Copaiba Oil-Loaded Polymeric Nanocapsules: Production and In Vitro Biosafety Evaluation on Lung Cells as a Pre-Formulation Step to Produce Phytotherapeutic Medicine.

Copaiba oil has been largely used due to its therapeutic properties. Nanocapsules were revealed to be a great nanosystem to carry natural oils due to their ability to improve the bioaccessibility and the bioavailability of lipophilic compounds. The aim of this study was to produce and characterize copaiba oil nanocapsules (CopNc) and to evaluate their hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Copaiba oil was chemically characterized by GC-MS and FTIR. CopNc was produced using the nanoprecipitation method. The physicochemical stability, toxicity, and biocompatibility of the systems, in vitro, were then evaluated. Β-bisabolene, cis-α-bergamotene, caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide were identified as the major copaiba oil components. CopNc showed a particle size of 215 ± 10 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.15 ± 0.01, and a zeta potential of -18 ± 1. These parameters remained unchanged over 30 days at 25 ± 2 °C. The encapsulation efficiency of CopNc was 54 ± 2%. CopNc neither induced hemolysis in erythrocytes, nor cytotoxic and genotoxic in lung cells at the range of concentrations from 50 to 200 µg·mL-1. In conclusion, CopNc showed suitable stability and physicochemical properties. Moreover, this formulation presented a remarkable safety profile on lung cells. These results may pave the way to further use CopNc for the development of phytotherapeutic medicine intended for pulmonary delivery of copaiba oil.

Effect of statins on the plasma/serum levels of inflammatory markers in patients with cardiovascular disease; a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: The anti-inflammatory properties of statins have been suggested by several researches. However, clinical trials have reported incongruous findings regarding the effect of statins on the levels of inflammatory markers other than high-sensitive C-reactive protein. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials were conducted to illuminate the effect of statins on serum levels of TNF-α, MCP-1, VCAM1, and IL-6 in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). METHODS: To find eligible studies, a systematic literature search of the main databases were conducted up to July 2021. The calculation of the effect sizes was conducted by standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The pooled analyses revealed that statins significantly reduced the TNF-α concentration (SMD = - 0.99 pg/mL; 95% CI - 1.43 to - 0.55 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Regarding dosage, high intensity (SMD = - 0.65 pg/mL; 95% CI - 1.19 to - 0.10, P = 0.02) and moderate/low (SMD = - 1.16 pg/mL; 95% CI - 1.84 to - 0.47, P = 0.001) intensity statins significantly decreased TNF-α levels. Moderate/low intensity statins administration in < 10 weeks treatment duration decreased serum level of TNF-α (SMD = - 0.91 pg/mL; 95% CI - 1.38 to - 0.44, P < 0.001). Lipophilic statins with high intensity dosage significantly decreased level of TNF-α (SMD = - 0.73 pg/mL; 95% CI - 1.43 to - 0.03, P = 0.04). Statins did not change serum levels of MCP-1, VCAM1, and IL-6 in CVD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses indicated that statins have beneficial effects in decreasing serum levels of TNF-α in patients with CVDs.

Development of solid dispersions of ß-lapachone in PEG and PVP by solvent evaporation method.

ß-lapachone (ßlap) has shown potential use in various medical applications. However, its poor solubility has limited its systemic administration and clinical applications. The aim of this work is to develop solid dispersions of ßlap using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG 6000) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) as hydrophilic polymers and evaluate the dissolution rate in aqueous medium. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different weight ratios of ßlap and hydrophilic polymer (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3). Characterization performed by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy showed that ßlap was molecularly dispersed within the polymer matrix. The in vitro dissolution tests showed an enhancement in the dissolution profile of ßlap as solid dispersions prepared in both PVP and PEG, although the former showed better results. The drug:polymer ratio influenced ßlap dissolution rate, as higher amounts of hydrophilic polymer led to enhanced drug dissolution. Thus, this study demonstrated that solid dispersions of ßlap in PVP offers an effective way to overcome the poor dissolution of ßlap.

Development and Validation of a Simultaneous RP-HPLCUV/DAD Method for Determination of Polyphenols in Gels Containing S. terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae).

Topical gels containing extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius have been used to treat bacterial vaginosis. It has been reported that this species has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic properties, which can be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. In this work, a sensitive and selective reversed-phase HPLC-UV/DAD method for the simultaneous assay of six polyphenols that could be present in S. terebinthifolius was developed. The method was shown to be accurate and precise. Peak purity and similarity index both exceeded 0.99. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range studied, with correlation coefficients between 0.9931 and 0.9974. This method was used to determine the polyphenol content of a hydroalcoholic extract and pharmacy-compounded vaginal gel. Although the method is useful to assess the 6 phenolic compounds, some compounds could not be detected in the products. SUMMARY: A sensitive, selective, accurate and precise reversed-phase HPLC-UV/DAD method for the simultaneous assay of six polyphenols in S. terebinthifolius Raddi Abbreviations used: RP-HPLC-UV/DAD: Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Ultraviolet and Diode Array Detector, HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatograph, HPLC-UV: High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Ultraviolet Detector, ANVISA: Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency, LOD: Limit of detection, LOQ: Limit of quantitation.

