AU2005220236B2 - Carrier for enteral administration - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract There is provided a carrier for use in enteral administration of biologically active compounds, said carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents.

Description

CARRIER FOR ENTERAL ADMINISTRATION Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a carrier for use in the enteral administration of biologically active compounds. Background of the Invention In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not to be taken as an admission that the document, act or item of 10 knowledge was at the priority date: part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. The major objective in drug delivery is to obtain an appropriate biological effect at a desired site of action. The choice of formulation can be critical to the efficacy of a drug since the bioactivity of a drug will be sub-optimal if it does not possess the correct physiochemical 15 properties to allow release from the formulation at the target site of action. Drugs are presented in different forms which are usually classified as enteral or parenteral. Enteral refers to forms of administration which involve entering the body through the gastrointestinal (GJ) tract. Parenteral refers to all forms of administration which do not involve the GI tract. This classification highlights the fact that the GI tract introduces specific 20 pharmacokinetic issues which do not arise with parenteral routes, in particular, first pass metabolism through the liver. Generally the form of administration differs markedly as illustrated in the following table. 79841331 2 Enteral Administration Parenteral Administration Pills, tablets and capsules Intranasal administration Enteric-coated preparations Subcutaneous administration Sustained-release preparations Intramuscular injections Oral liquid preparations Intravenous injections Bucchal / Sublingual administration Topical preparations Rectal administration Transdermal administration Enteral delivery involves administering the drug via the GI tract where the drug is absorbed and distributed via the bloodstream to the target site of action. Drugs delivered orally are 5 absorbed through the intestine, drugs delivered bucchally are absorbed through the mouth and drugs delivered rectally are absorbed through the rectum. Oral delivery is dependent on the normal digestive processes of the GI tract. Once the oral drug formulation has been swallowed it travels through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach has three tasks to do: (1) storage which requires the upper part of the stomach to relax 10 and accept large volumes of swallowed material; (2) combine the swallowed material with digestive juice which requires the lower part of the stomach to mix these materials by its muscle action; and (3) empty its contents slowly into the small intestine. Several factors affect emptying of the stomach, including the nature of the food (mainly its fat and protein content) and the degree of muscle action of the emptying stomach and the small intestine. As the food 15 is digested in the small intestine and dissolved into the juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine, the contents of the intestine are mixed and pushed forward to allow further digestion. Finally, all of the digested nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls. The undigested materials are propelled into the colon and expelled. The normal digestive processes which control the rate of drug delivery to / removal from the target site are (1) when the stomach 3 empties the drug into the small intestine and (2) the time spent in the intestinal tract before absorption. Unfortunately, these processes cannot be controlled. However, by instructing a patient to take a drug before, after or with food it is possible to optimise the effect of these processes. 5 The chemical environment of the GI tract is also important to oral drug delivery. The drug must be in a form which is stable at the different pH of the various parts of the GI tract. If the drug forms a non-absorbable complex or is degraded chemically or enzymatically then this will decrease absorption. The drug must also be in solution in the GI fluids to be absorbed. Sedimentation of the drug involves the drug forming solid particles and thus leaving the 10 solution. Adsorption onto luminal solid particles involves solids adsorbing the drug, that is removing the drug from solution. Both sedimentation and adsorption decrease absorption of the drug. In many cases, degradation and complexation can be circumvented, or at least minimized, by chemical or formulation approaches so that they do not present a limitation to drug uptake. 15 Further, if a drug is absorbed through the intestinal or stomach wall, it then must pass through the liver. The liver is designed to eliminate foreign compounds from the body. As a result, a significant proportion of the drug (for example, 40-50%) may be metabolised and excreted before its reaches the bloodstream. It is possible to reduce the effect of the liver on enteral administration by having the drug absorbed through the lining of the mouth (bucchal / 20 sublingual) or the lining of the rectum (suppositories), however these routes are not always appropriate. The role of the drug formulation in the delivery of drug to the target site of action should not be ignored. With any drug it is possible to alter its bioavailability considerably by formulation modification. Since a drug must be in solution to be absorbed from the GI tract, you may 25 expect the bioavailability of a drug to decrease in the order: solution > suspension > capsule > tablet > coated tablet. This order may not always be followed but it is a useful guide.

