Composition based on xyloglucan and proteins for the treatment of intestinal disorders

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions comprising synergic combinations of xyloglucans and plant or animal proteins, which are useful in the treatment of intestinal disorders.

Claims

1. Method of treating diarrhoea, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, cystitis and cystopyelitis in humans in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said humans an effective amount of a combination of xyloglucans or extracts containing them and pea protein, wherein the weight ratio between xyloglucan and pea protein is 1:0.5 and 1:30.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio between xyloglucan and pea protein is 1:5.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising excipients.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising additional active ingredients selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, antimotility agents, steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, compounds for the treatment of gastrointestinal bloating, natural or synthetic polysaccharides, and electrolytes.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said non-steroidal anti-inflammatories agents and said natural polysaccharides are selected from the group consisting of mesalazine, sucralfate, hyaluronic acid, guar gum, xanthan gum, cellulose and hemicellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carrageenans, carbomers, ferulic acid; polyphenols and probiotics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows that xyloglucan alone did not reduce the fluid secretion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(2) It has now surprisingly been found that combinations of xyloglucans with plant or animal proteins compatible with oral administration to humans are particularly effective in the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea and other infectious and/or inflammatory intestinal disorders. Xyloglucans exert a film-forming effect in the intestinal mucosa which reduces the permeability of the tight junctions of the intestinal mucosa, and therefore prevents the entry of the pathogens responsible for acute intestinal infections. The film-forming effect is not affected by variations in pH.

(3) The invention therefore relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising, as active ingredients, xyloglucans or extracts containing them, combined with at least one plant or animal protein selected from gelatine, albumin, ovalbumin, casein, pea protein and soya protein and suitable excipients, and optionally with other active ingredients useful for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders.

(4) Xyloglucans extracted from Tamarindus indica are available on the market, for example from Indena (Italy) (Xilogel) and DSP Gokyo Food & Chemical (Japan) (Glyloid). The average molecular weight is between 400,000 and 650,000 daltons.

(5) Preferred proteins include gelatin and pea protein. Gelatin is particularly preferred.

(6) The weight ratio of xyloglucan to protein ranges between 1:0.5 and 1:30. The combination of xyloglucan and protein forming the subject of the invention constitutes the active ingredient of oral pharmaceutical formulations.

(7) Examples of suitable forms of administration include capsules, tablets, solutions, suspensions, granules, gels and the like.

(8) Other active ingredients with which xyloglucans and protein can be combined include antibiotics, antimotility agents, steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, compounds for the treatment of gastrointestinal bloating (simethicone and the like), mesalazine, sucralfate, natural and synthetic polysaccharides such as pectins, chitosan (animal or vegetable), hyaluronic acid, guar gum, xanthan gum, cellulose and hemicellulose and derivatives such as hydroxypropylcellulose, carrageenans, carbomers, and crosslinking/polymerising compounds such as ferulic acid; polyphenols, such as gall polyphenols, polyphenols from grape pips, probiotics such as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, yeasts and the like.

(9) In the compositions according to the invention, xyloglucans can be present in a wide concentration range which depends on the type of composition and the therapeutic indication for which they are intended.

(10) The xyloglucan is administered orally at doses ranging between 0.5 mg/dose and 200 mg/dose, preferably between 10 mg/dose and 100 mg/dose.

(11) The protein, in particular gelatin, is administered orally at doses ranging between 10 mg/dose and 3000 mg/dose, preferably between 50 mg/dose and 500 mg/dose.

(12) The compositions according to the invention are useful for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders and other disorders that originate in the gastrointestinal system and are transferred to other systems, such as the urogenital system. It is known that the Gram-negative bacteria present in the intestine, in particular Escherichia coli, can proliferate in said organ and migrate to the urinary tract, where they cause 90% of urogenital infections such as cystitis, cystopyelitis and the like.

(13) In particular, the compositions according to the invention are useful to prevent the proliferation of pathogens in the gastrointestinal system and transfer them to other systems of the human body through the tight intestinal junctions, to protect the intestinal mucosa against chemical or physical agents which can reduce the functionality and natural regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, and to reduce the paracellular flow of pathogens through the intestinal walls.

