WO2017144937A1

WO2017144937A1 - Compositions for topical use based on a carnosine-magnesium complex

Info

Publication number: WO2017144937A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/050927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Ferrari
Original assignee: Outplay Inc.
Priority date: 2016-02-22
Filing date: 2016-02-22
Publication date: 2017-08-31
Also published as: MX2018010139A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a composition comprising a carnosine- magnesium complex. The composition is designed to be applied to the skin and causes an increase in carnosine levels in the body. The topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex has the effect of improving an athlete's performance. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the carnosine-magnesium complex.

Description

DESCRIPTION

COMPOSITIONS FOR TOPICAL USE BASED ON A CARNOSINE- MAGNESIUM COMPLEX

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to compositions for topical use, such as gel- cream products. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a carnosine- magnesium complex for topical use. The carnosine-magnesium complex can be absorbed through the skin and has the effect of improving an athlete's performance.

Background art

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally-occurring histidine- containing compound found in many animal tissues, including skeletal muscle, which is the most abundant source. Carnosine is a multifunctional dipeptide with a molecular weight of 226.23 Da. It is very hydrophilic having a partition coefficient (log P) of -2.972 ± 0.436 (SciFinderScholar: Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/labs) Software v8.14 for Solaris, TM 2007).

The molecular structure of carnosine is shown below:

It is a polydentate ligand having several potential binding sites: two imidazole nitrogen atoms, one carboxylic acid group and one amino group. It is able to form metal complexes with a variety of metal ions, for example, with Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Mg²⁺.

In order to form a complex with Mg²⁺, the carnosine is placed in aqueous solution where the carboxylic function of carnosine is deprotonated (pK = 2.6) (E. J. Baran, Biochemistry, 2000, 65, 7, 789-797) to form a negatively charged anionic species: -

In the presence of a magnesium salt, coordination with magnesium occurs via interaction of the carboxylic function and the Ni nitrogen of the imidazole ring to form a 1 :1 cationic carnosine-magnesium complex with a stability constant of the order of 10³ (E. J. Baran, Metal Complexes of Carnosine, Biochemistry, 2000, 65,7, 789-797; G. R. Lenz and A. E. Martell, Biochemistry, 1964, 3, 750-753):

Carnosine is a constituent of several tissues and has numerous biological roles. For example, carnosine is used in enzyme regulation and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulation (G. Begum, et al., Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2005, 15, 493-514). It is also able to act as a pH buffer and as an antioxidant.

Carnosine is broken down in the body by the enzyme carnosinase found in most tissues except skeletal muscle. This partially accounts for the high concentrations of carnosine found in skeletal muscle. The concentration of carnosine in human skeletal muscle generally ranges from between 5 to 10 imM (wet weight) or from between 15 to 40 mmol/kg (dry weight). Concentrations differ from one animal species to another, partly due to the differences in muscle mass. For example, horses have been reported to have higher carnosine concentrations than greyhound dogs.

Carnosine levels are typically higher in fast-twitch muscle fibres compared to slow-twitch muscle fibres, which is in line with the observation that animals that frequently sprint, have explosive flight reactions, or undergo prolonged hypoxic dives, have higher initial carnosine concentrations.

Human athletes involved in anaerobic sports such as sprinters and bodybuilders were also found to have higher intramuscular concentrations of carnosine. Exercise training was reported to increase muscle carnosine concentrations in these types of athletes as observed by Goebel et al. for six male subjects that performed sprint training twice a week for a total of 16 training sessions. Muscle samples were collected from the vastus lateralis one week before training and again two days following the training protocol. Results revealed that muscle carnosine content and mean power output significantly increased after the eight weeks of training (A. S. B. Goebel et al., Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2012, 25: 281 -287). Carnosine was first discovered as an intracellular pH buffer in 1953 by Severin and colleagues using frog muscle tissue (S. E. Severin, Effect of carnosine and anserine on action of isolated frog muscles - article in Russian - Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 91 : 691 -694, 1953). Subsequent studies examining this relationship in human muscle tissue followed thereafter. When skeletal muscles are involved in moderate to intense exercise, lactic acid is normally generated. This subsequently dissociates into lactate and H⁺. The production of protons can alter pH levels and it is known that the majority of protons produced in the blood during exercise are buffered by the bicarbonate buffering system. The pKa of this system is 6.1 , which is less than that of carnosine (pKa of 6.83), and thus a greater pH change is needed to elicit benefits from this system. Since the pKa of carnosine is closer to the physiological pH, it is likely that this molecule acts as a primary buffer during high-intensity exercise. In fact, the imidazole group of the histidine moiety of carnosine makes it especially effective as a buffer, having a pKa value close to the intracellular pH, as one of the nitrogen atoms of the imidazole ring can be used to accept a proton (A. A. Boldyrev et al., Physiol Rev 93, 1803-1845, 2013).

