US 6669966
Multivalent electron active compositions and methods of making and using same  

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to electron active compounds and compositions that have polyvalent cations in their crystal lattices. In addition, the present invention also includes a method of making such electron active compounds. The present invention also relates to methods for the prevention, treatment, or management of conditions, or symptoms thereof, by administering one or more such compounds or compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Tetrasilver tetroxide has been demonstrated to possess unique properties arising from electrostatic concepts of metal cation interaction. Such silver molecules have also been disclosed for various uses, as they are reported to be non-toxic to animals and humans. M. Antelman, "Anti-Pathogenic Multivalent Silver Molecular Semiconductors," Precious Metals, vol. 16:141-149 (1992); M. Antelman, "Multivalent Silver Bactericides," Precious Metals, vol. 16:151-163 (1992). For example, tetrasilver tetroxide activated with an oxidizing agent is disclosed for use in bactericidal, fungicidal, and algicidal use, such as in municipal and industrial water treatment applications and for the treatment of AIDS.

[0005] A variety of sources also report the use of certain divalent silver compounds for water treatment, as well as the use of such compounds, typically in combination with certain oxidizing agents, metals, or other compounds, as disinfectants, bactericides, algicides, and fungicides. One source also reports a single in vitro study of the use of such compounds for the treatment of AIDS. These sources include M. Antelman, "Silver (II, III) Disinfectants," Soap/Cosmetics/Chemical Specialties, pp. 52-59 (Mar., 1994), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,017,295; 5,073,382; 5,078,902; 5,089,275; 5,098,582; 5,211,855; 5,223,149; 5,336,416; and 5,772,896.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,336,499 discloses tetrasilver tetroxide and persulfate compositions having certain in vitro anti-pathogenic properties, i.e., bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal, and algicidal, in certain concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm, particularly in nutrient broth cultures. The persulfate is disclosed as being an oxidizing agent that activates the tetroxide crystals. Also disclosed are an in vitro study regarding the inhibition of yeast growth in nutrient broth and the formulation of a gynecological cream and douche based on these results, and a report of an in vitro AIDS test with the compositions indicating total suppression of the virus at 18 ppm.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,520 discloses the use of molecular crystals of tetrasilver tetroxide, particularly with oxidizing agents to enhance the efficiency of such devices, for killing pathogenic microorganisms, such as staph infections. Amounts of 10 ppm sodium persulfate as an oxidizing agent were used with certain amounts of silver tetroxide in the reported in vitro testing. One human study involved in vivo curing of a gynecological yeast infection with 10 ppm of the silver tetroxide and 40 ppm sodium persulfate. Other in vivo topical studies report in conclusory fashion the cure of a single case of athlete's foot with a solution of 100 ppm of the composition and the cure of a single case of toenail fungus with a 25% suspension of the composition.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,977 discloses intraveneously injected tetrasilver tetroxide crystals used for destroying the AIDS virus, AIDS synergistic pathogens, and immunity suppressing moieties (ISM) in humans. The crystals were formulated for a single injection at about 40 ppm of human blood. This reference also discloses the compositions cause hepatomegaly, also known as enlarged liver, albeit with no reported loss of liver function.

[0009] The aforementioned references report detailed descriptions of the mechanism via which the multivalent silver molecular crystal devices were believed to operate. A discussion of such results and concepts was presented at a Seminar entitled "Incurable Diseases Update" (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, Feb. 11, 1998). The title of this presentation was "Beyond Antibiotics, Non Toxic Disinfectants and Tetrasil(TM) (a composition including tetrasilver tetroxide)." In this paper, it was reported that the effects of the electron transfer involved with respect to the tetroxide, rendered it a more powerful germicide than other silver entities. Other patents cover multivalent silver antimicrobial compositions, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,295 for Ag(II) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,149 for Ag (III). These are stronger antimicrobial agents than Ag (I) compounds, but they pale by comparison to tetrasilver tetroxide. Likewise, colloidal silver that derives its germicidal properties from trace silver (I) ions it generates in various environments is also less effective. Accordingly, the oligodynamic properties of these entities may be summarized as follows, which is referred to as the Horsfal series:

[0010] Ag4O4>Ag(III)>Ag(II)>>>>Ag(I)

[0011] Another property of the tetrasilver tetroxide is that it does not stain organic matter such as skin in like manner as Ag(I) compounds do. In addition, it is light stable.

[0012] Further, synthetic routes for making Bi(III,V) oxide are detailed and reviewed in Gmelins Handbuch DerAnorganischen Chemie, vol. 16:642 (1964). Also, Co(II,III) oxide, Fe(II,III) oxide, Mn(II,III) oxide, and Pr(III,IV) oxide can all be found in nature. These five multivalent metal oxides are also all available commercially.

[0013] In view of the beneficial properties of tetrasilver tetroxide, it could be desirable to find other medicinal uses for this compound, as well as to discover other electron active metal oxides that provide similar properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which has a first valence state and at least one of which has a second, different valence state. Advantageously, the pharmaceutical composition may have antipathogenic efficacy. Preferably, the at least one electron active compound includes a metal oxide. In one embodiment, the metal oxide includes at least one of bismuth, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, praseodymium, or a combination thereof. Preferably, in that embodiment, the metal oxide includes at least one of Bi(III,V) oxide, Co(II,III) oxide, Cu(I,III) oxide, Fe(II,III) oxide, Mn(II,III) oxide, Pr(III,IV) oxide, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the metal oxide can include Ag(I,III) oxide. Alternately, the pharmaceutical composition does not include tetrasilver tetroxide. In another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition does not include tricobalt tetroxide. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition may include at least two different electron active compounds. In another embodiment, the compound may be in powder or granular form.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first valence and the second valence of the at least two polyvalent cations differ by at least 1, preferably by 1 or 2. In another preferred embodiment, the first valence and the second valence of the at least two polyvalent cations differ by more than 2. Advantageously, the electron active compound has at least one polyvalent cation which has an EMF<ox >of at least about +0.1 Volts.

[0016] In one embodiment, the amount of the at least one electron active compound is present in an amount from about1 ppm to 500,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. If desired, the pharmaceutical composition can include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Optionally, the composition can also include an oxidizing agent, preferably present in an amount sufficient to enhance the efficacy of the active compound but insufficient to cause skin irritation. Preferably, the oxidizing agent includes a peroxy acid salt of a persulfate.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one compound has antimicrobial efficacy, preferably of at least about 20%. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial efficacy is at least about 50%. In yet another embodiment, the antimicrobial efficacy is at least about 80%. In these embodiments, about 100 ppm of the at least one compound is placed in contact for about 10 minutes with microbes having a cell density of approximately 75,000 CFU/mL.

[0018] Also an aspect of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising tetracopper tetroxide compound. Advantageously, the tetracopper tetroxide contains two copper(I) ions, two copper(III) ions, and four oxygen atoms in a crystal lattice.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of preventing, treating, or managing a condition of a patient which includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the electron active compounds described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, to prevent, treat, or manage the condition, or a symptom thereof. In one embodiment, the method excludes tetrasilver tetroxide. In a preferred embodiment, the patient is a mammal, preferably, a human. Advantageously, the electron active compound(s) can be administered topically, parenterally, or transdermally, preferably in an amount from about 5 ppm to 500,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one embodiment, at least two different electron active compounds are administered.

[0020] In another embodiment, the method can include administering one or more additional different therapeutic agents, present in an amount sufficient to facilitate the prevention, treatment, or management of the condition. In this embodiment, the one or ore additional therapeutic agents may optionally be administered concurrently with the electron active compound(s).

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of facilitating the killing of a pathogen which includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which having a first valence state and at least one of which having a second different valence state.

[0022] The present invention also involves a method of inhibiting the growth of a pathogen which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmnaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which having a first valence state and at least one of which having a second different valence state.

[0023] In one embodiment, these methods exclude the administration of tetrasilver tetroxide. In either of these methods, the pathogen can include a gram-positive bacillus or coccus; a gram-negative bacillus or coccus; an acid-fast bacterium; another type of bacterium; a fungus; a parasitic microbe; a virus; or a combination thereof.

[0024] Tetracopper tetroxide, containing two copper(I) ions, two copper(III) ions, and four oxygen atoms, is one preferred electron active compound, while the administration of tetrasilver tetroxide for treating certain conditions is excluded.

[0025] In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing tetracopper tetroxide, which includes: combining a copper(I)-containing compound and a caustic solution to form a reactant solution; and heating the reactant solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a detectable amount of the tetracopper tetroxide compound. Advantageously, the copper(I)-containing compound includes a non-solvated inorganic copper(I) oxide, such as cuprous oxide.

[0026] The caustic solution generally contains a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt. Preferably, the strong caustic base includes a hydroxide salt, and the peroxy acid salt includes a persulfate.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to method water with the compounds or compositions of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0028] Some of the terms used in connection with the invention can be defined as follows:

[0029] The term "condition," as used herein, should be understood to refer to a traditionally identified disease, as well as a disorder, an affliction, or an ailment, particularly including those noted herein.

[0030] The terms "prevent," "preventing," and "prevention," as used herein, refer to stopping or hindering a condition, symptom, or pathogen causing a condition, in a patient who is at risk of suffering from such a condition. This also includes reducing the frequency or severity, or both, of the occurrence of such conditions or one or more symptoms thereof.

[0031] The terms "manage," "managing," and "management," as used herein, includes controlling those conditions which cannot be cured completely, reducing the time of affliction of such conditions, and the like. Preferably, the compositions prevent, treat, or manage such conditions without superficially discoloring the skin, i.e., no discoloration to the naked eye. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the treatment or management, while in another embodiment the invention relates to the prevention, of the diseases or conditions disclosed and claimed herein. The terms also include the use of the compounds or compositions of the invention to facilitate the halting, diminishing, or inhibiting of the growth or proliferation of pathogens that may accentuate, amplify, exacerbate, or cause, either directly or indirectly, a condition and/or a symptom thereof.

[0032] The term "patient" as used herein refers to animals, particularly to mammals. In one preferred embodiment, the term patient refers to humans.

[0033] The terms "adverse effects," "adverse side effects," and "side effects," as used herein, include, but are not limited to, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac conduction disturbances, appetite stimulation, weight gain, sedation, gastrointestinal distress, headache, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, drug-drug interactions, superficial discoloration of the skin, dry skin, hepatomegaly, fever, fatigue, and the like. The term "cardiac arrhythmia" includes, but is not limited to, ventricular tachyrhythmia, torsades de pointes, QT prolongation, and ventricular fibrillation.

[0034] The phrase "therapeutically effective amount" when used herein in connection with the compositions and methods of the invention, means that amount of electron active metal oxide compound(s) or composition(s), or a derivative thereof, which, alone or in combination with other drugs, provides a therapeutic benefit in the prevention, treatment, or management, of a condition. In one embodiment, the effective amount is one or more metal oxide compounds or compositions as the sole active ingredient. Different therapeutically effective amounts may be applicable for each condition, as will be readily known or determined by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0035] The term "substantially free" means less than about 10 weight percent, preferably less than about 5 weight percent, more preferably less than about 1 weight percent, and most preferably less than about 0.1 weight percent. For example, a composition may be substantially free of added oxidizing agent or of added persulfate according to the invention.

[0036] The term "about," as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both numbers in a range of numerals. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range.

[0037] The term "substantial," as used herein, means at least about 75%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, most preferably at least about 99%.

[0038] The term "valence state," as used herein, should be understood to refer to the charge on a given ion or to the charge that may be assigned to a given ion based on its electronic state.

[0039] The terms "inhibit," "inhibiting," or "inhibits," as used herein when referring to growth of an item, should be understood to refer to the act of stopping that growth, whether permanently or temporarily, or of reducing the rate of that growth, either permanently or temporarily.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The tetrasilver tetroxide compounds mentioned in the background are one type of electron active compound having multivalent cations in its crystal lattice. Various additional electron active compounds have now also been identified, as well as methods for making and using the same for treating various pathogenic and non-pathogenic conditions or disorders. The electron active compounds of the present invention are believed to have unique crystal structures in that, in the case of the metal oxides, there are generally atoms of the same element in the crystal that have at least two different valences, typically at least one lower-valent metal cation and at least one higher-valent metal cation, for example, such as Co(II) and Co(III), respectively. Exemplary electron active metal oxide compounds according to the invention include, but are not limited to, Ag(I,III), Co(II,III), Pr(III,IV), Bi(III,V), Fe(II,III), Mn(II,III), and Cu(I,III) oxides. In another embodiment, Tb(III,IV) oxide, Tb4O7, or tetraterbium heptoxide, is one electron active metal oxide compound according to the invention. As discussed below, pharmaceutical compositions including one or more of such oxide compounds are useful for treating various conditions. The composition of such exemplary electron active metal oxides is shown in tabular form below:

        Lower-valent    Higher-valent  

  e  Formula  Metal cations  ion  #  ion  #

  2  Ag4O4  Ag(I,III)  Ag<+ >  2  Ag<+3>  2

  1  Co3O4  Co(II,III)  Co<+2>  1  Co<+3>  2

  2  Pr6O11  Pr(III,IV)  Pr<+3>  2  Pr<+4>  4

  2  Bi2O4  Bi(III,V)  Bi<+3>  1  Bi<+5>  1

  1  Fe3O4  Fe(II,III)  Fe<+2>  1  Fe<+3>  2

  1  Mn3O4  Mn(II,III)  Mn<+2>  1  Mn<+3>  2

  2  Cu4O4  Cu(I,III)  Cu<+ >  2  Cu<+3>  2

  e - total number of electrons believed to be exchanged;

  # - number of particular ion type per formula unit.

[0041] Without being bound to theory, it is believed that the electron active compounds operate against pathogens by transferring electrons between their lower-valent ions and their higher-valent ions in the crystal, thereby contributing to the death of pathogens by traversing their cell membrane surface. It would seem that this, in effect, "electrocutes" the pathogens. While these compounds have also been discovered to be suitable for use in the prevention, treatment, and management of other non-pathogenic conditions and disorders, such as autoimmune disorders, circulatory disorders, neurological disorders, and the like, the mechanism by which such conditions or disorders are prevented, treated, or managed has not yet been fully understood. In any event, the electrons in proximity to pathogens are believed to be perturbed from their balanced crystals by such labile groups as NH, NH2, S-S, and SH, which can be present, for example, in a pathogen cell membrane. It is believed, however, that normal cells will not be significantly affected because they do not proliferate rapidly enough to expose these labile bonds sufficiently for the bonds to be substantially affected.

[0042] The crystals in the electron active compounds are not believed to be disturbed unless more stable complexes are formed with ligands, for example, such as those comprising a pathogen cell membrane surface in a dynamic state. Indeed, the end result of electron transfer, which is a redox reaction, results in the lower-valent metal ions being oxidized to one valence state higher and the higher-valent metal ions being reduced to one valence state lower. In one embodiment, the oxidation of the lower-valent metal ions and the reduction of the higher-valent metal ions both result in ions having the same oxidation state. Examples of such an embodiment occur when the valence difference between the metal ions in the electron active molecular crystal is 2 and such examples include, but are not limited to, Ag(I,III), Bi(III,V), and Cu(I,III) oxides. In another embodiment, the oxidation of the lower-valent metal ions and the reduction of the higher-valent metal ions result in ions having opposite oxidation states (e.g., ions with a +2 valence state are oxidized to +3, while the ions with a +3 valence state are reduced to +2). Examples of such an embodiment occur when the valence difference between the metal ions in the electron active molecular crystal is 1 and such examples include, but are not limited to, Co(II,III), Fe(II,III), Mn(II,III), and Pr(III,IV) oxides.

[0043] The metal ion of certain electron active compounds may exhibit a distinct affinity for certain elements of ligands, for example, such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen, particularly when present in a pathogen's cell membrane. In many cases, the metal ion will not merely bind to these elements, but will actually form chelate complexes with their ligands. The classic example of this is Ag(I,III) oxide, the monovalent silver ion of which has an affinity for sulfur and nitrogen and the oxidized/reduced divalent ion of which forms chelate complexes with, for example, mercapto or amino groups. Thus, the electron active compound attraction for the cell membrane surfaces, for example, of pathogens, is believed to be driven by powerful electrostatic forces.

