I have discovered that trace metals such as
copper,
zinc, iron, and
manganese that are necessary for the proper functioning of
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other deactivators of active-
oxygen molecules (which cause aging of
skin and other
skin disorders), can be delivered from the topical compositions. This is achieved by the preparation of
copper and other
trace metal complexes with phosphorylated nucleosides, such as nucleotides, and phosphorylated monosaccharides, such as phosphorylated glycosides which act as small molecular weight (SMW)
transporter molecules. These
trace metal complexes of nucleotides and glycosides can be prepared by an in-situ method in water, water-miscible
organic solvent, or a mixture of water and water-miscible
organic solvent from commonly available ingredients in concentrations that are desirable and can be accurately controlled. I have additionally discovered compositions to achieve the transport of
copper from the surface
layers of
skin into the deeper
layers of skin utilizing SMW
transporter molecules; and the intra-cellular storage of copper ions in the
cell, for example in a bound form with
glutathione; and the intra-cellular transport of copper from
glutathione to SOD apoprotein by metallochaperones; and the supply of energetic molecules, such as ATP, ADP, or phosphorylated saccharides for SOD metallochaperones to perform their intra-cellular
metal transfer function. These cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions are useful for antiaging and antiviral benefits.