CA1313142C

CA1313142C - Therapeutic hypertonic seawater solution

Info

Publication number: CA1313142C
Application number: CA 563796
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nabil Hazzi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-29
Filing date: 1988-04-11
Publication date: 1993-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-26

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is provided a sterilized seawater solution devoid of debris and microorganisms. This solution may be used as a disinfectant and a decongestant of the mucous membranes of the nose, gums, buccal cavity and pharynx. It can also be used to clean and disinfect some skin affections and ulcers.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several books and numerous publications have been written in order to disclose various informations about the beneficial effects of seawater. Folklore attributes to seawater a variety of healing powers.
From ancient history until now, seawater was and is still used for treating a multitude of ailments and diseases, curing skin diseases, clearing the upper respiratory tract, improving some cases of thyroid dysfunctions and alleviating constipation among others.
Thalassotherapy is one example of the use of seawater as a therapeutlc agent. The treatment essentially comprises warm baths in sea water coupled with physiotherapy massages and, if necessary, showers, algae applications and underwater massages.
It is often associated with the action of the sun and the marine climate. This natural treatment has enjoyed extensive success over the years because it offers to the medical profession a very efficient method for treating rheumatic fever, cardiovascular problems, excess fatlgue and premature aging among others.
It is possible that the high salt concentration and resulting high osmolality of seawater contributes to whatever healing power seawater might have. However, medical science has yet q~

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to confirm or refute healing powers attributable to seawater.
Many prior art methods have been proposed for the treatment of various animal body tissues with solutions containing sodium chloride and other ingredients. One such method involves treating skln and scalp conditions with a saline solution. The soiution is prepared by evaporating seawater by heat, subjecting the concentrated liquid obtained to a low temperature to separate by crystillazation a part of the magnesium sulphate and a part of the sodium and potassium chlorides, drawing off the liquid from the precipitate, redissolving the magnesium sulphate and adding the liquor with a small amount of acetic acid to the solution.
Another method involves forming a saline solution by dissolving zinc sulphate and sodium chloride in water and applying it as an eyewash or lotion. Still another method relates to the use of salts of an alkali-forming metal containing small amounts of available chlorine and even smaller amounts of free alkali as a germicidal solution. There are currently on the market several pharmaceutical products which are used as hyperosmolar agents.
A product sold under the name of Debrisan acts as a hypertonic solution: it consists essentially of hydrophilic beads of dextranomer, which, it is claimed, sucks rluid and bacteria out of wounds. The 13131~'~
small beads are poured directly onto the wound, and, of course, must be washed out periodically.
Furthermore, in U.S.P. 4,581,226, Dillon teaches the use of an isotonic seawater solution for the treatment of various sensitive animal body tissues. ~owever, his patent leads away from the use of a hypertonic seawater solution, stating that hypertonic solutions shrink normal tissue, irritate mucosal tissue and desensitize numerous varieties of bacteria by stabilizing bacterial membranes.
Most of the above-mentioned solutions are not natural and therefore the possibility of negative side-effects can never be completely ruled out. Thus, a natural hypertonic solution which could be used for the treatment of various types of infections would be highly desirable.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, it has been unexpectedly discovered that a steriiized seawater soiution devoid of debris and microorganisms can be used as a disinfectant and a decongestant of ; the mucous membranes of the nose, gums, buccal cavity ; and pharynx.
The sterilized seawater solution of the present invention can also be used to ciean and disinfect some skin affections and ulcers and to promote granulation and healing. These healing ~- properties are associated to both the hypertonicity of seawater as well as the various elements found in its composition.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preparation of the seawater solution ,', The seawater supply may be obtained by filtering offshore seawater obtained for example from Fundy Bay, N.B., Canada, through filters that will insure that the solution obtained is free from any suspension particules and microorganisms. For these purposes, 0.2 micron filters will preferably be employed although the man skilled in the art will - , '., .

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appreciate that other filtering means could be used.
The filtered water i9 then sterilized. Although many sterilization techniques, one of which is boiling, may be envisaged, ultra-violet utilization or autoclaving are prererred. By filtering the seawater through 0.2 micron filters and sterilizing it by U.V. irradiation or autoclaving, the water solution obtained in this manner will still contain the various elements present in seawater and these elements will be maintained in their original proportions.
An analysis of the seawater to be used in the context of the present invention revealed that the optimal concentration of the most important ~ constituants should be as follows:

;~ ph: 7.20 Major constituents chloride1776 mg %
sodium991 mg %
magnesium 120 mg %
calcium73 mg %
potassium 35 mg %
phosphorus 4.5 mg %
sodium bicarbonate 1.25 mg %

Trace elements Sulfur 895 ppm Fluoride 1.3 ppm Copper 0.003 ppm Cobalt 0.0005 ppm : .

