Lanostane Derivatives for Cancer Cachexia Muscle Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for cachexia, particularly in cancer patients, are ineffective in preventing or reversing muscle wasting and weight loss, often resulting in temporary weight gain without muscle mass increase and are associated with adverse side effects.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition containing a lanostane compound derived from Poria extract, which is administered orally and formulated with nutrients like glucose, amino acids, and vitamins to treat cachexia and anorexia, using a process involving extraction and purification methods such as silica gel column chromatography.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If hormonal appetite enhancer (such as megestrol, medroxyprogesterone acetate) is used to treat cachexia, then body weight increases temporarily, but muscle mass does not increase and adverse side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody weightVSAvoidadverse side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter from synthetic hormonal compounds to natural lanostane derivatives, fundamentally altering the substance class and its interaction with the body's metabolic system, thereby achieving weight maintenance without the adverse effects associated with hormonal agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs natural compounds with shorter half-lives and more favorable pharmacokinetic profiles compared to long-acting hormonal agents, allowing for more controlled and less persistent physiological effects that avoid accumulation of harmful side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Weight of moving object

If hormonal appetite enhancer is used to treat cachexia, then body weight increases, but there is no increase of body muscle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody weightVSAvoidmuscle mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts from hormonal mechanisms that primarily affect adipose tissue to lanostane derivatives that influence protein synthesis and muscle metabolism, fundamentally changing the physiological pathway to achieve both weight and muscle preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The lanostane derivatives act as intermediary substances that modulate multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously, including protein synthesis, fat metabolism, and energy expenditure, thereby achieving coordinated effects on both muscle mass and body weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If food amount is increased to treat cachexia, then nutrient intake improves, but weight loss continues to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient intakeVSAvoidbody weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism through lanostane derivatives that regulate metabolic rate and protein catabolism, creating a balance where increased nutrient intake is effectively utilized to prevent weight loss rather than being wasted through increased catabolic activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 composition effectively stabilizes body weight and improves nutritional status in cancer patients by enhancing appetite and muscle maintenance, reducing side effects and improving overall health and survival prognosis.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing appetite and muscle maintenance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAppetite enhancement:

Implementation Method 2

increase of body muscle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtein synthesis promotion:

Implementation Method 3

Poria extract and lanostanes purified therefrom show an inhibition effect on immunity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmune inhibition:

Implementation Method 4

Poria extract and lanostanes purified therefrom have an effect on human intestines and enhance the uptake of nutrients: absorption of glucose, amino acids, and vitamins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNutrient uptake enhancement:

Data Source

PatentEP2246047B1Use of lanostane derivatives in treating cachexia

Publication Date: 2015.08.05 SINPHAR TIAN LI PHARMA

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AI summary

A pharmaceutical composition for treating cachexia, and in particular for treating cancer cachexia. The composition contains a lanostane compound as a potent component. A suitable source of the lanostane compound is a Poria extract from metabolite, sclerotium, or fermentation product of Poria cocos (Schw) Wolf. The Poria extract contains 1-60% of the lanostane compounds by weight of the extract, and is devoid of secolanostane.