Terminalia chebula extract for dry eye syndrome tear secretion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for dry eye syndrome, such as artificial tears and anti-inflammatory agents, provide only temporary relief and are associated with side effects, and there is a lack of effective long-term solutions or functional foods for managing the condition.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical composition containing an extract of Terminalia chebula or a fraction thereof, which is used to increase tear secretion and inhibit inflammation and corneal morphological changes, is administered to prevent or treat dry eye syndrome.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If artificial tears are used to treat dry eye syndrome, then mild symptoms are controlled, but the effects are only temporary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom control effectivenessVSAvoidduration of effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the active ingredients from Terminalia chebula fruit (chebulinic acid, chebuloside, chebula tannin) to create a pharmaceutical composition that addresses the root cause of dry eye syndrome rather than providing temporary symptomatic relief like artificial tears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the therapeutic approach from temporary lubrication (artificial tears) to long-term treatment by modifying tear film stability parameters through natural compounds that inhibit inflammation and promote tear production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine are used to treat dry eye syndrome, then inflammation is reduced, but side effects such as glaucoma, cataracts, redness, and irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-inflammatory effectivenessVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces long-term use of harmful synthetic anti-inflammatory agents with natural compounds from Terminalia chebula that provide sustained anti-inflammatory protection without the cumulative side effects of corticosteroids and cyclosporine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful chronic inflammation associated with dry eye syndrome into a treatable condition by using natural anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce inflammation without causing the harmful side effects of synthetic medications

Inventive Principle:

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

3Duration of action of stationary object

If prolonged use of anti-inflammatory agents is continued, then inflammation is controlled, but the risk of developing side effects such as glaucoma and cataracts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of treatmentVSAvoidsafety profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite of multiple natural compounds from Terminalia chebula (chebulinic acid, chebuloside, chebula tannin) working synergistically to provide long-term anti-inflammatory protection with improved safety compared to single synthetic agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11058736B2Method of treating dry eye syndrome using pharmaceutical composition having extract of <i>Terminalia chebula </i>or fraction thereof

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided are a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating dry eye syndrome, including an extract of Terminalia chebula or a fraction thereof as an active ingredient, and a method of preventing or treating dry eye syndrome in an individual.