Low Molecular-Weight TRPM8 Modulators to Reduce Irritation and Odor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modulators of the TRPM8 receptor face issues with potency, duration of action, skin/mucosal irritation, odor, taste, solubility, and volatility, limiting their effectiveness in various applications such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and insect repellents.

Innovation Solution

Development of new compounds that modulate the TRPM8 receptor, including agonists and antagonists, which can be used to induce a feeling of cold or counteract it, with specific structures and formulations suitable for different applications, such as topical use, pharmaceuticals, and insect repellents, and their incorporation into products like mouthwash, textiles, and packaging materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional modulators like menthol are used to activate TRPM8, then the cold sensation is induced, but skin/mucosal irritation and adverse effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin/mucosal irritationVSAvoideffectiveness in inducing cold sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of known TRPM8 modulators by changing molecular parameters such as adding fluorine atoms, altering carbon chain lengths, and modifying functional groups. This structural parameter changes allow the compounds to maintain TRPM8 activation capability while reducing irritant properties, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention develops hybrid compounds that combine beneficial structural features from different known modulators while eliminating detrimental aspects. By creating composite molecular structures with specific combinations of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, the compounds achieve both high potency and reduced irritation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high concentrations of modulators are used to enhance potency, then the cold sensation effect is improved, but odor and taste become more pronounced and undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepotencyVSAvoidodor and taste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs systematic parameter changes in molecular structure, particularly modifying the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance and adding polar groups like fluorine atoms. These changes increase water solubility and reduce volatility, allowing effective concentrations to be achieved without excessive odor or taste, thus resolving the contradiction between potency and sensory acceptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If lipophilic modulators are used to enhance membrane permeability and potency, then the cold sensation effect is improved, but solubility in aqueous environments decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepotencyVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention systematically modifies molecular parameters by introducing polar functional groups, increasing hydrogen bonding capacity, and adjusting the ratio of hydrophobic to hydrophilic regions. These parameter changes optimize the balance between membrane permeability (for potency) and aqueous solubility, resolving the contradiction between these two essential properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

These new compounds provide improved potency, reduced irritation, and enhanced effectiveness in inducing a cold sensation or repellent effects, expanding the range of applications beyond traditional menthol-based solutions while minimizing adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

forms pores in the cell membrane (respectively 4 units assemble into a tetramer), which selectively allow Ca2+

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon channel permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The compound menthol has been shown to act as a natural modulator of the receptor TRPM8. By applying menthol, TRPM8 is activated, causing an influx of Ca2+

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReceptor binding: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2349239B1Detection and use of low molecular-weight modulators of the cold-menthol receptor trpm8
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 BASF SE
  • EP2349239B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2349239B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2349239B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to novel modulators of the cold-menthol receptor TRPM8, to a method for modulating the TRPM8 receptor using said modulators; to the use of the modulators for induction of cold sensation; and to the objects and means produced using said modulators.