Metal-Ascorbic Acid Crystals for Selective Cancer Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments using heavy metal complexes, such as cis-platinum, are toxic to both cancerous and normal cells, leading to undesirable side effects.
Innovation Solution
Synthesis of metal-ascorbic acid crystals, specifically using copper, gold, or silver, through sonicating a solution of ascorbic acid and a solvent in the dark, adding a metal salt, heating the reaction mixture, and facilitating solvent extraction to create crystals that can target and treat tumors selectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy metal complexes (e.g., cis-platinum) are used for chemotherapy, then cancer cells are targeted and treated, but normal cells are also affected causing toxic side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating metal-ascorbic acid crystals with specific local properties that enable selective accumulation in cancerous tissues through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, while maintaining low toxicity to normal cells. The crystals are designed to have specific size, shape, and surface characteristics that facilitate targeted delivery to tumor sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical parameters of the metal complexes - specifically using metal-ascorbic acid crystals with controlled particle size (50-200 nm), specific crystal structure, and controlled release kinetics. These parameter modifications enable selective accumulation in cancer cells while reducing systemic toxicity.
2Productivity
If conventional chemotherapy drugs are administered, then cancer treatment is achieved, but undesirable side effects occur due to lack of selectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as an intermediary molecule that binds to metal ions (copper, gold, or silver) to form metal-ascorbic acid crystals. This intermediary compound serves as a carrier that enhances selective delivery to cancer cells through active transport mechanisms while reducing direct toxicity of the metal ions to normal cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite material structures by combining metal ions with ascorbic acid molecules to form metal-ascorbic acid crystals. This composite structure integrates the anti-cancer properties of metal complexes with the biocompatibility and selective targeting capabilities of ascorbic acid, achieving both efficacy and reduced side effects.
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 metal-ascorbic acid crystals demonstrate high efficacy in eradicating cancer cells while being non-toxic to normal cells, as shown by their activity against human liver and prostate cancer cell lines, with potential for targeted tumor treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The ascorbic acid solution undergoes oxidation when exposed to light, forming dehydroascorbic acid
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic waves are applied to the reaction mixture to enhance mixing and promote crystal formation through cavitation effects
Implementation Method 3
The reaction mixture is heated to accelerate the chemical reaction between metal salts and ascorbic acid, facilitating crystal synthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides metal-ascorbic acid crystals and a method for synthesizing the metal-ascorbic acid crystals. The metal in the metal-ascorbic acid crystals is one of copper (Cu), gold (Au) and silver (Ag). The method for synthesizing the metal-ascorbic acid crystals includes sonicating a solution of ascorbic acid and a solvent in dark to obtain a clear solution, wherein the solvent is one of dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A metal salt is added to the clear solution, wherein the metal salt is one of copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O), gold (III)-chloride (AuCl3), and silver sulfate (Ag2SO4). The clear solution is sonicated after adding the metal salt to obtain a reaction mixture. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is heated in dark. The reaction mixture is treated to facilitate solvent extraction of the metal-ascorbic acid. Finally, the metal-ascorbic acid is crystallized.