Microemulsion mixture and method of using the same, and pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a microemulsion mixture, comprising a microemulsion and an active ingredient, wherein the microemulsion comprises a water phase composite, comprising a water solution and a moisturizer; an oil phase composite; and a surfactant composite; and the active ingredient is the substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. The microemulsion of the present invention inhibits the expression of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme so as to improve the efficacy of the active ingredient in the microemulsion mixture. The present invention further provides a method of using the microemulsion mixture, a pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture comprising the microemulsion mixture, and the method for treating psoriasis comprising administering the microemulsion mixture to a subject in need thereof.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture, comprising a microemulsion and an active ingredient, wherein the microemulsion comprises: a water phase composite, comprising a water solution and a moisturizer, wherein the water solution is an isotropic solution, and the moisturizer comprises sorbitol and glycerol, and based on the total amount of the isotropic solution, sorbitol and glycerol, the isotropic solution is in an amount from 31 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the sorbitol is in an amount from 45 weight percent to 55 weight percent, and the glycerol is in an amount from 12 weight percent to 18 weight percent; an oil phase composite, comprising silicone oil, squalene and triglyceride, and the weight ratio of the silicone oil, the squalene and the triglyceride is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:2.5 to 3.5; and a surfactant composite, comprising polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, tween, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (1,2-PG), and the weight ratio of the polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, the tween, the PEG and the 1,2-PG is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2; and based on a total amount of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite, the water phase composite is in an amount from 25 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the oil phase composite is in an amount from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent, and the surfactant composite is in an amount from 53 weight percent to 67 weight percent; and the active ingredient is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, wherein the substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme comprises a therapeutically effective concentration of desoximetasone, and the therapeutically effective concentration of desoximetasone is from 0.005 weight percent to 0.13 weight percent based on the total amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture.

2. The pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moisturizer comprises sorbitol, and based on the total amount of the water phase composite, the sorbitol is in an amount of at least 40 weight percent; the oil phase composite comprises silicone oil, and based on the total amount of the oil phase composite, the silicone oil is in an amount of at least 60 weight percent; and the surfactant composite comprises polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, and based on the total amount of the surfactant composite, the polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil is in an amount of at least 60 weight percent.

3. The pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the therapeutically effective concentration of desoximetasone is from 0.005 weight percent to 0.05 weight percent based on the total amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture.

4. A method for inhibiting the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

5. A method for inhibiting the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 2.

6. A method for inhibiting the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 3.

7. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing a skin symptom resulting from skin inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

8. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing a skin symptom resulting from skin inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 2.

9. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing a skin symptom resulting from skin inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 3.

10. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing a skin symptom resulting from autoimmunity, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

11. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing psoriasis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

12. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing psoriasis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 2.

13. A method for treating, ameliorating or easing psoriasis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 3.

14. A method for improving or restoring skin barrier functions or skin hydration, reducing abnormal transepidermal water loss, or ameliorating erythema or abnormal epithelial cell proliferations, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subject has an injured skin or skin inflammation.

15. A medicament for children or adolescents, comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

16. A method for improving the efficacy of skin care, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture as claimed in claim 1.

17. A method for preventing, treating or ameliorating skin cancer, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the microemulsion mixture, wherein the microemulsion mixture comprises a microemulsion and an active ingredient, wherein the microemulsion comprises: a water phase composite, comprising a water solution and a moisturizer, wherein the water solution is an isotropic solution, and the moisturizer comprises sorbitol and glycerol, and based on the total amount of the isotropic solution, sorbitol and glycerol, the isotropic solution is in an amount from 31 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the sorbitol is in an amount from 45 weight percent to 55 weight percent, and the glycerol is in an amount from 12 weight percent to 18 weight percent; an oil phase composite, comprising silicone oil, squalene and triglyceride, and the weight ratio of the silicone oil, the squalene and the triglyceride is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:2.5 to 3.5; and a surfactant composite, comprising polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, tween, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (1,2-PG), and the weight ratio of the polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, the tween, the PEG and the 1,2-PG is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2; and based on a total amount of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite, the water phase composite is in an amount from 25 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the oil phase composite is in an amount from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent, and the surfactant composite is in an amount from 53 weight percent to 67 weight percent; and the active ingredient is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme.

