Stimulus-Responsive Antioxidant Crystals for ROS Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current antioxidant crystals do not effectively balance reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leading to undesirable antioxidative stress due to passive dissolution profiles that are not responsive to oxidative stimuli, limiting their therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability.
Innovation Solution
Development of active oxygen-responsive antioxidant crystals using disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymers that de-crosslink upon exposure to ROS, releasing antioxidants in amounts proportional to ROS levels, thereby controlling dissolution rates and crystallization behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If antioxidants are administered to scavenge ROS, then ROS levels are reduced, but fast dissolution and rapid metabolism cause overproduction of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidative stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antioxidant crystal dissolution rate responsive to ROS levels rather than passive. The disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymer coating de-crosslinks upon exposure to ROS, actively tuning the dissolution rate to match the oxidative stimulus intensity, thereby preventing both insufficient ROS scavenging and excessive antioxidative stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the antioxidant delivery system by using polymer crosslinking chemistry. The disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymer coating undergoes parameter change (de-crosslinking) in response to ROS, transforming the dissolution behavior from passive to stimulus-responsive, which controls the rate and amount of antioxidant release to balance ROS scavenging with avoidance of antioxidative stress
2Adaptability or versatility
If polymer-directed recrystallization is used to control dissolution rates, then stimulus-responsive release is achieved, but crystallization behavior control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polymer-directed recrystallization where the disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymer acts as an intermediary during the crystallization process. The polymer mediates between the antioxidant molecules, directing their arrangement into crystal structures while the polymer coating itself provides the stimulus-responsive release mechanism, thus achieving adaptability through a single integrated approach rather than separate control systems
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 solution allows for balanced ROS levels without excessive antioxidative stress, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability by actively responding to oxidative stimuli, avoiding the limitations of passive release profiles.
Implementation Method 1
Upon exposure to an active-oxygen stimulus, the polymer de-crosslinks to release the antioxidant from the composition in an amount effective to counteract the stimulus
Implementation Method 2
The crystal comprises an antioxidant and a disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymer that is adsorbed onto a surface of the antioxidant
Implementation Method 3
Ideally, ROS levels are balanced by controlling the dissolution rate of antioxidants
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions comprising an active oxygen-responsive antioxidant crystal, methods of making them, and methods for controlling the dissolution rate and/or altering the crystallization behavior of an antioxidant are disclosed. The crystals comprise an antioxidant and a disulfide- or diselenide-crosslinked polymer that is adsorbed onto a surface of the antioxidant. Upon exposure to an active-oxygen stimulus, the polymer de-crosslinks to release the antioxidant from the composition in an amount effective to counteract the stimulus. While prior approaches to altering dissolution rates have relied on passive zero- or first-order kinetics that are independent of ROS levels, the inventive compositions actively respond by releasing antioxidant in an amount proportional to the concentration of active-oxygen species present. The crystallization methods are simple and scalable. The antioxidant balances ROS concentration and allows formulators of nutritional supplements, drug therapies, and other applications to more effectively use antioxidants while avoiding undesirable levels of antioxidative stress.