Inventors:
Frances C. Gaskin - Albany NY
International Classification:
A61K 31505
A61K 742
Abstract:
This invention is directed to a method for reducing pyrimidine photoproducts comprising applying an effective amount of melanin to human skin prior to exposure to ultraviolet rays, wherein said melanin is in a vehicle suitable for topical application and measuring the amount of pyrimidine photoproducts as compared to a control sample. Another embodiment of this invention is where the vehicle is an ointment, cream or lotion. For the purpose of this invention, measuring also means determining, and/or quantifying. This invention is also directed to a method for reducing pyrimidine photoproducts comprising applying an effective amount of melanin and solubilizing substance to human skin prior to exposure to ultraviolet rays, wherein said substance for solubilizing melanin is selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine and trypsin, wherein said solubilizing substance is present in an amount sufficient to solubilize the melanin thereby producing melanin solubilized by said substance, wherein said melanin and solubilizing substance is in a vehicle suitable for topical application and measuring the amount of pyrimidine photoproducts as compared to a control sample. Another embodiment of this invention is where the vehicle is an ointment, cream or lotion. For the purpose of this invention, measuring also means determining, and/or quantifying.