Inclusion of terpenes in cyclodextrins: Preparation, characterization and pharmacological approaches.

Terpenes constitute the largest class of natural products and are important resources for the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries. However, due to their low water solubility and poor bioavailability there has been a search for compounds that could improve their physicochemical properties. Cyclodextrins (natural and derived) have been proposed for this role and have been complexed with different types of terpenes. This complexation has been demonstrated by using analytical techniques for characterizing complexes such as DSC, NMR, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. The formation of inclusion complexes has been able to improve drug characteristics such as bioavailability, solubility and stability; and to enhance biological activity and efficacy. This review shows strong experimental evidence that cyclodextrins improve the pharmacological properties of terpenes, and therefore need to be recognized as being possible targets for clinical use.

Antinociceptive Activity and Redox Profile of the Monoterpenes (+)-Camphene, p-Cymene, and Geranyl Acetate in Experimental Models.

Objective. To evaluate antinocicpetive and redox properties of the monoterpenes (+)-camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate in in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Methods. Evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of (+)-camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate using different free radical-generating systems and evaluation of antinociceptive actions by acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests in mice. Results. p-Cymene has the strongest antinociceptive effect, but (+)-camphene and geranyl acetate also present significant activity at high doses (200 mg/kg). (+)-Camphene had the strongest antioxidant effect in vitro at TBARS and TRAP/TAR assays and also had the highest scavenging activities against different free radicals, such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Sodium nitroprussiate-derived NO production was enhanced by (+)-camphene. Geranyl acetate and p-cymene also presented some antioxidant effects, but with a varying profile according the free radical-generating system studied. Conclusion. (+)-Camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate may present pharmacological properties related to inflammation and pain-related processes, being potentially useful for development of new therapeutic strategies, with limited possibilities for p-cymene and geranyl acetate.

Aspectos gerais nas infecções por helicobacter pylory revisão / General aspects of helicobacter pylori infections review

O helicobacter pylori é uma bactéria de distribuição cosmopolita que acomete cerca de metade da população mundial. Esse agente patalógico está associado a vários distúrbios gástricos, entre eles a gastrite crônica, o câncer gástrico e a úlcera péptica. Vários testes diagnósticos encontram-se disponíveis para o diagnóstico da infecção por H. pylori entre eles os testes da cadeia de polimerase (PCR), urease, histologia e cultura. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo objetivou mostrar os aspectos gerais nas infecções por H.pylori e seu diagnóstico.