Oleanolic Acid Modulates Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for multiple sclerosis are inadequate due to significant side effects and inability to provide continuous preventive therapy, necessitating the development of new therapeutic agents that can effectively manage the autoimmune and inflammatory aspects of the disease.

Innovation Solution

A pharmacological composition containing oleanolic acid, a natural compound found in olives and olive leaves, is used to reduce clinical signs and inflammatory reactions in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, thereby potentially treating multiple sclerosis by administering a therapeutically effective amount of oleanolic acid, either alone or with adjuvants and pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-dose glucocorticoids are administered to suppress immune-inflammatory component, then disease symptoms are controlled, but serious side effects occur and continuous preventive therapy is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, long-acting steroid medications with a natural compound (oleanolic acid) that can be administered continuously without accumulating harmful effects. Oleanolic acid from olive leaves provides sustained immune modulation without the severe side effects of glucocorticoids, enabling continuous preventive therapy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful effect of uncontrolled inflammation into a beneficial controlled immune response. By using oleanolic acid to modulate the immune system, the therapy transforms the destructive autoimmune attack into a controlled state that prevents disease progression while maintaining immune function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If immunosuppressive agents are used to treat multiple sclerosis, then immune response is suppressed, but the agents are poorly tolerated by patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune suppression effectivenessVSAvoidpatient tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and biological parameters of immune suppression by using oleanolic acid, a natural triterpenoid compound, instead of synthetic immunosuppressive agents. This natural compound achieves immune modulation through different biochemical pathways that are better tolerated by the body, improving patient compliance and reducing adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces oleanolic acid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the immune system and the disease process. This natural compound acts as a bridge that modulates immune responses without the harsh effects of conventional immunosuppressants, making treatment more tolerable while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If new therapeutic agents are developed from plant kingdom, then novel compounds with fewer side effects are found, but extensive research and validation are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside effect profileVSAvoidresearch and development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages preliminary research on oleanolic acid's anti-inflammatory properties from traditional medicine and preliminary studies on olive leaf compounds. This prior knowledge about the compound's safety profile and mechanism of action accelerates the development process, reducing the time needed for extensive validation while maintaining rigorous testing standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2260851B1Oleanolic acid for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC)
  • EP2260851B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2260851B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2260851B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of pentacyclic triterpene for the preparation of a pharmaceutical compound intended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Oleanolic acid (3ss-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a pentacyclic triterpene acid present in a large number of medicinal plants. The invention relates to the pharmacological use of oleanolic acid either alone or combined with other substances in the therapy or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. The applicants have found that the daily intraperitoneal administration of oleanolic acid significantly reduces the neurological and immunoinflammatory symptoms associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an experimental model of multiple sclerosis, delaying the onset and reducing the progression of the disease