A study conducted by Sewell and associates (D. A. Sewell et al., Equine Exercise Physiol 3, 276-280, 1991 ) specifically examined the buffering capability of carnosine in different horse fibre types. It was found that carnosine contributed to about 20% of the buffering in type I fibres and up to 46% in type Mb fibres. These findings are consistent with the observation that less lactic acid is accumulated in type I fibres due to the lower intensity muscle activity associated with this fibre type.

Aside from buffering effects, carnosine has been found to have other physiological roles. For example, it is able to act as an effective antioxidant against oxidative stress. During exercise, reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be produced due to increased respiration (causing an increase in electron flow in the electron transport system), or due to a decrease in pH (leading to oxygen being released from hemoglobin resulting in increased pO₂ in the tissues). Some believe that the production of ROS is related to muscle fatigue during activity. Carnosine is also linked to enzyme regulation related to activation of myosin ATPase, which is used to help maintain ATP stores.

Finally, carnosine has been found to play a role in electron contraction (E- C) coupling in skeletal muscle. An early study by Lamont and Miller (C. Lamont et al., J Physiol 454, Α2λ -Α3Α, 1992) showed that the presence of 15 imM of carnosine resulted in a significant increase in Ca²⁺ sensitivity in the muscle fibres of Rana Temporaria. More recently, Dutka and Lamb (T. L. Dutka et al., J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 25, 203-213, 2004) examined whether carnosine affects E-C coupling in functional fibres under physiological conditions. They used mechanically skinned rat extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres. Their results showed that carnosine did not affect Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum; however, carnosine was able to increase the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of the contractile components of the muscle fibres. It was suggested that an increase in Ca²⁺ sensitivity could help maintain force production in the later stages of fatigue once Ca²⁺ release begins to decrease. Therefore, higher levels of carnosine can help offset the decrease in Ca²⁺ as well as the accumulation of H⁺ ions during high-intensity exercise.

Considering that carnosine assists in controlling Ca²⁺ and lactic acid concentrations, acting in addition as an effective antioxidant against oxidative stress, the formulation of a topical product that increases the concentration of carnosine in the body would be of remarkable cosmetic and pharmaceutical interest.

It is well understood that in order for a medicament to function, the active ingredient contained in the medicament must be delivered to the specific site of action in an effective concentration and at the right time. Although these requirements apply to all types of active ingredients, they are particularly important in dermo-cosmetic science for active ingredients having topical functionality (J. W. Wiechers; Skin Delivery: What It Is and Why We Need It; Science and Applications of Skin Delivery Systems; 2008).

An active ingredient that is topically applied to the skin must be able to penetrate the uppermost barrier of the skin, the Stratum Corneum (SC), before being delivered to its site of action in the necessary concentrations.

However, aside from specific transport mechanisms, in general, due to the lipophilic properties of the SC, hydrophilic molecules are not able to penetrate the Stratum Corneum effectively. Therefore, obtaining skin bioavailability of hydrophilic active substances, like peptides or peptide-like substances is challenging (A. S. B. Goebel et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol

2012, 25, 281-287). Enhancer molecules such as 1 ,2-pentylene glycol (PG) or ethoxydiglycol (Transcutol) may increase the dermal penetration of peptides improving their bioavailability. In fact, it was reported that the addition of PG to a preparation containing /.-carnosine or N-acetyl- .-carnosine resulted in a significant increase of the substance within the SC (A. S. B. Goebel et al., Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2012, 25: 281 -287). Approximately 6- fold and higher dipeptide concentrations in the SC and in the viable skin layers were detected compared to the formulation without the enhancer molecule.

Despite some progress, there exists a need in the art for a topical formulation that is able to increase the concentration of carnosine in the body.