Clinical and dermoscopic clues to differentiate pigmented nail bands: an International Dermoscopy Society study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal melanonychia might be difficult to differentiate and the use of dermoscopy can be useful for the preoperative evaluation and management decision. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate clinical and dermoscopic criteria of acquired longitudinal melanonychia in adults to identify the best predictors of melanoma using a multivariate analysis and to explore eventual new dermoscopic criteria for nail melanoma diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, 82 histopathologically diagnosed, acquired nail pigmented bands were collected and examined. All variables were included in the analysis and examined as possible predictors of nail melanoma. Both univariate and multivariable analyses have been performed. RESULTS: Among 82 cases, 25 were diagnosed as nail melanoma and 57 as benign lesions (including 32 melanocytic nevi and 25 benign melanocytic hyperplasia). Melanoma cases were significantly associated with a width of the pigmented band higher than 2/3 of the nail plate, grey and black colours, irregularly pigmented lines, Hutchinson and micro-Hutchinson signs, and nail dystrophy. Granular pigmentation, a newly defined dermoscopic criterion, was found in 40% of melanomas and only in 3.51% of benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopic examination of longitudinal melanonychia provides useful information that could help clinicians to improve melanoma recognition.

Antiplatelet effects of piplartine, an alkamide isolated from Piper tuberculatum: possible involvement of cyclooxygenase blockade and antioxidant activity.

OBJECTIVES: Piplartine (piperlongumine; 5,6-dihydro-1-[1-oxo-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl]-2(1H) pyridinone) is an alkaloid amide isolated from Piper species (Piperaceae). It has been reported to show multiple pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We evaluated the in-vitro antiplatelet effect of piplartine isolated from the roots of P. tuberculatum, on human platelet aggregation induced in platelet-rich plasma by the agonists collagen, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA) and thrombin. KEY FINDINGS: Piplartine (100 mug/ml) caused a 30% inhibition in platelet aggregation when collagen was the agonist. At 200 mug/ml, piplartine significantly inhibited the aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (100%), collagen (59%) or ADP (52%) but not that induced by thrombin. The highest concentration of piplartine (300 mug/ml) inhibited thrombin- (37%), ADP- (71%) and collagen- (98%) induced aggregation. The inhibitory effect of piplartine on ADP-induced platelet aggregation was not modified by pretreatment with pentoxifylline (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), L-arginine (a substrate for nitric oxide synthase) or ticlopidine (a P2Y(12) purinoceptor antagonist). However, aspirin, a well-known inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, greatly increased the inhibitory effect of piplartine on arachidonic-acid-induced platelet aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism underlying the piplartine antiplatelet action is not totally clarified. It could be related to the inhibition of cyclooxgenase activity and a decrease in thromboxane A(2) formation, similar to that occurring with aspirin. This and other possible mechanisms require further study.

Protective effects of amburoside A, a phenol glucoside from Amburana cearensis, against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of amburoside A, AMB [4-(O-beta- D-glycopyranosyl)benzyl protocatechoate], against carbon tetrachloride (CCl (4)) toxicity in rats. AMB is a phenol glucoside from the Brazilian medicinal plant Amburana cearensis, popularly used for the treatment of respiratory tract affections. Acute AMB (25 and 50 mg/kg, I. P. or P. O.) treatments of CCl (4)-intoxicated rats significantly inhibited the increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, as compared to the group treated with CCl (4) only. Histological studies showed less centrolobular necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltrates in the liver of animals treated with AMB plus CCl (4), when compared to the group treated with CCl (4) alone. In hepatic tissues, AMB at both doses inhibited CCl (4)-induced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation, indicating a blockade of CCl (4)-induced lipid peroxidation. AMB also reversed the decrement in glutathione contents of hepatic tissues in CCl (4)-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, it restored catalase activity to normal values, which was significantly increased after CCl (4) treatment. Our results indicate that CCl (4)-induced oxidative damage in hepatic tissues is reversed by AMB treatment. The protective effect of AMB is probably due to the phenolic nature of this glucoside.

