Chitosan and chitosan/turmeric-based membranes for wound healing: Production, characterization and application.

In the present study, chitosan and chitosan/turmeric-based membranes were produced, characterized and applied in in vivo experiments showing the applicability for skin wound repair. Chitosan 1 % (w/v), chitosan + glycerol 30 % (w/w) and chitosan + glycerol 30 % + turmeric 1.5 % (w/w) membranes were produced through the casting technique. Self-sustainable, homogeneous, and flexible membranes were obtained from all materials tested. The FTIR spectra showed the main vibrational bands for materials used in the chemical groups. The membranes containing glycerol are more flexible than those formed with pure chitosan. Membranes formed with glycerol and glycerol/turmeric are more hydrophilic compared to the membranes formed by pure chitosan. The in vivo results showed that the group who received the chi/gly/turmeric membrane had a statistically greater reduction in the injured area, as well as a better healing process in the histological analysis compared to the other experimental groups. The material developed here is from a natural source, low cost and easy to apply and can accelerate the process of repairing skin lesions.

Pharmacokinetic and toxicological prediction of the chemical constituents of the essential oil of the leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth.

The development of new drugs through studies of candidate molecules is a complex undertaking; however, computational or in silico approaches aimed at optimizing molecules with greater development potential are being utilized for predictions of pharmacokinetic properties such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) as well as toxicological parameters. The objective of this study was to examine in silico and in vivo pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the chemical constituents present in the essential oil of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves. The following Pubchem platform as well as Software SwissADME and PreADMET software were employed for in silico studies while micronucleus (MN) testing for in vivo determination of mutagenicity, using Swiss adult male Mus musculus mice. In silico findings demonstrated that all chemical constituents presented (1) high oral absorption (2) medium cellular permeability and (3) high blood brain permeability. As for toxicity, these chemical constituents exhibited low to medium risk of occurrence of cytotoxicity. Regarding in vivo evaluation, peripheral blood samples obtained from animals tested with the oil showed no significant differences in number of MN compared to negative controls. Data indicate that further investigations are necessary to corroborate the findings of this study. Our data suggest that essential oil extracted from Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves may serve as a candidate for new drug development.

Identification of bioactive compounds and cytogenotoxicity of the essential oil from the leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth.

Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, popularly known as "quince" and "velame," contains a high concentration of volatile oils in the leaves, and widely used in folk medicine as an antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and local anesthetic. The objectives of this investigation were to (1) identify the phytochemical compounds and (2) assess the cytogenotoxicity of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of C. heliotropiifolius Kunth. The oil was extracted utilizing hydrodistillation and phytochemical profile determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS). In the toxicogenetics analysis, Allium cepa roots were exposed to 1% dimethylsulfoxide or methylmethanesulfonate (MMS, 10 µg/ml) negative and positive controls, respectively, and to C. heliotropiifolius oil at 6 concentrations (0.32; 1.6; 8; 40; 200 or 1000 µg/ml). The phytochemical profile exhibited 40 chromatographic bands, and 33 compounds identified. α-pinene (16.7%) and 1,8-cineole (13.81%) were identified as the major compounds. Some of these identified secondary metabolites displayed biological and pharmacological activities previously reported including antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory as well insecticidal, antiviral, anti-fungal actions. In the A. cepa test, C. heliotropiifolius leaves oil induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 0.32, 1.6 or 200 µg/ml and genotoxicity at 200 or 1000 µg/ml as evidenced by increased presence of micronuclei and significant chromosomal losses. Based upon our observations data demonstrated that the essential oil of C. heliotropiifolius leaves contain monoterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes which are associated with cytotoxic and genotoxic responses noted in on A. cepa cells.

α-Terpineol Induces Gastric Retention of Liquids by Inhibiting Vagal Parasympathetic Pathways in Rats.