Summary of the invention

The present inventors have unexpectedly found that the presence of magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) coordinated to carnosine, produces a significant increase in the carnosine level in the lower skin layer following application to the skin. Furthermore, it was found that a composition containing a carnosine-magnesium complex applied to the skin of athletes, considerably improved the physical performance of the athletes.

One aspect of the present disclosure, therefore, concerns a topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex. The topical composition may be in the form of a gel, a cream, a solution or a foam. Preferably the topical composition is in the form of a gel. The topical composition may comprise additives selected from the group comprising a lubricant, a carrier, a thickening agent, a preservative, a surfactant, a moisturizing and an emollient agent. It may also comprise a warming agent.

Also the subject of the present disclosure is the use of a topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex for improving an athlete's physical performance. The present disclosure also relates to a carnosine-magnesium complex for use in increasing the athletic performance of a subject.

Further contemplated in the present disclosure is a method of producing a carnosine-magnesium complex.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 shows carnosine levels in the medium extract described in Example 1 ; y = carnosine levels in the medium samples (ng/mL).

Figure 2 shows carnosine levels in homogenates described in Example 1 ; y = carnosine levels in lysate samples of RHE (ng/mL).

Detailed description of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a gel product containing a carnosine- magnesium complex, which can be absorbed by the body through application to the skin and has the effect of improving an athlete's performance.

Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex. The topical composition may be in the form of a gel, a cream, a solution or a foam or in any other form that is suitable for application to the skin. Preferably the topical composition is in the form of a gel.

The carnosine-magnesium complex may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.5 to 5 wt% of the topical composition.

In one embodiment the topical composition may comprise a skin absorbing enhancer component such as 1 ,2-pentylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol (Transcutol), propylene glycol, short and long alcohol chain such as ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, myristyl, lauryl and octyl alcohols and esters such as octyl salicylate and isopropyl miristate. Preferably the skin absorbing enhancer component is ethoxydiglycol.

The skin absorbing component may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.5 to 4 wt% of the topical composition. In a further embodiment the topical composition may comprise one or more components selected from the group comprising a lubricant, a carrier, a thickening agent, a preservative, a surfactant, water, a moisturizing and an emollient agent.

Lubricants may be selected from the group comprising silicon oils, propyl- eptyl-caprylate, dicaprylil-carbonate, dicaprylil ether, ethylesylcocoate, isopropylmiristate, exyllaurate, dibuthyladipate and isopropyladipate, and mixtures thereof.

A lubricant may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 1 to 20 wt% of the topical composition.

Carriers may be selected from the group comprising silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and acrylate copolymers and mixtures thereof. A carrier may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.2 to 6 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 0.4 to 0.2 wt% of the topical composition. A thickening agent may be selected from the group comprising sclerotium gum, xantan gum, guar gum, pectine, agar agar, ethoxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl cellulose, hydroxyl propylmethyl cellulose, hyaluronic acids, and mixtures thereof.

A thickening agent may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.1 to 4 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 0.2. to 2 wt% of the topical composition. A preservative may be selected from the group comprising phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerine , benzoic acid, benzoic salts, benzoic esters, sorbic acid and sorbic salts, dehydroacetic acid and dehydroacetic salts, and mixtures thereof.

A preservative may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.1 to 1 .5 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 0.4 to 0.8 wt% of the topical composition. A surfactant may be selected from the group comprising cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium salts, anionic surfactants such as sodium laurylsulphate, non-ionic surfactants such as alkylpolyglucoside or amphoteric surfactants such as cocamidopropylbetaine.

A surfactant may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.05 to 2 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 0.1 to 1 wt% of the topical composition. A moisturing may be selected from the group comprising glicerin, penthylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, trehalose, lynositol and mixtures thereof.

A moisturizing may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 0.5 to 5 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 1 to 3 wt% of the topical composition. A emollient may be selected from the group comprising sweet almond oil, aloe vera , butyrospermum parkii butter olea europea oil, argan oil, persea gratissima oil, coconut oil and mixtures thereof.

A emollient may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 1 to 10 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 2 to 4 wt% of the topical composition.

Water may be present in the topical composition in a quantity ranging from between 60 to 95 wt% of the topical composition, preferably in a quantity ranging from between 80 to 95 wt% of the topical composition.

The topical composition of the present disclosure can be modified by introducing a component that has the effect of warming up the skin during application. This component is referred to as a warming agent.

