Method of causing the reduction of physiological and/or subjective ...

[54] METHOD OF CAUSING THE REDUCTION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND/OR SUBJECTIVE REACTIVITY TO STRESS IN HUMANS BEING SUBJECTED TO STRESS CONDITIONS

[75] Inventors: Craig B. Warren, Rumson, N.J.;

Marina A. Munteanu, New York,
N.Y.; Gary E. Schwartz, Guilford,
Conn.; Carlos Benaim, Hartsdale;
Henry G. Walter, Jr., Mill Neck,
both of N.Y.; Ronald S. Leight,
Aberdeen; Donald A. Withycombe,
Lincroft, both of N.J.; Braja D.
Mookherjee, Holmdel; Robert W.
Trenkle, Bricktown, both of N.J.

[73] Assignees: Yale University, New Haven, Conn.;

International Flavors & Fragrances
Inc., New York, N.Y.

[21] Appl. No.: 858,728

[22] Filed: May 2, 1986

Related U.S. Application Data

[60] Division of Ser. No. 800.428, Nov. 21, 1985, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 671,608, Nov. 14, 1984.

[51] Int. CI.4 A61K 35/78; A61K 7/26;

A61K 31/335

[52] U.S. CI 424/195.1; 252/522 R;

424/49; 424/58; 426/534; 426/536; 514/464; 514/810; 514/812; 514/901; 514/958 [58] Field of Search 424/195.1; 514/464

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

64,421 5/1867 Holtzermann 424/195.1

90,308 5/1869 Robinson 424/195.1

101,042 3/1870 Rinkle 424/195.1

111,821 2/1871 Danforth 424/58

115,547 5/1871 Walton 424/195.1

380,700 4/1888 Schwartz 424/58

1,943,467 2/1932 Bley 424/50

4,198,393 4/1980 Yoshida et al 424/49

4,404,184 9/1983 Pittet et al 424/49

4,420,472 12/1983 Boden et al 424/58

4,430,323 2/1984 Silver 424/52

4,454,111 6/1984 Boden et al 424/58

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

1098166 1/1961 Fed. Rep. of Germany 424/58

5738708 3/1982 Japan 424/58

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Pereira (1854) Elements of Materia Medica, pp. 411-416 (esp. 415) "Nutmegs".

Cotton (1963) Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartenders Guide "Eggnog" pp. 114—115e. Jacobs (1953) Am.Perf.Essential Oil Review 61:469-471-389-391-393 Flavoring Mouthwashes and Flavoring Toothpaste.

Arctander (1960) Perfume & Flavor Materials of Natural Orig. pp. 441-445 Nutmeg 391-392 Mace. Arctander (1969) Perfume & Flavor Chemicals 11:2291 Myristicin.

(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—Shep K. Rose

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Arthur L. Liberman

[57] ABSTRACT

Described is a method for reducing physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in humans being subjected to stress conditions. The method consists of administering to such humans an effective amount of a physiological and/or subjective stress reactivity-reducing substance selected from the group consisting of:

(i) Nutmeg Oil;

(ii) Mace Extract;

(iii) Neroli Oil;

(iv) Valerian Oil;

(v) Myristicin;

(vi) Isoelemicin; and

(vii) Elemicin.

Administration is through inhalation or transdermally using one or more of the above ingredients alone or in a suitable composition such as ethanol and/or a perfume composition, cologne or perfumed article (e.g., air freshener or deodorant stick). Also described is a method for detecting the reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Farnsworth Science 152:1086-1092, Dec. 6, 1968, Hallucinogenic Plants, esp. p. 1088 Nutmeg, Myristicin. Fras, New York State Journal of Medicine 69(3):463-465 (1969) Hallucinogenic Effects of Nutmeg in Adolescent.

Weil, Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 3 (2):72-80, Spring 1971 Nutmeg As a Psychoactive Drug, de Mello, Psychopharmacologia 31:349-363 (1973) Behavioral Observations on Compounds Found in Nutmeg.

Sherry, et al, Experimental 34(4):492-393 (1978) Enhancement of Ethanol-Induced Sleep By Whole Oil of Nutmeg.

Faguet, AM.J. Psychiatry 135(7):860-861, Jul. 1975 "Spice Cabinet" Intoxication.

Nitto Electric Industries, Co. (Sasali, et al), Japan Kokai Tokkyo Koho.59/55821 (copy of translation and actual Japanese Patent).

Nitto Electric Industries, Co. (Sawaguchi, et al), Japan Kokai Tokkyo Koho 59/55827 (copy of translation and actual copy of Japanese Patent).