(14) The compositions according to the invention have also proved useful for the prevention and treatment of damage to the intestinal mucosa and the consequent inflammatory symptoms, such as diverticulosis and the early stages of diverticulitis; for the treatment of symptoms resulting from food allergies (e.g. intolerance of lactose, gluten, etc.); for the prevention and treatment of digestive disorders (gas production, bloating, stomach rumble and flatulence); and for the prevention and treatment of damage to the intestinal mucosa deriving from local inflammatory phenomena of transient or chronic origin, in particular for the treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

(15) The compositions according to the invention can be advantageously used to treat diarrhoea in combination with oral rehydration electrolytes, such as mucomimetics, and to inhibit the adherence of bacteria to the mucosa and subsequent proliferation involving dysbiosis, optionally combined with probiotics or tyndallised bacteria. The compositions according to the invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of travellers' diarrhoea.

(16) The compositions according to the invention effectively protect the mucosa and reduce the adherence to it of some pathogens, such as gas-producing bacteria.

(17) The examples below illustrate the invention in greater detail.

Example 1

(18) Composition for the Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhoea; Single-Dose Sachet

(19) TABLE-US-00001 Xyloglucan 0.100 g Gelatin 0.050 g Inulin 1.650 g Maltodextrin 1.195 g Stevioside (Stevia) 0.015 g Tuttifrutti flavouring (Firmenich) 0.015 g E160 (a) colouring (betacarotene) 0.025 g

Example 2

(20) Composition for the Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhoea; Hard Capsule

(21) TABLE-US-00002 Xyloglucan 0.1 g Gelatin 3.0 g Matricaria E.S. 0.026 g Pectin 0.050 g Dimethicone 0.020 g Kaolin 0.020 g Magnesium stearate 0.080 g

Example 3

(22) Composition for the Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhoea; Tablet

(23) TABLE-US-00003 Xyloglucan 0.1 g Pea protein 0.5 g Lactose 0.063 g Anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide 0.002 g Microcrystalline cellulose 0.030 g Magnesium stearate 0.003 g

Example 4Bioassays: Protection Against Intestinal Fluid Secretion Induced by Cholera Toxin in Rats

(24) Four groups of Wistar rats (200-220 g) were treated orally with 12.5 mg/kg of xyloglucan, 125 mg/kg of gelatin and the combination of said two ingredients of the combination, at the same dose. Six hours after administration, the groups of animals were treated with cholera toxin at the dose of 6 g/ml.

(25) Two hours after the toxin treatment the water content of the intestinal loop was measured.

(26) The results obtained, shown in the FIG. 1 and in the following Table, demonstrate that xyloglucan alone did not reduce the fluid secretion. Equally, gelatin alone did not exhibit a significant effect, whereas the effects of the combination proved statistically significant.

(27) TABLE-US-00004 12.5 mg 12.5 mg 125 mg 12.5 mg xyloglucan/kg/PO.sup.5 + xyloglucan/kg/PO.sup.5 + Saline + gelatine/kg/PO.sup.3 - xyloglucan/kg/PO.sup.7 - Gelatin (125 mg/kg).sup.6 - Gelatin (250 mg/kg).sup.6 - Basal .sup.1 CT.sup.2 6 hours 6 hours 6 hours 12 hours Grams/loop 0.41 0.11 1.04 0.32 1.01 0.39 1.26 0.18 0.77 0.15 0.75 0.16 p NS.sup.4 NS.sup.4 NS Significant Significant (p < 0.01) (p < 0.05)

Example 5Clinical Trial

(28) A multicentre controlled parallel-group clinical trial was conducted by administering to patients suffering from acute diarrhoea the combination according to the invention (xyloglucan 400 mg/day and gelatin 200 mg/day), the probiotic S. boulardii (at the dose of 710.sup.9 cells/dose), and diosmectite (Smecta, 33 g sachets/day). The speed of onset of clinical efficacy was evaluated in the three groups (reduction in duration of acute diarrhoea and the correlated symptoms). The symptoms examined were nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain and stool emissions. The symptoms declined in all three groups. The combination according to the invention led to more rapid action, inhibiting the diarrhoea within 24 hours of the start of the treatment. Abdominal pain was monitored throughout the treatment. The patients did not present vomiting after 48 and 72 hours. The combination according to the invention gave rise to a more rapid reduction in stool emissions rated as grades 6 and 7 on the Bristol scale, with a 60% reduction as against 34% and 39% respectively for diosmectite and S. boulardii. After 48 hours this type of emission had almost entirely disappeared in all three groups. The combination according to the invention therefore proved to be the fastest-acting in preventing stool emissions.