MXPA00011408A - Treatment of arthritis and other similar conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for treatment of the manifestations of arthritis in a mammal, including a human, by administering an effective amount of Ngali Nut Oil.

Description

TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS AND OTHER SIMILAR CONDITIONS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of treating the manifestations of arthritis and other similar conditions. While the following description refers to the treatment and relief of the manifestations of arthritis, it is understood that the same principles apply for the treatment of manifestations of rheumatism, tendinitis, spondylitis and similar degenerative joint disease. Rheumatism is a similar term that refers to any pain or discomfort that originates from the muscles, joints, bones or other parts of the musculoskeletal system. Many people have rheumatic pains that vary from day to day and sometimes with the weather. Frequently the people who suffer it report that their manifestations worsen when the weather is humid and cold although other people report the opposite. The reasons for these fluctuations and the precise source and mechanism of pain are not recognized. Arthritis is a more specific term that involves damage or inflammation in one or more joints. The condition is frequently shown by pain, swelling, burning, redness and limited movement. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis or "wear and tear arthritis". The condition results from wear of the cartilage. Since the cartilage can not be replaced properly by the body, it can make a new bone at the edge of the joint to compensate for the loss of cartilage. This in turn produces bony inflammations which are painful because the new bone is stretching the sensitive layer of the pre-existing bone. This condition is common in the fingers. The cause of osteoarthritis is unknown although it may include a combination of chemical, mechanical, hereditary, metabolic and endocrine factors that can damage a joint. Hereditary osteoarthritis is a hereditary predisposition to a condition in which the fingers and thumbs begin to deform. This in turn causes bony inflammations around the joint and the onset of arthritis. The condition seems to affect predominantly in women and manifests during menopause. A genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis, in conjunction with damage to the joint directly or indirectly, can result in a condition that manifests itself in larger joints such as the hip and knee joints. This condition is observed predominantly in men. Some occupations, such as the farm and the contact sports profession, have certain risks inherent in the development of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. A fracture that involves a joint, a severe ligament injury, or removal of the patella usually results in the further development of arthritis in the area of damage. It is not common, although it weakens the condition known as rheumatoid arthritis. This involves inflammation of the joints and affects one in 10 people. Inflammation starts in the joint layer and results in the release of pain causing substances within the joint space. This is also an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself. There are many theories about the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is thought that a combination of environmental factors such as infection and genetic factors can make individuals more prone to the disease. Unfortunately, there is no known way to stop the arthritis process either through drugs or other methods. Current treatments include: 1. Joint Protection and Exercise. If a joint is diagnosed as damaged with signs of ligament damage or initial manifestations of arthritis, patients are warned to avoid activities that may accelerate the arthritic process and rest the joint involved. Diet and weight loss programs are also prescribed. Some form of exercise can also be beneficial. NeverthelessDue to the pain associated with arthritic manifestations, patients are often not able to comply with exercise regimens. 2. Drug Treatments Several types of drugs are currently used in the treatment of arthritis including: • Pain Eliminators / Analgesics Such drugs are well known and include Aspirin, Paracetamol, Codeine and Diflunisal. They are important in allowing patients with clinical pain to go ahead and in some cases rest. Unfortunately these drugs are not able to eliminate pain completely. In addition, excessive abuse or dependence can cause other problems such as gastrointestinal bleeding and alterations, tinnitus, dizziness and hypersensitivity reactions to drugs. • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs These types of drugs are also known and involve Voltaren, Artrotec, Naproxen and Ketoprofen. These drugs reduce the formation of prostaglandin responsible for the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. They can reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness and improve mobility. Unfortunately it does not eliminate the manifestations of arthritis completely and does not seem to cure the condition or prevent long-term joint damage. This class of drugs have side effects similar to analgesics. • Disease Modification Drugs These drugs are usually prescribed to fight rheumatoid arthritis. They can reduce the level of inflammation in the joints and avoid, the damage to them. Drugs of this class include Gold (Myocrisin), Sulfasalazine and Chloroquine. These drugs are slow acting and in some cases may take several months before they achieve their effect. Unfortunately, a complete cure is rarely achieved and treatment can be stopped due to frequent severe side effects such as dermatitis, skin rashes, anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions, anorexia, nausea and vomiting.

