Silicon-Enhanced Herbal Composition for Liver Health Bioavailability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herbal and nutraceutical preparations for liver health, particularly those containing artichoke and milk thistle extracts, face issues with variable active ingredient content and poor bioavailability due to adverse metal interactions and non-absorbable forms of silicon, which hinder effective intestinal absorption.

Innovation Solution

Combining absorbable forms of silicon, such as orthosilicic acid or bamboo shoot extracts, with artichoke and milk thistle extracts, along with glutathione or its precursor, to enhance intestinal absorption of cynarin and other active ingredients without interference, thereby improving the bioavailability and stability of the formulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If herbal preparations containing artichoke and milk thistle extracts are used for liver health, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but active ingredient content is highly variable and bioavailability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidactive ingredient content consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses standardized extraction parameters and controlled processing conditions to ensure consistent active ingredient content in herbal extracts. By controlling extraction temperature, time, and solvent composition, the variability in cynarin and silymarin content is reduced while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple herbal extracts (artichoke, milk thistle, nettle) with phospholipids to create a composite formulation. This composite approach not only standardizes the active ingredient content but also improves bioavailability through the phospholipid complexation that protects and enhances absorption of the herbal compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If herbal extracts are administered for liver treatment, then therapeutic action is achieved, but intestinal absorption is poor due to adverse metal interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic actionVSAvoidintestinal absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces phospholipids as intermediary substances that complex with metal ions (such as iron and zinc) that would otherwise adversely interact with the herbal active ingredients. This phospholipid mediation prevents metal-induced degradation of cynarin and silymarin, thereby improving their intestinal absorption while maintaining therapeutic action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of metal interactions into a benefit by using phospholipids to chelate metals. The same metal ions that would normally degrade the herbal compounds are now sequestered by phospholipids, protecting the active ingredients and enhancing their bioavailability.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If silicon dioxide is used as an excipient in dietary compositions, then formulation stability is achieved, but it does not constitute a bioavailable silicon source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidbioavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical form of silicon from insoluble silicon dioxide to soluble orthosilicic acid or silicic acid esters. This parameter change in silicon's chemical state transforms it from a non-bioavailable excipient into a bioavailable nutrient that can be absorbed while still providing formulation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of bioavailable silicon sources significantly increases the absorption of cynarin and other active ingredients, ensuring effective intestinal absorption and stability, as demonstrated by simulated absorption tests, without adverse effects on other ingredients like glutathione or zinc.

Implementation Method 1

the administration of an absorbable form of silicon has favourable effects on the intestinal absorption of cynarin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the use of phospholipids of plant origin able to form plant compounds that improve its absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4311540A1Edible herbal composition containing silicon, and procedure for obtaining it

Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CAREPHARM SRL

AI summary

Disclosed is a composition of botanical extracts and active ingredients comprising glutathione and silicon, and pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or veterinary formulations containing it. The preferred botanical extracts are artichoke extract and milk thistle extract. Silicon, present as orthosilicic acid, preferably deriving from plant sources, increases the bioavailability of the botanical extracts without interfering with the absorption of the other ingredients of the combination.