[0044] Without being bound by theory, the electron exchange may be depicted, for example, by the following series of redox half reactions:

      metal(III,IV)  metal(III,V)

  metal(I,III) oxides  metal(II,III) oxides  oxides  oxides

  Ag<+ >- e = Ag<+2>  Co<+2 >- e = Co<+3>  Pr<+3 >- e = Pr<+4>  Bi<+3 >- e = Bi<+4>

  Ag<+3 >+ e = Ag<+2>  Co<+3 >+ e = Co<+2>  Pr<+4 >+ e = Pr<+3>  Bi<+5 >+ e = Bi<+4>

  Cu<+> - e = Cu<+2>  Fe<+2 >- e = Fe<+3>

  Cu<+3 >+ e = Cu<+2>  Fe<+3 >+ e = Fe<+2>

    Mn<+2 >- e = Mn<+3>

    Mn<+3 >+ e = Mn<+2>

[0045] For each redox reaction, there is believed to be an electromotive force, which is the voltage potential of the oxidizing the higher-valent ion in the metal oxide crystal. This is denoted herein as EMF<OX>. In addition to the electromotive force of oxidation, there is believed to be an associated reduction reaction involving the lower-valent ion in the metal oxide crystal. This reduction reaction may be represented simply, as tabulated above, or may represent the interaction with, for example, a ligand present on a pathogen cell membrane surface, such as one containing sulfur or nitrogen. Associated with the reduction reaction is another electromotive force, or voltage potential of the reducing the lower-valent ion. This is denoted herein as EMF<RE>.

[0046] When the metal ions of the electron active metal oxide interact with, for example, a sulfur-containing ligand, the affinity of the metal ion for sulfur affects EMF<RE>. The stability of a particular metal sulfide is an approximation of the affinity of a metal ion for sulfur. The following approximate association constants for sulfides indicate the trend in relative affinity of each metal ion for sulfur:

    Ag(I)  49

    Cu(I)  47

    Co(II)  26

    Fe(II)  19

    Mn(II)  15

[0047] In general, the more stable the compound, the more negative its reduction potential in the reduction reaction, for example, in the case of elemental silver:

[0048] 2Ag+S<-2>-2e->Ag2S EMF<RE>=-0.66

[0049] In the case of tetrasilver tetroxide, there is a reduction reaction where Ag(I) is oxidized and an oxidation reaction where Ag(III) is reduced, as follows:

EMI1.1

[0050] The voltage that is discharged from a redox reaction of the electron active metal oxides of the present invention, which voltage is denoted herein as the "electrocution voltage," is the combination of the oxidizing cation's reduction potentials and the reducing cation's reduction potential (i.e., EMF<OX>-EMF<RE>) In the case of tetrasilver tetroxide, the "electrocution voltage" is 2.92 volts. The oxidizing cation's reduction potentials, EMF<OX>, of exemplary metal oxides according to the present invention are tabulated below:

    Formula  Metal cations  EMF<ox>

    Ag4O4  Ag(I,III)  2.02

    Co3O4  Co(II,III)  1.81

    Pr6O11  Pr(III,IV)  2.86

    Bi2O4  Bi(III,V)  1.59

    Fe3O4  Fe(II,III)  0.77

    Mn3O4  Mn(II,III)  1.54

    Cu4O4  Cu(I,III)  1.80

[0051] As noted from the above table, praseodymium-, cobalt-, and copper-based oxides are believed to be stronger antipathogenic agents or to form better pharmaceutical compositions than manganese-, bismuth-, and iron-based oxides, and in one embodiment they are preferred for this reason. Nevertheless, in certain cases, iron exhibits stronger antipathogenic characteristics, particularly antimicrobial characteristics, compared to manganese.

[0052] Another factor, however, particularly in antipathogenic or antimicrobial efficacy, can be the sulfur/nitrogen composition, for example, of cell membranes. For example, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, in a culture having a cell density of 30,000 CFU/mL, exhibit significant mortality from exposure to 100 ppm of Bi(III,V) oxide for about 10 minutes, but no significant mortality from exposure to the same concentrations of Fe(II,III) and Mn(II,III) oxides for the same contact time. This result might be explained by the far greater stability of bismuth(III) sulfide, and thus the far greater affinity of bismuth(III) for sulfur, than either of the iron(II) or manganese(II) analogs.

[0053] The electron active metal oxide compounds and compositions of the present invention may be used in any form which sufficiently retains their antipathogenic character, or other non-pathogenic ability, to prevent, treat, or manage one or more of the conditions noted herein.

[0054] These compounds or compositions may be used as antipathogenic agents, such as antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, or anti-algal agents, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the compounds or compositions may be used for preventing, treating, and/or managing various conditions that are non-pathogenic. For example, non-pathogenic conditions are believed to include certain autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, and circulatory disorders. While the exact mechanism of the activity of such compounds or compositions is not described herein, nonetheless, suitable prevention, treatment, and/or management of such non-pathogenic conditions may be obtained by administering the compounds or compositions of the invention as described herein and as will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0055] The compositions and methods of the invention advantageously prevent, treat, or manage dermatological diseases or conditions. The conditions against which the electron active compounds, such as metal oxides, of the present invention have utility include, but are not limited to, Madura foot, actinomycosis, oral actinomycosis, anthrax, food poisoning, botulism, wound infections, pseudomembranous colitis, colitis, gas gangrene, gangrene, tetanus, diphtheria, pharyngeal diphtheria, pleomorphic laryngeal diphtheria, cutaneous diphtheria, endocarditis, bacteremia, urinary tract infections, listerosis, meningitis, miscarriage, narcodiosis, acne, skin lesions, abscesses, toxic shock syndrome, prosthesis contamination, dental caries, plaque, gum disease, gingivitis, subacute endocarditis, bacterial pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis, cat scratch fever, septicemia, abdominal and pelvic abscesses, Oroya fever, systemic Oroya fever, verruga peruana, cutaneous verruga peruana, whooping cough, Lyme disease, epidemic relapsing fever, brucellosis, granuloma inguinale granulomatic, donovanosis, gastroenteritis, nosocomial infections, tularemia, bacterial vaginitis, urethritis, bacterial conjunctivitis, chancroid, otitis media, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, Legionnaires' disease, leptospirosis, gonorrhea, arthritis, periodontal disease, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, shigellosis, rat bite fever, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, syphilis, cholera, Asiatic cholera, Yersina arthritis, bubonic plague, chronic pulmonary disease, Hansen's disease, leprosy, tuberculosis, dermal tuberculosis, psittachosis, ornithosis, conjunctivitis, trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, genital tract infections, Q fever, primary atypical pneumonia, rickettsial pox, typhus, epidemic typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tsutsugamushi fever, nongonococcal urethritis, human erlichiosis, meningococcal meningitis, skin infections, corneal infections, external ear infections, candidiasis, monoiliasis, thrush, candidosis, mucositis, bacteremia, hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis E, coccidiomycosis, lymphadenitis, balantidiasis cryptosporidosis, amoebiasis, amoebic dysentery, giardiasis, giardia enteritis, leishmaniasis, Kala-azar, malaria, toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, African sleeping sickness, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, cytomegalovirus infection, poliomyelitis, West Nile virus disease, influenza, measles, condyloma, encephalitis, ankylosing spondylitis, arteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, polyarteritis nodosa, rheumatic fever, systemic Lupus erythematosus, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Crohn's disease, strep throat, yellow fever, eczema, psoriasis, dernatitis, disease-induced skin ulcers, undefined tropical diseases, shingles, rashes, heat rashes, bedsores, cold sores, blisters, boils, herpes simplex, acne, pimples, skin chafing, skin cracking, itchiness, skin peeling, warts, one or more symptoms thereof, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the condition includes HIV (AIDS), or one or more symptoms. It should be understood that the invention includes the use of the compounds or compositions to prevent, treat, or manage each of these conditions individually or multiple conditions concurrently or sequentially. Thus, the prevention, treatment, or management of each condition should be understood as a separate embodiment.

[0056] The pathogens which may be killed by, or the growth or proliferation of which may be halted, diminished, or inhibited by, the electron active metal oxides of the present invention include, but are not limited to, gram-positive bacilli and cocci; gram-negative bacilli and cocci; acid-fast bacteria; other bacteria; fungi; parasitic microbes, e.g., protozoa; and viruses.

[0057] Examples of gram-positive bacilli and cocci include, but are not limited to, Actinomedurae, Actinomyces israelii, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, Corynebacterium, Enterococcusfaecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Nocardia, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epiderm, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and combinations thereof.

[0058] Examples of gram-negative bacilli and cocci include, but are not limited to, Afipia felis, Bacteriodes, Bartonella bacilliformis, Bortadella pertussis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia recurrentis, Brucella, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Haemophilius aegyptius, Haemophilius ducreyi, Haemophilius influenziae, Heliobacter pylori, Legionella pneumophila, Leptospira interrogans, Neisseria meningitidia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Providencia sturti, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteridis, Salmonella typhi, Serratia marcescens, Shigella boydii, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Treponema pallidum, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pestis, and combinations thereof.

[0059] Examples of acid-fast bacteria include, but are not limited to, Myobacterium avium, Myobacterium leprae, Myobacterium tuberculosis, and combinations thereof.

[0060] Examples of other bacteria not falling into the other three categories include, but are not limited to, Bartonella henseiae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Coxiella bumetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia prowazekii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Ehrlichia chafensis, Enterococcusfaecium, Meningococci, and combinations thereof.

[0061] Examples of fungi include, but are not limited to, Aspergilli, Candidae, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococci, and combinations thereof.

[0062] Examples of parasitic microbes include, but are not limited to, Balantidium coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayatanensis, Encephalitozoa, Entamoeba histolytica, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Giardia lamblia, Leishmaniae, Plasmodii, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosomae, trapezoidal amoeba, and combinations thereof.

[0063] Examples of viruses include, but are not limited to, Arboviruses, Ebola virus, Guanarito virus, Hanta virus, Hantaan virus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E, other Hepatitis viruses, Herpes-type viruses, Poliovirus, West Nile virus, Echo virus, and combinations thereof.

[0064] The antipathogenic or non-pathogenic compositions of the present invention may optionally further include the use of one or more additional therapeutic agents known to treat a condition, or a symptom thereof. Examples of such additional therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, chelating agents, vitamins, minerals, silica hydride microclusters, analgesics, Sambucol(TM), aspirin, and the like.

[0065] The electron active metal oxide compounds of the present invention may also be used for water treatment, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,149 and 5,336,416. Optionally but preferably, the electron active metal oxides used for treating a body of water are any listed above, more preferably provided that the metal oxide does not include tetrasilver tetroxide. It is also more preferable, in the previous embodiment, that the metal oxide does not include tetracopper tetroxide.

[0066] The administration of one or more active ingredients and/or optional therapeutic agent(s), in accordance with the methods of the invention may occur together, concurrently but separately, sequentially, or a combination thereof. The optional additional therapeutic agent is generally a compound other than an electron active metal oxide compound.

[0067] The antipathogenic or antimicrobial performance of certain metal oxides may be improved or enhanced by the presence of an oxidizing agent. This is particularly the case when the metal oxide compounds or compositions are present in low amounts, i.e., typically less than 45 ppm, and more commonly when present in an amount less than about 40 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In such situations, an oxidizing agent may be included in certain compositions of the invention in small amounts when the compositions are administered by certain routes. In such an embodiment, the oxidizing agent includes a peroxy acid salt, preferably a Group I salt of a persulfate, more preferably potassium persulfate. In another embodiment, the oxidizing agent includes the same peroxy acid salt which was present as a starting material in the reaction to form the particular electron active metal oxide. The oxidizing agent may advantageously be present in the composition in amounts from about 1 ppm to 500 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In alternate embodiments, there may be from about 5 ppm to 200 ppm or from about 10 ppm to 100 ppm of oxidizing agent, based on the weight of the composition.

[0068] It is believed that the additional presence of certain types or amounts of oxidizing agent(s) may tend to irritate the skin, particularly when the compound or composition including metal oxide(s) is present in large amounts, such as greater than 50 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one embodiment, as more compound or composition is administered, a correspondingly smaller amount of undesirable oxidizing agent is required. Thus, in some embodiments, it has been found that the additional oxidizing agent is unnecessary and in fact undesirable for the purpose of treating certain conditions described herein, since the additional oxide may have or contribute to an undesirable side effect, for example, such as skin irritation when applied topically. For those embodiments, the compositions minimize the amount of additional oxidizing agent, such as persulfate, or are substantially or completely free of added persulfates or other oxidizing agents.

[0069] Certain of the electron active metal oxides may be black in color, such that care must be taken when formulating suitable topical pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention to inhibit blackening or superficial discoloration of the skin. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that larger amounts of such compositions promote increased superficial discoloration. Thus, in one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions preferably have an insufficient amount of metal oxide composition to cause visible skin discoloration.

[0070] Additionally, it was found by rigorous testing that certain silver tetroxide-containing compositions were comparatively non-toxic compared to silver salts, such as conventional formulations of silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, and benzoyl peroxide. Since these silver tetroxide compositions were effective at certain ppm concentrations in killing pathogens in nutrient broth and for water treatment, commercial concentrates were formulated with 2% of the tetrasilver tetroxide. For acceptance of the oxide in commerce, for which EPA registration No. 3432-64 was obtained, it was necessary for the Ag4O4 to undergo a series of toxicity tests. A 3% concentrate was used and evaluated by a certified laboratory employing good laboratory practice (GLP) according to the Code of Federal Regulations for this purpose. The results were as follows:

    Acute Oral Toxicity  LD50 Greater than 5,000 mg/Kg

    Acute Dermal Toxicity  LD50 Greater than 2,000 mg/Kg

    Primary Eye Irritation  Mildly irritating

    Primary Skin Irritation  No irritation

    Skin Sensitization  Non-Sensitizing

[0071] Subsequent evaluations conducted according to the invention showed that unless persons were prone to silver allergies, the pure tetrasilver tetroxide compositions according to the invention could be applied to the skin without any ill effects or evidence of irritation, despite the fact that the compositions of the invention can be a powerful oxidizing agent. This can perhaps be explained by the stability manifested by the KA of the tetrasilver tetroxide compositions, which is approximately 7.9*10<-13>.

[0072] Where the electron active compositions according to the invention are applied to the skin, they may be combined with a carrier in an amount from about 5 ppm to 500,000 ppm, more preferably from about 50 ppm to 250,000 ppm of the electron active metal oxide composition, based on the weight of the composition. In various embodiments, the compositions are provided in amounts from about 400 ppm to 100,000 ppm, from about 1,000 ppm to 70,000 ppm, from about 10,000 ppm to 50,000 ppm, or from about 20,000 ppm to 40,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one preferred embodiment, the compositions are formulated with about 25,000 ppm to 35,000 ppm of metal oxide, based on the weight of the composition. It will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the ppm concentration of electron active compound(s), such as metal oxide, in the composition is based on the total weight of the composition.

[0073] When prevent, treating, or managing conditions, a preferred embodiment employs amounts of about 0.1 to 10 percent by weight, about 0.25 to 5 percent by weight, or about 2 to 4 percent by weight of the compounds or compositions of the invention. The compositions, when applied topically, can be applied to the skin about1 to 3 times per day until the condition is suitably cured or satisfactorily controlled. In one embodiment, the composition may generally be topically applied at a dosage level of from about 1 mg to 1000 mg per cm<2 >of skin surface, preferably about 10 mg to 500 mg per cm<2 >of skin surface. When applied topically, a preferred carrier includes petroleum jelly, such as white petroleum jelly. For example, a suitable white petroleum jelly is available from Penreco of Houston, Tex.

[0074] Most of the metal oxide compounds for use according to the invention are commercially available from various sources. Tetrasilver tetroxide compositions for use according to the invention have been commercially sold under the poorly named "Ag(II) OXIDE" tradename. They may be obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., having a place of business in Milwaukee, Wis. The chemical synthesis of tetrasilver tetroxide compounds can be performed according to the method described on page 148 in M. Antelman, "Anti-Pathogenic Multivalent Silver Molecular Semiconductors," Precious Metals, vol. 16:141-149 (1992) by reacting silver nitrate with potassium peroxydisulfate according to the following equation in alkali solutions:

[0075] 4AgNO3+2K2S2O8+8NaOH->Ag4O4+3Na2SO4K2SO4+2NaNO3+2KNO3+4H2O

[0076] To the extent necessary to understand the present invention, the disclosure of Antelman is hereby incorporated herein by express reference thereto.