-4 Attempts to improve the bioavailability of enterally administered biologically active compounds involve either the formation of prodrugs, for example morphine sulphate or the use of excipients which improve absorption. There is still a need for enteral formulations which further improve the bioavailability of biologically active compounds. 5 Summary of the Invention It has been found that a carrier composition comprising phosphates of electron transfer agents increases the efficacy of biologically active compounds administered enterally. io According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for improving the efficacy and transport of an enterally administered biologically active compound, said method comprising the step of combining the biologically active compound with a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate is derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided use of an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents in the manufacture of a carrier for enteral administration of a biologically active compound, 20 wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition when used for enteral administration of a biologically active compound, comprising a 25 biologically active compound and a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid. 30 Description of the Invention The present invention provides a carrier for use in enteral administration of biologically active compounds, said carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents. 35 There is also provided a method for improving the efficacy and transport of enterally administered biologically active compounds, said method comprising the step of combining 2687122_1 (GHMatters) P63350.AU 2 -5 the biologically active compound with a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents. Preferably, the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is selected from the group 5 consisting of phosphate derivatives of tocopherol, phosphate derivatives of tocotrienol and mixtures thereof. The present invention also provides for the use of an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, such as phosphate derivatives 10 of tocopherol or tocotrienol, together with other excipients, in the manufacture of a carrier for use in the enteral administration of biologically active compounds. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition for enteral administration comprising one or more biologically active compounds and a carrier 15 comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, such as phosphate derivatives of tocopherol or tocotrienol. There is also provided a method for improving the efficacy and transport of enterally administered biologically active compounds, said method comprising the step of combining 20 the biologically active compound with a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more complexes of phosphate derivatives of an electron transfer agent. There is further provided a carrier for use in enteral administration of biologically active compounds, said carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more complexes of 25 phosphate derivatives of an electron transfer agent. In one preferred form of the invention, the carrier and biologically active compound are in a form which is protected by an enteric coating. The enteric coating must be insoluble in the stomach (low pH) and survive the enzymes in the saliva, but degrade in the absorption site 30 which is just after the stomach at a pH greater than 6. Typically, the coating is a water soluble polymer such as cellulose ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol. The 26871221 (GHMatters) P83350 AU 2 -6 advantage of the enteric coating is that it increases the likelihood that the carrier and the biologically active compound will be in proximity to each other at the absorption site and thus maximises the effects of the carrier upon the efficacy and transport of the biologically active compound. For example, a tablet or capsule may have an enteric coating or a 5 functional food may contain microencapsulated particles which have an enteric coating. The term "carrier" is used in this specification to include all forms of enteral administration. It includes but is not limited to pills, tablets, capsules, liquid formulations, functional foods, dietary supplements, lozenges, suppositories. 10 The term "effective amount" is used herein to refer to an amount of the one or more phosphate derivatives of an electron transfer agent that assists the biologically active compound to be absorbed in an amount that is measurably effective in the reduction of one or more symptoms presented by a patient. The effective amount may range up to 99.99% 15 w/w of the total weight of the carrier. A person skilled in the art will understand that the actual amount will vary depending upon the biologically active compound. The effective amount will be sufficient to deliver an amount of biologically active compound within the therapeutic range of that biologically active compound. The effective amount used will also depend on whether the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is being used 20 to assist with formulation properties, for example, solubilisation or surface activity. Where the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is acting as a solubiliser, the effective amount will depend on the concentration of the drug in the formulation and may range from 40% to 90% w/w, preferably 45 to 75% w/w, more preferably 50 to 60% w/w. Where the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is not required for solubilisation 25 properties, the effective amount may be in the range of 0.0 1 to 20% w/w, preferably I to 15% w/w and more preferably 5 to 10% w/w. Preferably (when solubilisation properties are not required), the effective amount of the one or more phosphate derivatives of an electron transfer agent is in the range of from 0.1 to 30 10% w/w of the total weight of the carrier. More preferably, in the range of 5 to 10% and most preferably 7.5% w/w. The term "electron transfer agents" is used herein to refer to the class of chemicals which may be phosphorylated and which (in the non-phosphorylated form) can accept an electron 274332601 (GHMatters) P83350.AU.2 -7 to generate a r atively stable molecular radical or accept two electrons to allow the compound to p icipate in a reversible redox system. Examples of classes of electron transfer agent c mpounds that may be phosphorylated include hydroxy chromans including alpha, beta, ga ma and delta tools in enantiomeric and raecemic forms; quinols being the 5 reduced forms 'f vitamin KI and ubiquinone; hydroxy carotenoids including retinol; calciferol; and scorbic acid, Preferably, the electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of tocopherol and other tocols, retinol, vitamin K1, and mixtures thereof. More preferable the electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of the tools, and mixt res thereof. The tocols include all isomers of derivatives of 6:hydoxy 10 2:methyl chromn (see structure below) where R R 2 and R 3 may be hydrogen or methyl groups, that is, t e a-5:7:8 tri-methyl; p-5;8 di-methyl; y-7:8 di-methyl; and 6 8 methyl derivatives. In e tocopherols, 14 is substituted by 4:8:12 tri-methyl tridecane and the 2, 4, and 8 positions ee *) may be sterioisomers with R or S activity or racemic, In the tocotrienols, R 4 i substituted by 4:8:12 ti-methyl trideca-3:7:11 triene and the 2 position 15 may be sterioact e as R or S sterioisomers or racemic. Most preferably, the electron transfer agent is -tocopherol or tocotrienol R1 HO % 3 CHR CH H 7

