ALA-Based Hangover Agent for Individual Metabolic Variability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hangover prophylactic and therapeutic agents are ineffective in completely preventing or treating hangover symptoms, which are caused by individual differences in alcohol metabolism and vary in severity and type, making a universal solution challenging.

Innovation Solution

A hangover prophylactic and therapeutic agent comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its derivatives, which can be administered before, during, or after alcohol consumption, potentially mitigating or eliminating hangover symptoms with minimal side effects, and may include metals like iron and zinc for enhanced efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hangover prophylactic agents (tolfenamic acid, dry yeast, prickly pear, turmeric) are used, then some prophylactic effect may be achieved, but the effect is insufficient and does not gain popularity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprophylactic effectVSAvoidindividual differences in hangover severity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using ALA and its derivatives (compounds with specific R1 and R2 groups) instead of conventional natural ingredients. This chemical parameter change provides a more reliable and consistent prophylactic effect that addresses individual differences in hangover severity, as evidenced by the structured chemical formulas and specific compound variations presented in the patent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material principles by combining ALA core structure with various substituent groups (R1 and R2 representing different chemical groups). This creates a series of composite compounds with optimized properties for hangover prevention, allowing for tailored effectiveness across different individuals while maintaining a unified therapeutic approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ALA-based agent is administered, then hangover symptoms are effectively prevented and treated, but the mechanism is not yet fully elucidated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprophylactic and therapeutic effectVSAvoidmechanism elucidation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service principles by allowing ALA to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a heme precursor (its natural biological role) and as a hangover prophylactic/therapeutic agent. This dual functionality enables the substance to work through its inherent biological mechanisms without requiring external activation or complex delivery systems, achieving reliable effects despite the mechanism not being fully elucidated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If metals like iron and zinc are included in the agent, then efficacy is enhanced, but the formulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficacyVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple therapeutic components into a single formulation: ALA (or its derivatives) combined with metals such as iron and zinc. This combination approach enhances the overall efficacy for hangover prevention and treatment by leveraging the synergistic effects of these components, while the patent maintains a unified formulation structure that manages the complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10022345B2Agent for preventing and/or treating veisalgia
Publication Date: 2018.07.17 SBI PHARMA CO LTD

AI summary

The object of the present invention is to provide a hangover prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent. The present invention provides a hangover prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent comprising ALAs.