• Corticosteroids Corticosteroids or steroids are described for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in particular. They can be effective in reducing the level of inflammation or in the treatment of particularly painful arthritic manifestations. There is apathy or rejection against the use of steroids more widely because of the long-term side effects, particularly the suppression of the patient's immune response and the adverse effects on the body's metabolic activities. Recently, developments in drugs and stronger techniques that counteract the negative effects of chemical messengers (interleukins) have given patients of renewed arthritis hope. However, these drugs are still in an experimental phase. Due to the high incidence of arthritis in the community, the financial burden of arthritis in the health system is extremely high. Unfortunately, the current drug regimens used to treat arthritis are only partially effective and in some cases, the side effects of continuous treatment may outweigh the benefits. Unfortunately, diet and exercise regimens have only limited application and are difficult to manage due to poor patient compliance. In light of the inherent problems of current drug regimens, natural remedies are beginning to gain sympathy among patients with arthritis as alternative means of treating their often painful manifestations. Natural remedies can therefore play an important role in relieving the manifestations of arthritis and due to the lack of side effects can result in better compliance of the patient. Current natural remedies include Sea Cucumber Extract, Shark Cartilage, Green Lipped Mussel, Night Spring Oil and Cod Liver Oil. However, there is no conclusive evidence that these remedies can make such a difference. Nocturnal Spring Oil and Cod Liver Oil are the most popular natural remedies and those with the best reasoning for beneficial activity. It is possible that these remedies can alter the balance of the chemical elements in the path of pain in a favorable way. Consequently, an investigation was made into the possibility of other natural remedies that could treat the painful manifestations of arthritis without some of the undesirable side effects associated with current drug regimens. It is an object of the invention to provide a method of treating the manifestations of arthritis using a composition available in nature. It has been found surprisingly that an extract of Ngali Nut Oil may be effective in the treatment of arthritis manifestations. According to one form of the invention there is provided a method for the treatment of the manifestations of arthritis in a mammal, including a human being, by administering an effective amount of Ngali Nut Oil. Preferably the Ngali Nut Oil is administered alone or in combination with at least other therapeutic agents used for the treatment of the manifestations of arthritis. This may include compatible drugs. Preferably Ngali Nut Oil is administered topically to the epithelial surface of an area affected by the manifestations of arthritis. He Ngali Nut Oil can be reapplied depending on the severity of arthritis manifestations. According to another preferred form of the invention, Ngali Nut Oil can be administered orally. Ngali Nut Oil can be administered orally additionally depending on the severity of the manifestations of arthritis. According to another form of the invention, a Ngali Nut Oil composition for topical administration is provided which comprises: a) not exceeding about 50% of a stable cream base; and b) not to exceed approximately 50% Ngali Nut Oil.

Ngali Nut Oil is mixed with a stable cream to form an emulsion. The stable cream acts as a base to facilitate the absorption of Ngali Nut Oil on an epithelial surface of an area affected by the manifestations of arthritis. There are several stable cream bases that can be used, these are well known to those skilled in the art. An example of a stable cream base is Sorbolene Cream. Preferably the percentage of Ngali Nut Oil is about 5%. Typically, the composition of the present invention can be made by conventional compounding methods known in the pharmaceutical art to provide an ointment, cream or paste topically administered. According to another preferred form of the invention, a Ngali Nut Oil composition for oral administration is provided for the treatment of the manifestations of arthritis which comprises an effective amount of Ngali Nut Oil. The present invention provides a composition and a physiologically acceptable carrier suitable for oral administration.

For example, by mixing the active substance with physiologically acceptable edible, non-toxic, inert, solid or liquid carriers and / or excipients suitable for systemic administration and conventionally used in oral dosage form. EXAMPLE The invention will now be explained and illustrated by the following non-limiting example. Ngali Nut Oil is the oil obtained from the nuts of a variety of Ngali walnut trees that are grown in the Solomon Islands in Vanuatu Papua New Guinea and in the Philippines. The three most common varieties of Ngali walnut trees are Canarium Indicium, Canarium Solomonesis and Canarium Harveyi. At this stage, no work has been done in the creation of hybrids of the Cañar iu species. Those skilled in the art will understand that the current invention is not directed to the above-mentioned varieties of walnut tree and includes any hybrids thereof. The average oil content of the Ngali nut is 74%, of which 48% is saturated fat. The type of fatty acids found are similar to palm oil but with higher levels of stearic and linoleic acids.

