Chemical profiles and bioactivities of polyphenolic extracts of Lavandula stoechas L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Ocimum basilicum L.

This study assessed the chemical profiles and bioactivities of the infusions, decoctions and hydroethanolic extracts of tarragon, basil and French lavender. The extracts were chemically characterised (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) and their bioactivities were evaluated in vitro. All extracts revealed antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. French lavender extracts showed higher total phenolic content, regardless of the extraction method used, and antioxidant and antitumour capacities, but no anti-inflammatory action. All basil and two of the tarragon extracts revealed anti-inflammatory power. Thus, tarragon, basil and French lavender extracts may be considered for inclusion in foods, as preservatives or functional ingredients. Nonetheless, further studies must be conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the bioactive compounds.

Cuidados prestados ao portador de úlcera venosa que auxiliam a cicatrização da ferida / Care provided to patients with venous ulcers to help the wound heal

Objetivo: Identificar na literatura quais são as mais recentes práticas assistenciais prestadas ao paciente portador de úlcera visando a cicatrização da ferida. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada no período de novembro e dezembro de 2022 indexados nos portais LILACS e MEDLINE, os descritores usados na busca foram "Úlcera varicosa" OR "Insuficiência venosa'' AND "cicatrização" AND "Assistência ao paciente". Resultados: foram incluídos 8 artigos, como principais resultados observou-se que a enfermagem realiza várias intervenções para cicatrização das lesões sendo a mais utilizada é o tratamento com terapia compressiva, seguido do tratamento com hidrocoloide e tratamento com gel de plaquetas homólogo. No que tange a avaliação de lesões, prevalece o uso do instrumento PUSH. Considerações finais: faz-se necessário a avaliação adequada, orientação do paciente e cuidador, cuidado multidisciplinar e associação de novas tecnologias para o tratamento de úlceras venosas. A padronização da utilização de escalas como a PUSH na avaliação dos cuidados prestados é essencial para nortear o atendimento.(AU)

Objective: To identify in the literature which are the most recent care practices provided to patients with ulcers, aiming at wound healing. Method: this is an integrative literature review carried out in the period of November and December 2022 indexed in the LILACS and MEDLINE portals, the descriptors used in the search were "Varicose ulcer" OR "Venous insufficiency'' AND "healing" AND "Assistance to the patient". Results: 8 articles were included. With regard to the assessment of injuries, the use of the PUSH instrument prevails. Final considerations: proper assessment, patient and caregiver guidance, multidisciplinary care and association of new technologies for the treatment of venous ulcers are necessary. The standardization of the use of scales such as the PUSH in the assessment of the care provided is essential to guide care.(AU)

Objetivo: Identificar en la literatura cuáles son las prácticas más recientes de cuidados prestados a pacientes con úlceras visando la cicatrización de las heridas. Método: se trata de una revisión bibliográfica integradora realizada en el período de noviembre y diciembre de 2022 indexada en los portales LILACS y MEDLINE, los descriptores utilizados en la búsqueda fueron "Úlcera varicosa" O "Insuficiencia venosa" Y "cicatrización" Y "Cuidados del paciente". Resultados: Se incluyeron 8 artículos, como principales resultados se observó que enfermería realiza diversas intervenciones para la cicatrización de las lesiones, siendo la más utilizada el tratamiento con terapia compresiva, seguida del tratamiento con hidrocoloide y el tratamiento con gel de plaquetas homólogas. En cuanto a la valoración de las lesiones, prevalece el uso del instrumento PUSH. Consideraciones finales: son necesarias una evaluación adecuada, la orientación al paciente y al cuidador, la atención multidisciplinar y la asociación de nuevas tecnologías para el tratamiento de las úlceras venosas. La estandarización del uso de escalas como el PUSH en la evaluación de los cuidados prestados es esencial para orientar la asistencia.(AU)

Phytochemical Composition and Bioactive Potential of Melissa officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L. and Mentha spicata L. Extracts.

Plants are rich in bioactive phytochemicals that often display medicinal properties. These can play an important role in the production of health-promoting food additives and the replacement of artificial ones. In this sense, this study aimed to characterise the polyphenolic profile and bioactive properties of the decoctions, infusions and hydroethanolic extracts of three plants: lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). Total phenolic content ranged from 38.79 mg/g extract to 84.51 mg/g extract, depending on the extract. The main phenolic compound detected in all cases was rosmarinic acid. The results highlighted that some of these extracts may have the ability to prevent food spoilage (due to antibacterial and antifungal effects) and promote health benefits (due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities) while not displaying toxicity against healthy cells. Furthermore, although no anti-inflammatory capacity was observed from sage extracts, these stood out for often displaying the best outcomes in terms of other bioactivities. Overall, the results of our research provide insight into the potential of plant extracts as a source of active phytochemicals and as natural food additives. They also support the current trends in the food industry of replacing synthetic additives and developing foods with added beneficial health effects beyond basic nutrition.

Chemical Profile and Bioactivities of Extracts from Edible Plants Readily Available in Portugal.

Plant extracts have been proposed as alternative biocides and antioxidants to be included in a variety of food products. In this work, to assess the potential of rosemary, lemon balm, basil, tarragon, sage, and spearmint to be used as food additives, the chemical profiles and bioactivities of such plant extracts were studied. Furthermore, to evaluate the influence of extraction methods and solvents on the chemical characteristics and bioactivities of the plant extracts, two extraction methods (solid-liquid and Soxhlet extraction) and two solvents (water and ethanol 70% (v/v)) were tested for each plant. Groupwise summary statistics were calculated by plant, extraction method, and solvent, and linear models were built to assess the main effects of those terms and their interactions on the chemical characteristics and bioactivities of the extracts. The results revealed that all factors-type of plant, extraction method and solvent-have influence on the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of the resultant extracts. Interactions between factors were also observed. Hydroethanolic Soxhlet extracts presented the least potential as biopreservatives due to their low phenolic content and reduced antioxidant capacity. Oppositely, aqueous Soxhlet extracts and hydroethanolic solid-liquid extracts showed high contents in phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activities. In particular, the hydroethanolic solid-liquid extracts of lemon balm, spearmint, and sage presented the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents, accompanied by a high antioxidant activity, and they revealed antimicrobial activity against four pathogens (S. enterica ser. Typhimurium, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus). These results demonstrate the potential of these natural resources to be incorporated as bioactive preservatives in foods or their packaging.