18. A method for preventing, treating or ameliorating inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the microemulsion mixture, wherein the microemulsion mixture comprises a microemulsion and an active ingredient, wherein the microemulsion comprises: a water phase composite, comprising a water solution and a moisturizer, wherein the water solution is an isotropic solution, and the moisturizer comprises sorbitol and glycerol, and based on the total amount of the isotropic solution, sorbitol and glycerol, the isotropic solution is in an amount from 31 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the sorbitol is in an amount from 45 weight percent to 55 weight percent, and the glycerol is in an amount from 12 weight percent to 18 weight percent; an oil phase composite, comprising silicone oil, squalene and triglyceride, and the weight ratio of the silicone oil, the squalene and the triglyceride is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:2.5 to 3.5; and a surfactant composite, comprising polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, tween, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (1,2-PG), and the weight ratio of the polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, the tween, the PEG and the 1,2-PG is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2; and based on a total amount of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite, the water phase composite is in an amount from 25 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the oil phase composite is in an amount from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent, and the surfactant composite is in an amount from 53 weight percent to 67 weight percent; and the active ingredient is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme.

19. An antibacterial or antifungal method, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the microemulsion mixture, wherein the microemulsion mixture comprises a microemulsion and an active ingredient, wherein the microemulsion comprises: a water phase composite, comprising a water solution and a moisturizer, wherein the water solution is an isotropic solution, and the moisturizer comprises sorbitol and glycerol, and based on the total amount of the isotropic solution, sorbitol and glycerol, the isotropic solution is in an amount from 31 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the sorbitol is in an amount from 45 weight percent to 55 weight percent, and the glycerol is in an amount from 12 weight percent to 18 weight percent; an oil phase composite, comprising silicone oil, squalene and triglyceride, and the weight ratio of the silicone oil, the squalene and the triglyceride is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:2.5 to 3.5; and a surfactant composite, comprising polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, tween, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and propylene glycol (1,2-PG), and the weight ratio of the polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, the tween, the PEG and the 1,2-PG is 8 to 12:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2:0.8 to 1.2; and based on a total amount of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite, the water phase composite is in an amount from 25 weight percent to 39 weight percent, the oil phase composite is in an amount from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent, and the surfactant composite is in an amount from 53 weight percent to 67 weight percent; and the active ingredient is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is the pseudo ternary phase diagram showing the existence zone of microemulsions.

(2) FIGS. 2A to 2F are the histological staining sample sections of mice skin in the skin irritation test.

(3) FIGS. 3A to 3C are immunohistochemical staining photographs for CYP3A4 of the histological sample sections of mice skin.

(4) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the comparison results of the expression assessment test of CYP3A4.

(5) FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing the comparison results of transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and skin erythema values in the skin barrier function assessment test.

(6) FIGS. 6A to 6F are the mice dorsal photographs in Experiment 6.

(7) FIGS. 7A to 7F are the photographs of the histological sample sections of mice skin stained with hematoxylin and eosin in Experiment 6.

(8) FIGS. 8A to 8F are immunohistochemical staining photographs for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of the histological sample sections of mice skin in Experiment 6.

(9) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the comparison results of the expression assessment test of PCNA.

(10) FIGS. 10A to 10E are mice dorsal photographs in Experiment 7.

(11) FIGS. 11A to 11E are the photographs of the histological sample sections of mice skin stained with hematoxylin and eosin in Experiment 7.

(12) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the comparison results of transepidermal water loss values in Experiment 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) The present invention is further explained through the following embodiments. A person having ordinary skill in the art can easily understand the advantages and efficacies achieved by the present invention. The present invention should not be limited to the contents of the embodiments. A person having ordinary skill in the art can make some improvement or modifications which are not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention to practice or apply the content of the present invention.

(14) Preparation 1: Construction of Pseudo Ternary Phase Diagram

(15) For determination of the existence zone of microemulsions, the pseudo ternary phase diagrams were constructed by using aqueous titration method at room temperature in this experiment. The ingredients comprised a water phase composite, an oil phase composite and a surfactant composite; wherein the water phase composite comprised PBS buffer, sorbitol and glycerol, and based on the total amount of the PBS buffer, sorbitol and glycerol, the PBS buffer was in an amount of 35 weight percent, sorbitol was in an amount of 50 weight percent, and glycerol was in an amount of 15 weight percent; the oil phase composite comprised silicone oil AR200, squalene and triglyceride, and the weight ratio of silicone oilAR200, squalene and triglyceride was 10:1:3; the surfactant composite comprised Cremophor RH 40, tween 80, PEG 400 and 1,2-PG, and the weight ratio of Cremophor RH 40, tween 80, PEG 400 and 1,2-PG was 10:1:1:1. All the ingredients were purchased from Merck KGaA.

