Propolis PEA NAC Food Supplement for Respiratory Illnesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food supplements and medicaments for preventing and treating influenza and common colds lack effective combinations of broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, mucolytic activity, and antioxidant effects, leading to inadequate efficacy and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
Combining purified Propolis with PalmitoylEthanolAmide (PEA) and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to create food-grade substance combinations that leverage the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic properties of these ingredients, enhancing the effectiveness of existing products while ensuring low-cost and simple production methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Propolis is combined with natural anti-inflammatory substances like Echinacea, then antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are improved, but the combination lacks mucolytic activity and comprehensive anti-inflammatory coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three substances with complementary functions: Propolis (antimicrobial), PEA (anti-inflammatory), and NAC (mucolytic). This merging creates a multi-functional formulation that simultaneously provides antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic activities, resolving the limitation of previous two-component combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination achieves multi-functionality by integrating substances with different primary actions: Propolis for antimicrobial activity, PEA for anti-inflammatory effects, and NAC for mucolytic action. This universal approach allows a single formulation to address multiple respiratory health needs simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If Propolis extract is used without purification, then production cost is reduced, but antibacterial activity is significantly lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using purified Propolis extract, which involves extracting and removing unwanted components while retaining the active antimicrobial constituents. This extraction process ensures high antibacterial activity while maintaining the beneficial properties of Propolis, balancing purity with effectiveness.
3Reliability
If Echinacea is used for prevention, then respiratory tract infection incidence is reduced, but long-term safety data is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses PEA (Palmitoyl ethanolamide), which has demonstrated safety in long-term studies, as a key component. This preliminary selection of safe, well-studied substances allows the formulation to be used for long-term prevention without the safety concerns associated with Echinacea alone, while maintaining prevention effectiveness.
4Reliability
If Propolis and Vitamin C are combined, then antioxidant and antibacterial properties are improved, but mucolytic and comprehensive anti-inflammatory activity are absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Propolis (antimicrobial), PEA (anti-inflammatory), and NAC (mucolytic) into a single formulation. This combination resolves the limitation of Propolis-Vitamin C combinations by adding mucolytic and comprehensive anti-inflammatory activities while maintaining the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Propolis.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to combinations of food grade substances comprising purified Propolis, PalmitoylEthanolAmide (PEA) and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in different associations thereof in order to prevent and/or treat seasonal illnesses such as influence and common colds. The present invention also refers to methods to produce food supplements, functional foods, foods for special medical purposes or medicaments comprising said combinations.