Dihydro-lipoic Acid for Ulcerative Colitis Redox Homeostasis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for ulcerative colitis, including enema compositions and immunosuppressive agents, often cause side effects and poor patient compliance, and fail to achieve long-lasting histologic remission, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic approaches that minimize side effects and improve compliance while effectively managing the disease.

Innovation Solution

Administering a therapeutically effective amount of dihydro-lipoic acid, including its derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, metabolites, solvates, prodrugs, enantiomers, or polymorphs, either alone or in combination with sodium butyrate, to reduce colonic hydrogen peroxide levels and restore redox homeostasis, thereby addressing the underlying causes of ulcerative colitis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If enema compositions are used to treat ulcerative colitis, then local delivery of medication is achieved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to inconvenience and undesired side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dihydro-lipoic acid as an intermediary substance that addresses the root cause of ulcerative colitis (hydrogen peroxide accumulation) rather than merely treating symptoms. This mediator approach provides systemic treatment without the local application inconveniences of enemas, thereby improving compliance while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the treatment parameter from local topical application (enema) to systemic oral administration. This parameter change in delivery route eliminates the inconvenience and side effects associated with rectal administration while achieving therapeutic goals through systemic distribution of dihydro-lipoic acid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If immunosuppressive agents are administered to treat ulcerative colitis, then inflammation is suppressed, but long-lasting histologic remission is not achieved and undesired side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflammation suppressionVSAvoidhistologic remission durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of hydrogen peroxide accumulation into a treatable target. By administering dihydro-lipoic acid which specifically neutralizes hydrogen peroxide, the treatment addresses the root cause rather than merely suppressing inflammation symptoms, leading to durable histologic remission without immunosuppression-related side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the body's own cells to restore normal function by providing dihydro-lipoic acid, which allows mitochondria to properly manage reactive oxygen species and restore redox balance. This self-service approach repairs the underlying cellular dysfunction rather than relying on external immunosuppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional treatments are used for ulcerative colitis, then symptom management is achieved, but the underlying oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom managementVSAvoiddisease mechanism correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent takes preliminary action by addressing the root cause (hydrogen peroxide accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction) before irreversible damage occurs. By restoring redox homeostasis and mitochondrial function early in the disease process, the treatment prevents progression to severe disease states and achieves lasting remission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional treatment approach by not suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation, but rather by eliminating the oxidative stress that triggers immune activation. This inversion treats the cause (oxidative damage) rather than the effect (inflammation), leading to more durable remission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach reduces the risk of colectomy, achieves long-term histologic remission, and reverses mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage, providing a more effective and tolerable treatment option for ulcerative colitis without the need for enema compositions or immunosuppressive agents.

Implementation Method 1

restoring redox homeostasis by reducing colonic epithelial hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS20240009164A1Methods and compounds for treating ulcerative colitis

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 REDOX BIOSCIENCE LLC

AI summary

The present inventive concept provides methods for treating or preventing ulcerative colitis including administering a therapeutically effective amount of dihydro-lipoic acid, or a derivative, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, metabolite, solvate, prodrug, enantiomer, or polymorph of the dihydro-lipoic acid. The inventive concept further provides compositions and formulations for use in the methods described herein.