Propolis Extract for Chemotherapy Side Effect Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemotherapy's non-targeted attack on cancer cells leads to severe and harmful side effects in patients, with current solutions like EPO injections having limitations, such as promoting cancer cell growth, and existing propolis extracts being ineffective in preventing these side effects without interfering with chemotherapy's efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A propolis extract with specific characteristics, including a content of flavones and flavonols ≥ 5.5%, flavanones and dihydroflavanols ≥ 5%, an antioxidant value (ORAC) ≥ 500 mmol TE/100g, and total polyphenol content ≥ 30%, is used to create a composition that prevents and limits chemotherapy side effects without affecting cancer cell treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemotherapy agents are administered to treat cancer cells, then cancer cells are targeted and destroyed, but severe side effects occur in healthy cells and organs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific propolis extract as an intermediary substance that mediates between chemotherapy agents and healthy cells. The extract contains specific compounds (flavones, flavonols, phenolic acids) that selectively protect healthy cells from chemotherapy damage while allowing cancer cells to be targeted. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by introducing a third substance that differentially affects different cell types.
Solution Approach 2:
The propolis extract provides localized protection to healthy cells through its specific chemical composition. The extract's compounds are selectively taken up or retained by healthy cells, creating a localized protective effect within those cells without interfering with the chemotherapy's ability to reach and destroy cancer cells. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous protection of healthy tissues and effective cancer treatment.
2Productivity
If EPO is injected to accelerate red blood cell synthesis, then red blood cell production increases, but cancer cell growth is also promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the beneficial protective components of propolis (specific flavones, flavonols, and phenolic acids) while excluding any components that might promote cancer growth. By taking out and concentrating the specific protective compounds through standardized extraction processes, the invention achieves red blood cell protection without the harmful side effect of cancer cell proliferation that occurs with EPO injection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional propolis extracts are used to prepare the body for chemotherapy, then some protective effect is provided, but the extracts are ineffective at preventing severe side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameters of propolis extracts by establishing specific quantitative thresholds for active compounds (flavones ≥5%, flavonols ≥5%, phenolic acids ≥10%). By controlling these compositional parameters and standardizing the extraction process to meet these specifications, the invention transforms conventional ineffective propolis extracts into reliable protective agents that consistently prevent chemotherapy side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite protective formulation by combining multiple specific compounds found in propolis (flavones, flavonols, phenolic acids) in defined proportions. This composite approach, where the synergistic interaction of multiple compounds provides enhanced protection compared to single compounds alone, resolves the contradiction by creating a reliable multi-component protective system from the complex natural product propolis.
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 propolis extract effectively reduces side effects like hematological reductions, nausea, hair loss, and organ damage while maintaining chemotherapy's effectiveness, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies, providing a protective hepatocyte effect and restoring weight and blood cell counts in treated animals.
Implementation Method 1
an antioxidant value (ORAC) greater than or equal to 500 mmol TE/100g of dry extract
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a composition comprising at least one extract of propolis, having at least one of the following properties: ‐ an antioxidant value (ORAC) greater than or equal to 500 mmol TE/100g of dry extract, ‐ a flavones and flavonols content greater than or equal to 5.5% by weight with respect to the total weight of dry material of the extract, ‐ a flavanones and dihydroflavanols content greater than or equal to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of dry material of the product, in order to prevent and/or limit the side effects of chemotherapy.