[0077] Tetracopper tetroxide, also referred to herein as Cu(I,III) oxide or Cu4O4, is a preferred electron active compound in accordance with the invention. This compound may be prepared as follows.

[0078] Suitable copper-based starting materials for this reaction include at least one copper(I)-containing material. In one embodiment, a water soluble copper(I) salt can be used. Typically, a water soluble copper(I) salt can be prepared by dissolving an inorganic copper(I) compound, for example, such as cuprous oxide, in an appropriate acid, for example, an organic acid, such as acetic acid. Since soluble copper(I) salts are not readily commercially available at the present time, however, a non-solvated inorganic copper(I) compound, such as cuprous oxide itself, can be used as the copper(I)-containing starting material. In addition, other copper(I)-containing materials, either inorganic, such as a copper(I) oxide, or organic, such as an organometallic copper(I) compound, or both, may be used, where the copper(I)-containing material(s) are sufficiently soluble in an aqueous or organic solution to allow reaction with other materials to form an electron active copper oxide compound.

[0079] The copper(I)-containing starting material is combined with an aqueous caustic solution. This caustic solution preferably contains two components: a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt. Examples of suitable strong caustic bases include Group I and Group II hydroxides, preferably sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Examples of suitable peroxy acid salts include Group I salts of persulfates, preferably potassium persulfate.

[0080] The copper-based starting material is typically the limiting reagent in such a preparation. The ratio of each of the components in the caustic solution to that of the copper-based starting material is theoretically set by the stoichiometry of the particular reaction. In one preferred embodiment, there is a relative molar excess, i.e., an amount more than stoichiometrically necessary, of each of the components in the caustic solution with respect to the copper-based starting material. When a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt are present in the caustic solution, the relative molar excesses of the components may be at least about 50% and at least about 10%, respectively, preferably at least about 100% and at least about 20%, respectively, more preferably, at least about 250% and at least about 40%, respectively, most preferably at least about 500% and at least about 75%, respectively.

[0081] Generally, the reactants may be added together in any manner that comports with typical laboratory procedure. In one embodiment, the copper(I)-containing starting material is placed in a reactor, to which the strong caustic base and the peroxy acid salt are added, each typically in their own solutions. The solution containing the reactants is then typically heated to a temperature sufficient to activate a reaction, preferably sufficient to activate a reaction with no major undesirable side reactions or other undesirable effects, more preferably above about 80[deg.] C., most preferably about 90[deg.] C. to 95[deg.] C. The solution is heated for a time sufficient to facilitate the reaction, preferably to provide substantial completion of the reaction, preferably for at least about 5 minutes, more preferably for at least about 15 minutes, after which time the solution is allowed to cool or is cooled, preferably to below about 45[deg.] C., more preferably to about room temperature.

[0082] The color change of the solution, from its original color, red, to a color indicating a reaction has occurred, in this case black, may occur at the heated temperature or during or after cooling.

[0083] The purification and isolation of the desired product can be accomplished by any suitable method available to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the majority of situations, the desired reaction product is primarily a solid, but may be dissolved or dispersed in at least part of the solution. In one preferred embodiment, the solution is carefully decanted off, and then the remaining product is washed multiple times with distilled water, before being sufficiently dried. In another preferred embodiment, the solution is vacuum filtered to remove the filtrate, and the remaining product is sufficiently dried.

[0084] The yield of solid tetracopper tetroxide material, based on the reactants, is typically at least about 10%, preferably at least about 45%, more preferably at least about 75%, most preferably at least about 80%.

[0085] In addition, Fe(II,III) oxide and Mn(II,III) oxide are commercially available from Aldrich Company of Milwaukee, Wis., and Co(II,III) oxide and Pr(III,IV) oxide are commercially available from Noah Technologies of San Antonio, Tex. Also, Bi(III,V) oxide synthetic routes are detailed and reviewed in Gmelins Handbuch Der Anorganischen Chemie, vol. 16:642 (1964), and the oxide is available commercially from City Chemicals of New York, N.Y.

[0086] The magnitude of a prophylactic or therapeutic dose of electron active composition(s), or a derivative thereof, in the acute or chronic management of diseases and disorders described herein will vary with the severity of the condition to be prevented, treated, or managed and the route of administration. For example, oral, mucosal (including rectal and vaginal), parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, bolus injection, and intravenous, such as by infusion), sublingual, transdermal, nasal, buccal, and like may be employed. In one embodiment, a patient may gargle using the composition of the present invention. Dosage forms include tablets, troches, lozenges, dispersions, suspensions, suppositories, solutions, capsules, soft elastic gelatin capsules, patches, and the like. The dose, and perhaps the dose frequency, will also vary according to the age, body weight, and response of the individual patient. Suitable dosing regimens can be readily selected by those of ordinary skill in the art with due consideration of such factors. In general, the total daily dosage for the conditions described herein, is from about 0.1 mg to 1,000 mg of the active ingredient, i.e., one of the metal oxides described herein, or a derivative thereof. In another embodiment, the daily dosage can be from about 1 mg to 500 mg, while in another embodiment, the daily dosage can be from about 2 mg to 200 mg of the metal oxide composition. A unit dosage can include, for example, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg, or 300 mg of metal oxide composition. Preferably, the active ingredient is administered in single or divided doses from one to four times a day, such as by topical administration. In another embodiment, the compositions are administered by an oral route of administration. The oral dosage forms may be conveniently presented in unit dosage forms and prepared by any methods available to those of ordinary skill in the art of pharmacy.

[0087] In managing the patient, the therapy may be initiated at a lower dose, e.g., from about 1 mg, and increased up to the recommended daily dose or higher depending on the patient's global response. It is further recommended that children, patients over 65 years, and those with impaired renal or hepatic function, initially receive low doses when administered systemically, and that they be titrated based on individual response(s) and blood level(s). It may be necessary to use dosages outside these ranges in some cases, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it is noted that the clinician or treating physician will know how and when to interrupt, adjust, or terminate therapy in conjunction with individual patient response.

[0088] Any suitable route of administration may be employed for providing the patient with an effective dosage of electron active metal oxide, or a derivative thereof. The most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being prevented, treated, or managed.

[0089] In practical use, the metal oxide, or a derivative thereof, can be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms and may include a number of components depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. The compositions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, suspensions, solutions and elixirs; aerosols; or carriers, including, but not limited to, starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents, and the like.

[0090] Suitable forms in which the electron active compounds or compositions of the present invention may be used include, but are not limited to, powder, granule, flake, solution, suspension, emulsion, slurry, aerosol spray, gel, paste, and combinations thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the form is a powder or solution. When the electron active compounds are in the form of a solution, the solution may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or a combination thereof, preferably at least partially aqueous, more preferably substantially aqueous. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxides are in an aqueous solution.

[0091] The compositions of the invention may be applied topically, e.g., either directly as a powder or in non-sprayable or sprayable form. Non-sprayable forms can be semi-solid or solid forms including a carrier indigenous to topical application and preferably having a dynamic viscosity greater than that of water. Suitable formulations include, but are not limited to, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, powders, liniments, salves and the like. If desired, these may be sterilized or mixed with any available auxiliary agents, carriers, or excipients, e.g., thixotropes, stabilizers, wetting agents, and the like. One or more thixotropic agents can be included in types and amounts sufficient to increase adhesion of topically applied compositions of the invention to the skin, so as to inhibit or prevent runoff or other loss of the composition from the treatment zone on the skin. Preferred vehicles for non-sprayable topical preparations include ointment bases, e.g., polyethylene glycol-1000 (PEG-1000); conventional ophthalmic vehicles; creams; and gels, as well as petroleum jelly and the like. In one more preferred embodiment, the carrier includes a petroleum jelly. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is formulated as a cream, gel, or lotion. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is 3 weight percent active ingredient, 36 weight percent heavy mineral oil, 47 weight percent petroleum jelly, and 14 weight percent Tivawax P, which is available from Tivian Laboratories, Inc., of Providence, R.I. In yet another preferred embodiment, the composition may be a dry powder, such as with 5 weight percent active ingredient and 95 weight percent bismuth subgallate. These topical preparations may also contain emollients, perfumes, and/or pigments to enhance their acceptability for various usages.

[0092] The compositions may also be formulated for parenteral administration by injection (subcutaneous, bolus injection, intramuscular, or intravenous, such as by infusion), and may be dispensed in a unit dosage form, such as a multidose container or an ampule. Compositions of the electron active metal oxide, or a derivative thereof, for parenteral administration may be in the form of suspensions, solutions, emulsions, or the like, in aqueous or oily vehicles, and in addition to the active ingredient may contain one or more formulary agents, such as dispersing agents, suspending agents, stabilizing agents, preservatives, and the like.

[0093] In the case where an intravenous injection or infusion composition is employed, a suitable dosage range can be, e.g., from about 0.5 mg (0.1 ppm) to about 1,000 mg (200 ppm) total dose, preferably from about 5 mg (1 ppm) to 400 mg (80 ppm). In one preferred embodiment, the total dose can be from about 50 mg (10 ppm) to 200 mg (40 ppm). It should be understood that any suitable amount of the composition according to the invention may be administered if effective to prevent, treat, or manage one or more conditions described herein.

[0094] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be orally administered in discrete pharmaceutical unit dosage forms, such as capsules, cachets, soft elastic gelatin capsules, tablets, or aerosols sprays, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, as a powder or granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. Such compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy, but all methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired presentation. Suitable types of oral administration include oral solid preparations, such as capsules or tablets, or oral liquid preparations. If desired, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques.

[0095] For example, a tablet may be prepared by compression or molding, optionally, with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, granulating agent, surface active agent, dispersing agent, or the like. Molded tablets may be made by molding, in a suitable machine, a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. In one embodiment, each tablet, capsule, cachet, or gel cap contains from about 0.5 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredient, while in another embodiment, each tablet contains from about1 mg to about 250 mg of the active ingredient. The amount of active ingredient found in the composition, however, may vary depending on the amount of active ingredient to be administered to the patient.

[0096] Another suitable route of administration is transdermal delivery, for example, via an abdominal skin patch.

[0097] The metal oxide(s), or a derivative thereof, may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition in a soft elastic gelatin capsule unit dosage form by using conventional methods well known in the art, such as in Ebert, Pharm. Tech, 1(5):44-50 (1977). Soft elastic gelatin capsules have a soft, globular gelatin shell somewhat thicker than that of hard gelatin capsules, wherein a gelatin is plasticized by the addition of plasticizing agent, e.g., glycerin, sorbitol, or a similar polyol. The hardness of the capsule shell may be changed by varying the type of gelatin used and the amounts of plasticizer and water. The soft gelatin shells may contain an additional preservative, such as methyl- and propylparabens and sorbic acid, to prevent the growth of fungi, although this is not necessary since the compounds and compositions of the invention provide anti-fungal efficacy. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention includes a compositions formulated as a gelatin shell with an electron active metal oxide compound of the present invention, completely free of added preservatives. The active ingredient may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid vehicle or carrier, such as vegetable or mineral oils, glycols such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, triglycerides, surfactants such as polysorbates, or a combination thereof.

[0098] In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered by controlled release means, delivery devices, or both, as are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; 4,008,719; 5,674,533; 5,059,595; 5,591,767; 5,120,548; 5,073,543; 5,639,476; 5,354,556; and 5,733,566, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by express reference thereto. These pharmaceutical compositions can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of the active ingredient therein using, for example, hydropropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, microspheres, or the like, or a combination thereof. Suitable controlled-release formulations available to those of ordinary skill in the art, including those described herein, may be readily selected for use with the tetrasilver tetroxide compositions of the invention. Thus, single unit dosage forms suitable for topical or oral administration, such as gels, lotions, cremes, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, caplets, and the like, that are adapted for controlled-release are encompassed by the present invention.

[0099] All controlled-release pharmaceutical products have a common goal of improving drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of the active ingredient being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations may include: 1) extended activity of the active ingredient; 2) reduced dosage frequency; and 3) increased patient compliance.

[0100] Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of active ingredient that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradual and continual release of other amounts of active ingredient to maintain this level of therapeutic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of active ingredient in the body, the active ingredient should be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of active ingredient being metabolized and excreted from the body.

[0101] The controlled-release of the active ingredient may be stimulated by various inducers, for example pH, temperature, enzymes, water, or other physiological conditions or compounds. The term "controlled-release component" in the context of the present invention is defined herein as a compound or compounds, including polymers, polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, liposomes, microspheres, or the like, or a combination thereof, that facilitates the controlled-release of the active ingredient (e.g., tetrasilver tetroxide) in the pharmaceutical composition.

[0102] The pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present invention include electron active metal oxides, or a derivative thereof, as the active ingredient, and may also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally, other therapeutic ingredients. Suitable derivatives include any available "pharmaceutically acceptable salts," which refer to a salt prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids including inorganic acids, organic acids, solvates, hydrates, or clathrates thereof. Examples of such inorganic acids are nitric, sulfuric, lactic, glycolic, salicylic, and phosphoric. Appropriate organic acids may be selected, for example, from aliphatic, aromatic, carboxylic and sulfonic classes of organic acids, examples of which are formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, camphorsulfonic, citric, fumaric, gluconic, isethionic, lactic, malic, mucic, tartaric, para-toluenesulfonic, glycolic, glucuronic, maleic, furoic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic, salicylic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, pantothenic, benzenesulfonic (besylate), stearic, sulfanilic, alginic, galacturonic, and the like. Particularly preferred acids are lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts preferably do not include halide-containing salts when tetrasilver tetroxide is present, as these salts are believed to facilitate breakdown of the oxide lattice present in the silver oxide compositions of the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0103] These and other aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples, which are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

EXAMPLES 1-16

Antipathogenic Efficacy of Compositions

EXAMPLES 1-2

In Vitro Treatment of Salmonella with Compositions of Invention

[0104] A culture of Salmonella of cell density 500,000 CFU/mL was contacted for 10 minutes with approximately 4 ppm hexapraseodymium undecoxide (Pr6O11), which is believed to contain two distinct oxidation states of praseodymium, Pr(III) and Pr(IV), in its crystal lattice, at a pH of about 9, followed with a culture adjusted to a pH of about 10. The percentages of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment were 96.4% and 93.8%, respectively. The experiment was repeated with the same cell density of Salmonella using about 5 ppm of tricobalt tetroxide (Co3O4), which is believed to contain two distinct oxidation states of cobalt, Co(II) and Co(III), in its crystal lattice, at a pH of about 10. The percentage of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment was 92.8% after 10 minutes of contact with the oxide-containing composition.

EXAMPLES 3-4

Antipathozenic Effect of Compositions in Water Purification

[0105] The praseodymium oxide crystals of Example 1 were tested against the standard AOAC coliform culture used in water purification studies and having a 375,000 CFU/mL density. The results of this study are tabulated below:

  ppm Pr6O11  Contact time (mins.)  pH  Bacteria mortality (%)

  4  5  7  68

  4  10  7  71

  10  5  7  65

  10  10  7  76

  5  5  9  84

  10  10  9  88

[0106] The experiment of Example 3 was repeated with about 4 ppm of tricobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) according to Example 2, at a contact time of about 5 minutes at a pH of about 7. The percentage of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment was 75%.

EXAMPLE 5

In vitro Treatment of Stayhylococcus aureus with Compositions

[0107] 1 gram of Pr (III,IV) oxide (Pr6O11) was dissolved in 20 mL of 85% phosphoric acid, which underwent substantially no redox reaction with the praseodymium oxide, such that an active solution was formed. The solution was subsequently diluted to yield a 100 ppm solution, based on the oxide component. The Pr (III,IV) oxide solution, when put in contact with Staphylococcus aureus at 220,000 CFU/mL cell density, served to kill substantially all the bacteria (100% mortality) after 10 minutes of contact with the oxide-containing composition.

