Effervescent compositions

Abstract

The present invention is directed to effervescent compositions comprising a basic amino acid.

Claims

1. An effervescent oral care composition in the form of a powder or granulate comprising arginine bicarbonate, citric acid, and an additional carbonate salt selected from sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, wherein carbon dioxide is produced when the composition is dissolved in water; wherein the arginine bicarbonate is present in an amount of 10% to 21% by weight of the composition, wherein citric acid is present in an amount of 38% to 45%, and wherein the oral care composition does not contain calcium.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the additional carbonate salt is potassium carbonate.

3. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a fluoride source selected from stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fluoride source is sodium fluoride or stannous fluoride.

5. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fluoride source is present in an amount of 0.03 to 5 wt% of the composition.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is water-free.

7. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a flavoring agent.

8. The composition of claim 1, further comprising zinc citrate.

9. An effervescent oral care composition in the form of a powder or granulate consisting of arginine bicarbonate, citric acid, an additional carbonate salt selected from sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate; an antimicrobial consisting of zinc salts, a fluoride source selected from stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof, and a flavoring agent; wherein carbon dioxide is produced when the composition is dissolved in water, wherein the arginine bicarbonate is present in an amount of 10% to 21% by weight of the composition, wherein citric acid is present in an amount of 38% to 45%, and wherein the oral care composition does not contain calcium.

10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising zinc salts.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the zinc salts comprise zinc citrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) Effervescence generally results from the reaction of an acid and a carbonate in water to produce carbon dioxide. The acid may, for example, be selected from organic acids such as citric, malic, tartaric, adipic, and fumaric acid and mixtures thereof. Carbonates include carbonates of amino acids, e.g., arginine bicarbonate, as well as alkali carbonates, e.g., such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and potassium bicarbonate. It has been surprisingly found that basic amino acids salts may not only be used as a basic salt, but such basic amino acid salts also impart benefits to the oral cavity.

(2) Without intending to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that basic amino acids in the oral cavity are metabolized by certain types of bacteria, e.g., S. sanguis which are not cariogenic and which compete with cariogenic bacteria such as S. mutans, for position on the teeth and in the oral cavity. The arginolytic bacteria can use arginine and other basic amino acids to produce ammonia, thereby raising the pH of their environment, while cariogenic bacteria metabolize sugar to produce lactic acid, which tends to lower the plaque pH and demineralize the teeth, ultimately leading to cavities. It is believed that use of a Composition of the Invention may lead to a relative increase in the arginolytic bacteria and a relative decrease in the cariogenic bacteria, resulting in a higher plaque pH.

(3) The basic amino acids which can be used in the compositions and methods of the invention include not only naturally occurring basic amino acids, such as arginine, lysine, and histidine, but also any basic amino acids having a carboxyl group and an amino group in the molecule, which are water-soluble and provide an aqueous solution with a pH of about 7 or greater. Accordingly, basic amino acids include, but are not limited to, arginine, lysine, citrullene, ornithine, creatine, histidine, diaminobutanoic acid, diaminoproprionic acid, salts thereof or combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the basic amino acids are selected from arginine, citrullene, and ornithine, preferably, arginine, for example, 1-arginine.

(4) The compositions of the invention are used in the mouth, and optionally may be ingested, and so salts for use in the present invention should be safe for such use, in the amounts and concentrations provided. Suitable salts include salts known in the art to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts are generally considered to be physiologically acceptable in the amounts and concentrations provided. Physiologically acceptable salts include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids or bases, for example acid addition salts formed by acids which form a physiological acceptable anion, e.g., hydrochloride or bromide salt, and base addition salts formed by bases which form a physiologically acceptable cation, for example those derived from alkali metals such as potassium and sodium or alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium. Physiologically acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures known in the art, for example, by reacting a sufficiently basic compound such as an amine with a suitable acid affording a physiologically acceptable anion. A preferred salt is a bicarbonate, e.g., arginine bicarbonate.

(5) In various embodiments, the basic amino acid is present in an amount of about 0.5 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of the total composition weight, about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the total composition weight, for example about 1.5 wt. %, about 3.75 wt. %, about 5 wt. %, or about 7.5 wt. % of the total composition weight.

