H-Type Ulvan Anti-Aging Agent for Mitochondria Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-aging treatments, such as the combination of ulvan and hyaluronic acid, lack clarity on their effectiveness in improving skin fitness and retarding general senescence, and there is a need for an anti-aging agent with proven mitochondria-activating and collagen-biosynthesis-enhancing actions.

Innovation Solution

Development of an anti-aging agent comprising H-type ulvan or alkali metal ion salts of ulvan, with specific protonation levels of carboxy and sulfate groups, which activate mitochondria, enhance collagen biosynthesis, and exhibit antioxidant actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ulvan is combined with hyaluronic acid to treat skin aging, then fibroblast cell growth is accelerated, but it is unclear whether this improves skin fitness or retards general senescence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefibroblast cell growthVSAvoideffectiveness in improving skin fitness and retarding senescence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of ulvan by controlling the protonation state of carboxy and sulfate groups, creating H-type ulvan with specific protonation levels (15-30 mol%). This parameter change transforms the compound's biological activity, enabling it to directly activate mitochondria and enhance collagen biosynthesis, thereby reliably improving skin fitness and retarding senescence beyond just accelerating fibroblast growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates the specific active component (H-type ulvan with controlled protonation) from the complex mixture of algal polysaccharides. By separating and purifying this specific form of ulvan with defined chemical properties, the invention identifies the precise active agent responsible for anti-aging effects, distinguishing it from other ulvan forms that may not have the same biological activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional anti-aging agents are used, then some aging signs may be addressed, but they lack proven mitochondria-activating and collagen-biosynthesis-enhancing actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproven anti-aging actionsVSAvoidcomplexity of anti-aging mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

H-type ulvan exhibits multiple biological activities simultaneously: it activates mitochondria, enhances collagen biosynthesis, and displays antioxidant effects. This multi-functionality consolidates several anti-aging mechanisms into a single compound, providing reliable anti-aging actions without requiring complex combinations of multiple agents with different mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 anti-aging agent effectively reduces aging markers, accelerates collagen production, activates mitochondria, and enhances antioxidant enzyme expression, demonstrating significant anti-aging effects.

Implementation Method 1

the specific derivatives of natural ulvan has significantly excellent anti-aging actions... having a mitochondria activating action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMitochondria activation:

Implementation Method 2

having a collagen biosynthesis enhancing action... enhancing collagen biosynthesis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollagen biosynthesis enhancement:

Implementation Method 3

having an antioxidant action... demonstrating significant anti-aging effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidant action: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4609868A1Anti-aging agent
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOCHI UNIVERSITY
  • EP4609868A1 patent drawingFigure 1(1)~1(5)
  • EP4609868A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4609868A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The objective of the present invention is to provide an anti-aging agent having excellent actions such as a mitochondria activating action. The anti-aging agent according to the present invention is characterized in comprising H-type ulvan or an alkali metal ion salt of ulvan as an active ingredient.