EXAMPLES 6-9

In vitro Treatment of E. coli with Compositions of the Invention

[0108] A culture of E. coli bacteria having a cell density of 420,000 CFU/mL was contacted for about 10 minutes with about 6 ppm of Co (II,III) oxide, Co304, at a pH of about 7, also in the presence of 10 ppm potassium monopersulfate, which is commercially available under the trademark OXONE from DuPont De Nemours, Inc., of Wilmington, Del. The percentage of bacteria killed by this contact was 47.6%. When repeating the previous experiment using a culture having a cell density of 380,000 CFU/mL and with about 5 ppm of Pr (III,IV) oxide in the presence of about 50 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was 39.5%.

[0109] A culture of E. coli bacteria having a cell density of 160,000 CFU/mL was contacted for about 10 minutes with about 100 ppm of Cu (1,111) oxide, Cu4O4. The percentage of bacteria killed by this contact was 63.8%. When repeating the previous experiment using only about half the Cu (I,III) oxide concentration, i.e., about 50 ppm, in the presence of about 200 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was 97.8%.

EXAMPLES 10-13

In vitro Treatment of E. coli with Compositions of the Invention

[0110] Cultures of E. coli bacteria, each having a cell density around 100,000 CFU/mL, were each contacted for about 10 minutes with various electron active molecular metal oxide crystals according to the invention, resulting in the following percentages of bacteria killed:

    Composition of the Invention  % Bacteria Killed

    Bi (III,V) oxide, Bi2O4  38%

    Fe (II,III) oxide, Fe3O4  32%

    Mn (II,III) oxide, Mn3O4  28%

[0111] These experiments were repeated using reduced triiron tetroxide, Fe3O4, concentrations and E. coli cultures, each having a reduced cell density of 75,000 CFU/mL, with variable OXONE(TM) concentrations. When Fe (II, III) oxide was used in about 50 ppm concentration in the presence of about 200 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was about 73.3%. When Fe (II,III) oxide was used in about 20 ppm concentration, in the presence of about 100 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was about 49.3%.

EXAMPLES 14-16

In vitro Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Using Compositions

[0112] Compositions containing about 100 ppm of Bi (III,V) oxide, Bi2O4, Fe (II,III) oxide, Fe3O4, or Mn (II,III) oxide, Mn3O4, were tested for antimicrobial efficacy by contacting cultures of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria having cell densities of 75,000 CFU/mL for about 10 minutes. The iron and manganese oxide compositions were observed to kill substantially no bacteria, whereas the composition containing dibismuth tetroxide was observed to kill about 37.3% of the bacteria.

EXAMPLE 17

Preparation of Tetracopper Tetroxide

[0113] 2.4 grams each of sodium hydroxide and potassium persulfate were dissolved, each in 25 mL of distilled water, each in its own 50 mL beaker. These solutions were mixed together in another beaker, to which 700 mg of red cuprous oxide was added. This beaker was heated to approximately 90[deg.] C. and was maintained from about 90[deg.] C. and 95[deg.] C. for about 15 minutes before being allowed to cool to room temperature. The heating of the solution caused a color change from red to black, indicating a reaction of the oxide.

[0114] The solid product was purified and isolated by one of two methods: a) decanting off the solution, washing the remaining product at least seven times with distilled water, and drying the product; or b) vacuum filtering the solution and drying the product. The experimental yield was similar using either isolation method.

[0115] The average theoretical yield of Cu(I,III) oxide, or Cu404, was 83%, based on the following equation:

[0116] 4NaOH+2Cu2O+2K2S2O8->Cu4O4+2Na2SO4+2K2SO42H2O

[0117] Based on all of the test data described above, the healing mechanism associated with the use of the metal oxides of the invention to treat and manage at least some skin diseases, without being bound by theory, appears to involve mechanisms other than merely inhibiting or killing pathogens and curing infections that tend to aggravate disease and retard the natural healing process. The data indicate that healing is brought about even in cases where no abnormal bacteria counts or infection is evident. This suggests that the electron active compound(s) may also act against auto-antibodies that trigger autoimmune reactions associated with diseased tissue, as well as against other non-pathogenic conditions or diseases, such as circulatory or neurological conditions or diseases.

[0118] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements and modifications of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be understood that the chemical and pharmaceutical details of every design may be slightly different or modified by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the compositions and methods taught by the present invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of Application No. 09/552,172, filed Apr. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,385 and claims benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/174,793, filed Jan. 6, 2000, No. 60/184,053, filed Feb. 22, 2000, and No. 60/214,503, filed Jun. 28, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to electron active compounds and compositions that have polyvalent cations in their crystal lattices. In addition, the present invention also includes a method of making such electron active compounds. The present invention also relates to methods for the prevention, treatment, or management of conditions, or symptoms thereof, by administering one or more such compounds or compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Tetrasilver tetroxide has been demonstrated to possess unique properties arising from electrostatic concepts of metal cation interaction. Such silver molecules have also been disclosed for various uses, as they are reported to be non-toxic to animals and humans. M. Antelman, "Anti-Pathogenic Multivalent Silver Molecular Semiconductors," Precious Metals, vol. 16:141-149 (1992); M. Antelman, "Multivalent Silver Bactericides," Precious Metals, vol. 16:151-163 (1992). For example, tetrasilver tetroxide activated with an oxidizing agent is disclosed for use in bactericidal, fungicidal, and algicidal use, such as in municipal and industrial water treatment applications and for the treatment of AIDS.

[0005] A variety of sources also report the use of certain divalent silver compounds for water treatment, as well as the use of such compounds, typically in combination with certain oxidizing agents, metals, or other compounds, as disinfectants, bactericides, algicides, and fungicides. One source also reports a single in vitro study of the use of such compounds for the treatment of AIDS. These sources include M. Antelman, "Silver (II, III) Disinfectants," Soap/Cosmetics/Chemical Specialties, pp. 52-59 (Mar., 1994), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,017,295; 5,073,382; 5,078,902; 5,089,275; 5,098,582; 5,211,855; 5,223,149; 5,336,416; and 5,772,896.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,336,499 discloses tetrasilver tetroxide and persulfate compositions having certain in vitro anti-pathogenic properties, i.e., bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal, and algicidal, in certain concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm, particularly in nutrient broth cultures. The persulfate is disclosed as being an oxidizing agent that activates the tetroxide crystals. Also disclosed are an in vitro study regarding the inhibition of yeast growth in nutrient broth and the formulation of a gynecological cream and douche based on these results, and a report of an in vitro AIDS test with the compositions indicating total suppression of the virus at 18 ppm.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,520 discloses the use of molecular crystals of tetrasilver tetroxide, particularly with oxidizing agents to enhance the efficiency of such devices, for killing pathogenic microorganisms, such as staph infections. Amounts of 10 ppm sodium persulfate as an oxidizing agent were used with certain amounts of silver tetroxide in the reported in vitro testing. One human study involved in vivo curing of a gynecological yeast infection with 10 ppm of the silver tetroxide and 40 ppm sodium persulfate. Other in vivo topical studies report in conclusory fashion the cure of a single case of athlete's foot with a solution of 100 ppm of the composition and the cure of a single case of toenail fungus with a 25% suspension of the composition.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,977 discloses intraveneously injected tetrasilver tetroxide crystals used for destroying the AIDS virus, AIDS synergistic pathogens, and immunity suppressing moieties (ISM) in humans. The crystals were formulated for a single injection at about 40 ppm of human blood. This reference also discloses the compositions cause hepatomegaly, also known as enlarged liver, albeit with no reported loss of liver function.

[0009] The aforementioned references report detailed descriptions of the mechanism via which the multivalent silver molecular crystal devices were believed to operate. A discussion of such results and concepts was presented at a Seminar entitled "Incurable Diseases Update" (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, Feb. 11, 1998). The title of this presentation was "Beyond Antibiotics, Non Toxic Disinfectants and Tetrasil(TM) (a composition including tetrasilver tetroxide)." In this paper, it was reported that the effects of the electron transfer involved with respect to the tetroxide, rendered it a more powerful germicide than other silver entities. Other patents cover multivalent silver antimicrobial compositions, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,295 for Ag(II) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,149 for Ag (III). These are stronger antimicrobial agents than Ag (I) compounds, but they pale by comparison to tetrasilver tetroxide. Likewise, colloidal silver that derives its germicidal properties from trace silver (I) ions it generates in various environments is also less effective. Accordingly, the oligodynamic properties of these entities may be summarized as follows, which is referred to as the Horsfal series:

[0010] Ag4O4>Ag(III)>Ag(II)>>>>Ag(I)

[0011] Another property of the tetrasilver tetroxide is that it does not stain organic matter such as skin in like manner as Ag(I) compounds do. In addition, it is light stable.

[0012] Further, synthetic routes for making Bi(III,V) oxide are detailed and reviewed in Gmelins Handbuch DerAnorganischen Chemie, vol. 16:642 (1964). Also, Co(II,III) oxide, Fe(II,III) oxide, Mn(II,III) oxide, and Pr(III,IV) oxide can all be found in nature. These five multivalent metal oxides are also all available commercially.

[0013] In view of the beneficial properties of tetrasilver tetroxide, it could be desirable to find other medicinal uses for this compound, as well as to discover other electron active metal oxides that provide similar properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which has a first valence state and at least one of which has a second, different valence state. Advantageously, the pharmaceutical composition may have antipathogenic efficacy. Preferably, the at least one electron active compound includes a metal oxide. In one embodiment, the metal oxide includes at least one of bismuth, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, praseodymium, or a combination thereof. Preferably, in that embodiment, the metal oxide includes at least one of Bi(III,V) oxide, Co(II,III) oxide, Cu(I,III) oxide, Fe(II,III) oxide, Mn(II,III) oxide, Pr(III,IV) oxide, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the metal oxide can include Ag(I,III) oxide. Alternately, the pharmaceutical composition does not include tetrasilver tetroxide. In another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition does not include tricobalt tetroxide. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition may include at least two different electron active compounds. In another embodiment, the compound may be in powder or granular form.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first valence and the second valence of the at least two polyvalent cations differ by at least 1, preferably by 1 or 2. In another preferred embodiment, the first valence and the second valence of the at least two polyvalent cations differ by more than 2. Advantageously, the electron active compound has at least one polyvalent cation which has an EMF<ox >of at least about +0.1 Volts.

[0016] In one embodiment, the amount of the at least one electron active compound is present in an amount from about1 ppm to 500,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. If desired, the pharmaceutical composition can include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Optionally, the composition can also include an oxidizing agent, preferably present in an amount sufficient to enhance the efficacy of the active compound but insufficient to cause skin irritation. Preferably, the oxidizing agent includes a peroxy acid salt of a persulfate.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one compound has antimicrobial efficacy, preferably of at least about 20%. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial efficacy is at least about 50%. In yet another embodiment, the antimicrobial efficacy is at least about 80%. In these embodiments, about 100 ppm of the at least one compound is placed in contact for about 10 minutes with microbes having a cell density of approximately 75,000 CFU/mL.

[0018] Also an aspect of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising tetracopper tetroxide compound. Advantageously, the tetracopper tetroxide contains two copper(I) ions, two copper(III) ions, and four oxygen atoms in a crystal lattice.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of preventing, treating, or managing a condition of a patient which includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the electron active compounds described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, to prevent, treat, or manage the condition, or a symptom thereof. In one embodiment, the method excludes tetrasilver tetroxide. In a preferred embodiment, the patient is a mammal, preferably, a human. Advantageously, the electron active compound(s) can be administered topically, parenterally, or transdermally, preferably in an amount from about 5 ppm to 500,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one embodiment, at least two different electron active compounds are administered.

[0020] In another embodiment, the method can include administering one or more additional different therapeutic agents, present in an amount sufficient to facilitate the prevention, treatment, or management of the condition. In this embodiment, the one or ore additional therapeutic agents may optionally be administered concurrently with the electron active compound(s).

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of facilitating the killing of a pathogen which includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which having a first valence state and at least one of which having a second different valence state.

[0022] The present invention also involves a method of inhibiting the growth of a pathogen which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmnaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which having a first valence state and at least one of which having a second different valence state.

[0023] In one embodiment, these methods exclude the administration of tetrasilver tetroxide. In either of these methods, the pathogen can include a gram-positive bacillus or coccus; a gram-negative bacillus or coccus; an acid-fast bacterium; another type of bacterium; a fungus; a parasitic microbe; a virus; or a combination thereof.

[0024] Tetracopper tetroxide, containing two copper(I) ions, two copper(III) ions, and four oxygen atoms, is one preferred electron active compound, while the administration of tetrasilver tetroxide for treating certain conditions is excluded.

[0025] In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing tetracopper tetroxide, which includes: combining a copper(I)-containing compound and a caustic solution to form a reactant solution; and heating the reactant solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a detectable amount of the tetracopper tetroxide compound. Advantageously, the copper(I)-containing compound includes a non-solvated inorganic copper(I) oxide, such as cuprous oxide.

[0026] The caustic solution generally contains a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt. Preferably, the strong caustic base includes a hydroxide salt, and the peroxy acid salt includes a persulfate.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to method water with the compounds or compositions of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0028] Some of the terms used in connection with the invention can be defined as follows:

[0029] The term "condition," as used herein, should be understood to refer to a traditionally identified disease, as well as a disorder, an affliction, or an ailment, particularly including those noted herein.

[0030] The terms "prevent," "preventing," and "prevention," as used herein, refer to stopping or hindering a condition, symptom, or pathogen causing a condition, in a patient who is at risk of suffering from such a condition. This also includes reducing the frequency or severity, or both, of the occurrence of such conditions or one or more symptoms thereof.

[0031] The terms "manage," "managing," and "management," as used herein, includes controlling those conditions which cannot be cured completely, reducing the time of affliction of such conditions, and the like. Preferably, the compositions prevent, treat, or manage such conditions without superficially discoloring the skin, i.e., no discoloration to the naked eye. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the treatment or management, while in another embodiment the invention relates to the prevention, of the diseases or conditions disclosed and claimed herein. The terms also include the use of the compounds or compositions of the invention to facilitate the halting, diminishing, or inhibiting of the growth or proliferation of pathogens that may accentuate, amplify, exacerbate, or cause, either directly or indirectly, a condition and/or a symptom thereof.

[0032] The term "patient" as used herein refers to animals, particularly to mammals. In one preferred embodiment, the term patient refers to humans.

[0033] The terms "adverse effects," "adverse side effects," and "side effects," as used herein, include, but are not limited to, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac conduction disturbances, appetite stimulation, weight gain, sedation, gastrointestinal distress, headache, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, drug-drug interactions, superficial discoloration of the skin, dry skin, hepatomegaly, fever, fatigue, and the like. The term "cardiac arrhythmia" includes, but is not limited to, ventricular tachyrhythmia, torsades de pointes, QT prolongation, and ventricular fibrillation.

[0034] The phrase "therapeutically effective amount" when used herein in connection with the compositions and methods of the invention, means that amount of electron active metal oxide compound(s) or composition(s), or a derivative thereof, which, alone or in combination with other drugs, provides a therapeutic benefit in the prevention, treatment, or management, of a condition. In one embodiment, the effective amount is one or more metal oxide compounds or compositions as the sole active ingredient. Different therapeutically effective amounts may be applicable for each condition, as will be readily known or determined by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0035] The term "substantially free" means less than about 10 weight percent, preferably less than about 5 weight percent, more preferably less than about 1 weight percent, and most preferably less than about 0.1 weight percent. For example, a composition may be substantially free of added oxidizing agent or of added persulfate according to the invention.

[0036] The term "about," as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both numbers in a range of numerals. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range.

[0037] The term "substantial," as used herein, means at least about 75%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, most preferably at least about 99%.

[0038] The term "valence state," as used herein, should be understood to refer to the charge on a given ion or to the charge that may be assigned to a given ion based on its electronic state.

