Nitric Oxide Donators for Sebum Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current acne treatments, particularly those targeting sebum production, often come with adverse effects such as dryness, irritation, and severe side effects, and there is a need for new medications that can effectively reduce sebum production without these drawbacks.

Innovation Solution

Applying nitric oxide or nitric oxide-releasing compounds, such as N-diazeniumdiolate-functionalized polysiloxane macromolecules and nitrosothiol-functionalized compounds, directly or indirectly to the skin to decrease sebum production, thereby reducing acne.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current acne treatments (topical retinoids, antibiotics, oral contraceptives) are used to address acne pathogenic factors, then antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects are achieved, but dryness, irritation, and peeling of the skin occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacne treatment effectivenessVSAvoidskin dryness and irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nitric oxide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the treatment goal (reducing acne) and minimizing harm (avoiding dryness and irritation). Nitric oxide donators deliver nitric oxide to the skin, which then modulates sebaceous gland activity and reduces inflammation without causing the harsh side effects of traditional treatments like retinoids and antibiotics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by introducing nitric oxide donators (compounds that release nitric oxide) as a new class of acne treatment. This represents a fundamental shift from using antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal treatments to using nitric oxide-releasing compounds, thereby changing the mechanism of action and side effect profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If oral retinoid isotretinoin is used to affect all four pathogenic factors of acne, then comprehensive acne treatment is achieved, but severe side effects occur including teratogenicity, depression, psychosis, and suicide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive acne treatmentVSAvoidsevere systemic side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nitric oxide locally to the skin rather than systemically throughout the body. By using topical nitric oxide donators, the treatment targets sebaceous glands and acne pathogenic factors at the site of application, achieving local therapeutic effects without the severe systemic side effects of oral isotretinoin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Nitric oxide serves as a local intermediary that can modulate multiple acne pathogenic factors (sebaceous gland activity, inflammation, bacterial growth) without requiring systemic absorption. This local mediation achieves comprehensive acne treatment while avoiding the teratogenic and psychiatric side effects of oral retinoids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If topical treatments are applied to reduce sebum production, then acne symptoms are addressed, but dryness and peeling of the skin result

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesebum production reductionVSAvoidskin dryness and peeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach to sebum reduction by using nitric oxide donators that release nitric oxide, which naturally regulates sebaceous gland activity. This differs from traditional treatments that aggressively dry out the skin, instead providing a more physiological modulation of sebum production that avoids excessive dryness and peeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3085354B1Methods of decreasing sebum production in the skin
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 NAVAN INC

AI summary

Provided herein are methods of using gaseous nitric oxide and/or at least one nitric oxide source to or decrease sebum production in the skin of a subject. In some embodiments, the nitric oxide source includes small molecule and/or macromolecular NO-releasing compounds.