Poplar Bud Extract for Propolis Replacement in Therapeutic Compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for natural origin products that can replace bee-produced substances effectively, particularly due to the increasing interest in natural treatments and the dramatic extinction hazard faced by bees.

Innovation Solution

The use of poplar buds extracts as a composition for therapeutic purposes, which exhibit comparable or greater mucoadhesive properties and effective antibacterial activity compared to European propolis, without containing animal-derived or allergenic substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bee-produced propolis is used for therapeutic purposes, then effective treatment of oropharyngeal and bacterial infections is achieved, but animal-derived substances and allergenic pollens are introduced into the treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidallergenic substances and animal-derived components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes only the plant-derived resinous components (poplar buds extract) while excluding animal-derived substances (beeswax) and allergenic components (pollens) that are present in traditional propolis. This extraction principle allows maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while eliminating harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments propolis into its constituent parts, identifying and isolating the beneficial plant resin components (poplar buds extract) from the harmful animal-derived and allergenic components. This segmentation enables selective use of therapeutic elements while discarding problematic substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If poplar buds extract is used as an alternative to propolis, then natural origin and absence of allergens is achieved, but mucoadhesive properties and antibacterial activity must be comparable or superior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsence of animal-derived and allergenic substancesVSAvoidmucoadhesive properties and antibacterial activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes parameters of the poplar buds extract including concentration (0.1-70% w/w), extraction methods (hydro-alcoholic with 85° and 13° ethanol), and formulation conditions to achieve mucoadhesive properties and antibacterial activity comparable or superior to propolis, while maintaining the absence of harmful substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite formulations by combining poplar buds extract with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, flavours, and preservatives to enhance mucoadhesive properties and antibacterial activity while maintaining the natural origin and absence of allergens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If natural origin products are developed to replace bee-produced substances, then sustainability and reduced allergenicity are achieved, but the product must maintain or exceed therapeutic effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustainability and natural originVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a plant-based copy (poplar buds extract) that replicates and potentially improves upon the therapeutic properties of bee-produced propolis. This copying approach uses poplar buds, the same plant source of resinous exudate that bees collect, to create a sustainable alternative with comparable or superior effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention develops a universal natural product (poplar buds extract) that can serve multiple therapeutic functions including treatment of oropharyngeal cavity affections, urinary apparatus affections, digestive/excretory apparatus affections, skin affections, and bacterial infections, replacing the need for multiple different bee-produced substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3463409B1Compositions comprising extract of poplar buds and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 ABOCA S P A SOC AGRI
  • EP3463409B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3463409B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2B
  • EP3463409B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising extract of poplar buds for use in the treatment of oropharyngeal cavity, urinary apparatus, digestive/excretory apparatus, skin affections and of bacterial infections.