Aqueous Astragalus Extract Standardization for Immune Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herbal preparations for immune regulation face challenges in standardizing formulations due to variability in phytochemical profiles and incomplete understanding of their mechanisms of action, leading to inconsistent effectiveness and potential side effects, particularly in older adults with age-related immune dysfunction.

Innovation Solution

Aqueous preparations derived from the genus Astragalus plants, specifically Astragalus alopecuroides L. and others, are processed through grinding, extraction, filtration, and drying to create an immunoregulatory and immunomodulatory agent, enhancing immune response and antioxidant capacities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If herbal preparations are used for immune regulation, then immune function is improved, but variability in phytochemical profiles leads to inconsistent effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness consistencyVSAvoidphytochemical profile variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by standardizing the extraction parameters (aqueous extraction at controlled temperature and time) and defining specific phytochemical markers (polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids) to ensure consistent composition across different batches of Astragalus preparations, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining natural variability and ensuring effectiveness consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synthetic immunomodulators are used, then immune response is enhanced, but undesirable side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune regulation effectivenessVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the beneficial immunomodulatory components (polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids) from the Astragalus plant through aqueous extraction, separating these active constituents from potential harmful substances. This selective extraction approach maintains immune regulation effectiveness while eliminating or reducing side effects associated with whole plant or synthetic preparations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If mechanisms of action are not fully understood, then formulation development is limited, but research time and resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation standardizationVSAvoidresearch time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and characterization of key phytochemical markers (polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids) and their immunomodulatory mechanisms before full-scale formulation development. This preliminary action establishes a foundation for standardized formulations, reducing subsequent research time and resources needed for development and scaling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 Astragalus preparations effectively modulate immune responses, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, improving immune function, and enhancing vaccine efficacy in older adults by acting as immunoregulators and immunomodulators, thereby improving quality of life and reducing chronic disease risk.

Implementation Method 1

at least one extraction step in an aqueous medium, for at least 1 hour, for example ranging from 1 hour to 10 hours, at a temperature ranging from 50 to 90°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExtraction:

Implementation Method 2

at least one extraction step in an aqueous medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a filtration step to recover an intermediate aqueous preparation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

a concentration step (for example rotary evaporator)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

a drying step (for example freeze-drying or spray drying)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreeze-drying: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 6

a drying step (for example freeze-drying or spray drying)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray drying:

Data Source

PatentEP4684793A1Preparation of astragalus plant

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LARENA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a preparation of a plant of the genus Astragalus, for its use as an immunoregulator and/or immunomodulator in human or animal subjects.