H

3

H

3

H

3 R4 CH' X CH 3 The term "phosp te derivatives" is used herein to refer to the acid forms of phosphorylated 20 electron transfer ents, salts of the phosphates including metal salts such as sodium, magnesium, pota ium and calcium and any other derivative where the phosphate proton is Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

replaced by oth r substituents such as ethyl or methyl groups or phosphatidyl groups. The term includes n fixtures of phosphate derivatives, especially those which result from phosphorylatio reactions, as well as each of the phosphate derivatives alone. For example, the term includes a mixture of mono-tocopheryl phosphate (TP) and di-tocopheryl 5 phosphate (T2 as well as each of TP and T2P alone. Suitable mixtures are described in Intternational Paiert Application No. WO 02/40033, Preferably, the nt or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents is selected from group consisting of mono-tocopheryl phosphate, di-tocopheryl phosphate, mono-tocotricn l phosphate, di-tocotrienyl phosphate, and mixtures thereof. Most 10 preferably, the e or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents is a mixture of onelor more of mono-tocopheryl phosphate, di-tocopheryl phosphate, mono tocotrienyl phosphate and di-tocotrienyl phosphate. In some situatio s, it may be necessary to use a phosphate derivative such as a phosphatide where additionalproperties such as increased water solubility are preferred. Phosphatidyl 15 derivatives are ajino alkyl derivatives of organic phosphates. These derivatives may be prepared from a4ines having a structure of RiR 2

N(CH

2 )n 0 H wherein n is an integer between 1 and 6 d R and R 2 may be either H or short alkyl chains with 3 or less carbons. R, and R 2 may b the same or different. The phosphatidyl derivatives are prepared by displacing the hydiroxyl proton of the electron transfer agent with a phosphate entity that is 20 then reacted with an amine, such as ethanolarnine or NN' dimethylethanolamine, to generate the phosjbatidyl derivative of the electron transfer agent, -One method of preparation of thelphosphatidyl derivatives uses a basic solvent such as pyridine or triethylamine witd phosphorous oxychloride to prepare the intermediate which is then reacted with the hdroxy group of the amine to produce the corresponding phosphatidyl 25 derivative, such a P cholyl P tocopheryl dihydrogen phosphate. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

-8A In some situations, complexes of phosphate derivatives of the electron transfer agents may also be utilized where additional properties such as improved stability or deliverability may be useful, The term "complexes of phosphate derivatives" refers to the reaction product of one or more pL fsphate derivatives of electron transfer agents with one or more complexing 5 agents selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, amino acids ha ing nitrogen functional groups and proteins rich in these amino acids as disclosed in InI national Patent Application No. WO 02/40034, incorporated herein by reference. Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

9 The preferred complexing agents are selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and tertiary substituted amines, such as those according to the following formula:

NR'R

2

R

3 wherein R' is chosen from the group comprising straight or branched chain mixed alkyl 5 radicals from C6 to C22 and carbonyl derivatives thereof;

R

2 and R3 are chosen independently from the group comprising H, CH 2 COOX,

CH

2

CHOHCH

2

SO

3 X, CH 2

CHOHCH

2

OPO

3 X, CH 2

CH

2 COOX, CH 2 COOX,

CH

2

CH

2

CHOHCH

2

SO

3 X or CH 2

CH

2

CHOHCH

2

OPO

3 X and X is H, Na, K or alkanolamine provided R 2 and R 3 are not both H; and 10 wherein when R' is RCO then R2 may be CH 3 and R3 may be (CH 2

