Cough Composition Using Plant Polysaccharides and Tannins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cough treatments, such as mucolytics, expectorants, and sedatives, are limited by their specificity and side effects, and are not suitable for pediatric use, as they either target moist or dry coughs and have irrational mechanisms of action, leading to inadequate treatment options for coughs in children.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising polysaccharide fractions of plantain, polysaccharide fractions of marshmallow, polyphenolic fractions of agrimony comprising tannins, and honey, which provides a synergistic mechanical and anti-oxidizing effect, forming a protective mucoadhesive layer that mitigates inflammation and reduces mucus viscosity, thereby addressing cough symptoms without nullifying the physiological role of mucus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional anticough drugs (mucolytics, expectorants, sedatives) are used, then cough symptoms are suppressed, but side effects and contraindications occur that limit their use especially in pediatric patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety for pediatric useVSAvoidside effects and contraindications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional pharmaceutical drugs with a natural composition based on plant extracts (plantain, marshmallow, agrimony) and food substances (honey, brown sugar). This natural composition acts as a temporary, non-toxic alternative that can be safely used in pediatric patients without the serious side effects and contraindications of conventional anticough medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a natural composition as an intermediary substance between the patient and the cough condition. This composition, comprising plant polysaccharides, polyphenols, tannins, honey, and brown sugar, mediates the treatment by providing mechanical-physical effects and mucoadhesive protection without the harmful chemical mechanisms of conventional drugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mucolytics are used to increase mucus fluidity, then moist cough is treated, but they are ineffective for dry cough and contraindicated under age 2

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to different cough typesVSAvoidsafety for pediatric use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal composition that can treat both dry and moist coughs, as well as coughs in pediatric patients of all ages. The multi-functional composition provides mechanical-physical effects, mucoadhesive protection, and anti-oxidizing activity through its combination of plant extracts and natural substances, making it adaptable to different cough types and safe for all pediatric patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If sedatives are used to inhibit the cough centre, then dry cough is suppressed, but the physiological role of cough is hindered and they are contraindicated under age 2

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecough suppression efficacyVSAvoidhindering physiological action

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical-pharmacological mechanism of sedatives with a mechanical-physical system. The composition acts through mechanical effects on the mucous membrane and mucus, providing protection and hydration without chemically inhibiting the cough center, thus preserving the physiological role of cough while still providing relief

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 composition effectively reduces cough symptoms by forming a protective barrier against external irritants, hydrating mucus to make it more fluid and easily removable, while providing anti-oxidizing properties comparable to vitamin C, ensuring stability and safety for pediatric use.

Implementation Method 1

having, jointly with a mucoadhesive effect of mucosal protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

by hydration thereof due to water-attracting hydrophilic substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 3

thanks to the intervention of anti-oxidizing substances, mitigates the noxious effect of the free radicals produced by infections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-oxidizing: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11154564B2Composition for cough

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 ABOCA S P A SOC AGRI

AI summary

The present invention relates to a new composition for use in the treatment of cough comprising one or more polysaccharide fractions of plantain, one or more polysaccharide fractions of marshmallow, honey, brown sugar, one or more polyphenolic fractions of agrimony comprising tannins.