NADH and NADPH therapeutic agents for nasal, sublingual, rectal and dermal administration

NADH and/or NADPH is applied topically to the skin. It was surprising and totally unexpected to discover that NADH and NADPH are absorbed by the skin and penetrate the cutis to be taken up by the skin cells, where they stimulate certain enzymes which are essential for the energy production of the cells. The enzymes stimulated are principally the mitochondrial enzymes. The NADH and/or NADPH can be incorporated into a skin compatible cream, lotion or cosmetic. Liposomes are ideal vesicles for carrying the NADH and/or NADPH into the skin. In other embodiments of the invention, NADH and/or NADPH is administered nasally (e.g., as a liquid spray or a powder spray through the nostrils), sublingually (e.g., in the form of uncoated tablets inserted underneath the tongue) and rectally (e.g., in the form of suppositories) for known therapeutic effects (e.g., the treatment of Parkinson's disease).