Revisão bibliográfica sobre o uso da cintilografia mamária com metoxi-isobutil-isonitrila-tecnécio 99m (MIBI-Tc99m) no diagnóstico diferencial de câncer de mama / Literature review on the use of scintimamography with Technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) for the differencial diagnosis of breast carcinoma

A mamografia por Raios X tem apresentado alta sensibilidade na detecção de lesões de mama, porém a mesma tem se mostrado limitada na tarefa de diagnóstico diferencial. Muitos especialistas em câncer de mama crêem na necessidade de uma ferramenta de diagnóstico por imagem mais específica, uma vez que, da estimativa de 700.000 biópsias de mama feitas anualmente nos Estados Unidos, somente 1 em 4 apresenta achado de câncer. Outras técnicas de imagens estão sendo pesquisadas e, pelos resultados apresentados, poderão, em breve, assumir papel importante na detecção de lesões de mama em pacientes assintomáticos. Dentre essas novas técnicas destacamos a cintilografia mamária marcada com MIBI-99m Tc. Neste trabalho, são descritos os aspectos técnicos desse novo exame, realizado segundo a técnica proposta por Khalkhali e são apresentados os resultados de vários estudos publicados nos últimos anos.

Descolamento prematuro da placenta: estudo comparativo / Abruptio placentae: comparative study

Esta investigaçao embasa-se em 103 casosEsta investigaçao embasa-se em 103 casos de DPP que foram assistidos na Maternidade da Encruzilhada, Recife, de 1( de agosto de 1992 a 31 de julho de 1994. Elegeu-se como grupo-controle igual número de parturientes que foram atendidas na mesma instituiçao e na mesma época. As seguintes variáveis foram consideradas: idade, paridade, tipo de parto, hipertensao arterial e transfusao de sangue. No que compete ao nascituro, levaram-se em consideraçao: baixo peso ao nascer, Apgar e óbito fetal. A idade avançada, grande multiparidade, operaçao cesariana, transfusao de sangue e hipertensao arterial foram mais freqüentes nas portadoras de DPP do que no grupo-controle. Os resultados neonatais foram piores nas portadoras de abruptio placentae do que no grupo-controle.

Tratamento cirúrgico da esterilidade tubária / Surgical treatment of tubal sterilization

O estudo versa sobre 47 pacientes portadoras de esterilizaçao tubária submetidas à microcirurgia. Quando a esterilizaçao resultou de laqueadura tubária, o método cirúrgico utilizado na cura foi a anastomose término-terminal, com índice de gravidez de 77,1 por cento. Nos casos em que a esterilizaçao foi oriunda de processo inflamatório, a cirurgia utilizada foi a salpingostomia, e o êxito de gravidez foi de 33,3 por cento. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a anastomose término-terminal, e os diferentes tipos de anastomose nao interferiram nos resultados.

Gravidez abdominal com feto vivo de 36 semanas / Abdominal pregnancy with live fetus of 36 weeks

The diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy with live fetus whose weight was 2O5Og at birth was made using sonography and clinic methods. The surgery took place without problems and the placenta was removed completely. The female newborn had abnormalities in the limbs and head. She died with hyaline membrane twelve hours later. There were no complícatíons in the postoperative and the patient left the hospital 5 days after surgery.

Gravidez abdominal secundária em pacientes com útero didelfo / Secondary abdominal pregnancy in patient with uterus didelphys

As anormalidades da fusäo múlleriana säo raras, embora sua real incidência näo seja bem definida. Na série estudada por Fenton & col, o útero didelfo foi o que mais freqüentemente associou-se a gravidez. A gestaçäo abdominal, por outra feita, é também anormalidade de registro pouco assíduo, principalmente em gravidez que se avizinha do termo. A associaçäo dos dois eventos ganha foros de excepcionalidade e justifica, plenamente, sua publicaçäo como caso singular.

Mola Hidatiforme parcial e polidrâmnios / Partial hydatiform mole and polyhydramnios

A 22 years old, gravida 3, para 2 woman was admitted to the hospital with preterm labor which was a 23rd week pregnancy. The diagnosis of partial hydatiform mole and polydramnios was made after delivery and confirmed by histologic findings. The post-operative did not present any aspect worth registering. The patient was discharged two days after delivery in excellent conditions.

Volvo da vesícula biliar: relato de caso / Volvulus of the gallbladder: report of a case

A torçäo ou volvo, da vesícula biliar é uma entidade pouco usual na patologia cirúrgica da vesícula biliar. Quando acontece, os fatores determinantes säo em essência ainda desconhecidos, e quando aparecem, em geral em pacientes idoso, apresentam uma sintomatologia biliar aguda ou mesmo recorrente. É descrito e comentado um caso de volvo da vesícula biliar, bem como o tratamento cirrugico indicado. Merece um especial registro, por ser uma patologia rara: talves pouco mais de 300 casos referidos na literatura médica, desde que Wendelk descreveu o primeiro caso, em 1898