[0039] The terms "inhibit," "inhibiting," or "inhibits," as used herein when referring to growth of an item, should be understood to refer to the act of stopping that growth, whether permanently or temporarily, or of reducing the rate of that growth, either permanently or temporarily.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The tetrasilver tetroxide compounds mentioned in the background are one type of electron active compound having multivalent cations in its crystal lattice. Various additional electron active compounds have now also been identified, as well as methods for making and using the same for treating various pathogenic and non-pathogenic conditions or disorders. The electron active compounds of the present invention are believed to have unique crystal structures in that, in the case of the metal oxides, there are generally atoms of the same element in the crystal that have at least two different valences, typically at least one lower-valent metal cation and at least one higher-valent metal cation, for example, such as Co(II) and Co(III), respectively. Exemplary electron active metal oxide compounds according to the invention include, but are not limited to, Ag(I,III), Co(II,III), Pr(III,IV), Bi(III,V), Fe(II,III), Mn(II,III), and Cu(I,III) oxides. In another embodiment, Tb(III,IV) oxide, Tb4O7, or tetraterbium heptoxide, is one electron active metal oxide compound according to the invention. As discussed below, pharmaceutical compositions including one or more of such oxide compounds are useful for treating various conditions. The composition of such exemplary electron active metal oxides is shown in tabular form below:

        Lower-valent    Higher-valent  

  e  Formula  Metal cations  ion  #  ion  #

  2  Ag4O4  Ag(I,III)  Ag<+ >  2  Ag<+3>  2

  1  Co3O4  Co(II,III)  Co<+2>  1  Co<+3>  2

  2  Pr6O11  Pr(III,IV)  Pr<+3>  2  Pr<+4>  4

  2  Bi2O4  Bi(III,V)  Bi<+3>  1  Bi<+5>  1

  1  Fe3O4  Fe(II,III)  Fe<+2>  1  Fe<+3>  2

  1  Mn3O4  Mn(II,III)  Mn<+2>  1  Mn<+3>  2

  2  Cu4O4  Cu(I,III)  Cu<+ >  2  Cu<+3>  2

  e - total number of electrons believed to be exchanged;

  # - number of particular ion type per formula unit.

[0041] Without being bound to theory, it is believed that the electron active compounds operate against pathogens by transferring electrons between their lower-valent ions and their higher-valent ions in the crystal, thereby contributing to the death of pathogens by traversing their cell membrane surface. It would seem that this, in effect, "electrocutes" the pathogens. While these compounds have also been discovered to be suitable for use in the prevention, treatment, and management of other non-pathogenic conditions and disorders, such as autoimmune disorders, circulatory disorders, neurological disorders, and the like, the mechanism by which such conditions or disorders are prevented, treated, or managed has not yet been fully understood. In any event, the electrons in proximity to pathogens are believed to be perturbed from their balanced crystals by such labile groups as NH, NH2, S-S, and SH, which can be present, for example, in a pathogen cell membrane. It is believed, however, that normal cells will not be significantly affected because they do not proliferate rapidly enough to expose these labile bonds sufficiently for the bonds to be substantially affected.

[0042] The crystals in the electron active compounds are not believed to be disturbed unless more stable complexes are formed with ligands, for example, such as those comprising a pathogen cell membrane surface in a dynamic state. Indeed, the end result of electron transfer, which is a redox reaction, results in the lower-valent metal ions being oxidized to one valence state higher and the higher-valent metal ions being reduced to one valence state lower. In one embodiment, the oxidation of the lower-valent metal ions and the reduction of the higher-valent metal ions both result in ions having the same oxidation state. Examples of such an embodiment occur when the valence difference between the metal ions in the electron active molecular crystal is 2 and such examples include, but are not limited to, Ag(I,III), Bi(III,V), and Cu(I,III) oxides. In another embodiment, the oxidation of the lower-valent metal ions and the reduction of the higher-valent metal ions result in ions having opposite oxidation states (e.g., ions with a +2 valence state are oxidized to +3, while the ions with a +3 valence state are reduced to +2). Examples of such an embodiment occur when the valence difference between the metal ions in the electron active molecular crystal is 1 and such examples include, but are not limited to, Co(II,III), Fe(II,III), Mn(II,III), and Pr(III,IV) oxides.

[0043] The metal ion of certain electron active compounds may exhibit a distinct affinity for certain elements of ligands, for example, such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen, particularly when present in a pathogen's cell membrane. In many cases, the metal ion will not merely bind to these elements, but will actually form chelate complexes with their ligands. The classic example of this is Ag(I,III) oxide, the monovalent silver ion of which has an affinity for sulfur and nitrogen and the oxidized/reduced divalent ion of which forms chelate complexes with, for example, mercapto or amino groups. Thus, the electron active compound attraction for the cell membrane surfaces, for example, of pathogens, is believed to be driven by powerful electrostatic forces.

[0044] Without being bound by theory, the electron exchange may be depicted, for example, by the following series of redox half reactions:

      metal(III,IV)  metal(III,V)

  metal(I,III) oxides  metal(II,III) oxides  oxides  oxides

  Ag<+ >- e = Ag<+2>  Co<+2 >- e = Co<+3>  Pr<+3 >- e = Pr<+4>  Bi<+3 >- e = Bi<+4>

  Ag<+3 >+ e = Ag<+2>  Co<+3 >+ e = Co<+2>  Pr<+4 >+ e = Pr<+3>  Bi<+5 >+ e = Bi<+4>

  Cu<+> - e = Cu<+2>  Fe<+2 >- e = Fe<+3>

  Cu<+3 >+ e = Cu<+2>  Fe<+3 >+ e = Fe<+2>

    Mn<+2 >- e = Mn<+3>

    Mn<+3 >+ e = Mn<+2>

[0045] For each redox reaction, there is believed to be an electromotive force, which is the voltage potential of the oxidizing the higher-valent ion in the metal oxide crystal. This is denoted herein as EMF<OX>. In addition to the electromotive force of oxidation, there is believed to be an associated reduction reaction involving the lower-valent ion in the metal oxide crystal. This reduction reaction may be represented simply, as tabulated above, or may represent the interaction with, for example, a ligand present on a pathogen cell membrane surface, such as one containing sulfur or nitrogen. Associated with the reduction reaction is another electromotive force, or voltage potential of the reducing the lower-valent ion. This is denoted herein as EMF<RE>.

[0046] When the metal ions of the electron active metal oxide interact with, for example, a sulfur-containing ligand, the affinity of the metal ion for sulfur affects EMF<RE>. The stability of a particular metal sulfide is an approximation of the affinity of a metal ion for sulfur. The following approximate association constants for sulfides indicate the trend in relative affinity of each metal ion for sulfur:

    Ag(I)  49

    Cu(I)  47

    Co(II)  26

    Fe(II)  19

    Mn(II)  15

[0047] In general, the more stable the compound, the more negative its reduction potential in the reduction reaction, for example, in the case of elemental silver:

[0048] 2Ag+S<-2>-2e->Ag2S EMF<RE>=-0.66

[0049] In the case of tetrasilver tetroxide, there is a reduction reaction where Ag(I) is oxidized and an oxidation reaction where Ag(III) is reduced, as follows:

EMI1.1

[0050] The voltage that is discharged from a redox reaction of the electron active metal oxides of the present invention, which voltage is denoted herein as the "electrocution voltage," is the combination of the oxidizing cation's reduction potentials and the reducing cation's reduction potential (i.e., EMF<OX>-EMF<RE>) In the case of tetrasilver tetroxide, the "electrocution voltage" is 2.92 volts. The oxidizing cation's reduction potentials, EMF<OX>, of exemplary metal oxides according to the present invention are tabulated below:

    Formula  Metal cations  EMF<ox>

    Ag4O4  Ag(I,III)  2.02

    Co3O4  Co(II,III)  1.81

    Pr6O11  Pr(III,IV)  2.86

    Bi2O4  Bi(III,V)  1.59

    Fe3O4  Fe(II,III)  0.77

    Mn3O4  Mn(II,III)  1.54

    Cu4O4  Cu(I,III)  1.80

[0051] As noted from the above table, praseodymium-, cobalt-, and copper-based oxides are believed to be stronger antipathogenic agents or to form better pharmaceutical compositions than manganese-, bismuth-, and iron-based oxides, and in one embodiment they are preferred for this reason. Nevertheless, in certain cases, iron exhibits stronger antipathogenic characteristics, particularly antimicrobial characteristics, compared to manganese.

[0052] Another factor, however, particularly in antipathogenic or antimicrobial efficacy, can be the sulfur/nitrogen composition, for example, of cell membranes. For example, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, in a culture having a cell density of 30,000 CFU/mL, exhibit significant mortality from exposure to 100 ppm of Bi(III,V) oxide for about 10 minutes, but no significant mortality from exposure to the same concentrations of Fe(II,III) and Mn(II,III) oxides for the same contact time. This result might be explained by the far greater stability of bismuth(III) sulfide, and thus the far greater affinity of bismuth(III) for sulfur, than either of the iron(II) or manganese(II) analogs.

[0053] The electron active metal oxide compounds and compositions of the present invention may be used in any form which sufficiently retains their antipathogenic character, or other non-pathogenic ability, to prevent, treat, or manage one or more of the conditions noted herein.

[0054] These compounds or compositions may be used as antipathogenic agents, such as antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, or anti-algal agents, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the compounds or compositions may be used for preventing, treating, and/or managing various conditions that are non-pathogenic. For example, non-pathogenic conditions are believed to include certain autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, and circulatory disorders. While the exact mechanism of the activity of such compounds or compositions is not described herein, nonetheless, suitable prevention, treatment, and/or management of such non-pathogenic conditions may be obtained by administering the compounds or compositions of the invention as described herein and as will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0055] The compositions and methods of the invention advantageously prevent, treat, or manage dermatological diseases or conditions. The conditions against which the electron active compounds, such as metal oxides, of the present invention have utility include, but are not limited to, Madura foot, actinomycosis, oral actinomycosis, anthrax, food poisoning, botulism, wound infections, pseudomembranous colitis, colitis, gas gangrene, gangrene, tetanus, diphtheria, pharyngeal diphtheria, pleomorphic laryngeal diphtheria, cutaneous diphtheria, endocarditis, bacteremia, urinary tract infections, listerosis, meningitis, miscarriage, narcodiosis, acne, skin lesions, abscesses, toxic shock syndrome, prosthesis contamination, dental caries, plaque, gum disease, gingivitis, subacute endocarditis, bacterial pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis, cat scratch fever, septicemia, abdominal and pelvic abscesses, Oroya fever, systemic Oroya fever, verruga peruana, cutaneous verruga peruana, whooping cough, Lyme disease, epidemic relapsing fever, brucellosis, granuloma inguinale granulomatic, donovanosis, gastroenteritis, nosocomial infections, tularemia, bacterial vaginitis, urethritis, bacterial conjunctivitis, chancroid, otitis media, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, Legionnaires' disease, leptospirosis, gonorrhea, arthritis, periodontal disease, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, shigellosis, rat bite fever, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, syphilis, cholera, Asiatic cholera, Yersina arthritis, bubonic plague, chronic pulmonary disease, Hansen's disease, leprosy, tuberculosis, dermal tuberculosis, psittachosis, ornithosis, conjunctivitis, trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, genital tract infections, Q fever, primary atypical pneumonia, rickettsial pox, typhus, epidemic typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tsutsugamushi fever, nongonococcal urethritis, human erlichiosis, meningococcal meningitis, skin infections, corneal infections, external ear infections, candidiasis, monoiliasis, thrush, candidosis, mucositis, bacteremia, hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis E, coccidiomycosis, lymphadenitis, balantidiasis cryptosporidosis, amoebiasis, amoebic dysentery, giardiasis, giardia enteritis, leishmaniasis, Kala-azar, malaria, toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, African sleeping sickness, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, cytomegalovirus infection, poliomyelitis, West Nile virus disease, influenza, measles, condyloma, encephalitis, ankylosing spondylitis, arteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, polyarteritis nodosa, rheumatic fever, systemic Lupus erythematosus, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Crohn's disease, strep throat, yellow fever, eczema, psoriasis, dernatitis, disease-induced skin ulcers, undefined tropical diseases, shingles, rashes, heat rashes, bedsores, cold sores, blisters, boils, herpes simplex, acne, pimples, skin chafing, skin cracking, itchiness, skin peeling, warts, one or more symptoms thereof, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the condition includes HIV (AIDS), or one or more symptoms. It should be understood that the invention includes the use of the compounds or compositions to prevent, treat, or manage each of these conditions individually or multiple conditions concurrently or sequentially. Thus, the prevention, treatment, or management of each condition should be understood as a separate embodiment.

[0056] The pathogens which may be killed by, or the growth or proliferation of which may be halted, diminished, or inhibited by, the electron active metal oxides of the present invention include, but are not limited to, gram-positive bacilli and cocci; gram-negative bacilli and cocci; acid-fast bacteria; other bacteria; fungi; parasitic microbes, e.g., protozoa; and viruses.

[0057] Examples of gram-positive bacilli and cocci include, but are not limited to, Actinomedurae, Actinomyces israelii, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, Corynebacterium, Enterococcusfaecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Nocardia, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epiderm, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and combinations thereof.

[0058] Examples of gram-negative bacilli and cocci include, but are not limited to, Afipia felis, Bacteriodes, Bartonella bacilliformis, Bortadella pertussis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia recurrentis, Brucella, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Haemophilius aegyptius, Haemophilius ducreyi, Haemophilius influenziae, Heliobacter pylori, Legionella pneumophila, Leptospira interrogans, Neisseria meningitidia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Providencia sturti, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteridis, Salmonella typhi, Serratia marcescens, Shigella boydii, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Treponema pallidum, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pestis, and combinations thereof.

[0059] Examples of acid-fast bacteria include, but are not limited to, Myobacterium avium, Myobacterium leprae, Myobacterium tuberculosis, and combinations thereof.

[0060] Examples of other bacteria not falling into the other three categories include, but are not limited to, Bartonella henseiae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Coxiella bumetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia prowazekii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Ehrlichia chafensis, Enterococcusfaecium, Meningococci, and combinations thereof.

[0061] Examples of fungi include, but are not limited to, Aspergilli, Candidae, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococci, and combinations thereof.

[0062] Examples of parasitic microbes include, but are not limited to, Balantidium coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayatanensis, Encephalitozoa, Entamoeba histolytica, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Giardia lamblia, Leishmaniae, Plasmodii, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosomae, trapezoidal amoeba, and combinations thereof.

[0063] Examples of viruses include, but are not limited to, Arboviruses, Ebola virus, Guanarito virus, Hanta virus, Hantaan virus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E, other Hepatitis viruses, Herpes-type viruses, Poliovirus, West Nile virus, Echo virus, and combinations thereof.

[0064] The antipathogenic or non-pathogenic compositions of the present invention may optionally further include the use of one or more additional therapeutic agents known to treat a condition, or a symptom thereof. Examples of such additional therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, chelating agents, vitamins, minerals, silica hydride microclusters, analgesics, Sambucol(TM), aspirin, and the like.

[0065] The electron active metal oxide compounds of the present invention may also be used for water treatment, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,149 and 5,336,416. Optionally but preferably, the electron active metal oxides used for treating a body of water are any listed above, more preferably provided that the metal oxide does not include tetrasilver tetroxide. It is also more preferable, in the previous embodiment, that the metal oxide does not include tetracopper tetroxide.

[0066] The administration of one or more active ingredients and/or optional therapeutic agent(s), in accordance with the methods of the invention may occur together, concurrently but separately, sequentially, or a combination thereof. The optional additional therapeutic agent is generally a compound other than an electron active metal oxide compound.

[0067] The antipathogenic or antimicrobial performance of certain metal oxides may be improved or enhanced by the presence of an oxidizing agent. This is particularly the case when the metal oxide compounds or compositions are present in low amounts, i.e., typically less than 45 ppm, and more commonly when present in an amount less than about 40 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In such situations, an oxidizing agent may be included in certain compositions of the invention in small amounts when the compositions are administered by certain routes. In such an embodiment, the oxidizing agent includes a peroxy acid salt, preferably a Group I salt of a persulfate, more preferably potassium persulfate. In another embodiment, the oxidizing agent includes the same peroxy acid salt which was present as a starting material in the reaction to form the particular electron active metal oxide. The oxidizing agent may advantageously be present in the composition in amounts from about 1 ppm to 500 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In alternate embodiments, there may be from about 5 ppm to 200 ppm or from about 10 ppm to 100 ppm of oxidizing agent, based on the weight of the composition.

[0068] It is believed that the additional presence of certain types or amounts of oxidizing agent(s) may tend to irritate the skin, particularly when the compound or composition including metal oxide(s) is present in large amounts, such as greater than 50 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one embodiment, as more compound or composition is administered, a correspondingly smaller amount of undesirable oxidizing agent is required. Thus, in some embodiments, it has been found that the additional oxidizing agent is unnecessary and in fact undesirable for the purpose of treating certain conditions described herein, since the additional oxide may have or contribute to an undesirable side effect, for example, such as skin irritation when applied topically. For those embodiments, the compositions minimize the amount of additional oxidizing agent, such as persulfate, or are substantially or completely free of added persulfates or other oxidizing agents.

