Superoxide dismutases are enzymes which destroy superoxide free radical
( O2- ), an important biological mediator. In many systems ( e.g., blood
vessel dialatation, blood clotting, etc.), superoxide opposes the action
of another ubiquitous messenger substance, nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is probably one "natural" form of the hair-growth
stimulating drug minoxidil and a natural modulator of hair growth. Apparently,
nitric oxide tells hair to start and keep growing, superoxide tells hair
to stop growing and fall out.
Also, superoxide reacts with nitric oxide to form toxic products. These
may be important in mediating parts of the immune response, as well as
for tissue damage in a large number of diseases.
For example, Superoxide dismutase in its pharmaceutical form " Orgotein
" is a potent antiinflammatory agent uner the trade name "Palosein".
In the US, you can only get it if you are a dog or a horse, but it is an
approved drug in most of the rest of the world.
Because of their effectiveness in the general treatment of inflammatory
and degenerative diseases, researchers are constantly looking at SODases
and related agents in experimental animal models of disease. In the course
of such studies, researchers repeatedly rediscover that SODases stimulate
hair growth and decrease hair loss.
This discovery is typically followed by a patent application. This is why
there are several US and foreign patents on SODases for the treatment of
hair loss. BTW, I accidentally discovered this effect of SOD in the late
1970's while doing research on diabetic rats at Bayor College of Medicine.
Since I was first, I have the "prime patent". BTW, this patent
took over a decade to issue.
With some exceptions, the patents listed below cover low molecular weight
peptides which complex with copper or other metals to form superoxide dismutases.
Again, because of the commercial possibilities, patenting, rather than
publication, is the usual practice in this area.
Unfortunately, most medical reporters, doctors, etc. don't know to look
at patents, which are the first place any drug developer looks. So, a lot
of stuff goes unreported and unrecognized. You heard it here first.
You can be reasonably sure that any patented agent works, at least some.
First, there is no point in going through the expense and hassle of a patent
for something which doesn't work. If it doesn't work, nobody is going to
infringe it.
Second, this is an area in which the patent offices demand extraordinary
proof. For example, US patent examiners are given two examples of "incredible
inventions "-- baldness cures and perpetual motion machines.
The Patents
1) Method for Stimulating Hair Growth using GLH-Cu Complexes., Picard,
Loren, US Patent #5,117,061, assigned to Procyte Corporation, Pullman,
Washinton.
2) GLH Pharmaceutical Compostitions and Compounds, US Pat# 5,214,032, Picard,
L. to Procyte Corporation.
Note: This is the " Iamin " or " Tricomin " patent.
I get a lot of questions about this compound, which the media does know.
Lots of you have probably heard of it. Iamin is the Tripeptide Glycine-Histidine-Lysine
complexed with a metal. Another name for it is "Liver Cell Growth
Factor". It is a potent SODase. Procyte reports significant hair-growth
stimulating ability in their animal and clinical trials. Like SODase itself,
Iamin is a potent antiinflammatory agent.
3) His-Gly-Gly Peptide and Derivatives Thereof for Hair Growth. Kronholm
et al, US Patent #5,252,559, to: Procter and Gamble Co.
Note: Ah-ha, the largest maker of hair care stuff in the world is getting
into the act. Like Iamin, another metal- binding tripeptide with SODase
activity. AKA " Copper- Binding Peptide ". The structure is Histidine-Glycine-
Glycine.
An interesting patent to me personally: in patents #4 and 6 below, we claim
basic metal-binding peptides as a class and give as one example His-gly
" and the like ".Our US priority date is 1986, which antedates
all the others.
4) Hair Growth Stimulation with Nitroxide and Other Radicals. EPO pat#
327263 B1., Proctor, P.
Note: All sorts of stuff. Basic peptides (e.g. Iamin ), SODases, nitroxide
spintraps and spin labels, PBN, etc. acetylcysteine, radical scavengers,
use of antiandrogens with hair growth stimulators, etc.,etc.. A "
prime patent " which has caused several subsequent drug company patents
to be rejected because of "prior art". Gives you some Idea of
where our research was several years ago.
5) Topical TEMPO, Proctor, P. US pat# 5,352,442.
Note: Unlike the Europeans, the US patent office won't give prime patents
in this area and is making us patent everything individually ( which is
how P was able to step in ). This is the first US patent so far. Priority
is what counts and we've sure got that.
TEMPO and related compounds are SODases, among other things.
Researchers
at the National Cancer Institute report that TEMPO and TEMPOL, also
covered in this patent, prevent hair loss in radiation treatment.
We incude TEMPO and TEMPOL in our formulations
6) Topical SOD for Treating Hair Loss,
Proctor, P. US Pat# 5,40,876
Abstract: SOD for treating hair loss is disclosed. The SOD has utility
in a topical pharmaceutical formulation for the cosmetic treatment of hair
loss and the cosmetic stimulation of hair growth. The SOD comprises copper
salicylate, copper aspirinate, indomethacin copper, or a metal complex
of an aminoacid and a transition metal.
This is the prime patent in this area. Even incorporates Trichomin, etc.
7) The most recent patent from the holder of the "Trichomin"
patent.
Tissue Protective and Regenerative Compositions US Pat # 5,382,431 Issue
Date: 1-17-95 Pickart; Loren R. Bellevue WA
8) I have been granted several more additional US patents for Nitrone and niroxide spin traps and spin labels. These agents are useful for a lot of other degenerative conditions besides balding, BTW.
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