(16) The oil phase composite and the surfactant composite were mixed in a weight ratio of 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1, respectively to obtain various first mixtures for titration. The water phase composite was added into each of the first mixtures to obtain a second mixture until such second mixture turned turbid, and the amount of the water phase composite used was recorded. Afterwards, the weights of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite in each of the various second mixtures were used to construct a pseudo ternary phase diagram (as shown in FIG. 1); wherein the area on the right side of the line with black spots represented the existence zone of microemulsions, and the formulation within such area formed transparent solutions without phase separation of different ingredients, whereas the formulations in the area on the left side of the line with black spots represented such formulations failed to form microemulsions.

(17) Preparation 2: Microemulsions

(18) Five microemulsions were prepared according to the formulations of spot A to spot E in FIG. 1 as shown in Table 1.

(19) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Formulations of the microemulsions Water phase Oil phase Surfactant composite composite composite Group (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) A 30 10 60 B 20 20 60 C 10 30 60 D 10 40 50 E 10 50 40

(20) The aforementioned weight percentage (wt %) was based on the total amount of the water phase composite, the oil phase composite and the surfactant composite, and the weight percentages of the three composites were 100 weight percent in total.

(21) Materials:

(22) (1) Experimental Animals

(23) Male BALB/c mice (6 to 8 weeks old, National Laboratory Animal Center, Tainan, Taiwan) were housed under conditions of controlled humidity (40%) and temperature (24±2° C.), with a 12-hour light-dark cycle in this experiment. All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with accepted standards of humane animal care, under protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Cathay General Hospital.

(24) (2) The Preparation of Mice Skin:

(25) Normal untreated mice were sacrificed after anesthesia and the full-thickness dorsal skin thereof was excised. Further, the hairs on the full-thickness dorsal skin were firstly removed by using a depilatory cream (Nair, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Ewing, NJ, USA), and the subcutaneous tissue was then surgically removed to obtain mice skin. The mice skin was washed with distilled water for immediate use in the following experiments.

(26) Experiment 1: Skin Irritation Test

(27) There were four mice in each of the control group and 5 experimental groups in this experiment. From Day 0, a daily topical application of Imiquimod (IMQ) cream for 6 consecutive days was provided to each group to induce psoriasis symptoms. Afterwards, the control group received no treatment in the following 5 consecutive days, whereas the 5 experimental groups received a daily topical application of the microemulsions of Formulation A to Formulation E, respectively. All mice were sacrificed on Day 11, and the skin samples thereof were fixed in 10% formalin. After embedding, histological staining sample sections were prepared to observe which group showed the least skin irritation response, and the experimental results were shown in FIGS. 2A to 2F, wherein the black line at the bottom in each figure was a scale bar representing 100 μm, and the bracket indicated the thickness of epidermis.

(28) FIGS. 2A to 2F sequentially showed the experimental results of the control group and the 5 experimental groups receiving the microemulsions of Formulation A to Formulation E, respectively. According to FIGS. 2A to 2F, the experimental results of both the control group and the experimental group receiving the microemulsion of Formulation A were the most similar, and the microemulsion of Formulation A resulted in the least degree of epidermal thickening, which indicates that the microemulsion of Formulation A was least irritant to the mice skin.

(29) While surfactants generally irritate skins, the experimental results showed that the microemulsion of Formulation A with higher amount of the surfactant composite than those of both Formulations D and E resulted in less irritation response, such less irritation response of the microemulsion of Formulation A constituted unexpected efficacy.

