| abstract |
Personal care and hygiene formulations for topical application to mucosal surfaces. These formulations include an amphiphilic lipid carrier in the form of a colloidal composition which can include a micellar aggregate or mixed micelles dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase, or an emulsion of lipid droplets suspended in a continuous aqueous phase, and an active agent which is an anti-microbial agent. The lipid carrier has high adhesiveness to mucous membranes such as the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The lipid carrier also has a high load capacity for the active agent to be carried to these tissues. These formulations have the desirable properties of carrying a large amount of active agent for controlled and prolonged release thereof at the desired site, such as mucous membrane surfaces and surrounding tissue. Accordingly, the present invention provides a formulation for oral or topical application including an anti-microbial agent and a lipid. The agent is held by the carrier through a hydrophobic interaction and is released from the carrier in a controlled manner over a prolonged period of time. The lipid is also characterized by having a high adhesive capability towards mucous membrane surfaces. The lipid and the agent are preferably present in a ratio in a range of from about 1:10 to about 10:1, more preferably from about 1:5 to about 5:1, and most preferably from about 1:3 to about 3:1 in the formulation. |