(6) If the effervescent powders of the present invention may optionally include fluoride, or a fluoride ion source e.g., when formulated to be dissolved in a solvent to be used as a mouthwash. A wide variety of fluoride ion-yielding materials can be employed as sources of soluble fluoride in the present compositions. Examples of suitable fluoride ion-yielding materials are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,421, to Briner et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,155, to Parran, Jr. et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,154, to Widder et al., incorporated herein by reference. Representative fluoride ion sources include, but are not limited to, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the fluoride ion source includes stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate as well as mixtures thereof. Thus, such effervescence powders may also contain a source of fluoride ions or fluorine-providing ingredient in amounts sufficient to supply about 25 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of fluoride ions, generally at least about 500 ppm, e.g., about 500 to about 2000 ppm, e.g., about 1000 to about 1600 ppm, e.g. about 1450 ppm. Fluoride ion sources may be added to the compositions of the invention at a level of about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in one embodiment or about 0.03 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, and in another embodiment about 0.1 wt. % about 1 wt. % by weight of the composition in another embodiment. Weights of fluoride salts to provide the appropriate level of fluoride ion will obviously vary based on the weight of the counter ion in the salt.

(7) The effervescent powders of the present invention may also comprise antiseptics and antimicrobial compounds, e.g., triclosan, herbal extracts and essential oils (e.g., rosemary extract, thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate), bisguanide antiseptics (e.g., chlorhexidine, alexidine or octenidine), quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., cetylpyridinium chloride), phenolic antiseptics, hexetidine, povidone iodine, delmopinol, salifluor, metal ions (e.g., zinc salts, for example, zinc citrate), sanguinarine, propolis, and antibiotics. Such antiseptics and antimicrobial compounds are desirable when the effervescent powers of the present invention are formulated to dissolve in a solvent to form a mouthwash.

(8) The effervescent powders of the present invention may also include one or more medicaments or other active, e.g., acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, vitamins, and medications which are psychotropic, anti-hypertensitive, anti-seizure, amphetamine, anti-microbial, antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-retroviral, anti-fungal, anti-depressant, stimulants, anti-histamine, anti-anxiety, tricyclics, tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, mood stabilizers, codeine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, anti-allergy, phenothiazine, chemotherapeutics, amines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, anti-carcinogens, analgesics, muscle relaxants, ergot preparations, anti-cholinergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-gout preparations, soporific, hormonal preparations, appetite suppressants, analgesics, muscle relaxants, and opioids

(9) The effervescent powders of the present invention may also include one or more flavoring agents. Flavoring agents which are used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, essential oils as well as various flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and similar materials. Examples of the essential oils include oils of spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange. Also useful are such chemicals as menthol, carvone, and anethole. Certain embodiments employ the oils of peppermint and spearmint. Various acids and bases to produce effervescence may also be flavoring agents, such as citric acid and malic acid.

(10) The flavoring agent is incorporated in the oral composition at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 5% by weight and about 0.5 to about 1.5% by weight. The dosage of flavoring agent in the individual oral care composition dosage (i.e., a single dose) is about 0.001 to 0.05% by weight and in another embodiment about 0.005 to 0.015% by weight

(11) The effervescent powers of the present invention may be compressed into a tablet form, e.g., to create a single dose format to be added to a solvent. Methods of producing tablets, and general tablet compositions are well known in the art. Tablets generally contain a binder, which are known by those of skill in the art. Preferably, the binders are soluble and include, e.g., dextrose, sorbitol, xylitol, and lactose. Preferably, the amount of binder allows for the tablet to be hard enough to handle, soft enough to disintegrate when introduced into a solvent, and dry enough to be stable.

(12) Tablets may also comprise a lubricant to aid in expulsion of the table from a press. Such lubricants are known by those of skill in the art, and include magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, polyethylene glycol, and adipic acid.

(13) In one embodiment of the present invention, an effervescent tablet may be placed directly into the mouth to dissolve and form a mouth wash.

EXAMPLE 1

(14) A powder composition is formulated in accordance with the following:

(15) Arginine bicarbonate50% wt.