(30) Experiment 2: Stability Test of the Microemulsion

(31) The microemulsion of Formulation A was subjected to the centrifugation test to evaluate its physical stability and stress test to evaluate its thermodynamic stability. In the centrifugation test, the microemulsion of Formulation A was centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 30 minutes. In the stress test, the microemulsion of Formulation A was first stored at 4° C. for 48 hours and then 45° C. for 48 hours, and the storages in both degrees were repeated for a period of six cycles. Further, the microemulsion of Formulation A was stored at 25° C. for 48 hours and then −21° C. for 48 hours, and the storages in both degrees were repeated for a period of three cycles. After the tests, the microemulsion of Formulation A showed no phase separation, so the microemulsion of Formulation A had good stability.

(32) Experiment 3: The Character Analysis for the Microemulsions

(33) (1) Measurement of Droplet Size (Diameter) and Zeta (ζ) Potential

(34) The droplet size and zeta potential of the microemulsion of Formulation A were measured by a Nanoparticle Analyzer (SZ-100, Horiba Ltd., Kyoto, Japan) at a scattering angle of 90° under ambient conditions. Both measurements were repeated three times and the results were shown in Table 2.

(35) (2) Measurement of Electronic Conductivity

(36) The electronic conductivity of the microemulsion of Formulation A was measured by a conductivity meter (Eutech COND 6+, Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., ThermoFisher Scientific, Singapore, Singapore) under ambient conditions. The measurement were repeated three times and the result was shown in Table 2.

(37) (3) Measurement of Viscosity

(38) The viscosity of the microemulsion of Formulation A was measured by a Visco-895 Viscometer (Atago Co., Inc., Tokyo, Japan) using spindle A3 RE-77106 at room temperature, and the result was shown in Table 2.

(39) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 the physicochemical properties of the microemulsion of Formulation A The microemulsion Properties (Unit) of Formulation A Droplet size (nm) 696.2 ± 188.3 Size distribution (PI) 0.435 ± 0.004 Zeta (ζ) potential (mV) −14.95 ± 0.64   Viscosity (cP) 3112.3 ± 5.8   Electronic conductivity 24.15 ± 0.07  (μS/cm)

(40) The PI in Table 2 stands for polydispersity index.

(41) According to Table 2, the droplet size of the microemulsion of Formulation A was in nano scale so as to enhance the skin penetration rate of the microemulsion; Zeta (ζ) potential is an essential index of stability of the suspension. The greater the absolute zeta potential, the higher the stability of colloidal dispersions. Besides, the microemulsion with a conductivity ranging from 10.3 μS/cm to 52.5 μS/cm can be defined as a bicontinuous microemulsion, in which both oil-in-water and water-in-oil microemulsions coexist. As the microemulsion of Formulation A had a conductivity of about 24 μS/cm and could be characterized as a bicontinuous microemulsion, the oil-in-water microemulsion in the microemulsion of Formulation A could enhance the skin penetration rate of the active ingredients, and the water-in-oil microemulsion could lower the skin irritation potential of the vehicles. In other words, the microemulsion of Formulation A was especially suitable for injured or inflamed skin.

(42) Experiment 4: The Expression Assessment Test of CYP3A4

(43) Materials:

(44) (1) Experimental Animals

(45) Male BALB/c mice (6 to 8 weeks old, BioLASCO Taiwan Co., Ltd) were housed under conditions of controlled humidity (40%) and temperature (22±2° C.), with a 12-hour light-dark cycle in this experiment. All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with accepted standards of humane animal care, under protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Cathay General Hospital.

(46) (2) Experimental procedure: This experiment included three groups: the normal group, the control group and the vehicle group, and each group had 4 mice. The normal group received no experimental treatment. In both the control group and the vehicle group, psoriasis was induced by following a standard protocol published in the journal article on Scientific Reports: “Methodological refinement of Aldara-induced psoriasiform dermatitis model in mice”, and the steps were as follows: First, the dorsal skin of the aforementioned male BALB/c mice (6 to 8 weeks old) was shaved and administered with a daily topical application of 62.5 mg ALDARA CREAM 5% (Aldara, 3M Pharmaceuticals, Saint Paul, MN, USA), which contained a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ, on Day 0 for six consecutive days. During the six consecutive days, the vehicle group received further treatment: After three to four hours of IMQ application, the mice further received a daily topical application of 100 μL microemulsion of Formulation A, whereas the control group received no further treatment. All three groups were sacrificed on Day 6 to obtain mice skin specimens. During the experimental period, each mouse was housed in a separate cage to prevent activities between mice that could affect skin integrity; meanwhile, each individual mouse was provided with toys such as wooden bars to comply with IACUC regulations.

