Lactobacillus Strain Inhibits Vaginal Pathogens via Hydrogen Peroxide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for vaginitis often lead to recurrence and side effects due to antibiotic resistance, and there is a need for effective inhibition of pathogenic vaginal microorganisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Sneathia spp. strains, which are associated with human papillomavirus infection and preterm birth.

Innovation Solution

A novel Lactobacillus sp. strain, isolated from healthy women, exhibiting inhibitory activity against pathogenic vaginal microorganisms, including Candida spp., Gardnerella spp., and Sneathia spp., is used in pharmaceutical compositions, health functional foods, and cleansing products to prevent and treat vaginitis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antibiotic treatment is used for vaginitis, then pathogenic microorganisms are eliminated, but recurrence rate increases and Lactobacillus abundance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidvaginal microflora balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies probiotic Lactobacillus strains that produce hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid to convert the harmful effect of pathogen elimination into a beneficial restoration of vaginal microflora balance. These probiotics actively inhibit pathogens while simultaneously rebuilding the protective microbial community, transforming the harmful side effect of antibiotic treatment into a therapeutic benefit.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces probiotic Lactobacillus strains as intermediary organisms that mediate between the need to eliminate pathogens and the need to maintain microflora balance. These probiotics serve as a bridge by producing antimicrobial substances against pathogens while also serving as beneficial colonizers that restore ecological balance in the vaginal environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If antibiotic treatment is used to eliminate pathogens, then infection is resolved, but antibiotic resistant strains are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection resolutionVSAvoidantibiotic resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful mechanism of antibiotic resistance into a beneficial natural antimicrobial defense system. By utilizing probiotics that produce hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid, the treatment achieves pathogen elimination through natural biological mechanisms rather than antibiotics, thereby preventing the selection and development of antibiotic-resistant strains while maintaining effective infection control.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If Lactobacillus strains are used to maintain vaginal acidity and inhibit pathogens, then vaginal health is maintained, but specific pathogenic strains like Sneathia spp. require targeted inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaginal health maintenanceVSAvoidpathogen coverage spectrum

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs probiotic Lactobacillus strains with multi-functional capabilities that simultaneously maintain vaginal acidity through lactic acid production, produce hydrogen peroxide for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and specifically inhibit Sneathia spp. and other pathogens. This universal approach allows a single probiotic intervention to address multiple functions and target multiple pathogenic threats.

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 Lactobacillus sp. strain effectively inhibits the growth of pathogenic vaginal microorganisms, reducing recurrence rates and improving vaginal health by maintaining a balanced microflora, and can be administered orally or topically in various formulations.

Implementation Method 1

it is known to inhibit various pathogens causing female diseases including vaginitis by performing functions, such as maintaining vaginal acidity, producing hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen peroxide production: Hydrogen Peroxide

Implementation Method 2

maintaining vaginal acidity, producing hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid production: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS12070477B2<i>Lactobacillus </i>sp. strain having ability to inhibit growth of vaginal pathogenic microorganisms

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 KO BIOLABS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel Lactobacillus sp. isolation strain having an activity to inhibit the growth of vaginitis pathogens, and a pharmaceutical composition, a health functional food, and a cleansing product, comprising the strain as an active ingredient. Therefore, the present invention exhibits an effect of inhibiting the growth of Sneathia spp. pathogens associated with the infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the incidence of bacterial vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginalis as a vaginitis pathogen, and Candida albicans as a causative yeast of Candidal vaginitis, and an effect of recovering and maintaining the vaginal microflora, and thus can be used for the prevention and treatment of female vaginitis.