Patent Landscape Analysis of Antioxidants from Lamiaceae Plants: Innovations and Applications

Abstract

Introduction: Lamiaceae plants are a rich source of natural antioxidants, widely applied in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods due to their therapeutic potential against oxidative stress-related disorders. As natural product innovation accelerates, understanding patent trends can provide strategic insights into technological advances, key stakeholders, and emerging applications. Methods: A systematic patent landscape analysis was performed using the Espacenet database. The search strategy was based on the intersection of Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) codes related to therapeutic applications (e.g., A61P39/06 for oxidative stress, A61P17/18 for dermatological use), medicinal preparations (A61K36), and botanical classifications (A01H6/50 for Lamiaceae). All patent documents up to 2024 were included, with no language restrictions. Patent families, publication trends, jurisdictions, assignees, CPC classifications, and technological applications were analyzed to map the innovation landscape. Results: Between 2001 and 2021, there was a steady rise in patent activity related to antioxidants from Lamiaceae species. China led in both the volume and diversity of innovations, followed by the United States and Europe. Technological applications are predominantly concerned with cosmetics, dermatological treatments, pharmaceuticals, and functional food products. Leading assignees included multinational and regional companies, indicating strong commercial interest in these bioactive compounds. Discussion: The patent trends reveal increasing global interest in sustainable, plant-derived antioxidant solutions. The strong presence of industry players highlights the translational potential of Lamiaceae-derived compounds in high-value sectors such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory therapeutics, and wellness. Jurisdictional variations reflect strategic patenting behavior and regional innovation capacities. Conclusion: This study highlights the growing strategic importance of Lamiaceae-derived antioxidants in innovation ecosystems. The patent landscape identifies key technologies, markets, and actors driving development in natural antioxidant applications. These findings support future interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships aimed at advancing sustainable, bioactive product innovation.