Composition for neutralizing house dust mite feces

Abstract

Methods for neutralizing dust mite feces are disclosed. In one embodiment, a botanical extract having a BAPNA-Trypsin Inhibition (IC50×10−3 (%, v / v or w / v) of from about 0.01 to about 500 and a sufficient solubility in water is introduced into water to form an aqueous botanical extract solution. The aqueous botanical extract solution is atomized into an area being treated such that the botanical extract contacts and neutralizes the dust mite feces located in the area. Particularly preferred botanical extracts for use in the botanical extract aqueous solutions of the present invention include Green Tea Extra and Grape Seed Extract.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This divisional patent application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 299,868 filed on Nov. 19, 2002, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method of neutralizing allergens produced by house dust mites. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and composition for neutralizing house dust mite feces allergens by atomizing an aqueous solution comprising a botanical extract having protease inhibitory activity such that the atomized botanical extract contacts the house dust mite feces and renders it substantially non-allergenic. [0003] It has been known for many years that common house dust is an important cause of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in allergic individuals. Common house dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) are prevalent in house dust. Dust mites are not insects, but are eight-l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The present invention relates to neutralizing allergenic dust mite feces by contacting the dust mite feces with botanical extracts having protease inhibitory activity to reduce the allergenicity of the dust mite feces. Substantially water soluble botanical extracts, such as Green Tea Extra or Grape Seed Extract, for example, are introduced into water to form an aqueous botanical extract solution. The botanical extract, which may be in powder form or in aqueous form, used to form the aqueous botanical extract solution has a BAPNA-Trypsin inhibition (IC50×10−3 (%, v / v or w / v)) of from about 0.01 to about 500, and preferably has a solubility in water of at least about 0.5% by weight if the botanical extract is a solid or at least about 10% by weight if the botanical extract is a liquid. Because the botanical extracts suitable for use in the present invention have a high solubility in water, they are easily and conveniently aerosolized such that large areas can easily be treated. In one embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous botanical extract solution is introduced into an atomizer such that the aqueous botanical extract solution can be atomized into a room and easily contact numerous areas where dust mites are known to be present including, for example, bed linens, pillows, and carpets. In a preferred embodiment, the median drop size of the atomized aqueous botanical extract solution is less than 1000 micrometers to ensure sufficient contact with the dust mite feces.

Problems solved by technology

House dust mites are co-inhabitants of almost every house and, because of their size and translucent body structure, cannot be seen with the naked eye.

This can only be accomplished if the surrounding humidity is sufficiently high.

Enzymes with serine protease and / or cysteine protease activities from house dust mite feces have been shown to damage the airway epithelium.

Rao et al. disclose that a bi-weekly spray of 200 microliters / 100 milligrams of culture is required for eight weeks to completely eliminate the house dust mites, and discloses that re-establishment of house dust mites after treatment with acaricides is a common problem due to the existence of nymph and eggs.

Rao et al., however, fail to disclose any compositions or methods for neutralizing the feces allergen of dust mites, and simply disclose a very narrow composition for killing house dust mites, which does not necessarily neutralize the feces.

Similar to Rao, Miller sets forth a method for killing house dust mites, but does not disclose methods or compositions for neutralizing house dust mite feces.

Additionally, the compositions set forth by Miller are oils which can be messy to work with, can stain certain fabrics, and can be very difficult to effectively vaporize.

As with Miller discussed above, tea tree and other oils which are not water soluble can be difficult to work with and difficult to effectively vaporize.