α-Terpineol is a monoterpene with smooth muscle relaxant properties. In this study, its effects on the gastric emptying rate of awake rats were evaluated with emphasis on the mode by which it induces gastrointestinal actions. Administered by gavage, α-terpineol (50 mg/kg) delayed gastric emptying of a liquid test meal at 10 min postprandial. Hexamethonium or guanethidine did not interfere with the retarding effect induced by α-terpineol, but atropine and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester abolished it. In vagotomized rats, α-terpineol did not delay gastric emptying. In isolated strips of gastric fundus, concentration-effect curves in response to carbamylcholine were higher in magnitude after treatment with the monoterpene. α-Terpineol (1 to 2000 µM) relaxed sustained contractions induced by carbamylcholine or a high K+ concentration in a concentration-dependent manner. This relaxing effect was not affected by the presence of L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, 1 H-[1, 2, 4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, tetraethylammonium, or atropine. Smooth muscle contractions induced by electrical field stimulation were inhibited by α-terpineol. In conclusion, α-terpineol induced gastric retention in awake rats through mechanisms that depended on intact vagal innervation to the stomach, which involved cholinergic/nitrergic signalling. Such a retarding effect induced by α-terpineol appears not to result from a direct action of the monoterpene on gastric smooth muscle cells.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes que abandonaram o tratamento de hanseníase / Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients who dropped out leprosy treatment

O controle da hanseníase depende de um tratamento com a dose completa em até 18 meses, o abandono implica na transmissão e em quadros de incapacidade física. OBJETIVO: O objetivo da pesquisa foi identificaro perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos pacientes que abandonaram o tratamento de hanseníase em Teresina-PI.MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de natureza descritiva, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados referentes a esses indivíduos nas coortes de 2011 a 2014 foram obtidos por meio do Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação.RESULTADOS: Do total de 1770 casos de hanseníase notificados nesse período, 34 casos foram considerados abandono de tratamento. Verificou-se que 54,9%eram homens, 79,5% estavam na faixa etária de 15 a59 anos, 68% eram pardos e 59% tinham até 3 anos de escolaridade . A maioria dos casos de abandono era pacientes multibacilares (61,8%) e 32% apresentava aforma dimorfa. A maior parte dos diagnósticos deu-se por demanda espontânea (55,8%). No momento do diagnóstico, 29,4% dos pacientes possuía algum graude incapacidade física. Pacientes multibacilares tiveram uma média de 3,6 contatos, sendo que cerca da metade foram examinados. Com relação à suspensão da poliquimioterapia, observa-se que paucibacilares tomaram 1,84 doses, enquanto multibacilares, 6,94 doses. CONCLUSÃO: Os multibacilares apresentaram menor adesão ao tratamento, evidenciando maior risco de transmissão. Fazem-se necessárias campanhas de detecção da doença, para evitar sua evolução e as consequentes incapacidades físicas, e ainda reduzir possibilidade de transmissão entre contatos.

Leprosy control depends on a treatment based on full dose within 18 months, the dropping out of the treatment implies in transmission and development of disability. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients who dropped out the leprosy treatment in Teresina, PI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a descriptive, transversal study with a quantitative approach. Data relating to individuals in the cohorts from 2011 to 2014 were obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. RESULTS: From the total1770 leprosy cases reported in the period, 34 cases were considered treatment dropouts, 54.9% of them were men, 79.5% aged between 15 and 59 years, 68% were from brown and 59% had up to 3 years of schooling. Most of the abandonment cases were multibacillary patients (61.8%) and 32% had borderlineleprosy. The majority of the diagnosis was made byspontaneous demand (55.8%). At diagnosis, 29.4% ofpatients had some degree of disability. Multibacillary patients had an average of 3.6 contacts, and about half were examined. Regarding the suspension of multidrug therapy, it was observed that paucibacillary took 1.84 doses, while multibacillary, 6.94 doses. CONCLUSION: Multibacillary patients showed lower adherence to treatment, presenting higher risk of transmission. Campaigns for active search of new cases are necessary to prevent disease evolution and the resulting physical disabilities , while reducing the possibility of transmission between contacts.