Analysis of patents on anti-rheumatoid arthritis therapies issued in China

Abstract

Three hundred and seventeen patents were analyzed, including 172 patents for Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs, 54.2%), 65 for synthetic compounds (20.5%), 55 for biological products (17.4%) and 25 patents for the drug preparation process (7.9%). Among the TCM patents, 73.8% were of various preparations for different Chinese medicines, 23.8% were of herbal extracts and 2.3% were of herbal extract derivatives. Synthetic compounds were involved in more than 30 targets, some small-molecule drugs that target signaling kinases such as p38 MAPK, Janus kinase may become important directions in the management of RA. Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are the most efficacious drugs for RA treatment. As the classic therapeutic target in RA, TNF-α has the largest number of bDMARD patents. In addition, it is expected that new targets such as high-mobility group protein B1, thioredoxin domain-containing protein 5 (TXNDC5) and B lymphocyte stimulator (BlyS) will play a significant role in RA as potential targets for new treatments. The largest number of all the published patent applications are claiming TCMs, which may provide substantial new information for anti-RA drug development. The largest number of all the published patent applications are claiming TCMs, which may provide huge information for anti-RA drug development.

Can active components of licorice, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, lick rheumatoid arthritis?

“…Because of the unwanted side effects of current drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, botanical medicines have become popular as alternative remedies as they are believed to be efficacious, safe and have over a thousand years’ experience in treating patients [ 1 ]. In addition, analysis of patents on anti-RA therapies issued in China revealed that traditional Chinese Medicine may provide substantial new information for anti-RA drugs development [ 2 ]. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a well-known plant, which is utilized to add flavor to foods, beverages, and tobacco, and it is also used as a medicinal plant [ 3 ].…”

Effects of traditional Chinese herb hot compress combined with therapeutic exercise on pain, proprioception, and functional performance among older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

“…The level of magnesium (Mg) ( Zeng et al, 2015 ) and calcium (Ca + ) ( Li et al, 2016 ) in the serum are significantly decreased among older adults with KOA, which reduces their functional performance, increases the risk of falls, and accelerates the deterioration of KOA ( Veronese et al, 2017 ; Heffernan et al, 2020 ). Some of the Traditional Chinese Herbs, e.g., paeony root, ephedra root, atractylodes macrocephala reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- α and interleukins, inhibit the production of matrix metalloproteinases ( Yuan et al, 2015 ; Malemud, 2017 ), thereby improve the level of Mg and Ca + in serum ( Gunn et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2019a ). In addition, parsnip and anemarrhena asphodeloides reduce the expression of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and receptor activator for NF-kB ligand, inhibit the activation of osteoclasts, and reduce the destruction of cartilage, bone, and tendon ( Yuan et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Traditional Chinese herb hot compress (TCHHC) has been widely used in the treatment of chronic diseases such as KOA ( Yuan et al, 2015 ). It fully synergizes the warming effect, which has been shown to slightly improve pain, functional performance and quality of life in older adults with KOA ( Aciksoz et al, 2017 ), and the pharmacological effect, which reduces inflammation for pain relief by promoting synovial fluid flow and reducing the release of inflammatory substances into the synovial fluid ( Wang et al, 2010 ).…”

Effects of Pereskia aculeate Miller Petroleum Ether Extract on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats and its Potential Molecular Mechanisms

“…The targets and methods of clinical treatment are not clear, which brings certain difficulties to treatment. There are no highly targeted therapeutic drugs in clinical practice, the treatment of RA still from the aspects of analgesia, anti-inflammatory, preventing or reduce joint deformation and damage and increasing joint mobility ( Yuan et al, 2015 ; Shams et al, 2021 ). These drugs reduce joint inflammation, inhibit the development of lesions and irreversible bone destruction, but long-term use of these drugs lead to immune system decline, bone marrow suppression, liver and kidney function damage, gastrointestinal function decline, cartilage degeneration, infection ( Abbasi et al, 2019 ; Koller et al, 2019 ).…”