(47) (3) Immunohistochemical Staining for CYP3A4 in Mice Skin

(48) The mice skin specimens of the three groups were fixed in 10% formalin solution and embedded in paraffin after routine treatments. Sections of 5 μm thickness were cut, incubated with primary antibodies against CYP3A4 (Proteintech Group, Inc.), incubated with second antibodies and stained by using a Ventana BenchMark XT automated stainer (Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.). The steps were as follows: The sections were incubated with the primary antibody for 60 minutes at 37° C., and then the incubation continued overnight at 4° C. to obtain incubated sections. Subsequently, by using an ultraView Universal DAB Detection kit (Catalogue No. 760-500, Mixture of mouse and rabbit origins, Ventana Medical Systems Inc.), the incubated sections were further incubated with the secondary biotinylated antibody for 1 hour at room temperature to obtain sample sections, and then the levels of diaminobenzidine (DAB) were visualized for quantification Finally, the sample sections were counterstained with hematoxylin, and examined under an optical microscope (BX41; Olympus Corporation). The immunostaining results of the normal group, the control group and the vehicle group were sequentially shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, wherein the black line at the bottom in each figure was a scale bar representing 100 μm.

(49) According to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in comparison with the normal group in FIG. 3A, both the control group in FIG. 3B and the vehicle group in FIG. 3C were topically applied with IMQ, so the epidermis of both groups were significantly thickened. Besides, the control group was not further provided with the microemulsion of Formulation A, and showed a desquamation in a state that is more severe than that of the vehicle group. Therefore, FIG. 3B showed desquamating fragments in the upper part of the photograph in addition to the epidermal thickening issue.

(50) (4) Immuno-Intensity Counting for Immunohistochemical Staining for CYP3A4 in Mice Skin

(51) The skin tissues on the slides after the aforementioned immunohistochemical staining were scanned by using a slide scanner (3DHISTECH Kft.) at a magnification of ×200, and then CellQuant and PatternQuant softwares (3DHISTECH Kft.) were used for computation. The steps were as follows: Each skin tissue had an assigned annotation region, which was 1 mm wide, reaching the muscle layer to cover the whole thickness of the skin. PatternQuant was programmed to recognize regions of interest, and CellQuant was used to evaluate the H-Score. The H-score was defined in terms of its immune-intensity, and this was then multiplied by the staining percentage to obtain the expression intensity of CYP3A4, giving a range from 0 AU to 300 AU. The immuno-intensity was recorded as 0 for no staining, 1 for faint staining, 2 for moderate staining, and 3 for intense staining, whereas the staining percentage was recorded from 0% to 100%. The immune-intensity and staining percentages were both determined by computation, as calculated by CellQuant, and counting was only permitted within the regions of interest recognized by PatternQuant.

(52) One-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe post hoc test was performed by using SPSS 20 software for statistical analysis of the H-score data, and the result was shown in FIG. 4, wherein * represented that the difference of the data of the normal group was considered statistically significant in comparison with those of the control group and the vehicle group, respectively, and P<0.05; whereas # represented that the difference of the data of the control group was considered statistically significant in comparison with that of the vehicle group, and P<0.05.

(53) According to FIG. 4, the CYP3A4 expression intensity of the normal group was about 30 AU, and that of the control group was about 55 AU, which indicated that the skin irritated by IMQ significantly enhanced the expression of CYP3A4 enzyme. Besides, the CYP3A4 expression intensity of the vehicle group was about 40 AU, which was significantly higher than that of the normal group but significantly lower than that of the control group. Therefore, the microemulsion of Formulation A indeed can inhibit the expression of CYP3A4 enzyme or lower the enhanced expression of CYP3A4 enzyme resulting from the irritation by IMQ so as to prevent the active ingredients being oxidized or degraded by the CYP3A4 enzyme, or prevent lowering the oxidation or degradation rate of the active ingredients.

(54) Experiment 5: Skin Barrier Function Assessment Test

(55) There are six groups in this experiment as shown in Table 3, and the experimental animals and the experimental procedures were the same as Experiment 4.