CH

2

)N(C

2

H

4 0H)

H

2

CHOPO

3 or R2 and R3 together may be N(CH 2

)

2

N(C

2

H

4 0H)CH 2 COO-. Preferred complexing agents include arginine, lysine or lauryliminodipropionic acid where complexation occurs between the alkaline nitrogen centre and the phosphoric acid ester to form a stable complex. 15 The term "biologically active compound" is used herein to refer to compounds having a biological effect in humans or animals for medical or veterinary application. Biologically active compounds include pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, drugs, vitamins, phytochemicals, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, nutrients and other health supplements that are useful for the treatment of human beings or other animals for prophylaxis or therapy. 20 Examples of biologically active compounds include but are not limited to narcotic analgesics such as morphine and levorphanol, non narcotic analgesics such as codeine and acetaminophen, corticosteroids such as cortisone, anaesthetics such as propofol, antiemetics such as scopolamine, sympathomimetic drugs such as adrenaline and dopamine, antiepileptic drugs such as fosphenytoin, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, thyroid hormones and 25 antithyroid drugs including thyroxine, phytochemicals including x-bisabolol, eugenol, silybin, 10 soy isoftavonet iridoid gylcosides Including aucubin and catalpol, sesquiterpene lactones including pseudogualanolide from Arnica chamissonis, terpenes including rosmarinic acid and rosmanol, henolic glycosides including the salicylates salicin, saligenin and salicyclic acid, triterpene taxasterol or a.-lactucerol, and isolactucerol,p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid 5 derivative taraxcoside, hydroquinone derivatives including arbutin, phenylalkanones including ginge ois and shagaols, hypercin, statins, and acylphloroglucides including xanthohumol, I pulone, humulone and 2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol. Examples of nutrients and nutraceuticals i clude vitamins, important precursor molecules for generation of honnones, minerals, proteins, amino acids, plant extracts such as grape seed extract, ephedrine, 10 DHEA, isoflavcpes, phytosterols and similar biougents. The biologically active compound may also be a peptide, polypeptide or protein. The biologically active compound can be in any suitable for including phosphate derivatives, A person skilled in the art would know which other excipients could be included in the carrier. The chiicc of other excipients would depend on the characteristics of the 15 biologically acti e compound. Examples of other excipients include solvents, surfactants, emollients, preservatives and the like, The choice of other excipients will also depend on the form of adm nistration used. Brief Descripti n of the Drawings Figure 1: Effect of morphine sulphate 5 mg/kg, morphine with tocopheryl phosphate 20 carrier according to the invention 5 mg/kg and control on paw withdrawal latency in rats, tested ovcr 3 hoirs (pooled data). Figure 2: CoQ 1 o and CoQ 9 standard curves Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

Examples The invention is further explained and illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Example 1 In this experiment, the efficacy of a morphine composition according to the invention was 5 compared with the efficacy of morphine sulphate, the currently used enteral formulation of morphine. The effect was measured by comparison of times taken for a rat to withdraw its paw in response to heat when medicated and unmedicated with morphine. Materials Animals: Nine conscious Sprague-Dawley rats .weighing between 350-450 grams each 10 Treatment groups: 1. Control: water, 2. morphine sulphate, 3. Morphine with TPm: morphine HCI (14%) in a carrier containing water (59%) and a tocopheryl phosphate mixture (27%) (TPm). The TPm contained mono-tocopheryl 15 phosphate and di-tocopheryl phosphate. Formulations 2 and 3 were diluted with water and the final morphine concentration was made up to 5 mg/ml. For example, 0.357 grams of formulation 3 was mixed with 0.643 grams of water to obtain a final morphine concentration of 5%. This liquid formulation was then delivered to the animals by oral gavage (tube into stomach). 20 Method The experiment used nine rats that were divided into three groups. After the first treatment, the rats were rested and each group was given a different treatment. The process was repeated once more until each rat had been given each of the three treatments. Water, morphine sulphate and morphine with TPm were given by oral gavage at a 25 concentration of 5mg/kg of body weight. Analgesic testing was performed at 1, 2, 4 and 6 12 hours and at each time point withdrawal latency was measured three times on each rat (with at least five minutes rest if using the same paw). A plantar analgesiometer designed for rapid and efficient screening of analgesia levels in small laboratory animals was used. The device applied a heat source (-45*C from an infrared light) 5 to the animal's hindpaw and the time taken to withdraw the paw from the heat source was measured (paw withdrawal latency). The heat source (plate) provided a constant surface temperature. It had a built-in digital thermometer with an accuracy of 0.1*C and a timer with an accuracy of 0.1 second. The animal was placed on a hot plate, confined by a clear acrylic cage which surrounds the plate and paw withdrawal response was monitored. An increased 10 time period before paw withdrawal response indicating analgesia. Each animal was tested 3 times at each time point. (ie a single rat had the heat applied to its back foot three times at each time point). The results are illustrated in Figure 1. Both the morphine sulphate and morphine in the tocopheryl phosphate carrier caused an increase in latency indicating analgesia. The morphine 15 in the tocopheryl phosphate carrier caused a greater latency which was maintained for a longer period of time than the morphine sulphate. That is, the morphine formulated in a carrier according to the invention provided a sustained analgesic effect for up to 2 hours following oral administration whereas the morphine sulphate only provided an analgesic effect for the first hour The standard error bars on the graph points do not overlap except at the one hour 20 time point where the aqueous morphine sulphate and the morphine TPm formulation were similarly active. For the later time points, the morphine TPm formulation gave sustained analgesia. 1 Statistical Analysis: Comparison between morphine sulphate and Morphine TPm formulations. 25 * at 60mins t=2.598 (p<0.0 2

