Chinese Herbal Extract for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a pressing need for an effective medication to treat coronavirus-related symptoms or diseases, particularly in addressing the binding of spike proteins to human cell receptors and the activity of the 3CLpro protease.
Innovation Solution
A Chinese herbal medicine extract is developed, containing a combination of agarwood, Chinese honeylocust fruit, Chinese honeylocust spine, cinnamon leaf, and camphor leaf, which is prepared through a process involving extraction, filtration, and dehydration. This extract is used to manufacture medications in forms such as mouthwash, oral/nasal inhaler, or oral capsule, targeting the intervention of spike protein binding and inhibition of 3CLpro protease activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used for preparing herbal medicine extract, then the extraction process is simple and quick, but the extraction efficiency and active ingredient yield are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing extraction temperature (90-110°C), extraction time (1.5-2.5 hours), and liquid-to-solid ratio (5:1 to 10:1) to maximize active ingredient yield. The dehydration temperature is controlled at 40-60°C to preserve thermosensitive compounds while removing water efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite herbal formulation combining five specific ingredients (agarwood, Chinese honeylocust fruit, Chinese honeylocust spine, cinnamon leaf, and camphor leaf) in defined weight ratios (1:1:1:1:1 or variations up to 5:5:5:5:5). This composite approach synergistically enhances antiviral activity against coronavirus while maintaining processability.
2Reliability
If high concentration of active ingredients is achieved through prolonged extraction, then the inhibitory effect against coronavirus is enhanced, but the extraction time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves optimal extraction in 1.5-2.5 hours by controlling temperature at 90-110°C, which is higher than conventional methods but optimized to prevent degradation while maximizing yield. This temperature-time optimization reduces extraction time compared to lower temperature methods while achieving superior antiviral activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous extraction followed by immediate filtration and dehydration in a streamlined process, preventing loss of active ingredients and maintaining high concentration throughout. The continuous flow from extraction to final product minimizes degradation time and maximizes active ingredient retention.
3Manufacturing precision
If freeze drying is used for dehydration, then the active ingredients are preserved without degradation, but the processing time and energy consumption increase compared to conventional drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs freeze-drying (lyophilization) which utilizes phase transition from frozen water directly to vapor sublimation at 40-60°C under vacuum. This preserves thermosensitive active ingredients by avoiding liquid water phase that could cause degradation, while the controlled temperature range optimizes energy efficiency compared to high-temperature drying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The freeze-drying process occurs under vacuum conditions creating an inert environment that prevents oxidation and degradation of active ingredients. This protective atmosphere preserves chemical integrity while the low temperature (40-60°C) reduces energy consumption compared to conventional high-temperature drying.
4Reliability
If multiple herbal ingredients are combined in specific ratios, then the antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is enhanced, but the formulation complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite herbal extract using five specific ingredients (agarwood, Chinese honeylocust fruit, Chinese honeylocust spine, cinnamon leaf, and camphor leaf) in defined weight ratios (1:1:1:1:1 or variations). This standardized composite formulation ensures consistent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 while simplifying manufacturing through fixed ratios rather than variable compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines five distinct herbal ingredients into a single integrated extract through simultaneous extraction processes. The extraction procedure treats the composite mixture uniformly, merging multiple ingredients into one synergistic formulation that enhances antiviral activity while simplifying manufacturing compared to preparing and combining multiple separate extracts.
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 Chinese herbal medicine extract effectively intervenes with the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins to hACE2 and inhibits the activity of the 3CLpro protease, demonstrating potential in treating coronavirus-related symptoms or diseases, with IC50 values indicating significant inhibitory concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
dehydration: freeze drying the liquid extract under a vacuum to obtain the Chinese herbal medicine extract
Implementation Method 2
freeze drying the liquid extract under a vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A Chinese herbal medicine extract, a method for preparing the same, and a use of the same are disclosed. The Chinese herbal medicine extract includes an active ingredient, which contains any one of or any combination of agarwood, Chinese honeylocust fruit, Chinese honeylocust spine, cinnamon leaf, and camphor leaf. Medication based on the Chinese herbal medicine extract is useful in treating coronavirus-related symptoms or diseases.