Fermented Withania Somnifera Extract Detoxification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current molecules inhibiting neovascularization, such as protamine and derivatives of ascorbic acid, face efficacy issues, toxicity, and administration difficulties, while plant extracts like Withania Somnifera are toxic and not used effectively due to extraction challenges.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the extraction of Withania Somnifera followed by fermentation with a filamentous fungus from the Cordycipitaceae family, specifically Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 7159, to detoxify the extract and reduce toxicity, creating a non-toxic composition with anti-angiogenic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extracts of Withania Somnifera, Emblica Officinalis and Bacopa Monnieri are used to obtain anti-angiogenic activity, then the anti-angiogenic effect is improved, but the toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-angiogenic effectVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filamentous fungus of the Cordycipitaceae family is used as an intermediary organism to ferment the plant extracts. The fungus transforms the toxic compounds in the extracts into less toxic or non-toxic metabolites while preserving or enhancing the anti-angiogenic activity. This biological mediation resolves the contradiction between efficacy and toxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition and toxicity parameters of the plant extracts are changed through fermentation by the filamentous fungus. The fungal metabolism transforms the chemical structure of toxic compounds, altering their biological activity and reducing toxicity while maintaining or improving therapeutic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If known molecules such as protamine, tetrahydrocortisol, fumagellin, derivatives of ascorbic acid, animal glycoproteins and cellular factors such as interferon are used to inhibit neo-angiogenesis, then the anti-angiogenic activity is achieved, but the toxicity or administration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-angiogenic activityVSAvoidadministration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses naturally occurring plant extracts that are fermented by readily available filamentous fungi, replacing expensive and complex animal-derived or synthetic molecules. The fermented plant-based composition provides a cost-effective, easily administrable alternative with comparable or superior anti-angiogenic activity.

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

3Reliability

If extracts of Withania Somnifera are used directly, then the anti-angiogenic activity is obtained, but the high toxicity prevents their use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-angiogenic activityVSAvoidhigh toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The toxic properties of the Withania Somnifera extract are converted into beneficial effects through fermentation. The filamentous fungus metabolizes the toxic compounds, transforming them into safe, therapeutic agents that retain anti-angiogenic activity while eliminating harmful effects.

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

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 process produces a non-toxic composition that effectively inhibits neovascularization, as demonstrated by chromatographic fingerprint analysis and in ovo biological tests, showing reduced vascularization and toxicity, making it suitable for treating disorders related to pathological angiogenesis.

Implementation Method 1

Fermentation of said extract by incubating this extract with a filamentous fungus of the Cordycipitaceae family in a suitable medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3054964B1Method for producing a plant extract and associated compositions
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 ETHNODYNE
  • EP3054964B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3054964B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3054964B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing, from a plant extract, a composition for assisting the treatment or the prevention of disorders or pathologies relating to neovascularisation.