The topical composition of the present disclosure may therefore comprise a warming agent. The warming agent may be chosen from any suitable warming agent known in the art. Examples of warming agents that may be employed in the topical composition of the present disclosure include warming agents selected from the group comprising methyl nicotinate, ethyl nicotinate, hexyl nicotinate, benzyl nicotinate, tocopheryl nicotinate, capsicum annuum oleoresin, cinnamomum camphora bark oil, methyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a nicotinate may be present in the topical composition in an amount of between 0.05 - 0.1 wt% of the topical composition.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, capsicum annuum oleoresin may be present in the topical composition in an amount of between 0.5-1 wt% of the topical composition.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, cinnamomum camphora bark oil may be present in the topical composition in an amount from 1 -10 wt% of the topical composition.

In another embodiment, methyl salicylate may be present in the topical composition in an amount from 1 -10 wt% of the topical composition.

The carnosine-magnesium complex of the present disclosure can be prepared by combining a magnesium salt, an aqueous solution, and carnosine. Preferably the magnesium salt is added to the aqueous solution containing carnosine. Preferably a stoichiometric amount of a magnesium salt is used.

Suitable magnesium salts include magnesium sulphate or magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate or magnesium lactate. Preferably, the magnesium salt is magnesium sulphate. Preferably the aqueous solution is water.

The concentration of the magnesium salt in the aqueous solution is in the range between 1 and 10, preferably in the range between 1 and 5 % weight

The concentration of the carnosine in the aqueous solution is in the range between 1 and 10% weight, preferably in the range between 1 and 5.

Once the carnosine and the magnesium salt are in contact with each other in an aqueous solution at room temperature, the carnosine-magnesium complex form almost instantaneously. Once formed, the carnosine-magnesium complex can be used to prepare a topical composition. The topical composition may be prepared by stirring the different components.

The carnosine-magnesium complex can be used to increase the concentration of carnosine in the lower skin layers. Such skin layers include for example the epidermidis.

The carnosine-magnesium complex of the present disclosure may be used to increase the athletic performance of a subject such as effort duration, speed and muscles recovery.

Also the subject of the present disclosure is the use of a topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex for increasing the concentration of carnosine in the lower skin layers, such as the epidermidis.

The topical composition of the present disclosure may also be used to increase the athletic performance of a subject.

The topical composition of the present disclosure is for application to the skin. It may be applied to skin anywhere on the body, but is most suitable to be applied to the legs, arms, torso.

When the topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex is applied to the skin, after 24 hours between 0,0033% and 0,02% of the carnosine applied to the skin may pass the skin layer of a EpiDerm™ reconstructed human epidermis model and may be found in the medium.

When the topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex is applied to the skin, after 48 hours between 0,005% and .0,01 % of the carnosine applied to the skin may pass the skin layer of a EpiDerm™ reconstructed human epidermis model and may be found in the medium.

When the topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex is applied to the skin, after 24 hours between 0,033% and 0,01 % of the carnosine applied to the skin may be found in the homogenates of the skin model of EpiDerm™ reconstructed human epidermis model.

When the topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex is applied to the skin, after 48 hours between 0,05% and .0,07% of the carnosine applied to the skin may be found in the homogenates of the skin model of EpiDerm™ reconstructed human epidermis model.

The multiple layers of the topical composition may be applied to an area of skin. Preferably between 1 and 5 coats of the topical composition are applied to an area of skin, more preferably between 1 and 3 coats of the topical composition are applied to an area of skin.

The one or more coats of topical composition may be applied to the skin from between 1 to 5 times a day, preferably from between 1 to 3 times a day. The topical composition may be applied to the skin at any time of day and before, after, or during exercise. Preferably the topical composition is applied to the skin before and after exercise.

The topical composition may be applied to the skin at any time of year and at any ambient temperature.

The topical composition of the present disclosure may be used as needed for as long as required.

The topical composition of the present disclosure may be used by adult subjects of all sex, and ethnicity.

Experimental Section

Materials and Methods

The following three samples were used in the experiments:

Sample A: Carnosine-magnesium complex in the final gel formulation

(having the formulation set out below in Table 1 ): Table 1 : Carnosine-magnesium gel formulation

Sample B: Free carnosine, in the final gel formulation as for sample A. Sample C: Final gel formulation but without the active ingredient carnosine All the samples are gel formulations.