)

13 e at 120mins t=4.815 (p<0.0005) e at 240mins t=4.351 (p<0.001) e at 360 mins t=3.094 (p=0.005) Conclusion 5 The use of the TPm carrier provided a sustained analgesia over a longer period of time using the same amount of morphine as the morphine sulphate formulation. Whilst the results were not significant at the one hour time point, the TPm formulation was statistically significant at all later time points. Example 2 10 This example investigates the bioavailability in guinea pigs of CoQ 10 administered in the following formulations: A. CoQsol B. CoQsol plus TPM in MCT C. MCT oil (control) 15 Materials and Methods Formulations Tocopheryl phosphate mixture (TPM) containing monotocopheryl phosphate (TP) and ditocopheryl phosphate (T2P) in a ratio of 2:1 w/w was prepared by Phosphagenics Ltd. CoQsol was purchased from Doctor's Trust Vitamins, U.S.A 20 Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) was manufactured by Abitec Corp, U.S.A. The formulations consisted of the following: A. CoOsol: Each softgel capsule contains 60 mg of CoQ, with the oily contents of the pills measuring 0.44 ml in volume. Therefore, the concentration of CoQ is 60 mg/0.44 ml = 136 mg CoQ/ml of capsule contents. Each millilitre of the CoQsol formulation also contains 136 IU d- 14 a-tocopherol and 3705 IU vitamin A. Excipients are rice bran oil, gelatin, glycerin, water, beeswax, annato extract and titanium dioxide. B. CoOsol+TPM: the formulation was prepared with the concentration of CoQ such that 30 mg/kg was administered in the same volume relative to body weight of the treatment group; 5 i.e., in volumes of approximately 0.21 ml per kg b.wt. Each ml of formulation contained CoQ and TPM, each at 140 mg/ml, with MCT as the diluent. C. MCT: (vehicle): the control group received MCT at 0.21 ml/kg b.wt. Animals Adult female guinea pigs were purchased from Animal Services, Monash University and 10 acclimatised to the Departmental Animal House for a minimum of 5 days before the treatments commenced. Animals were randomly assigned to treatment groups (n=1 0), tagged with unique identifying marks on their backs (clipped hair and colour codes), and housed as a group in an environmentally-enriched pen of approximately I x 4 m in size. The average body weight of the CoQsol-treated group was 0.795 kg at day 0. The average body weight of the 15 CoQsol+TPM group was 0.746 kg at day 0. The average body weight of the control group was 0.796kg at day 0. Food and water: Rabbit and guinea pig standard laboratory pellets (Barastoc, Australia). Water was provided freely Route and method of dosing: animals were dosed by oral gavage using a plastic cannula 20 attached to a delivery syringe in volumes of approximately 0.21 ml per kg body weight. Methods Dose of CoQsol: 30 mg / kg body weight / day Dose of TPM: 30 mg / kg body weight / day Dosing regimen: once daily 25 Dosing period: 26 days 15 Body weight was measured weekly. At the completion of the treatment period, the guinea pigs were killed by asphyxiation using

