Analysis of patents on anti-allergic therapies issued in China from 1988 to 2008

Analysis of anti-asthmatic drug patents published in China between 2004 and 2013

INTRODUCTION

We previously reported that 789 anti-allergic patents were granted in China between 1988 and 2008, but the number of patents seems to have grown much faster in China in recent years. Therefore, it is necessary to analyse the patents for anti-asthmatic products between 2004 and 2013 to give pharmaceutical companies and individuals a better understanding of potential candidates for anti-asthmatic drug development from patents published in China.

AREAS COVERED

The current report analyses the scientific progress that supports anti-asthmatic drug patent applications and reviews the published patent literature in China from 2004 to 2013.

EXPERT OPINION

The rapid increase in the number of anti-asthmatic patents in China indicates that more specific discoveries have been made and that more people are aware of the importance of intellectual property protection in China. Holding patents may guarantee protection for an innovative new product.

An update on anti-allergic patents granted in China: 2009 - 2011

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in recent decades. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the development of effective anti-allergic services worldwide.

AREAS COVERED

In previous studies, the authors had analyzed a total of 789 anti-allergic patents granted in China from 1988 to 2008. Herein, they report a further 151 anti-allergic patents issued in China during 2009 - 2011. The current analysis covers the scientific progress in supporting anti-allergic patent applications and granted patent literature, in China, for the last 3 years.

EXPERT OPINION

The 151 anti-allergic patents granted from 2009 to 2011 mainly focus on seven types of products. They are: traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), plant extracts, biological products, synthetic compounds, pharmaceutical preparations, medical apparatus and new treatment modalities. Although the overall number of anti-allergic patent applications made between 2009 and 2011 in China is less than that of the USA and Europe, patents on TCM have increased. This suggests that there are demands for modernization of TCMs. Recently, studies of interesting new immunomodulators have also been conducted, and some of these are likely to represent clinically useful advances. In the last 3 years, several patents on these novel potential drugs have also been granted in China. The large number of anti-allergic patents issued in China, in recent times, suggests that the Chinese market is relatively competitive one that will help pharmaceutical companies make proper decisions for their research and development strategies.

Chinese herbal extracts of Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus suppress IgE production and prevent peanut-induced anaphylaxis

Background

Peanut allergy is characterized by increased levels of peanut-specific IgE in the serum of most patients. Thus, the most logical therapy would be to inhibit the IgE production by committed B-cells. This study aims to investigate the unreported anti-IgE effects of Chinese herbal extracts of Rubia cordifolia (Qiancao) and Dianthus superbus (Qumai).

Methods

Seventy herbal extracts were tested for their ability to reduce IgE secretion by a human B-cell line. Those with the lowest inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) values were tested in a mouse model of peanut-anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic scores, body temperature, plasma histamine and peanut-specific-immunoglobulins were determined.

Results

Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus inhibited the in vitro IgE production by a human B-cell line in a dose-dependent manner and the in vivo IgE production in a murine model of peanut allergy without affecting peanut-specific-IgG1 levels. After challenge, all mice in the sham groups developed anaphylactic reactions and increased plasma histamine levels. The extract-treated mice demonstrated significantly reduced peanut-triggered anaphylactic reactions and plasma histamine levels.

Conclusion

The extracts of Rubia cordifolia and Dianthus superbus inhibited the IgE production in vivo and in vitro as well as reduced anaphylactic reactions in peanut-allergic mice, suggesting potentials for allergy treatments.