[0069] Certain of the electron active metal oxides may be black in color, such that care must be taken when formulating suitable topical pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention to inhibit blackening or superficial discoloration of the skin. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that larger amounts of such compositions promote increased superficial discoloration. Thus, in one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions preferably have an insufficient amount of metal oxide composition to cause visible skin discoloration.

[0070] Additionally, it was found by rigorous testing that certain silver tetroxide-containing compositions were comparatively non-toxic compared to silver salts, such as conventional formulations of silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, and benzoyl peroxide. Since these silver tetroxide compositions were effective at certain ppm concentrations in killing pathogens in nutrient broth and for water treatment, commercial concentrates were formulated with 2% of the tetrasilver tetroxide. For acceptance of the oxide in commerce, for which EPA registration No. 3432-64 was obtained, it was necessary for the Ag4O4 to undergo a series of toxicity tests. A 3% concentrate was used and evaluated by a certified laboratory employing good laboratory practice (GLP) according to the Code of Federal Regulations for this purpose. The results were as follows:

    Acute Oral Toxicity  LD50 Greater than 5,000 mg/Kg

    Acute Dermal Toxicity  LD50 Greater than 2,000 mg/Kg

    Primary Eye Irritation  Mildly irritating

    Primary Skin Irritation  No irritation

    Skin Sensitization  Non-Sensitizing

[0071] Subsequent evaluations conducted according to the invention showed that unless persons were prone to silver allergies, the pure tetrasilver tetroxide compositions according to the invention could be applied to the skin without any ill effects or evidence of irritation, despite the fact that the compositions of the invention can be a powerful oxidizing agent. This can perhaps be explained by the stability manifested by the KA of the tetrasilver tetroxide compositions, which is approximately 7.9*10<-13>.

[0072] Where the electron active compositions according to the invention are applied to the skin, they may be combined with a carrier in an amount from about 5 ppm to 500,000 ppm, more preferably from about 50 ppm to 250,000 ppm of the electron active metal oxide composition, based on the weight of the composition. In various embodiments, the compositions are provided in amounts from about 400 ppm to 100,000 ppm, from about 1,000 ppm to 70,000 ppm, from about 10,000 ppm to 50,000 ppm, or from about 20,000 ppm to 40,000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. In one preferred embodiment, the compositions are formulated with about 25,000 ppm to 35,000 ppm of metal oxide, based on the weight of the composition. It will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the ppm concentration of electron active compound(s), such as metal oxide, in the composition is based on the total weight of the composition.

[0073] When prevent, treating, or managing conditions, a preferred embodiment employs amounts of about 0.1 to 10 percent by weight, about 0.25 to 5 percent by weight, or about 2 to 4 percent by weight of the compounds or compositions of the invention. The compositions, when applied topically, can be applied to the skin about1 to 3 times per day until the condition is suitably cured or satisfactorily controlled. In one embodiment, the composition may generally be topically applied at a dosage level of from about 1 mg to 1000 mg per cm<2 >of skin surface, preferably about 10 mg to 500 mg per cm<2 >of skin surface. When applied topically, a preferred carrier includes petroleum jelly, such as white petroleum jelly. For example, a suitable white petroleum jelly is available from Penreco of Houston, Tex.

[0074] Most of the metal oxide compounds for use according to the invention are commercially available from various sources. Tetrasilver tetroxide compositions for use according to the invention have been commercially sold under the poorly named "Ag(II) OXIDE" tradename. They may be obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., having a place of business in Milwaukee, Wis. The chemical synthesis of tetrasilver tetroxide compounds can be performed according to the method described on page 148 in M. Antelman, "Anti-Pathogenic Multivalent Silver Molecular Semiconductors," Precious Metals, vol. 16:141-149 (1992) by reacting silver nitrate with potassium peroxydisulfate according to the following equation in alkali solutions:

[0075] 4AgNO3+2K2S2O8+8NaOH->Ag4O4+3Na2SO4K2SO4+2NaNO3+2KNO3+4H2O

[0076] To the extent necessary to understand the present invention, the disclosure of Antelman is hereby incorporated herein by express reference thereto.

[0077] Tetracopper tetroxide, also referred to herein as Cu(I,III) oxide or Cu4O4, is a preferred electron active compound in accordance with the invention. This compound may be prepared as follows.

[0078] Suitable copper-based starting materials for this reaction include at least one copper(I)-containing material. In one embodiment, a water soluble copper(I) salt can be used. Typically, a water soluble copper(I) salt can be prepared by dissolving an inorganic copper(I) compound, for example, such as cuprous oxide, in an appropriate acid, for example, an organic acid, such as acetic acid. Since soluble copper(I) salts are not readily commercially available at the present time, however, a non-solvated inorganic copper(I) compound, such as cuprous oxide itself, can be used as the copper(I)-containing starting material. In addition, other copper(I)-containing materials, either inorganic, such as a copper(I) oxide, or organic, such as an organometallic copper(I) compound, or both, may be used, where the copper(I)-containing material(s) are sufficiently soluble in an aqueous or organic solution to allow reaction with other materials to form an electron active copper oxide compound.

[0079] The copper(I)-containing starting material is combined with an aqueous caustic solution. This caustic solution preferably contains two components: a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt. Examples of suitable strong caustic bases include Group I and Group II hydroxides, preferably sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Examples of suitable peroxy acid salts include Group I salts of persulfates, preferably potassium persulfate.

[0080] The copper-based starting material is typically the limiting reagent in such a preparation. The ratio of each of the components in the caustic solution to that of the copper-based starting material is theoretically set by the stoichiometry of the particular reaction. In one preferred embodiment, there is a relative molar excess, i.e., an amount more than stoichiometrically necessary, of each of the components in the caustic solution with respect to the copper-based starting material. When a strong caustic base and a peroxy acid salt are present in the caustic solution, the relative molar excesses of the components may be at least about 50% and at least about 10%, respectively, preferably at least about 100% and at least about 20%, respectively, more preferably, at least about 250% and at least about 40%, respectively, most preferably at least about 500% and at least about 75%, respectively.

[0081] Generally, the reactants may be added together in any manner that comports with typical laboratory procedure. In one embodiment, the copper(I)-containing starting material is placed in a reactor, to which the strong caustic base and the peroxy acid salt are added, each typically in their own solutions. The solution containing the reactants is then typically heated to a temperature sufficient to activate a reaction, preferably sufficient to activate a reaction with no major undesirable side reactions or other undesirable effects, more preferably above about 80[deg.] C., most preferably about 90[deg.] C. to 95[deg.] C. The solution is heated for a time sufficient to facilitate the reaction, preferably to provide substantial completion of the reaction, preferably for at least about 5 minutes, more preferably for at least about 15 minutes, after which time the solution is allowed to cool or is cooled, preferably to below about 45[deg.] C., more preferably to about room temperature.

[0082] The color change of the solution, from its original color, red, to a color indicating a reaction has occurred, in this case black, may occur at the heated temperature or during or after cooling.

[0083] The purification and isolation of the desired product can be accomplished by any suitable method available to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the majority of situations, the desired reaction product is primarily a solid, but may be dissolved or dispersed in at least part of the solution. In one preferred embodiment, the solution is carefully decanted off, and then the remaining product is washed multiple times with distilled water, before being sufficiently dried. In another preferred embodiment, the solution is vacuum filtered to remove the filtrate, and the remaining product is sufficiently dried.

[0084] The yield of solid tetracopper tetroxide material, based on the reactants, is typically at least about 10%, preferably at least about 45%, more preferably at least about 75%, most preferably at least about 80%.

[0085] In addition, Fe(II,III) oxide and Mn(II,III) oxide are commercially available from Aldrich Company of Milwaukee, Wis., and Co(II,III) oxide and Pr(III,IV) oxide are commercially available from Noah Technologies of San Antonio, Tex. Also, Bi(III,V) oxide synthetic routes are detailed and reviewed in Gmelins Handbuch Der Anorganischen Chemie, vol. 16:642 (1964), and the oxide is available commercially from City Chemicals of New York, N.Y.

[0086] The magnitude of a prophylactic or therapeutic dose of electron active composition(s), or a derivative thereof, in the acute or chronic management of diseases and disorders described herein will vary with the severity of the condition to be prevented, treated, or managed and the route of administration. For example, oral, mucosal (including rectal and vaginal), parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, bolus injection, and intravenous, such as by infusion), sublingual, transdermal, nasal, buccal, and like may be employed. In one embodiment, a patient may gargle using the composition of the present invention. Dosage forms include tablets, troches, lozenges, dispersions, suspensions, suppositories, solutions, capsules, soft elastic gelatin capsules, patches, and the like. The dose, and perhaps the dose frequency, will also vary according to the age, body weight, and response of the individual patient. Suitable dosing regimens can be readily selected by those of ordinary skill in the art with due consideration of such factors. In general, the total daily dosage for the conditions described herein, is from about 0.1 mg to 1,000 mg of the active ingredient, i.e., one of the metal oxides described herein, or a derivative thereof. In another embodiment, the daily dosage can be from about 1 mg to 500 mg, while in another embodiment, the daily dosage can be from about 2 mg to 200 mg of the metal oxide composition. A unit dosage can include, for example, 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg, or 300 mg of metal oxide composition. Preferably, the active ingredient is administered in single or divided doses from one to four times a day, such as by topical administration. In another embodiment, the compositions are administered by an oral route of administration. The oral dosage forms may be conveniently presented in unit dosage forms and prepared by any methods available to those of ordinary skill in the art of pharmacy.

[0087] In managing the patient, the therapy may be initiated at a lower dose, e.g., from about 1 mg, and increased up to the recommended daily dose or higher depending on the patient's global response. It is further recommended that children, patients over 65 years, and those with impaired renal or hepatic function, initially receive low doses when administered systemically, and that they be titrated based on individual response(s) and blood level(s). It may be necessary to use dosages outside these ranges in some cases, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it is noted that the clinician or treating physician will know how and when to interrupt, adjust, or terminate therapy in conjunction with individual patient response.

[0088] Any suitable route of administration may be employed for providing the patient with an effective dosage of electron active metal oxide, or a derivative thereof. The most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being prevented, treated, or managed.

[0089] In practical use, the metal oxide, or a derivative thereof, can be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms and may include a number of components depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. The compositions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, suspensions, solutions and elixirs; aerosols; or carriers, including, but not limited to, starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents, and the like.

[0090] Suitable forms in which the electron active compounds or compositions of the present invention may be used include, but are not limited to, powder, granule, flake, solution, suspension, emulsion, slurry, aerosol spray, gel, paste, and combinations thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the form is a powder or solution. When the electron active compounds are in the form of a solution, the solution may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or a combination thereof, preferably at least partially aqueous, more preferably substantially aqueous. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxides are in an aqueous solution.

[0091] The compositions of the invention may be applied topically, e.g., either directly as a powder or in non-sprayable or sprayable form. Non-sprayable forms can be semi-solid or solid forms including a carrier indigenous to topical application and preferably having a dynamic viscosity greater than that of water. Suitable formulations include, but are not limited to, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, powders, liniments, salves and the like. If desired, these may be sterilized or mixed with any available auxiliary agents, carriers, or excipients, e.g., thixotropes, stabilizers, wetting agents, and the like. One or more thixotropic agents can be included in types and amounts sufficient to increase adhesion of topically applied compositions of the invention to the skin, so as to inhibit or prevent runoff or other loss of the composition from the treatment zone on the skin. Preferred vehicles for non-sprayable topical preparations include ointment bases, e.g., polyethylene glycol-1000 (PEG-1000); conventional ophthalmic vehicles; creams; and gels, as well as petroleum jelly and the like. In one more preferred embodiment, the carrier includes a petroleum jelly. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is formulated as a cream, gel, or lotion. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is 3 weight percent active ingredient, 36 weight percent heavy mineral oil, 47 weight percent petroleum jelly, and 14 weight percent Tivawax P, which is available from Tivian Laboratories, Inc., of Providence, R.I. In yet another preferred embodiment, the composition may be a dry powder, such as with 5 weight percent active ingredient and 95 weight percent bismuth subgallate. These topical preparations may also contain emollients, perfumes, and/or pigments to enhance their acceptability for various usages.

[0092] The compositions may also be formulated for parenteral administration by injection (subcutaneous, bolus injection, intramuscular, or intravenous, such as by infusion), and may be dispensed in a unit dosage form, such as a multidose container or an ampule. Compositions of the electron active metal oxide, or a derivative thereof, for parenteral administration may be in the form of suspensions, solutions, emulsions, or the like, in aqueous or oily vehicles, and in addition to the active ingredient may contain one or more formulary agents, such as dispersing agents, suspending agents, stabilizing agents, preservatives, and the like.

[0093] In the case where an intravenous injection or infusion composition is employed, a suitable dosage range can be, e.g., from about 0.5 mg (0.1 ppm) to about 1,000 mg (200 ppm) total dose, preferably from about 5 mg (1 ppm) to 400 mg (80 ppm). In one preferred embodiment, the total dose can be from about 50 mg (10 ppm) to 200 mg (40 ppm). It should be understood that any suitable amount of the composition according to the invention may be administered if effective to prevent, treat, or manage one or more conditions described herein.

[0094] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be orally administered in discrete pharmaceutical unit dosage forms, such as capsules, cachets, soft elastic gelatin capsules, tablets, or aerosols sprays, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, as a powder or granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. Such compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy, but all methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired presentation. Suitable types of oral administration include oral solid preparations, such as capsules or tablets, or oral liquid preparations. If desired, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques.

[0095] For example, a tablet may be prepared by compression or molding, optionally, with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, granulating agent, surface active agent, dispersing agent, or the like. Molded tablets may be made by molding, in a suitable machine, a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. In one embodiment, each tablet, capsule, cachet, or gel cap contains from about 0.5 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredient, while in another embodiment, each tablet contains from about1 mg to about 250 mg of the active ingredient. The amount of active ingredient found in the composition, however, may vary depending on the amount of active ingredient to be administered to the patient.

[0096] Another suitable route of administration is transdermal delivery, for example, via an abdominal skin patch.

[0097] The metal oxide(s), or a derivative thereof, may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition in a soft elastic gelatin capsule unit dosage form by using conventional methods well known in the art, such as in Ebert, Pharm. Tech, 1(5):44-50 (1977). Soft elastic gelatin capsules have a soft, globular gelatin shell somewhat thicker than that of hard gelatin capsules, wherein a gelatin is plasticized by the addition of plasticizing agent, e.g., glycerin, sorbitol, or a similar polyol. The hardness of the capsule shell may be changed by varying the type of gelatin used and the amounts of plasticizer and water. The soft gelatin shells may contain an additional preservative, such as methyl- and propylparabens and sorbic acid, to prevent the growth of fungi, although this is not necessary since the compounds and compositions of the invention provide anti-fungal efficacy. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention includes a compositions formulated as a gelatin shell with an electron active metal oxide compound of the present invention, completely free of added preservatives. The active ingredient may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid vehicle or carrier, such as vegetable or mineral oils, glycols such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, triglycerides, surfactants such as polysorbates, or a combination thereof.

[0098] In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered by controlled release means, delivery devices, or both, as are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; 4,008,719; 5,674,533; 5,059,595; 5,591,767; 5,120,548; 5,073,543; 5,639,476; 5,354,556; and 5,733,566, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by express reference thereto. These pharmaceutical compositions can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of the active ingredient therein using, for example, hydropropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, microspheres, or the like, or a combination thereof. Suitable controlled-release formulations available to those of ordinary skill in the art, including those described herein, may be readily selected for use with the tetrasilver tetroxide compositions of the invention. Thus, single unit dosage forms suitable for topical or oral administration, such as gels, lotions, cremes, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, caplets, and the like, that are adapted for controlled-release are encompassed by the present invention.

[0099] All controlled-release pharmaceutical products have a common goal of improving drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of the active ingredient being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations may include: 1) extended activity of the active ingredient; 2) reduced dosage frequency; and 3) increased patient compliance.