The nut tree Ngali is cultivated to remove the Ngali fruit. To remove the nut, the Ngali fruit peel is removed and the nuts are dried in the peel. The nuts are then opened by grinding to extract the seed which is pressed to extract the N? Ez Ngali Oil. 1. Composition The tested composition comprises 5% of Ngali Nut Oil and 95% of the stable cream base Sorbolene Cream. 2. Patients Six patients, four men and two women, were recruited for this experiment with ages between 50 and 89 years. The patients suffered and had been diagnosed with the most common varieties of arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and exhibited typical arthritic manifestations that included pain or inflammation of the joints. In some cases, patients had already taken other medications including analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modification drugs and corticosteroids. The patients maintained any of the pre-existing drug regimens. 3. Administration Regimen Initially, the patients were instructed to apply a small amount of the Ngali Nut Oil composition twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, rubbing it on the skin until the entire composition was absorbed. When the arthritic pain began to dissipate, patients were instructed to discontinue the application and apply only when they felt a recurrence of pain. In most cases this resulted in an application twice a week or only weekly. . Evaluation Patients were instructed to evaluate any changes in the level of any arthritic manifestation. For the purposes of the experiment, the arthritic manifestations were evaluated by reference to the level of pain and immobility in the arthritic joint and the general well-being of the patient. The last criterion covered the physical and mental state of the patient. 5. Application of the Ngali Nut Oil Composition The Ngali Nut Oil composition was applied topically to the hands of the patients. The patient then proceeded to rub the composition until it was absorbed. When it was possible, the hands were used as the test site since it is the part of the body that most easily shows the signs of the manifestations of arthritis. Also, there is little surrounding tissue that the Ngali Nut Oil composition can penetrate in order to reach the area that exhibits the arthritic manifestations. Therefore, the composition of Ngali Nut Oil could be quickly absorbed through the skin and reach the arthritic joints. After the initial application the patients determined the level of arthritic manifestations ie the level of pain, mobility and general well-being on a weekly basis. The composition of Ngali Nut Oil was reapplied on the same day, and applied twice daily and then for a period of at least 2 weeks. 6. Results In some cases the patients observed that the application of Ngali Nut Oil resulted in an easily evident reduction in the level of pain and immobility. After two weeks of an initial application of twice daily, patients 1, 2, 3 and 4 showed a marked improvement in the reduction of arthritic manifestations. At this point, these patients reduced the application of the Ngali Nut Oil composition for instances when the arthritic manifestations began to resurface. Frequently this would result in weekly or twice weekly applications. In the case of patients 5 and 6, the noticeable improvement took more than two weeks to show. They continued applying Ngali Nut Oil twice daily until they also experienced a marked improvement in the incidence of arthritic manifestations. They then reduced the application of the Ngali Nut Oil composition to the instances when the arthritic manifestations began to resurface. This resulted again in weekly or twice weekly applications. In all cases there was a decrease in the level of arthritic manifestations. Patient 1 stopped the application of the Ngali Nut Oil composition after 4 weeks. He found that it took him two months until the arthritic manifestations returned to their pre-application level. This may indicate that the composition of Ngali Nut Oil has some residual effect. Patients 3 and 4 showed signs of arthritic manifestations in both hands and in other parts of their body such as knees, shoulders, back and ankles. After the composition of Ngali Nut Oil had been applied twice a day for two weeks to their hands, these patients reported that other areas affected by the arthritic manifestations also began to show a reduction in manifestations, specifically pain and pain. immobility. Those subjects then applied a small amount of the Ngali Nut Oil composition directly to the area exhibiting the arthritic manifestations twice daily, in the morning and at night. This led to a further reduction in the level of arthritic manifestations experienced by patients in the secondary areas of the arthritic manifestations. This may indicate that Ngali Nut Oil may have some systemic effect. Table 2 Summary of Results Patient 1 stopped the administration of the composition of Ngali nut oil, which led to a return of the arthritic manifestations. The above results indicate that Ngali Nut Oil can reduce the manifestations of arthritis. The word "comprising" and forms of the word "comprising" as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the claimed invention to exclude any variants or additions. Modifications and improvements for the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for treating manifestations of arthritis in a mammal, including a human being, by administering an effective amount of Ngali Nut Oil.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the Ngali Nut Oil is administered alone or in combination with at least other therapeutic agents used for the treatment of the manifestations of arthritis.
3. The method according to any of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Ngali Nut Oil is administered topically to the epithelial surface of an area affected by the manifestations of arthritis.
4. 4. The method of compliance with the claim 3, characterized in that Ngali Nut Oil can be reapplied depending on the severity of arthritis manifestations.
5. 5. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the oil of Ngali nut can be administered orally.
6. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Ngali Nut Oil can be administered orally depending on the severity of arthritis manifestations.
7. 7. A composition for topical administration characterized in that it comprises: a) a stable cream base; and b) not to exceed approximately 50% Ngali Nut Oil.
8. 8. A composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the stable cream base is Sorbolene cream.
9. The composition according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the amount of Ngali Nut Oil is about 5%.
10. 10. A composition for oral administration, for the treatment of manifestations of arthritis comprising an effective amount of Ngali Nut Oil.