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13131~2 Following these treatments, samples are taken for bacterialogical tests in order to confirm the sterllity of the solution. These tests are well-known by those skilled in the art.

Uses A. As a solution Once the seawater has been filtered and sterilized, it can be used as a nasal drop or spray, gargle or mouth wash to decongest and disinfect the mucous membranes. It is also effective in diminishing oedema and reducing the inflammatory reaction because of its hypertonic and bacteriostatic activity. It thus opens air passages and facilitates breathing through the nose, and eases swallowing and alleviating pain. When used as nasal drops, the solution may be administered between 1 and 4 times daily in amounts varying between 2 and 5 drops.
It can also be used to clear and disinfect buccal, gum, tongue pharyngeal, nasal ulcers. In these cases, the mode of action of the seawater solution resides in the removal of necrotic tissues and bacteria, thus promoting granulation and healing.
Therefore, depending on the type of ulcer to be treated and its location, between 2 and 4 daily applications of the solution in the form of a gargle, mouthwash, nasal drops or irrigating solution would . ~ .
~ be desirable.
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This solution may also be used to treat various irritated mucosal tissue. For example, the solution may be used to irrigate nasal mucosa, pharyngeal mucosa, external auditory meatus, tissue lining the cavity of the mouth and vaginal tissue.
Thus, when used for irrigation, the solution may be applied as a spray, a wash or a douche. The volume applied will vary depending on the type and the location of the irritated tissue. For example, in the case of the pharyngeal mucosa, the solution should be administered 1 to 4 times daily in amounts varying between 15 ml and 60 ml. In the case of vaginal irritation, 1 to 2 daily doses ranging between 50 and 100 ml should be envisaged.

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~ B In dressings i ~ When it is desired to treat skin ulcers, it .` : . . .
lS prefered to use the solutlon ln the form of a dressing or a soak rather than as drops or as a spray.
In order to do so, gauze pads having the desired size ' are soaked in the seawater solution, then dried and sterilized. They are then ready to be applied on the ulcerated surface. They can be applied either in a dry ~
or wet form, the wet form being obtained by the addition of sterile water on the pad. Application of the wet or the dry form will depend on the nature and the evolution of the ulcer but generally, the pads should be replaced every 12 to 24 hours.

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Again, healing will be promoted by the removal of necrotic tissues and the destruction of many pathogens coupled with an accelerating effect on granulation and skin recovery.
The following examples are listed to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention.
Example 1 A 45 year old patient who was complaining of persistant nasal blockage due to congested mucous membranes against which the usual decongestant and antihistaminic drugs had no effect. An important decongestion and soothing effect as well as easy breathing was obtained after using the solution 3 to 4 times daily in the form of nasal drops.

Example 2 A 75 year old woman presented signs of severely obstructed nasal passages, secondarly causing chronic insomnia. Available decongestants failed to provide a long symptom-free period. Very good decongestion of the nasal passages was obtained by using the seawater solution of the present invention for a few weeks in the form of nasal drops 3 times daily and at bedtime.
. , Example 3 ~, A 42 year old man suffering from obstructed nasal ; passages as well as bleeding frorn a recurrent ulcer of "

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the nasal septum, used the solution of the present invention in the form of nasal drops 3 times daily and at bedtime. Complete healing of the ulcer has been observed after 10 days of use.

,, Example 4 Three patients suffering from chronlc congested noses and inflammed throats, used the same solution 3 times daily as nasal drops and ~ times daily as gargle.
Subsidance of tne symptoms was observed after 10 days. - --:Example 5 A 15 year old bedridden patient had developed a pressure ulcer at the level of the lateral aspect of , .
the head o the metatarsal bone. Applications of the dry gauze dressing of the present invention for 5 days ~-~ resulted in complete healing.
:: ' Example 6 A 36 year old patient had minor right elbow surgery.
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~ Following surgery, she had a right elbow injury which ; ~ caused rupture of the wound and local infection.
Application of the dressing of the present invention resulted in complete healing of the wound a~ter 10 days. No antibiotics and/or other disinfectants were used.

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Claims

1. A hypertonic sterilized seawater solution devoid of debris and small organisms for use as a disinfectant or a decongestant.

2. The solution of claim 1, wherein said seawater is sterilized by the action of ultra-violet rays or autoclaving.

3. The seawater solution of claim 1, from which debris and small organisms have been removed by filtration.

4. The seawater solution of claim 1, from which debris and small organisms have been removed by filtering seawater through 0.2 micron filter.

5. A hypertonic sterilized solution devoid of debris and small organisms, said debris and small organisms being removed by filtering seawater through 0.2 micron filter and said sterilized seawater solution being sterilized by the action of U.V. rays or autoclaving, for use as a disinfectant or a decongestant.

6. The use of a solution of claim 1 or 5 for treating sensitive animal tissue.

7. A use according to claim 6, wherein said solution is applied as drops, spray, or a dressing.