CO

2 gas. The blood was removed by heart puncture into heparinised collection tubes, and centrifuged for separation of plasma and stored at -80*C until extraction of CoQ. 5 Extractions of CoQ and analyses by HPLC were performed essentially according to the method of Aberg et al., (1992) "Distribution and redox state of ubiquinones in rat and human tissues" Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 295: 230-34. Increased levels of CoQIO and CoQ9 are indicative of increased bioavailability and uptake. Both CoQ9 and CoQ10 were measured because guinea pigs can synthesize both forms of CoQ 10 (9 and 10). It is therefore important to assess the levels of both forms following administration since administration of CoQ10 can increase both levels in vivo. Results: CoQjo and CoQ 9 concentration in plasma CoQ 9 Peak CoQ 1 o CoQConc CoQjoConc CoQConc CoQjoConc PLASMA area Peak area (ng/ml) (ng/ml) (ng/vial) (ng/vial) Ctontr ol PlasmaCl 0.191146 3.89095 22 292 11 146 PlasmaC2 1.26553 2.62247 176 197 88 98 PlasmaC3 0.69327 1.15616 94 87 47 43 PlasmaC4 0.874554 2.29567 120 172 60 86 PlasmaC5 0.558185 2.45003 74 184 37 92 PlasmaC6 0.90064 5.16449 123 388 62 194 PlasmaC7 1.0674 3.34757 147 251 74 126 PlasmaC8 0.190272 3.20794 22 241 11 120 PlasmaC9 3.18797 239 120 PlasmaC1O 1.14622 86 43 Mean 49 107 16 CoQ 9 Peak CoQIo CoQConc CoQIoConc CoQgConc CoQjoConc PLASMA area Peak area (ng/ml) (ng/ml) (ng/vial) (ng/vial) CoQSol~ PlasmaSI 0.902389 5.18353 124 389 62 195 PlasmaS2 0.19846 2.45755 23 184 12 92 PlasmaS3 0.32906 2.60398 42 195 21 98 PlasmaS4 0.45307 3.0014 59 225 30 113 PlasmaS5 0.53315 2.3862 71 179 35 90 PlasmaS6 0.93297 2.04795 128 154 64 77 PlasmaS7 0.54571 2.1518 73 161 36 81 PlasmaS8 1.41097 2.16559 196 162 98 81 PlasmaS9 0.690034 6.3554 93 477 47 239 PlasmaS10 0.28032 3.61253 35 271 17 136 Mean 42 120 PlasmaTI 0.84019 2.75545 115 207 57 103 PlasmaT2 4.47825 336 168 PlasmaT3 0.17022 4.3493 19 327 10 163 PlasmaT4 0.503096 4.92475 67 370 33 185 PlasmaT5 0.372346 3.01239 48 226 24 113 PlasmaT6 0.267389 6.29373 33 473 16 236 PlasmaT7 5.53598 416 208 PlasmaT8 0.26282 5.51973 32 415 16 207 PlasmaT9 0.336923 4.1363 43 311 21 155 PlasmaTlO 0.105107 3.49962 10 263 5 131 Mean 23 167 The above results do not include any statistical information because as is known in the area of micronutrient studies, there is always a significant inter-animal variation due to the fact that each animal has different needs for CoQIO and it will only be absorbed when needed. The 17 large inter-animal variation leads to large standard deviation figures, which do not accurately reflect the significance of the results. Figure 2 shows the standard curves obtained in the analysis of CoQ10 and CoQ9 in the plasma before running the samples on the HPLC (the closer r 2 is to I the more accurate the results). 5 Discussion The results in Figure 2 and the above tables show that the CoQ levels in plasma are higher in CoQsol+TPM treated animals than in the animals treated with CoQsol alone or the control. This illustrates that the tocopheryl phosphate mixture increases the bioavailability of CoQl0. The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in 10 the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims (22)

