Gum-Supported CO2 Suppositories for Constipation Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rectal suppositories for constipation treatment face challenges in releasing carbon dioxide effectively due to hygroscopic sugars in fruit juices, which cause premature effervescence, and interference from common supports used to solidify these juices, leading to reduced carbon dioxide release and evacuating power.
Innovation Solution
Combining acid plant juices or partially neutralized fruit juices with gums like Arabic, xanthan, or guar gum to create stable, low-humidity compositions that enhance carbon dioxide release kinetics, using a process involving spray drying or freeze-drying to prepare the mixtures for use in suppositories or ovules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fruit juices are used as source of organic acids in suppositories, then natural treatment concept is achieved, but sugars in fruit juices are hygroscopic and trigger premature effervescence reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic hygroscopic sugars from the fruit juice through lyophilization (freeze-drying), obtaining a dry powder that retains the organic acids and aromatic compounds without the water-attracting properties that cause premature effervescence
Solution Approach 2:
The fruit juice is pre-treated by lyophilization before being incorporated into the suppository matrix, which removes water and prevents premature activation of the effervescence reaction during storage and handling
2Shape
If common supports are used to solidify fruit juices in suppositories, then workable solid powder is obtained, but release of carbon dioxide is reduced and evacuating power is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses PEG 4000 as an intermediary carrier that does not interfere with the effervescence reaction. The PEG matrix dissolves in rectal fluids to release the organic acids and sodium bicarbonate, which then react to produce carbon dioxide without the interference that occurs with traditional supports like starch or talcum
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the fruit juice from liquid to dry powder through lyophilization, and uses this powder dispersed in PEG 4000 to maintain both solid form and efficient carbon dioxide release kinetics
3Reliability
If sugars are removed from fruit juice to prevent premature effervescence, then stability is improved, but amount of organic acid available for carbon dioxide production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lyophilization process selectively removes water and hygroscopic sugars while retaining the organic acids and aromatic compounds, concentrating the effervescent components without losing the acid content necessary for carbon dioxide production
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 gum-supported compositions achieve a faster and more effective release of carbon dioxide, maintaining stability and improving the evacuating power of suppositories, as demonstrated by a clinical trial where 16 out of 17 subjects evacuated correctly within 15 minutes.
Implementation Method 1
sugars contained in the plant juices and in particular in the fruit juices show problems during drying. Sugars, as they are strongly hygroscopic, keep a water portion
Implementation Method 2
an organic acid and an alkaline salt of carbonic acid are commonly used which are capable of producing, in the neutralization reaction, the carbonic acid which, instable in acid and neutral environment, decomposes by producing carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
H 2 CO 3 ----- H 2 0 + CO 2
Implementation Method 4
using a process involving spray drying or freeze-drying to prepare the mixtures for use in suppositories or ovules
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to compositions for the release of carbon dioxide following rectal administration comprising acid plant juices supported on gum and at least a salt of carbonic acid. Such compositions resulted to be particularly effective in stimulating evacuation, in particular showed an optimum kinetics of carbon dioxide release.