Example 1

Evaluation of the transepidermal penetration of the carnosine- magnesium complex in gel formulation in 3D-skin models

The focus of the described experiments is to investigate the delivery of L - carnosine to human skin by the gel formulation containing L-carnosine in association with magnesium, which forms a mono-cationic complex (carnosine-magnesium complex), with the aim of improving bioavailability. The investigation was conducted using a carnosine-free preparation as the reference product (S. E. Severin et al. Effect of carnosine and anserine on action of isolated frog muscles (article in Russian). Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 91 : 691-694, 1953).

EpiDerm™ Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE) model and treatments Reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) was used as a human skin tissue model. EpiDerm™ Tissue Model was purchased from MatTek (MatTek In Vitro Life Science Laboratories, Bratislava, Slovak Republic). Upon reception, tissues were transferred into SkinEthic™ Maintenance Medium and kept at 37 °C in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere.

EpiDerm™ Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE) model consists of a three-dimensional epidermal tissue grown at the air liquid interface from normal human keratinocytes. The model is histologically similar to human epidermis, having all differentiated cellular layers, and a functional permeability barrier.

Before carrying out the treatments, the medium was withdrawn and fresh medium was added. For the treatments, 10 μί of the three different mixtures (A: carnosine-complex; B: free carnosine without the enhancer; C: vehicle) were each topically applied over separate RHE tissues either in a single dose for 24 h or in a repeated application every 24 h for a total of 48 h. The control tissue was only exposed to the medium. Since no differences between does applied at 24 and 48 h were observed for the control tissues, the samples were pooled and presented as the control group. All mixtures and control samples were assayed in triplicate by using three sets of RHE for each group.

After 24 or 48 h of treatment, tissue medium aliquots were collected and centrifuged for 20 minutes to remove insoluble impurities and tissue debris at 1000xg at 4 °C. The clear supernatants were stored at -20 °C until analysis. After washing with PBS and snap-freezing in liquid nitrogen, the RHE tissues were homogenized in a glass potter with 150 μΙ of PBS on ice. The homogenates were then centrifuged for 5 minutes at 5000xg to obtain the supernatants that were stored at -20 °C until analysis.

ELISA for Carnosine

Carnosine levels were determined in the RHE culture media and homogenates collected at different time points (24 or 48 h), using an

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit (Elabscience Biotechnology Co., Ltd). The procedure was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The optical absorbance was measured with a microplate reader at 450 nm. A calibration curve was obtained using carnosine as a standard. All the samples were assayed in duplicate. The lower limit of detection for carnosine was 8.438 ng/mL. Results are expressed as ng/mL. Changes in carnosine levels from the baseline level (control RHE) were compared on the basis of a Student's t-test. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The carnosine levels were measured in media and homogenates and results for the three samples, A, B and C at 24 hours (first time point) and 48 hours (second time point) are reported below.

Carnosine levels in media

At the first time point, after 24 hours from the treatment, the highest level of carnosine was detected for sample A with a P-value of 0.028 compared to the carnosine level in the control tissue. Even if the carnosine level for sample B was higher than of the control tissue, this data had a nonsignificant P-value (p=0.065).

The comparison between samples A and B shows that the carnosine level detected in the medium of the sample A was significantly higher than the carnosine level detected in the medium of the sample B (p=0.043). The carnosine level detected in the medium of sample C was comparable to the concentration of carnosine recorded for the control tissue.

At the second time point, after 48 hours from the treatment, the carnosine level in the medium of sample A was lower than the level detected at the first time point, although it was greater than the carnosine level detected in the control tissue.

The carnosine levels in the medium of samples B and C were similar to the levels detected at the first time point. Table 2: detection values of carnosine in media

Table 3: p-values of carnosine in media

Carnosine levels in RHE lysates At the first time point, the tissue treated with sample A had a carnosine content significantly lower than the level detected in the control tissue (p=0.019).

In the tissue treated with sample B, the carnosine level increased as compared to the control tissue, but this data was non-significant (p=0.708) The carnosine level detected in the tissue treated with sample C was similar to that of the control.

After 48 hours, at the second time point, the carnosine levels detected were equivalent to the tissue control for all the samples.