[0100] Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of active ingredient that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradual and continual release of other amounts of active ingredient to maintain this level of therapeutic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of active ingredient in the body, the active ingredient should be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of active ingredient being metabolized and excreted from the body.

[0101] The controlled-release of the active ingredient may be stimulated by various inducers, for example pH, temperature, enzymes, water, or other physiological conditions or compounds. The term "controlled-release component" in the context of the present invention is defined herein as a compound or compounds, including polymers, polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, liposomes, microspheres, or the like, or a combination thereof, that facilitates the controlled-release of the active ingredient (e.g., tetrasilver tetroxide) in the pharmaceutical composition.

[0102] The pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present invention include electron active metal oxides, or a derivative thereof, as the active ingredient, and may also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally, other therapeutic ingredients. Suitable derivatives include any available "pharmaceutically acceptable salts," which refer to a salt prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids including inorganic acids, organic acids, solvates, hydrates, or clathrates thereof. Examples of such inorganic acids are nitric, sulfuric, lactic, glycolic, salicylic, and phosphoric. Appropriate organic acids may be selected, for example, from aliphatic, aromatic, carboxylic and sulfonic classes of organic acids, examples of which are formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, camphorsulfonic, citric, fumaric, gluconic, isethionic, lactic, malic, mucic, tartaric, para-toluenesulfonic, glycolic, glucuronic, maleic, furoic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic, salicylic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, pantothenic, benzenesulfonic (besylate), stearic, sulfanilic, alginic, galacturonic, and the like. Particularly preferred acids are lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts preferably do not include halide-containing salts when tetrasilver tetroxide is present, as these salts are believed to facilitate breakdown of the oxide lattice present in the silver oxide compositions of the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0103] These and other aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples, which are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

EXAMPLES 1-16

Antipathogenic Efficacy of Compositions

EXAMPLES 1-2

In Vitro Treatment of Salmonella with Compositions of Invention

[0104] A culture of Salmonella of cell density 500,000 CFU/mL was contacted for 10 minutes with approximately 4 ppm hexapraseodymium undecoxide (Pr6O11), which is believed to contain two distinct oxidation states of praseodymium, Pr(III) and Pr(IV), in its crystal lattice, at a pH of about 9, followed with a culture adjusted to a pH of about 10. The percentages of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment were 96.4% and 93.8%, respectively. The experiment was repeated with the same cell density of Salmonella using about 5 ppm of tricobalt tetroxide (Co3O4), which is believed to contain two distinct oxidation states of cobalt, Co(II) and Co(III), in its crystal lattice, at a pH of about 10. The percentage of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment was 92.8% after 10 minutes of contact with the oxide-containing composition.

EXAMPLES 3-4

Antipathozenic Effect of Compositions in Water Purification

[0105] The praseodymium oxide crystals of Example 1 were tested against the standard AOAC coliform culture used in water purification studies and having a 375,000 CFU/mL density. The results of this study are tabulated below:

  ppm Pr6O11  Contact time (mins.)  pH  Bacteria mortality (%)

  4  5  7  68

  4  10  7  71

  10  5  7  65

  10  10  7  76

  5  5  9  84

  10  10  9  88

[0106] The experiment of Example 3 was repeated with about 4 ppm of tricobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) according to Example 2, at a contact time of about 5 minutes at a pH of about 7. The percentage of bacterial colonies killed by this treatment was 75%.

EXAMPLE 5

In vitro Treatment of Stayhylococcus aureus with Compositions

[0107] 1 gram of Pr (III,IV) oxide (Pr6O11) was dissolved in 20 mL of 85% phosphoric acid, which underwent substantially no redox reaction with the praseodymium oxide, such that an active solution was formed. The solution was subsequently diluted to yield a 100 ppm solution, based on the oxide component. The Pr (III,IV) oxide solution, when put in contact with Staphylococcus aureus at 220,000 CFU/mL cell density, served to kill substantially all the bacteria (100% mortality) after 10 minutes of contact with the oxide-containing composition.

EXAMPLES 6-9

In vitro Treatment of E. coli with Compositions of the Invention

[0108] A culture of E. coli bacteria having a cell density of 420,000 CFU/mL was contacted for about 10 minutes with about 6 ppm of Co (II,III) oxide, Co304, at a pH of about 7, also in the presence of 10 ppm potassium monopersulfate, which is commercially available under the trademark OXONE from DuPont De Nemours, Inc., of Wilmington, Del. The percentage of bacteria killed by this contact was 47.6%. When repeating the previous experiment using a culture having a cell density of 380,000 CFU/mL and with about 5 ppm of Pr (III,IV) oxide in the presence of about 50 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was 39.5%.

[0109] A culture of E. coli bacteria having a cell density of 160,000 CFU/mL was contacted for about 10 minutes with about 100 ppm of Cu (1,111) oxide, Cu4O4. The percentage of bacteria killed by this contact was 63.8%. When repeating the previous experiment using only about half the Cu (I,III) oxide concentration, i.e., about 50 ppm, in the presence of about 200 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was 97.8%.

EXAMPLES 10-13

In vitro Treatment of E. coli with Compositions of the Invention

[0110] Cultures of E. coli bacteria, each having a cell density around 100,000 CFU/mL, were each contacted for about 10 minutes with various electron active molecular metal oxide crystals according to the invention, resulting in the following percentages of bacteria killed:

    Composition of the Invention  % Bacteria Killed

    Bi (III,V) oxide, Bi2O4  38%

    Fe (II,III) oxide, Fe3O4  32%

    Mn (II,III) oxide, Mn3O4  28%

[0111] These experiments were repeated using reduced triiron tetroxide, Fe3O4, concentrations and E. coli cultures, each having a reduced cell density of 75,000 CFU/mL, with variable OXONE(TM) concentrations. When Fe (II, III) oxide was used in about 50 ppm concentration in the presence of about 200 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was about 73.3%. When Fe (II,III) oxide was used in about 20 ppm concentration, in the presence of about 100 ppm OXONE(TM), the percentage of bacteria killed was about 49.3%.

EXAMPLES 14-16

In vitro Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Using Compositions

[0112] Compositions containing about 100 ppm of Bi (III,V) oxide, Bi2O4, Fe (II,III) oxide, Fe3O4, or Mn (II,III) oxide, Mn3O4, were tested for antimicrobial efficacy by contacting cultures of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria having cell densities of 75,000 CFU/mL for about 10 minutes. The iron and manganese oxide compositions were observed to kill substantially no bacteria, whereas the composition containing dibismuth tetroxide was observed to kill about 37.3% of the bacteria.

EXAMPLE 17

Preparation of Tetracopper Tetroxide

[0113] 2.4 grams each of sodium hydroxide and potassium persulfate were dissolved, each in 25 mL of distilled water, each in its own 50 mL beaker. These solutions were mixed together in another beaker, to which 700 mg of red cuprous oxide was added. This beaker was heated to approximately 90[deg.] C. and was maintained from about 90[deg.] C. and 95[deg.] C. for about 15 minutes before being allowed to cool to room temperature. The heating of the solution caused a color change from red to black, indicating a reaction of the oxide.

[0114] The solid product was purified and isolated by one of two methods: a) decanting off the solution, washing the remaining product at least seven times with distilled water, and drying the product; or b) vacuum filtering the solution and drying the product. The experimental yield was similar using either isolation method.

[0115] The average theoretical yield of Cu(I,III) oxide, or Cu404, was 83%, based on the following equation:

[0116] 4NaOH+2Cu2O+2K2S2O8->Cu4O4+2Na2SO4+2K2SO42H2O

[0117] Based on all of the test data described above, the healing mechanism associated with the use of the metal oxides of the invention to treat and manage at least some skin diseases, without being bound by theory, appears to involve mechanisms other than merely inhibiting or killing pathogens and curing infections that tend to aggravate disease and retard the natural healing process. The data indicate that healing is brought about even in cases where no abnormal bacteria counts or infection is evident. This suggests that the electron active compound(s) may also act against auto-antibodies that trigger autoimmune reactions associated with diseased tissue, as well as against other non-pathogenic conditions or diseases, such as circulatory or neurological conditions or diseases.

[0118] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements and modifications of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be understood that the chemical and pharmaceutical details of every design may be slightly different or modified by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the compositions and methods taught by the present invention.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the employment of trivalent copper, i.e., Cu(III) compounds, as bactericidal and algicidal agents in water treatment. The instant inventor has been involved over the past years in searching out new compounds which are anti pathogenic and which can be utilized for water treatment. The inventor's efforts have concentrated upon multivalent silver compounds. To date seven patents have been granted to the inventor in this area as follows: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,017,295; 5,073,382; 5,078,902; 5,089,275; 5,098,582; 5,211,855; and 5,223,149. The last patent deals with the efficacy of trivalent silver in water treatment and is entitled TRIVALENT SILVER WATER TREATMENT COMPOSITIONS. Said invention deals with trivalent silver compounds which are very effective as bactericides, bacteriostats, algistats and algicides. Having completed his research in this area, it occurred to the inventor that it may be possible that trivalent copper compounds could also exhibit this behavior. However, such a conclusion was not obvious.

The reason that such a conclusion was not obvious was that it would be entirely possible that Cu(III) compounds could not necessarily be expected to exhibit all or some of the behavior of Ag(III) compounds of an anti-pathogenic nature.

Accordingly, it was decided to investigate the possibility. The reason why such an investigation was undertaken was that if it were ascertained that there was anti-pathogenic efficacy with Cu(III) compounds, then it could be entirely possible that said compounds would offer an economic advantage on a cost effective basis if proven out, since copper is far less expensive than silver. The scientific literature was subsequently scrutinized in order to find suitable trivalent copper candidates for synthesis and subsequent tests and evaluations. Accordingly, trivalent Cu(III) compounds were selected from the literature for further study and subsequent synthesis. The inventor also synthesized other Cu(III) compounds not found in the literature of his own creation. After having accomplished the synthesis of several of these trivalent Cu compounds, those meeting certain criteria, e.g. highest yields were submitted for testing and evaluation as potential bactericides, bacteriostats, algicides and algistats. However, it was not enough that these compounds kill and inhibit the growth of both bacteria and algae, but it is also necessary that said compounds perform the function within a specific time frame as demanded by US Federal standards in conformity with protocols of the Environmental Protection Agency as engendered and defined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for utilitarian bodies of water of which swimming pools is exemplary.

The evaluations of the Cu(III) compositions proved highly successful. Furthermore, while it is known that divalent copper compounds exhibit useful algicidal and algistatic properties, no copper (II) compound is known to be active as a bacteriostat or bactericide at copper concentrations below 10 PPM, let alone to exhibit said characteristics at any concentration in conformity with the aforementioned specifications defined in the CFR. Accordingly, this invention perfected copper (III) compounds for all these functions and offered the previously outlined economic advantages over the inventor's Ag(III) compounds.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of this invention is to provide compositions embodying trivalent copper compounds capable of killing and/or inhibiting the growth of bacteria and algae, particularly in utilitarian bodies of water, that is, bodies of water having a particular use, such as swimming pools, hot tubs, drinking-water reservoirs, recreational lakes and industrial cooling towers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a source of trivalent copper ions capable of meeting regular CFR and EPA standards for swimming pools and hot tubs, mainly, a bactericide capable of achieving 100% kills within 10 minutes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a trivalent copper composition having the aforesaid function but which can be formulated into a marketable concentrated liquid product for utilization in utilitarian bodies of water.

Other objects, features, functions and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the present invention is considered in view of the accompanying examples. It should, of course, be recognized that the accompanying examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended as a means of defining the limits and scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the utilization of trivalent copper compounds for bactericidal and algicidal applications in utilitarian bodies of water, such as swimming pools, hot tubs, municipal and industrial water supplies, as for example, cooling towers.

More specifically, this invention concerns stable Cu(III) complexes. Said complexes are designated via the principal quantum number (n), being equal to 3 and the second quantum number (1) being equal to 2. The letter "l" delineates sublevel d electrons. According to the accepted conventional designation, trivalent copper complexes are called d@8 complexes; while divalent and monovalent copper are designated d@9 and d@10 complexes, respectively.

Trivalent copper complexes were prepared by various routes of synthesis. However, irrespective of the manner of preparation, all the methods chosen utilized copper sulfate as the starting material source of copper (II) ions and sodium or potassium persulfate as the oxidizing agent for changing Cu(II) complexes to Cu(III).

Of all the Cu(III) compounds prepared three criteria were used to select preferred compounds for evaluation against bacteria and algae. The criteria were as follows:

1. Ease of preparation.

2. Yield of compound.

3. Uniformity and aesthetic nature of appearance.

Accordingly, those final compounds which were chosen for the testing were a Cu(III) periodate complex; the 1:1 Cu(III)/ligand complex of tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane; and the 1:2 Cu(III)/ligand complexes of biuret and dimethylglyoxime.

The compounds chosen were prepared according to methods of preparation described in the literature excepting that of the tris amino complex, for which no preparative method could be found in the literature. The latter was prepared by a route original with the inventor.

The Cu(III) periodate complexes can be depicted by the following structure: ##STR1##

The particular complex prepared here has the following formula:

K2 Na3 H2 [Cu(IO6)2 ]

It is prepared according to the reaction:

2CuSO4 +2Na2 S2 O8 +14NaOH+4KIO4 =2K2 Na3 H2 [Cu(IO6)2 ]+5H2 O+6Na2 SO4

This compound was prepared according to the method of Keyworth & Stone (Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 27 p.833 [1955]) excepting that the potassium persulfate described in the recipe was replaced with its molar equivalent of sodium persulfate to yield a rich deep brown solution of the diperiodo cuprate(III).

As for the nitrogen complex cuprate (III) compounds of biuret and dimethylglyoxime they were prepared by the persulfate oxidation of the Cu(II) chelate complexes. Thus the biuret complexes were prepared according to J.J. Bour et al., Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 10, No. 6, 1971. The 2:1 ligand/Cu ratio complex can be depicted by the following structure: ##STR2##

The Cu dimethylglyoxime complexes were prepared according to the method of Morpurgo and Tomlinson (J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., p. 744-51 [1977]).

A probable structure for the Cu(III) dimethylglyoxime complexes depicted in the aforementioned paper is shown below:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative of the preferred embodiments of this invention are the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1

A Cu(III) biuret chelate complex having a 2:1 ligand to Cu ratio was prepared by adding 2.2 grams of biuret with stirring to 100 cc. of 2.5% cupric sulfate pentahydrate solution in distilled water followed by 3.0 grams of reagent-grade KOH. Upon addition of the biuret to the copper sulfate, it remained in suspension until the KOH was added. Then the entire material went into solution as the Cu(II) biuret complex with a clear violet color. Upon addition of reagent-grade potassium persulfate to the heated complex at 90-95 DEG C., an insoluble brown solid was obtained. It was separated by vacuum filtration and dried. It assayed 20.9% Cu and was obtained in a yield of 73%.

The tests were as follows. Plate colonies were grown of fecal coliform cultures in a 10 PPM sodium persulfate solution, which is an optimum concentrate of a preferred synergistic sanitizer enhancement agent used in conventional swimming pools. The control colonies per plate after five minutes were 150. Plates which were treated in like manner with the Cu(III) biuret chelate complex, where the Cu(III) ion concentration was 9 PPM, exhibited 100% inhibition of the colonies. The aforementioned coliform inhibitory evaluations were performed at an EPA certified laboratory.

EXAMPLE 2

A copper (III) tris amino complex was prepared in which the Cu:Ligand ratio was 1:1 in the following manner. 1.3 grams of tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane were added with stirring to 100 cc of a 2.5% cupric sulfate pentahydrate solution in distilled water. This was followed with 2.0g. of reagent-grade KOH which was added to the mixture. The solution changed to a deep blue color. The resulting solution was then heated to 90 DEG-95 DEG C. and 3.5g. of reagent-grade potassium persulfate were added with stirring. A dark-brown precipitate resulted which was filtered and dried. The yield of the product was 65% which assayed at 34.0% copper. The resulting compound was subjected to the same protocol described in Example 1 with the same culture control. The results were identical at the same 9 PPM Cu(III) ion concentration.