1. A method for improving the efficacy and transport of an enterally administered biologically active compound, said method comprising the step of combining the biologically active compound with a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy chromans; quinols being the reduced forms of vitamin K I and ubiquinone; hydroxy carotenoids; calciferol; and ascorbic acid.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hydroxy chroman is an alpha, beta, gamma or delta tocol in enantiomeric or racemic form.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hydroxy carotenoid is retinol.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphate derivatives of tocopherol, phosphate derivatives of tocotrienol, and mixtures thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of mono-tocopheryl phosphate, di tocopheryl phosphate, mono-tocotrienyl phosphate, di-tocotrienyl phosphate, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the phosphate derivative is selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphatides, complexes of phosphates, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7 further comprising the step of protecting the combined biologically active compound and carrier with an enteric coating.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the biologically active compound is a drug, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, nutritional supplement, health supplement, vitamin, mineral, nutrient, or phytochemical, provided the biologically 2867122_1 (GHMatlers) P63350.AU 2 - 19 active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the biologically active compound is a selected from the group consisting of narcotic analgesics, non-narcotic analgesics, corticosteroids, anaesthetics, antiemetics, sympathomimetic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid drugs, phytochemicals, soy isoflavones, iridoid gylcosides, sesquiterpene lactones, terpenes, phenolic glycosides, salicylates, triterpenes, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, hydroquinone derivatives, phenylalkanones, gingerols, shagaols, statins, acylph loroglucides, precursor molecules for generation of hormones, amino acids, plant extracts, isoflavones, phytosterols and similar bioagents, peptides, polypeptides and proteins, provided the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

I1. The method according to claim 10, wherein the biologically active compound is a selected from the group consisting of cortisone, propofol, ibuprofen, a-bisabolol, eugenol, silybin, aucubin, catalpol, pseudoguaianolide from Arnica chamissonis, rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, salicin, saligenin, salicyclic acid, taxasterol, ca-lactucerol, isolactucerol, taraxacoside, arbutin, hypercin, xanthohumol, lupulone, humulone, 2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol, grape seed extract, DHEA, and co-enzyme Q10.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11 for human or veterinary use.

13. Use of an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents in the manufacture of a carrier for enteral administration of a biologically active compound, wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

14. A pharmaceutical composition when used for enteral administration of a biologically active compound, comprising a biologically active compound and a carrier comprising an effective amount of one or more phosphate derivatives of one or more electron transfer agents, wherein the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

15. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy chromans; quinols being the reduced forms of vitamin KI and ubiquinone; hydroxy 2887122_1 (GHMalters) P63350.AU.2 -20 carotenoids; calciferol; and ascorbic acid.

16. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphate derivatives of tocopherol, phosphate derivatives of tocotrienol, and mixtures thereof.

17. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of mono-tocopheryl phosphate, di-tocopheryl phosphate, mono-tocotrienyl phosphate, di-tocotrienyl phosphate, and mixtures thereof.

18. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the phosphate derivative is selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphatides, complexes of phosphates, and mixtures thereof.

19. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the biologically active compound is a drug, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, nutritional supplement, health supplement, vitamin, mineral, nutrient, or phytochemical, provided the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

20. The use according to claim 13 or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the biologically active compound is a selected from the group consisting of narcotic analgesics, non-narcotic analgesics, corticosteroids, anaesthetics, antiemetics, sympathomimetic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid drugs, phytochemicals, soy isoflavones, iridoid gylcosides, sesquiterpene lactones, terpenes, phenolic glycosides, salicylates, triterpenes, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, hydroquinone derivatives, phenylalkanones, gingerols, shagaols, statins, acylphloroglucides, nutrients and nutraceuticals, vitamins and minerals, precursor molecules for generation of hormones, amino acids, plant extracts, isoflavones, phytosterols and similar bioagents, peptides, polypeptides and proteins, provided the biologically active compound is not a phosphate derivative of an electron transfer agent as herein defined or an alkaloid.

21. The use or the pharmaceutical composition according to claim 20, wherein the biologically active compound is a selected from the group consisting of cortisone, propofol, 2867122_1 (GHMatters) P83350.AU.2 -21 ibuprofen, ca-bisabolol, eugenol, silybin, aucubin, catalpol, pseudoguaianolide from Arnica chamissonis, rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, salicin, saligenin, salicyclic acid, taxasterol, a lactucerol, isolactucerol, taraxacoside, arbutin, hypercin, xanthohumol, lupulone, humulone, 2-methylbut-3-en-2-ol, grape seed extract, DHEA, and co-enzyme Q10.

22. A method as defined in claim 1, use as defined in claim 13, or a pharmaceutical composition when used as defined in claim 14, substantially as herein described with reference to Example 2 and/or Figure 2. 2687122_1 (GHMattes) P83350.AU.2