(16) Citric Acid50% wt.

EXAMPLE 2

(17) A powder composition is formulated in accordance with the following:

(18) Arginine bicarbonate40% wt.

(19) Citric Acid50% wt.

(20) Sodium carbonate10% wt.

EXAMPLE 3

(21) 0.5 grams of acetylsalicylic acid is added to 10 grams of the compositions of Examples 1 or 2, and compressed into a tablet.

EXAMPLE 4

(22) A tablet prepared in accordance with EXAMPLE 2 is allowed to dissolve and effervesce in 20 ml of cold water. The tablet disintegrates within 2 minutes and is consumed by a person.

EXAMPLE 5

(23) Powder compositions are prepared according to the formulations listed in Table 1.

(24) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ingredient 5-A 5-B 5-C 5-D 5-E 5-E Sodium bicarbonate .sup.10% 10.5% Arginine bicarbonate 10.3% 20.8% 10% 15.3% 10.1% L-Arginine 20.0% 10.3% 20% 30% Sodium carbonate 30.8% 20% Potassium Carbonate 26.3% 26% 10.2% 5.4% Sucralose 0.7% .6% .8% .6% .8% .6% SLS .3% .2% .3% .3% .3% .3% CPC .1% .1% .1% Triclosan .1% 0.2% Sodium fluoride 2.2% 2.2% .7% .7% .7% Citric Acid .sup.38% 38% 43.7% 43.9% 43.9% 43.4% Flavoring, color 7.6 7.6% 8.2% 8.2% 9.3% 9.3% and solvent

EXAMPLE 6

(25) 1 gram of the compositions of EXAMPLE 5 is added to 15 to 30 ml of water. The powders effervesce and dissolve in water within 2 minutes. A person uses the resulting solution as a mouthwash.

EXAMPLE 7

(26) The powders of EXAMPLE 5 are compressed into tablets 3 grams each, with a diameter of 20 mm.

EXAMPLE 8

(27) A tablet of EXAMPLE 7 is dissolved in from about 15-30 ml of water and allowed to effervesce and dissolve. Insoluble particles are allowed to precipitate. A person agitates the solution to suspend insoluble particles to form a mouthwash, and then takes the solution into the oral cavity for 30 seconds before expelling the solution. The person repeats the procedure daily for one month and finds the mouthwash reduces hypersensitivity of the teeth, and treats dry mouth.

EXAMPLE 9

(28) A powder composition having the following formulation is prepared:

(29) Potassium carbonate20.5%

(30) Citric acid45.5%

(31) Flavor, color and solvent3%

(32) SLS0.5%

(33) Sweetener0.5%

(34) Basic Amino Acid30%

EXAMPLE 10

(35) The compositions of EXAMPLE 8 are compressed into a tablets weighing 3 grams each.

EXAMPLE 11

(36) The tablets of EXAMPLE 8 are taken into a person's mouth and allowed to effervesce with liquid, e.g., saliva, in the oral cavity. The person swishes the resultant solution in the mouth for 30 seconds and then expels the solution from the oral cavity.

EXAMPLE 12

(37) An effervescent dual dentifrice composition having the following formulation is prepared:

(38) TABLE-US-00002 Components A B Ingredients Weight % Weight % Glycerine (95%) 13 10 Sorbitol 8 Sodium lauryl sulfate 3 Betaine (30% soln.) 2 Pluronic F-127 1.5 Xanthan gum 0.7 0.6 Laponite D 0.6 Flavor 1.15 1.15 Sodium fluoride 0.486 Sodium hexafluorosilicate 0.239 Titanium dioxide 0.3 Tetrasodium pyrophosphate 0.6 Sodium, saccharin 0.3 Arginine bicarbonate 10 Silica thickener 2 2.5 Capsaicin (1.0% Soln.) 2 Silica abrasive 23 35 o-Phosphoric acid (70%) 3.4 Sodium acid pyrophosphate 1.5 Blue pigment 0.0125 Deionized water QS QS
Components A and B are packaged so that the phosphoric acid in B does not react with the arginine bicarbonate in A prior to use. When the product is dispensed and used, A and B combined, and carbon dioxide is released.