EXAMPLE 3

A Cu(III) periodate complex was prepared as follows 2.0g of cupric sulfate pentahydrate were dissolved in 150 cc. of distilled water, 9.2g. of potassium periodate (reagent grade) were added to the solution and 24 cc. of 45% KOH was then added. This was followed by the addition of 8.4g. of sodium persulfate to the solution which was heated to 90 DEG-95 DEG C. The solution was subsequently cooled to room temperature and filtered. After removal of insoluble solid matter, the remaining solution was diluted to 200ml. volume in a volumetric flask and assayed via AA spectroscopy. The yield of Cu(III) periodate was 30%. Aliquots of this solution were taken for subsequent pathogenic evaluations.

An EPA certified laboratory evaluated the periodate utilizing E. coli plate colony cultures in a manner analogous to that described in Example 1, excepting that the controls were done without any sodium persulfate present. Under these conditions there were 111 control colonies after 10 minutes; and 100% inhibition of E. coli colonies with only 5.0 PPM of Cu(III) ion applied as periodate.

Another EPA certified laboratory subsequently evaluated the Cu(III) periodate complex for inhibiting the growth of algae. The protocol utilized was the Selanastrum range finding test. Plotting the data from the test at prechosen Cu(III) ion concentrations indicated a 100% inhibition at 11 PPM in the presence of 10 PPM sodium persulfate. There was no algae growth inhibition in blanks run with sodium persulfate as controls.

US6228491
High performance cobalt (II,III) oxide antimicrobial textile articles  

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to textile articles possessing antimicrobial properties and a method for their preparation.

2. Description of Related Art

Textile articles which have been treated to render such articles microbicidal to microorganisms coming in contact with the article are known in the prior art. Such articles include those made from paper, fibers, woven and non-woven textiles and like fabrics which are designed for use in environments such as hospitals, food processing plants, laboratories and other areas where maintenance of germ-free conditions is essential.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,791,518 discloses a method of imparting microbicidal properties to articles such as textiles by immersing the article in a first aqueous solution containing a water-soluble basic nitrogen compound (ammonia) and a monovalent silver salt soluble in said solution, followed by a second immersion in a second solution containing a second salt capable of ion exchange with the silver salt such that a monovalent silver salt precipitate is formed within the article. The formed silver precipitate is sparingly water soluble and imparts microbicidal properties to the articles so treated.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,952 discloses a method of treating fibers to render them electrically conductive as well as anti-bacterial comprising immersing the fibers in a bath comprising an aqueous solution of a source of divalent copper ions, a reducing agent, sodium thiosulfate and a source of iodide ions, whereby copper iodide is adsorbed into the fibers. Similar techniques for rendering fibers conductive and/or resistant to bacteria involving the use of copper compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,410,593 and 5,458,906.

One of the main problems associated with the use of monovalent silver compounds such as the halides, phosphates or sulfates in such applications is that they are sensitive to ultra-violet light and are thus prone to discoloration after exposure to sunlight, with a gradual loss of effectiveness of antimicrobial properties. Also, many of these compounds are soluble or slightly soluble in hot water which diminishes the antimicrobial properties after only a few launderings of reusable fabrics containing them.

Another problem with respect to the use of copper compounds as interstitially precipitated antimicrobials such as described in the above U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,271,952 and 5,458,906 is that these processes do not readily lend themselves to inclusion in textile production lines. Textile finishing lines involve processes which take minutes and cannot readily accommodate precipitations which require lengthy immersion times of sixty minutes or more.

The main object of the invention is to provide a method of treating fibers and/or configurated textile products so that anti-microbial properties are imparted to them. Another object of the invention is to incorporate into said fibers and textile products a powerful anti-microbial based on an electron active molecular crystal analogous to the molecular crystal, tetrasilver tetroxide, which has been proven one of the most powerful disinfectants known to man.

Another object of the invention is to form a multivalent cobal oxide by interstitial precipitation.

Still another object of the invention is to enable rapid mass production of anti-microbial fibers and textile products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a fibrous textile article containing a cobalt (II, III) oxide as an antimicrobial agent interstitially deposited within said article, said agent present in said article in an amount sufficient to impart antimicrobial properties to said article.

The invention also provides a process for imparting antimicrobial properties to a fibrous textile article comprising:

a. providing a solution containing divalent cobalt cations;

b. contacting said article with said solution for a period of time sufficient to uniformly wet said article with said solution;

c. immersing said wetted article in a bath containing a second aqueous solution containing a strong alkali and a water soluable per-acid salt oxidizer for a period of time sufficient to interstitially precipitate cobalt (II, III) oxide within said article; and

d. removing said article from said bath.

Textile articles prepared in accordance with this invention, particularly woven and non-woven fabrics, exhibit outstanding antimicrobial resistance with respect to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, yeast and algae, are resistant to degradation upon exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light) and maintain their excellent antimicrobial properties even after a number of launderings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Imparting anti-microbial (anti-pathogenic) properties to fiber and its derived textile products is achieved in the instant invention by interstitial precipitation of a molecular crystal compound multivalent cobalt oxide such as cobalt (II, III) oxide. Said cobalt moiety is based on concepts derived by analogy from silver (I, III) oxide which is the subject of patents by the instant inventor, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,499. That patent describes the antipathogenic properties of silver oxide whose formula Ag4 O4 and mechanism of operation as a molecular device, based on a unique crystal having two monovalent silver (Ag I) ions and two trivalent silver (Ag III) ions in the molecule, have been fully described in said patent, as well as the mechanism of killing pathogens described therein being based on the differential silver electronic activity between Ag(I) and Ag(III), resulting in. electrocution of pathogens followed by binding chelation of pathogenic surfaces. By extrapolating these elucidated concepts, the instant inventor found that cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3 O4) was capable of killing pathogens in a like manner.

An antimicrobial spectrum of Ag4 O4 is to be found in a published article written by the instant inventor in the annual R&D issue of Soap Cosmetics Chemical Specialties 1994, 70, 3 p. 52-59 entitled "Silver (II, III) Disinfectants", shown in Table 1. The spectrum is based on specifications of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).

TABLE 1

Antimicrobial Spectrum of Ag4 O4

MICROORGANISM MIC* (PPM)

Gram Negatives

Escherichia coll 10231 2.50

Escherichia coll 25254 2.50

Enterobacter cloacae 13047 2.50

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 9027 1.25-2.50

Gram positives

Bacillus subtilis 6633 5.00

Micrococcus lutena 9341 1.25-2.50

Staphylococcus aureus 0927 2.50-5.00

Staphylococcus aureus 27543 5.00

Staphylococcus epidermidis 12228 0.625

Streptococcus agalactiae 27956 1.25-5.00

Streptococcus faecium 10541 5.00

Streptococcus-pyogenes 7958 2.50

Yeast and Mold

Candida albicans 16404 2.50-5.0

Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2601 1.25

*MIC = Minimal Inhibitory Concentration.

The term "fibrous textile article" as used herein is intended to encompass a wide variety of materials including paper, natural or synthetic fibers, threads and yarns made from materials such as cotton, rayon, wool, jute, nylon, polyesters, polyacetates, polyacrylics as well as cellulosics in general. More particularly, the term refers to fibers woven into a fabric such as knitting, and non-woven fabrics or webbing used in anti-pathogenic applications such as in the medical field, hospitals, biotechnology and food and dairy processing. Exemplary textile products of this genre include bandages, gauze, bandage pads, skin patches, work clothes (both disposable and reusable), bed sheets, masks, dust cloths, safety belts, surgical gowns, ambulance blankets, stretchers, filter materials, diapers, underwear, pajamas, video display terminal screens and the like.

For some antimicrobial applications, Co3 O4 crystals may be deposited within the interstices of fibrous articles by simply soaking the article in an aqueous dispersion of the crystals (dimension of less than 100 Angstroms), or by combining the crystals with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium and applying this composition to the fibrous article. This method of physical incorporation of the crystals is useful where the article is composed of low density or loosely associated fibers such as bandage pads, gauze pads and loosely non-woven products, and particularly laminated products wherein the treated fibrous article is subsequently sandwiched between layers which tend to keep the crystals trapped in the fibrous article. Also, antimicrobial paper products may be made by simply mixing an aqueous dispersion of the Co3 O4 crystals with paper pulp prior to calendaring the pulp.

However, physical incorporation of the crystals is less effective where the treated article is a fiber or yarn or a higher density woven or non-woven fabric, since the pre-formed crystals cannot sufficiently penetrate into the interstices of such articles. In such cases, deposition via interstitial precipitation is preferred.

Interstitial precipitation of Co3 O4 crystals (generally having an average dimension of less than 100 Angstroms) is accomplished by first providing a solution containing a source of divalent cobalt cations. Next the article to be treated, e.g., a fiber, yarn or a woven or non-woven fabric, is thoroughly wetted with this solution such that the article absorbs solution on fiber surfaces as well at one or more of the interstices between fibrils forming the fiber, between fibers forming the yarn or non-woven fabric, or between the weft and warp yarns present in woven fabrics. Wetting may be accomplished by uniformly spraying the article or more preferably by dipping the article in a bath of the cobalt salt solution for a period of time sufficient for the article to absorb the requisite amount of cobalt salt solution. This time may range from about 15-60 seconds, more preferably about 30 seconds.

Next the wetted article is removed from the immersion bath and optionally squeezed to remove excess solution and immersed in a bath containing a second aqueous solution comprising a strong alkali and a water soluble per-acid salt oxidizer for a period of time sufficient to cause reaction leading to the interstitial precipitation of Co3 O4 crystals in the interstices of the fibrous article. Suitable alkalis for this purpose include sodium or potassium hydroxide, with sodium hydroxide most preferred. Suitable oxidizing per-acids include alkali metal persulfates. Sodium and more preferably potassium persulfate is the preferred oxidizer. Reactions in the bath may be accomplished at room temperature or by heating at a temperature of up to 95 DEG C. for a period of time sufficient to maximize yield of Co3 O4, generally from about 30 seconds to about 4 minutes, preferably about two minutes,

After the reaction is completed, the treated article is removed from the bath and may be washed several times with water to remove soluble inpurities or unreacted reagant.

The quantity of Co3 O4 crystals present in the resulting article will generally be a function of the quantity of cobalt salt sorbed by the article, which can vary depending on the nature of the article, e.g., loose vs. tight weave fabrics or whether the fiber is natural or synthetic, the former being more absorbtive of the cobalt salt solution.

In general, the quantity of alkali present in the second bath should be sufficient to maintain a pH on the basic side, i.e., above about 9. The content of Co3 O4 crystals interstitially precipitated within any given fibrous article may be controlled by varying the concentration of the cobalt salt in the solution used to first wet the article.

The antimicrobial properties of the articles treated in this invention may be further enhanced by including a source of fluoride ions in the second oxidizing bath described above. Such sources include water soluble fluoride salts such as sodium or potassium fluoride. The amount of fluoride anion source may generally range from about 10 to 1500 mg per liter of solution, more preferably from about 100 to 1000 mg/liter.

The content of the Co3 O4 (based on weight PPM cobalt) in the fabric may range from as little as 0.5 weight PPM up to about 15,000 weight PPM, based on the weight of the textile article. The minimum content should be sufficient to kill pathogens from which protection is sought, whereas the maximum content is dictated by factors such as economy and affect on fabric properties. Generally speaking, the higher the cobalt content, the more effective will be the antimicrobial properties of the fabric. For most applications, cobalt content in the range of from about 1000 to about 15,000 weight PPM will provide satisfactory antimicrobial properties.

Antimicrobial properties are evaluated in accordance with this invention using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) test method 972.04, which is used primarily to evaluate the bacteriostatic activity of laundry additive disinfectants. In this test, a square sterile swatch of fabric is pressed into a petri dish containing a layer of nutrient agar which has been inoculated with a pathogen. Following a fixed period of incubation, each fabric sample is evaluated by measuring the clear zones adjacent the four sides of each test swatch as an index of antimicrobial activity. The presence of clear zones along all four sides of the swatch is indicative of antimicrobial activity, rated 4/4. The width of the clear zones in millimeters is reasonably indicative of the degree of antimicrobial activity.

In the following examples, assorted fibers and textile swatches were dipped for different periods of time into cobalt chloride solutions of varying concentrations. The take-up of cobalt ions was determined by gravimetric means on an analytical balance, so that for each fiber and textile swatch so treated the exact amount of cobalt in PPM was known. Said fibers were then dipped into an aqueous mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium persulfate for various periods of time. The sequential treatment was designed to fort Co3 O4 via the mechanism of interstitial precipitation in the fibers and fiber components of the textiles utilized according to the equation:

3Co(NO3)2 +6K2 S2 O8 +18NaOH=9H2 O+5[0]+Co3 O4 +3K2 SO4 +6KNO3 +9Na2 SO4

The fibers comprising the materials utilized in the anti-pathogenic treatments were of polyester and nylon. Of the fabrics tested, both predyed goods and undyed virgin materials were evaluated. The AOAC anti-pathogenic tests on said fibers and textiles were performed by an independent laboratory which was licensed by a State environmental regulatory body. The marker organisms used in conformity with AOAC test method 972.04 were Pseudemonas aeruginosa (pa) as the Gram negative bacteria marker, and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) for Gram positive bacteria.

The tests were conducted in terms of inhibition of cultures of said bacteria. Swatches were used for the tests in contact with the cultures. Each swatch had four sides and two swatches were used with each representative culture so that a total of eight trials were reflected with each bacterium. An 8/8 inhibition would indicate 100% efficacy. However, the test protocol went beyond the specifications of the AOAC methods insofar that the actual average inhibition zone in millimeters was recorded for both swatches tested. Accordingly, 8/8 positive results were obtained with the marker bacteria cultures. These results were then combined with the aforementioned anti-microbial spectrum shown in Table 1 which includes the marker bacteria of the AOAC tests, and extrapolated. The conclusion was that the preferred embodiments of the instant invention were 100% effective against the listed Table 1 microbes.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A swatch of virgin nylon webbing of a standard size, 2.0.times.5.0 millimeters, was taken and immersed in a cobalt chloride solution containing 10,850 PPM of cobalt for 30 seconds. A gravimetric determination of the cobalt absorbed after immersion showed Co at 9,363 PPM in the webbing. The webbing was then immersed in a room temperature solution containing 50.0 grams/liter potassium persulfate and 22.5 grams/liter sodium hydroxide for two minutes. It was removed, washed and dried. There resulted a dark brown coating on the fibers. The swatch was divided in thirds to give three swatches, two for testing in compliance with the aforementioned AOAC bacterial test 972.04. Zones of inhibition were obtained on all eight sides, i.e., 8/8, for both marker organisms. The average inhibition zones were 1.0 mm for pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1.1 for Staph aureus.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated in all aspects excepting that the solution chemistries were changed and immersion time in oxidizer was reduced to one minute. Cobalt as chloride was 5,400 PPM. Co on fabric was 4,222 PPM. The oxidizer persulfate was identical to Example 1 excepting that 600 mg per liter of sodium fluoride were added. The results for the Staph marker bacteria were 8/8. The average inhibition zones was 2.0 mm. The addition of fluoride enhanced the efficacy of the fibers against Staph as seen in the inhibition zone being higher than in Example 1 with only 45% of the cobalt concentration that was effective in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

An independent medical researcher in Israel obtained a very virulent strain of Staph from a patient at the Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. The patient subsequently died from the infection. This strain was evaluated as more virulent than any of the other Staph micro-organisms listed in Table 1 by the pathology staff at the Jerusalem hospital. This Staph strain was utilized as the Staph source by the researcher who performed the aforementioned AOAC test 972.04 for bacterial retardation efficacy on the third swatch set aside in Example 1. Since there was only one swatch, there were only four sides to be reckoned with. The virulent strain of Staph was inhibited 100% giving a reading of 4/4. The average inhibition for the 4/4 result was 1.5 mm. Since the virulent strain of Staph qualified on a silver (I, III) oxide scale as having an MIC of 30.5-61 PPM, the values were extrapolated for all Gram positive bacteria listed in Table 1. It was concluded that precipitated Co (II, III) oxide was capable of inhibiting all of the listed Gram positive bacteria. By applying the same reasoning to the Gram negative microorganisms of Example 1 pa marker, one can claim inhibition as well for all Gram negative bacteria listed in Table 1.

Fabrics treated in accordance with this invention hold promise for many antimicrobial applications ranging from preventing jock itch when applied to athletic supporters to preventing scabies and bed sores with treated bed sheets or hospital gowns used in nursing homes and hospitals.

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