Asarum Polysaccharide Extract Antitussive Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antitussive medicines often have significant side effects and are ineffective for chronic cough and airway inflammation, with a lack of effective treatments for unexplained chronic cough and airway inflammation, and existing methods for extracting Asarum polysaccharides are not suitable for industrial mass production due to low yield and longer extraction cycles.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing an Asarum total polysaccharide extract with a polysaccharide content of 60 wt% to 80 wt% using heat reflux extraction, concentration, and precipitation with ethanol, which is then filtered and dried to produce a pharmaceutical composition for treating cough, particularly chronic cough, with improved antitussive activity and reduced side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antitussive medicines are used, then cough relief is achieved, but significant side effects occur including addiction and respiratory depression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantitussive effectVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using polysaccharide extract from Asarum heterotropoides instead of conventional alkaloid-based antitussive medicines. This parameter change maintains antitussive effectiveness while eliminating harmful side effects such as addiction and respiratory depression associated with morphine and codeine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a natural polysaccharide extract that can be produced through sustainable extraction from Asarum heterotropoides roots and rhizomes. This replaces expensive and harmful conventional medicines with a safer, naturally-derived alternative that has no addiction potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Quantity of substance

If existing Asarum polysaccharide extraction methods are used, then polysaccharide extract is obtained, but extraction cycle is long and yield is low making it unsuitable for industrial mass production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolysaccharide yieldVSAvoidextraction cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes extraction parameters including using 5-20 times the weight of Asarum material in water, heating to 60-100°C, and maintaining extraction for 1-6 hours. These parameter changes significantly improve polysaccharide yield (60-80% content) while reducing extraction time compared to conventional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs continuous extraction processes where the extract is concentrated and precipitated in sequence without interrupting the useful action. The extraction broth is continuously processed through concentration, precipitation with ethanol, and filtration to obtain the final polysaccharide product, maximizing efficiency for industrial production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional extraction methods are used, then Asarum extract is obtained, but polysaccharide content is low and purification is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolysaccharide purityVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selectively extracts polysaccharides from Asarum heterotropoides by precipitating them from the extraction broth using ethanol. This taking out process separates polysaccharides from other components, achieving 60-80% polysaccharide content in the final extract while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing conditions to different stages: initial extraction uses water at 60-100°C, precipitation uses 90-99% ethanol at 4°C refrigeration, and filtration removes impurities. These localized quality adjustments at each stage ensure high polysaccharide purity while keeping the overall process manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Asarum total polysaccharide extract demonstrates significant antitussive activity, reduces cough sensitivity, and inhibits airway inflammation without addiction, with low toxicity and high medication safety, offering a new option for treating acute and chronic coughs and improving airway inflammation.

Implementation Method 1

The Asarum total polysaccharide extract demonstrates significant antitussive activity, reduces cough sensitivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPharmacological action:

Implementation Method 2

inhibits airway inflammation without addiction, with low toxicity and high medication safety

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnti-inflammatory action:

Data Source

PatentEP3124032B1Asarum total polysaccharides extract having antitussive activity and extraction method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 GUANGZHOU INSTITUTE OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH (GUANGZHOU INSTITUTE OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES)
  • EP3124032B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3124032B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4I

AI summary

The present Invention discloses an Asarum total polysaccharide extract with antitussive activity, an extraction method thereon and an application in the preparation of a medicine for preventing and treating coughs. The present invention proves that the Asarum total polysaccharide extract has a significant effect of suppressing cough for the first time through a large number of pharmacodynamic tests, has the therapeutic effect approximate to codeine, has the effect of prolonging the cough latent period better than codeine, and also finds that the total Asarum polysaccharide extract has the effects of reducing the cough sensitivity and suppressing the airway inflammation for the first time, has excellent preventive and therapeutic effects on various types of coughs, and can be used for preparing the medicines for preventing and treating cough-related diseases.