(56) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 the groups in the skin barrier function assessment test Group Experimental procedures The normal No treatment group The control a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ group The vehicle a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ followed by a daily group dose of 100 μL microemulsion of Formulation A The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ followed by a daily H.DXM dose of 100 μL microemulsion mixture comprising group the microemulsion of Formulation A and 0.05% Desoximetasone (DXM) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ followed by a daily Chemin dose of 60 mg Chemin oint (0.25% Desoximetasone group ointment, Hua-***, Taiwan) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ followed by a daily Esperson dose of 60 mg Esperson ointment (0.25% DXM) group

(57) The transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, and skin erythema values were measured on the dorsal surface of the mice in each group in Table 3 by using an MPA 2 system equipped with Tewameter TM300, Corneometer CM825, and Mexmeter MX18 probes (Courage and Khazaka, Klön, Germary) on Day 0 (before any treatment), Day 3 and Day 6, respectively. The measurement results on Day 6 were shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, wherein * represented that the normal group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05; + represented that the Esperson group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05; and # represented that the H.DXM group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05.

(58) (1) Transepidermal Water Loss Values Analysis

(59) First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the normal group was not topically administered with IMQ, so the skin thereof was in a good condition and the TEWL value was extremely low and lower than 10 g/m.sup.2/h. In comparison, the control group was topically administered with IMQ to induce the skin abnormal state like psoriasis, so the TEWL value thereof was relatively high and higher than 30 g/m.sup.2/h.

(60) Second, although the Chemin group comprised 0.25% desoximetasone (DXM), the TEWL value thereof was still relatively high and was about 30 g/m.sup.2/h. The reason for such unideal result may be the ingredients thereof comprised unknown excipient ingredients, Triethanolamine (TEA) or Aluminum stearate with the molecular weight of 877.4, which was too big to penetrate the skin and accumulated on the skin, which irritated the skin.

(61) Third, the vehicle group did not comprise DXM, and the TEWL value thereof was lower than 30 g/m.sup.2/h. As the efficacy of the vehicle group was slightly better than that of the Chemin group, the microemulsion of Formulation A per se facilitated the recovery of skin barrier function so as to reduce abnormal transepidermal water loss.

(62) Finally, both the Esperson group and the H.DXM group had a significant difference in comparison with the control group, which indicated that both groups can restore skin barrier functions and reduce abnormal transepidermal water loss. Besides, the H.DXM group had a low concentration of 0.05% DXM, which was only one fifth of that of 0.25% DXM in the Esperson group. However, the TEWL value of the Esperson group was about 20 g/m.sup.2/h, and that of H.DXM group was about 15 g/m.sup.2/h, which indicated the efficacy of the H.DXM group to restore skin barrier functions and reduce abnormal transepidermal water loss was better than that of the Esperson group, and such better efficacy indeed was unexpectedly excellent, so that the H.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(63) (2) Skin Hydration Values Analysis

(64) As shown in FIG. 5B, the normal group was not topically administered with IMQ, so the skin thereof was in a good condition and the skin hydration value was extremely high and higher than 50 AU, which had a significant difference in comparison with all the other groups. Besides, the H.DXM group had a second best skin hydration value, which was about 30 AU, and had a significant difference in comparison with those in both the Chemin group and the Esperson group. Although the H.DXM group had a concentration of 0.05% DXM, which was only one fifth of those of 0.25% DXM in both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, the efficacy of the H.DXM group to restore skin barrier functions and improve skin hydration was better than those of both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, so that the H.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well. Finally, the vehicle group did not comprise DXM, and had a third best skin hydration value, which was better than those of both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, which indicated that the microemulsion of Formulation A per se facilitated the recovery of skin barrier function so as to improve skin hydration.

(65) (3) Skin Erythema Values Analysis

(66) As shown in FIG. 5C, the normal group was not topically administered with IMQ, so the skin thereof was in a good condition and the skin erythema value was the lowest and lower than 20 AU, which had a significant difference in comparison with all the other groups. Besides, the H.DXM group had a second lowest skin erythema value, which was lower than 25 AU, and not only had a significant difference in comparison with those in both the Chemin group and the control group, but also was lower than that in the Esperson group. Although the H.DXM group had a concentration of 0.05% DXM, which was only one fifth of those of 0.25% DXM in both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, the efficacy of the H.DXM group to ameliorate skin erythema or skin inflammation was better than those of both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, so that the H.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(67) Experiment 6: Histological Staining and the Expression Assessment Test of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA)

(68) The groups in this experiment were the same as those in Experiment 5 and as shown in Table 4. The experimental animals and the experimental procedures were the same as Experiment 4, and the photos of mice dorsal side were shown in FIGS. 6A to 6F.

