Morus Root Extract Tyrosinase Inhibition via Prenylated Polyphenols

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new natural compounds that effectively inhibit tyrosinase activity to address the growing demand in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for skin whitening and anti-aging applications, as existing inhibitors have limitations in efficacy and specificity.

Innovation Solution

A root extract of Morus plants, specifically Morus alba and Morus nigra, rich in prenylated polyphenols such as wittiorumine F, mulberrofuran T, moracenin A, and kuwanone C, is developed using a process that enhances their tyrosinase inhibitory activity and stability, allowing for their use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extracts from Morus plants are used for skin whitening applications, then tyrosinase inhibitory activity is achieved, but existing inhibitors have limitations in efficacy and specificity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyrosinase inhibitory activityVSAvoidefficacy and specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by identifying and isolating specific prenylated polyphenol compounds (wittiorumin F, mulberrofuran T, moracenins, kuwanones) with optimized molecular structures that exhibit enhanced tyrosinase inhibitory activity compared to conventional inhibitors, thereby improving both efficacy and specificity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates specific active compounds from Morus plant roots through systematic extraction and purification processes, separating the highly active prenymlared polyphenols from other plant constituents to achieve concentrated and specific tyrosinase inhibition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If root extract is obtained through traditional extraction methods, then compounds are extracted, but plant survival may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextract yieldVSAvoidplant survival
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction methods that selectively remove desired compounds from the plant roots while preserving the living plant, enabling repeated extractions from the same root system over time without compromising plant viability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of extraction parameters (solvent selection, temperature, time) to maximize compound yield under conditions that maintain plant health, allowing sustainable extraction practices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If existing tyrosinase inhibitors are used, then skin whitening effect is achieved, but efficacy is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin whitening effectVSAvoidefficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves superior efficacy by identifying compounds with specific prenymlated polyphenol structures that exhibit stronger tyrosinase binding affinity and inhibition constants compared to conventional inhibitors, directly improving the skin whitening effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a composite of multiple prenymlared polyphenol compounds working synergistically, where the combination of wittiorumin F, mulberrofuran T, moracenins, and kuwanones produces enhanced inhibitory activity greater than individual compounds alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3691669B1Root extracts from plants of the morus genus and uses of same
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 PLANT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES PAT SAS
  • EP3691669B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3691669B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3691669B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention concerns a root extract from plants of the Morus genus (in particular Morus albaet, Morus nigra) that is rich in prenylated polyphenols chosen from: moracenin A, moracenin B, kuwanon C, wittiorumin F and mulberrofuran T, a method for preparing such an extract and a cosmetic composition and a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition, said compositions comprising, as the active ingredient, at least one root extract from plants of the Morus genus according to the invention.