Table 4: detection values of carnosine in homogenates

Table 5: p-values of carnosine in homogenates

p-va!ue

CTRL vs A24 0.019

CTRL vs B24 0.218

CTRL vs C24 0.363

CTRL vs A48 0.326 CTRL vs B48 0.708

CTRL vs C48 0.800

A24 vs B24 0.004

A48 vs B48 0.956

A24 vs A48 0.011

Conclusions

According to the data collected, it appears that at the first time point, 24 hours, the preparation A (carnosine-magnesium complex in the final formulation) showed a significant increase in the delivery of carnosine in the lower skin layer. In fact, a higher level of carnosine passed into the medium with respect to preparation B. As counter proof, the content of carnosine was lower in the corresponding tissue.

At the second time point, 48 hours, a non-significant increase in carnosine levels were observed in the medium. This may be due to the limitations of the in vitro RHE model, which after 48 hours loses its initial properties and may therefore be less reliable.

Finally, it can be concluded that the carnosine-magnesium complex was effective in increasing the delivery of carnosine though a 3D skin model. In fact, the carnosine concentration remaining in the tissues was almost half that of the sample containing free carnosine.

Example 2

Evaluation of the effects of the carnosine-magnesium gel in soccer players. Pilot study.

The aim of the pilot study was to evaluate, the effects of the carnosine- magnesium complex present in a new gel formulation for topical use on the performances of soccer players. Methods

The study was divided into two parts corresponding to the following exercises:

1 ) a yo-yo intermittent recovery test;

2) 1 ,000 m sprint test repeated 3 times (1 ' 30 sec between series).

Tests were performed for each athlete with and without carnosine- magnesium gel.

Preparation Before the Performance with a Warm-Up Cream Application

A warm-up cream containing capsicum was used to optimize muscle preparation before the tests. This type of warm-up cream is commonly used by sportsmen before any physical activity to prevent injuries and traumas of a muscular nature that may occur during physical activity.

Study Design

The performance of 1 1 adult athletes between 18 and 35 years (soccer players) was evaluated. For the duration of the test period the athletes did not take any dietary supplement, were not treated with drugs and refrained from additional training or competitions.

During a pre-study stage, the differences between the athlete's performances with and without the warm-up cream were evaluated in order to verify whether the warm-up cream caused any relevant effects. In the study stage, application of the warm-up cream on the legs was followed by carnosine-magnesium gel topical treatment using sample A.

During the study stage the athletes did not perform any other sporting activities or competitions. For each type of exercise, there was a delay of three days between the test performed with application of only the warm- up cream and the test with application of both the warm-up cream and carnosine-magnesium gel (sample A). Yo-yo intermittent recovery test

In the yo-yo test, the athlete runs between speed delimiters placed 40 meters apart from each other. Speed is regularly incremented and the test ends when the subject is no longer able to maintain speed. The test result is determined by the distance covered during the test, and it is a resistance test.

1000 Meters x 3 repetitive test (1 minute and 30 seconds of rest between each test)

The time an athlete took to run 1 000 m was recorded. The test was repeated three times and the athlete was allowed to rest for 1 minute and thirty seconds between each test. The test measures resistance.

RESULTS

The results of the performance of each individual athlete during the different tests performed without application of any topical cream, after application of the warm-up cream and after application of both the warm- up cream and carnosine-magnesium gel (sample A), are summarized in

Tables 6 and 7.

All athletes reported satisfaction and good sensations in their legs during and after exercise. No recognized local or systemic side effects were observed.

Table 6: Results for Yo-Yo test 40 m

With warm-up Improvement

Without any Only warm-up cream and due to the cream cream carnosine- addition of

Athlete

magnesium gel carnosine- magnesium

Travelled Overall Travelled Overall Travelled Overall

gel distance rating distance Rating* distance Rating*

A.F. 1670 m 16 1672 m 16 1690 m 17 +1 F.F. 1701 m 17 1700 m 17 1740 m 17 0

S.A. 1487 m 15 1490 m 15 1600 m 16 + 1

C.S. 1553 m 15 1550 m 15 1680 m 17 +2

B.G. 1420 m 14 1420 m 14 1630 m 16 +2

T.A. 1760 m 17 1760 m 17 1960 m 20 +3

B.S. 1443 m 15 1440 m 15 1480 m 15 0

S.S. 1501 m 15 1500 m 15 1610 m 16 + 1

A.A. 1659 m 16 1660 m 16 1690 m 17 + 1

S.P. 1780 m 18 1780 m 18 1830 m 19 + 1

D.S. 1692 m 16 1690 m 16 1680 m 16 0

Table 7: Results for 1000 metres x 3 repetitive tests (1 minute and 30 seconds between tests)