(69) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 the groups in the histological staining and the expression assessment test Group Experimental procedures Results The normal No treatment FIGS. 6A, 7A group and 8A The control a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 6B, 7B group and 8B The vehicle a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 6C, 7C group followed by a daily dose of 100 μL and 8C microemulsion of Formulation A The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 6D, 7D H.DXM followed by a daily dose of 100 μL and 8D group microemulsion mixture comprising the microemulsion of Formulation A and 0.05% Desoximetasone (DXM) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 6E, 7E Chemin followed by a daily dose of 60 mg and 8E group Chemin oint (0.25% Desoximetasone ointment, Hua-***, Taiwan) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 6F, Esperson followed by a daily dose of 60 mg 7F and 8F group Esperson ointment (0.25% DXM)

(70) (1) The Mice Dorsal Appearance Observation

(71) According to FIGS. 6A and 6D, the normal group had the best skin condition and had no conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The H.DXM group had the second best skin condition. According to FIG. 6B, the control group had the worst skin condition and the conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration were the worst. Finally, according to FIGS. 6C, 6E and 6F, the vehicle group had a skin condition better than those of both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, which indicated that the microemulsion of Formulation A even without DXM had the efficacy to ameliorate the conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. If the microemulsion of Formulation A was further mixed with DXM, the efficacy to ameliorate the conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly improved so that the H.DXM group (the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture of the present invention) can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(72) (2) Histological Staining of Mice Skin

(73) The histochemical stain was carried as follows: The mice skin specimens were fixed in 10% formalin solution and embedded in paraffin after routine treatments. Sections of 5 μm thickness were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined under an optical microscope (Olympus BX41, Tokyo, Japan). The results were shown in FIGS. 7A to 7F, wherein the black line at the bottom in each figure was a scale bar representing 100 μm.

(74) According to FIGS. 7A and 7D, the degree of epidermal thickening of the normal group was the lowest, and that of the H.DXM group was the second lowest and similar to that of the normal group. According to FIG. 7B, the control group had a high degree of epidermal thickening and desquamating issues, wherein the flake was shown in the upper part of the photograph. According to FIGS. 7C, 7E and 7F, the degree of epidermal thickening of the Esperson group was lower than those of both the vehicle group and the Chemin group, and such results accorded with those of the skin erythema values analysis shown in FIG. 5C.

(75) (3) The Immunohistochemical Staining for Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) of Mice Skin and the Immuno-Intensity Counting Thereof

(76) The steps in the immunohistochemical staining for PCNA and the immuno-intensity counting were the same as those in Experiment 4, except that the primary antibody against PCNA (purchased from Proteintech Group, Inc.) was adopted, wherein the groups along with the corresponding photographs of PCNA immunohistochemical staining were shown in FIGS. 8A to 8F, and the analysis result of PCNA expression intensity in each group was shown in FIG. 9, wherein * represented that the normal group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05; + represented that the Esperson group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05; and # represented that the H.DXM group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05.

(77) According to FIGS. 8A to 8F, the result of the degree of epidermal thickening in each group was the same as those shown in FIGS. 7A to 7F.

(78) According to FIG. 9, the normal group was not topically administered with IMQ, so the skin thereof was in a good condition and the PCNA expression intensity thereof was the lowest and lower than 30 AU, which had a significant difference in comparison with all the other groups. Second, the PCNA intensities of both the H.DXM group and the Esperson group were similar and were about 45 AU, which showed a significant difference in comparison with those of both the control group and the Chemin group. Although the H.DXM group had a concentration of 0.05% DXM, which was only one fifth of the 0.25% DXM in both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, the efficacy of the H.DXM group to inhibit the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen or abnormal epithelial cell proliferations was similar to or better than those of both the Chemin group and the Esperson group, so that the H.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(79) Experiment 7: The Assessment Test for the Effective Concentration of DXM

(80) There were 5 groups in this experiment as shown in Table 5, and the experimental animals and experimental procedures were the same as those in Experiment 4, wherein the mice dorsal photographs of each group on Day 6 were shown in FIGS. 10A to 10E.

