UTI Composition D-Mannose Proanthocyanidins Zinc Anti-Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for urinary tract infections, particularly bacterial infections like cystitis, often fail to effectively prevent adhesion of uropathogens to bladder mucosa and do not adequately support the immune system, leading to recurring infections and compromised immune function.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining D-mannose, proanthocyanidins from dry cranberry extract, hydroquinone derivatives from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and zinc, which acts as an anti-adhesive, diuretic, and immunomodulating agent, respectively, to inhibit bacterial adhesion and enhance immune response, formulated for oral administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments are used for urinary tract infections, then bacterial growth may be inhibited, but adhesion of uropathogens to bladder mucosa is not effectively prevented and immune system support is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness in preventing bacterial adhesionVSAvoidrecurring infections and compromised immune function
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines four distinct active ingredients (D-mannose, proanthocyanidins from cranberry extract, hydroquinone derivatives from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and zinc) into a single composition. Each component addresses a specific aspect of UTI pathogenesis: D-mannose and proanthocyanidins prevent bacterial adhesion, hydroquinone derivatives provide antiseptic action, and zinc supports immune function. This multi-component approach resolves the contradiction by simultaneously addressing adhesion prevention and immune support that conventional single-agent treatments fail to achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite formulation where multiple natural compounds work synergistically. The composition integrates D-mannose (monosaccharide), proanthocyanidins (polyphenols), hydroquinone derivatives (antiseptic agents), and zinc (mineral) into a unified therapeutic product. This composite material approach allows the composition to exhibit multiple functions (anti-adhesive, diuretic, antiseptic, and immunomodulating effects) that resolve the technical contradiction of providing comprehensive protection against UTIs while preventing recurrence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If single-component treatments are used, then the formulation is simple, but they cannot provide comprehensive anti-adhesive, diuretic, and immunomodulating effects simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionality (anti-adhesive, diuretic, antiseptic, immunomodulating)VSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal composition that performs multiple functions simultaneously: D-mannose and proanthocyanidins provide anti-adhesive effects, the cranberry extract contributes diuretic properties, hydroquinone derivatives deliver antiseptic action, and zinc supports immune modulation. This multi-functional formulation resolves the contradiction by making a single composition capable of addressing various aspects of UTI pathogenesis that would otherwise require multiple separate treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges four distinct therapeutic agents into one integrated composition. By combining D-mannose, proanthocyanidins, hydroquinone derivatives, and zinc in specific proportions, the patent creates a unified product that delivers anti-adhesive, diuretic, antiseptic, and immunomodulating effects simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If D-mannose is used to saturate type I fimbriae, then adhesion is prevented, but it does not affect mannose-resistant P fimbriae

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-adhesive activity against type I fimbriaeVSAvoidcoverage against both mannose-sensitive and mannose-resistant fimbriae
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines D-mannose (effective against mannose-sensitive type I fimbriae) with proanthocyanidins (effective against mannose-resistant P fimbriae) in the same composition. This combination allows the product to address both types of bacterial adhesion mechanisms simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between targeting specific fimbriae types and providing broad-spectrum anti-adhesive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite approach by integrating D-mannose and proanthocyanidins, which have complementary anti-adhesive mechanisms. While D-mannose targets type I fimbriae through mannose binding, proanthocyanidins target P fimbriae through different molecular interactions. This composite formulation ensures comprehensive coverage against both mannose-sensitive and mannose-resistant uropathogens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition demonstrates significant anti-adhesive and antibacterial activity against E. coli strains, reducing bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells and supporting immune function, thereby effectively treating and preventing urinary tract infections.

Implementation Method 1

D-mannose is a monosaccharide which, once absorbed in the body, is not accumulated in the liver, but is concentrated in the kidneys and is then transported to the bladder. It arrives there in high concentrations and succeeds in saturating the type I fimbriae, for which it has extremely high affinity, competing with the glycosylated protein fractions.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompetition for binding sites:

Implementation Method 2

The proanthocyanidins are characterized by the presence of more than ten monomers (bound together by type A bonds), slowing metabolization at the intestinal level, ensuring activity of the latter in the site of interest for a prolonged time. They have high affinity for the P fimbriae of bacteria (protein structures with which the pathogen binds to the receptors present on the bladder mucosa to initiate the process of infection) to which they bind, saturating them, thus preventing the bacteria infecting the tissue.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

Arbutin is hydrolysed in the intestine to glucose and hydroquinone; the latter is absorbed and undergoes glucuronidation in the liver. The glucuronidated hydroquinone is transported to the kidneys and is secreted in the urine. At the level of the bladder, numerous studies confirm, in the case of recurrent cystitis, antiseptic activity of the molecule under consideration.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntiseptic activity:

Implementation Method 4

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is present in the composition of the invention as a phytocomplex. As in the case of the phytocomplex present in dry cranberry extract, here too the presence of the entire phytocomplex makes it possible largely to preserve the activity and stability of the individual components. In the case of urinary tract infection this proves particularly interesting owing to the presence of molecules with antiseptic activity (arbutin) and molecules with diuretic activity (ursolic acid and tannins).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiuretic activity:

Implementation Method 5

An important feature of the composition is the presence of zinc, which is indispensable for restoring the functions of the immune system, which has been compromised by the massive presence of pathogens in the case of infections.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImmunomodulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3182982B1A composition for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 KOLINPHARMA SPA

AI summary

A pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement is described that is effective in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections, comprising a combination of D-mannose, proanthocyanidins, hydroquinone derivatives and zinc.