers with attached metallic moiety and a metallic sulfide and/or metallic oxide effectively prevent and reverse the signs and symptoms of mucocutaneous aging.

Abstract: The permeation of a therapeutic agent through the epithelium by topical administration is enhanced by the further topical administration of a stearylamine, transvaccenic acid or a combination of a stearylamine and transvaccenic acid.

Abstract: A method for enhancing penetration of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent in a host in need of the topical administration thereof which comprises applying to the epithelium of the host, an effective amount of one or more penetration enhancing epithelial sterols and the therapeutic or prophylactic agent.

Abstract: The epidermal permeability barrier to systemically and/or topically active agents or compositions designed for topical administration is enhanced to an unexpected degree by certain combinations of known penetration enhancing excipients. One group of combinations comprise a glycol and an alcohol at a weight ratio within the range of 1:0.1 to 1:10 with one or more further additives, selected from the excipient groups of branched-chain esters of fatty acids, surfactants, and membrane fluidizers. Another group of combinations comprise an alcohol of four or more carbon atoms and one or more further additives selected from the excipient groups of glycols and surfactants.

Abstract: A method for enhancing penetration of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent in a host in need of the topical administration thereof which comprises applying to the epithelium of the host, the agent and an effective amount of one or more penetration enhancing epithelial proton pump inhibitors.

Abstract: Disorders of the skin and mucous membrane that have a disrupted or dysfunctional epidermal barrier are treated or prevented by topical application of a formulation comprising certain of the three major epidermal lipid species or their structurally similar precursors, isomers, or analogs in certain proportion ranges. This invention utilizes the following lipid species in unique combinations of two or more components: cholesterol, an acylceramide, a ceramide, and essential and nonessential fatty acids. These combinations are effective both as moisturizing agents and agents for the restoration of barrier function. Some of these combinations are further enhanced by the addition of known moisturizers such as petrolatum and glycerine.

Abstract: The topical administration of therapeutic agents to a variety of disease conditions, both cutaneous and systemic, is enhanced by combining the therapeutic agents with dicarboxylic acids or analogs of such acids, which include mono- and dimercapto derivatives, salts, esters, amides and anhydrides. Preferred dicarboxylic acids are azelaic and dodecanedioic acids and their monoglyceride and sucrose salts. Preferred therapeutic agents are antiinflammatory compounds, antihistamine compounds, antineoplastic compounds, vitamin D and retinoid agents. Specific examples of some of these compounds are 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, bleomycin, carmustine and nitrogen mustard. The acids and analogs of this invention enhance the penetration capabilities of the therapeutic agents and are thus effective in promoting the therapeutic effect of these agents inside diseased cells, particularly for diseases such as inflammatory skin diseases and premalignant and non-melanoma malignant skin tumors.

Abstract: Noninfectious inflammatory and hyperpigmentation skin diseases, thermal injuries and premalignant skin tumors induced by radiation or virus, in both humans and animals, are treated with topical formulations of an ester or amide of a monocarboxylic acid, the acid moiety of which is 9 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Hemorrhoids and viral-induced skin tumors such as warts and molluscum contagiosum are successfully treated with topical administration of artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, its semisynthetic derivatives and its synthetic analogs.

Abstract: Certain compounds having sesquiterpene structures, when combined with monocarboxylic fatty acids, esters or amides, have efficacy in the treatment of papulosquamous and eczematous diseases. Prime examples of the sesquiterpene compounds are artemisinin and analogs, and prime examples of the monocarboxylic fatty acid compounds are lauric acid, monolaurin and lauryl-N,N-dimethylamide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new topical pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of pruritis, especially psychogenic and senile types, that contains esters and amides of 5 to 19 carbon atom length monocarboxylic acids. These esters and amides are formulated alone or with other known topical antipruritic agents, such as amine and "Caine" anesthetics, alcohols, ketones, antihistamines, corticosteroids, counterirritants, and any combination of these.

Abstract: Psoriasis, ultraviolet light induced skin conditions and tumors are successfully treated with topical or oral administration of artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, its semisynthetic derivatives and its synthetic analogs. Viral tumors/diseases, hemorrhoids, and bullous skin diseases are also successfully treated with these topical compositions.

Abstract: Teething and colic are alleviated in infants and toddlers by the administration of a combination of an antihistamine and a benzodiazepine having sedative hypnotic activity. An exemplary antihistamine is hydroxyzine pamoate, and an exemplary benzodiazepine is diazepam.

Abstract: Skin suffering from emotional hyperhidrosis, ichthyosis with or without keratosis, and intrinsic or photoaging wrinkling is treated with mono- or discarboxylic acids containing 4 to 18 carbon atoms, or certain mercapto derivatives, salts or esters thereof.

Abstract: Noninfectious inflammatory skin diseases in which bacteria or yeasts play a significant adjunctive role are treated with topical formulations of aliphatic amines containing 9 to 18 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS Related Complex (ARC) with therapeutically effective amounts of semisynthetic derivatives of dihydroartemesinin and synthetic compounds with a sesquiterpene structure.

Abstract: Dermatoses involving nonacne inflammatory dermatoses, infectious cutaneous diseases, and hair loss resulting from inflammation or hormonal anomalies are treated with dicarboxylic acids containing 7 to 13 carbon atoms, or certain mercapto derivatives or salts thereof.