(81) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 The groups in the assessment test for the effective concentration of DXM Group Experimental procedures Results The normal No treatment FIGS. 10A group and 11A The control a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 10B group and 11B The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 10C L.DXM followed by a daily dose of 100 μL and 11C group microemulsion mixture comprising the microemulsion of Formulation A and 0.01% Desoximetasone (DXM) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 10D M.DXM followed by a daily dose of 100 μL and 11D group microemulsion mixture comprising the microemulsion of Formulation A and 0.025% Desoximetasone (DXM) The a daily dose of 3.125 mg IMQ FIGS. 10E H.DXM followed by a daily dose of 100 μL and 11E group microemulsion mixture comprising the microemulsion of Formulation A and 0.05% Desoximetasone (DXM)

(82) (1) The Observation for the Mice Dorsal Appearances

(83) According to FIGS. 10A to 10E, all groups, except the control group, showed no conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, the LDXM group, the microemulsion of Formulation A of the present invention mixed with 0.01% DXM, which was only the concentration of one twenty-fifth of that of the commercial medicament, still demonstrated the efficacy to significantly ameliorate the conditions of dry skin, scales, epidermal acanthosis, parakeratosis, tortuous capillary dilatation in papillary dermis, erythema, and inflammatory cell infiltration.

(84) (2) Histological Staining of Mice Skin

(85) The steps in the histological staining of mice skin were the same as those in Experiment 6(2), and the results were shown in FIGS. 11A to 11E; wherein the scale bar at the bottom in each figure represents 100 μm.

(86) According to FIGS. 11A to 11E, the control group showed a severe condition of epidermal thickening, whereas all the other groups showed no condition of epidermal thickening. Therefore, the L.DXM group, the microemulsion of Formulation A of the present invention mixed with 0.01% DXM, which was only the concentration of one twenty-fifth of that of the commercial medicament, still demonstrated the efficacy to significantly ameliorate the conditions of skin inflammation and abnormal proliferations, so that the L.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(87) (3) Transepidermal Water Loss Values Analysis for Mice Skin

(88) The steps in this experiment were the same as those in the (1) transepidermal water loss values analysis in Experiment 5, and the results were shown in FIG. 12, wherein * represented that the control group was in comparison with all the other groups, and P<0.05.

(89) According to FIG. 12, the TEWL value of the control group was the highest and higher than 30 g/m.sup.2/h; whereas those of the other groups were lower than 10 g/m.sup.2/h. Therefore, the L.DXM group, the M.DXM group and the H.DXM group, the microemulsion of Formulation A of the present invention mixed with 0.01% DXM to 0.05% DXM, which were only the concentration of one twenty-fifth to one fifth of that of the commercial medicament, still demonstrated the efficacy to restore skin barrier functions and reduce abnormal transepidermal water loss, so that the L.DXM group, the M.DXM group and the H.DXM group can be used to treat, ameliorate or ease the skin diseases like psoriasis as well.

(90) To sum up, the microemulsion of the present invention per se has the following advantages: (1) extremely low skin irritation potential; (2) good stability; (3) enhancing the skin penetration rate of the active ingredients and/or bioavailability thereof; (4) moisturizing skin or softening the stratum corneum of the skin; and (5) inhibiting the expression of P450 3A4. Therefore, the microemulsion of the present invention can serve as the vehicle of daily skin care products, thereby providing another safer and more effective option for consumers with problematic skin. Further, the microemulsion mixture of the present invention can be used by the subject having sensitive, injured or inflamed skin for daily skin care.

(91) In addition to the aforementioned advantages, the microemulsion of the present invention is further mixed with desoximetasone to obtain a pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture, which has the following efficacies: (1) inhibiting abnormal epithelial cell proliferations; (2) treating, ameliorating or easing psoriasis or a skin symptom resulting from skin inflammation or autoimmunity; (3) lowering the required therapeutically effective concentration, whereas improving the therapeutic efficacy; (4) serving as a medicament for children or adolescents; and (5) improving or restoring skin barrier functions or skin hydration, reducing abnormal transepidermal water loss, or ameliorating erythema. In other words, the pharmaceutical microemulsion mixture of the present invention reduces the risk of side effects resulting from a long-term use of desoximetasone.