GB2175804A

GB2175804A - Treating cramp

Info

Publication number: GB2175804A
Application number: GB08513550A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dr Douglas Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-29
Filing date: 1985-05-29
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: GB8513550D0

Abstract

Oral compositions for treating idiopathic spasmodic myalgia (i.e. cramp) comprise a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces uvarum and a carrier. A unit dosage form containing 1 to 10g of yeast is preferred.

Description

SPECIFICATION Composition The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of idiopathic spasmodic myalgia (i.e. cramp).

Cramp is an extremely painful condition affecting all age groups, and, particularly in the elderly, it can be of such severity as to trigger other conditions which can threaten life.

It has now been discovered that the symptoms of many types of cramp can be relieved by orally administering certain yeast derivatives to the sufferer.

According to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration to human beings, comprising a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces uvarum, and a pharmaceutically acceptable oral carrier.

Preferably the yeast comprises brewer's yeast.

Preferably, the composition is in unit dosage form and contains from lg to 10g of active ingredient per unit dose, more preferably from 2g to 89.

The composition of the invention may be in the form of tablets, pills or capsules, although any other conveniently administrable oral form may also be used. For example, a blister pack presentation, with each blister containing a unit dose, would be a particularly useful presentation form. The composition of the invention includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the active ingredient, such as a diluant, binder, disintegrant or other filler material, in accordance with normal pharmaceutical practice. Additional excipients such as colour, flavours and wetting agents may also be present if desired.

The compositions of the invention may be prepared by admixture of the active ingredient and the oral carrier and subsequently, if desired, converting the composition into unit dosage form.

The active ingredient may be prepared using conventional techniques, briefly described as follows: An autolytic preparation of yeast is prepared by taking yeast, with a solids content of 5 to 35% and heating to temperatures between 25"C and 75"C for 5 to 48 hours in the presence of organic salts and/or exogenous enzymes. The resulting preparation is then concentrated to a paste or powder either 'as is' or with the insoluble material separated out prior to producing a finished paste or powder.

A plasmolysate is produced by rupturing the cell membrane to release the cell contents by any of the following processes; osmotic shock, heat treatment, physical disruption, solvent destruction of the membrane and exogenous enzymes. The resulting preparation is then concentrated to paste or powder with or without the removal of insoluble material.

A hydrolysate is produced by mixing yeast with a solids content of 5 to 35% with hydrochloric acid at concentrations between 0.5 and 10 Molar at temperatures between 50 and 150"C for periods between 1 and 20 hours. The resulting material is neutralised to pH's between 2 and 10 and concentrated, with or without the removal of insoluble material, to paste or powder.

Compositions of the invention are particularly useful for treating the following specific forms of cramp: (1) Exercise or heat induced cramps affecting all ages capable of sustained physical effort; (2) Night cramps in the elderly; (3) Arterial insufficiency in the middle aged and elderly.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of relieving the symptoms of cramp which comprises administering to a cramp sufferer an oral, non-toxic, pharmaceutically effective dose of a composition of the invention.

The invention further provides the use of a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiale or Saccharomyces uvarum, for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapeutic treatment of cramp.

Preferably, the composition of the invention is administered at least once, more preferably 2 or 3 times each day, and at a doseage rate of about 25mg/kg to 150 mg/kg of body weight.

For sufferers from night cramp, a dose is preferably taken just before going to bed.

For exercise induced cramp, a dose is preferably taken immediately after the exercise has finished and a similar dose before going to bed.

1. A pharmaceutical composition for oral administration, comprising a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces uvarum and a pharmaceutically acceptable oral carrier.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the yeast comprises brewer's yeast.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is in unit dosage form and contains from 1g to 10g of yeast per unit dose.

4. A composition according to claim 3, wherein the composition contains from 29 to 89 of yeast per unit dose.

5. A composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, in the form of a tablet, pill or capsule.

6. A composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 5 for use in the treatment of cramp.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Composition The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of idiopathic spasmodic myalgia (i.e. cramp). Cramp is an extremely painful condition affecting all age groups, and, particularly in the elderly, it can be of such severity as to trigger other conditions which can threaten life. It has now been discovered that the symptoms of many types of cramp can be relieved by orally administering certain yeast derivatives to the sufferer. According to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration to human beings, comprising a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces uvarum, and a pharmaceutically acceptable oral carrier. Preferably the yeast comprises brewer's yeast. Preferably, the composition is in unit dosage form and contains from lg to 10g of active ingredient per unit dose, more preferably from 2g to 89. The composition of the invention may be in the form of tablets, pills or capsules, although any other conveniently administrable oral form may also be used. For example, a blister pack presentation, with each blister containing a unit dose, would be a particularly useful presentation form. The composition of the invention includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for the active ingredient, such as a diluant, binder, disintegrant or other filler material, in accordance with normal pharmaceutical practice. Additional excipients such as colour, flavours and wetting agents may also be present if desired. The compositions of the invention may be prepared by admixture of the active ingredient and the oral carrier and subsequently, if desired, converting the composition into unit dosage form. The active ingredient may be prepared using conventional techniques, briefly described as follows: An autolytic preparation of yeast is prepared by taking yeast, with a solids content of 5 to 35% and heating to temperatures between 25"C and 75"C for 5 to 48 hours in the presence of organic salts and/or exogenous enzymes. The resulting preparation is then concentrated to a paste or powder either 'as is' or with the insoluble material separated out prior to producing a finished paste or powder. A plasmolysate is produced by rupturing the cell membrane to release the cell contents by any of the following processes; osmotic shock, heat treatment, physical disruption, solvent destruction of the membrane and exogenous enzymes. The resulting preparation is then concentrated to paste or powder with or without the removal of insoluble material. A hydrolysate is produced by mixing yeast with a solids content of 5 to 35% with hydrochloric acid at concentrations between 0.5 and 10 Molar at temperatures between 50 and 150"C for periods between 1 and 20 hours. The resulting material is neutralised to pH's between 2 and 10 and concentrated, with or without the removal of insoluble material, to paste or powder. Compositions of the invention are particularly useful for treating the following specific forms of cramp: (1) Exercise or heat induced cramps affecting all ages capable of sustained physical effort; (2) Night cramps in the elderly; (3) Arterial insufficiency in the middle aged and elderly. In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of relieving the symptoms of cramp which comprises administering to a cramp sufferer an oral, non-toxic, pharmaceutically effective dose of a composition of the invention. The invention further provides the use of a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiale or Saccharomyces uvarum, for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapeutic treatment of cramp. Preferably, the composition of the invention is administered at least once, more preferably 2 or 3 times each day, and at a doseage rate of about 25mg/kg to 150 mg/kg of body weight. For sufferers from night cramp, a dose is preferably taken just before going to bed. For exercise induced cramp, a dose is preferably taken immediately after the exercise has finished and a similar dose before going to bed. CLAIMS

7. The use of a hydrolysate, autolysate or plasmolysate of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces uvarum, for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapeutic treatment of cramp.