C

B D D

A Average time

Average Improvement

Average with warm- time with due to the

Athlete time up cream and

only addition of without carnosine- warm-up carnosine- any cream magnesium

cream magnesium gel

gel

A.F. 4', 13 sec 4',12 sec 4',02 sec + 10 sec

F.F. 4',09 sec 4',09 sec 3',57 sec + 12 sec

S.A. 4', 15 sec 4', 14 sec 4',05 sec +9 sec

C.S. 4',05 sec 4',04 sec 3',59 sec +5 sec

B.G. 4',29 sec 4',28 sec 4',22 sec +6 sec

T.A. 3',57 sec 3',58 sec 3',47 sec + 11 sec

B.S. 4',02 sec 4',02 sec 3',40 sec +22 sec

S.S. 4', 16 sec 4', 16 sec 4',07 sec +9 sec

A.A. 4', 18 sec 4',17 sec 4', 12 sec +5 sec S.P. 4',07 sec 4', 04 sec 4',03 sec +0.1 sec

D.S. 3',53 sec 3', 52 sec 3', 42 sec + 10 sec

Note The numbers in column D correspond to the difference between the values in column B and C . The time reduction is indicated as a positive value.

Conclusions

The in vitro investigation showed that with the application of the carnosine- magnesium gel there was a significant increase in the performance of all the athletes that participated in the study.

Improvements were observed in both the speed endurance and resistance tests.

Athletes did not report any side effects after carnosine-magnesium gel treatment.

Claims

1 . A topical composition comprising a carnosine-magnesium complex.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , in which the carnosine- magnesium complex has the following formula:

3. The topical composition of claim 1 in the form of a gel, a cream, a solution or a foam.

4. The topical composition of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a skin absorbing enhancer component chosen from the group consisting of 1 ,2- pentylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol (Transcutol), propylene glycol, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, myristyl, lauryl and octyl alcohols, octyl salicylate and isopropyl miristate.

5. The topical composition of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a lubricant, a carrier, a thickening agent, a preservative, a surfactant, water, a moisturizing agent and an emollient agent.

6. The topical composition of claim 5, wherein the lubricant is selected from the group comprising silicon oils, propyl-eptyl-caprylate, dicaprylil- carbonate, dicaprylil ether, ethylesylcocoate, isopropylmiristate, exyllaurate, dibuthyladipate and isopropyladipate, and mixtures thereof; the carrier is selected from the group comprising silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, acrylate copolymers and mixtures thereof; the thickening agent is selected from the group comprising sclerotium gum, xantan gum, guar gum, pectine, agar agar, ethoxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl cellulose, hydroxyl propylmethyl cellulose, hyaluronic acids, and mixtures thereof; the preservative is selected from the group comprising phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerine, benzoic acid, benzoic salts, benzoic esters, sorbic acid, sorbic salts, dehydroacetic acid, dehydroacetic salts, and mixtures thereof; and the surfactant is selected from the group comprising quaternary ammonium salts, sodium laurylsulphate, alkylpolyglucoside and

cocamidopropylbetaine.

7. The topical composition of any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising a warming agent selected from the group comprising methyl nicotinate, ethyl nicotinate, hexyl nicotinate, benzyl nicotinate, tocopheryl nicotinate, capsicum annuum oleoresin, cinnamomum camphora bark oil, methyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

8. The topical composition of claim 7, wherein if a nicotinate is present in the composition, it is present in 0.05 - 0.1 wt% of the composition; if capsicum annuum oleoresin is present in the composition, it is present in 0.5-1 wt% of the composition; if cinnamomum camphora bark oil is present in the composition, it is present in 1 -10 wt% of the composition; and if methyl salicylate is present in the composition, it is present in 1 -10 wt% of the composition.

9. The use of a topical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for increasing the concentration of carnosine in the lower skin layers, preferably in the epidermis.

10. The use of a topical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for improving an athlete's performance.

1 1 . The use according to claim 10 wherein the athlete's performance is effort duration, speed and muscles recovery.

12. A carnosine-magnesium complex according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for use in increasing the athletic performance of a subject.

13. A method of producing the carnosine-magnesium complex of claim 1 , comprising the step of adding a stoichiometric amount of magnesium sulphate or magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate or magnesium lactate to a solution of carnosine.