Bioprospecting a Film-Forming System Loaded with Eugenia uniflora L. and Tropaeolum majus L. Leaf Extracts for Topical Application in Treating Skin Lesions.

Natural products can be used as complements or as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Eugenia uniflora and Tropaeolum majus are natives of Brazil and have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to develop a film-forming system (FFS) loaded with plant extracts with the potential for treating microbial infections. E. uniflora and T. majus leaf extracts were prepared and characterized, and the individual and combined antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The FFS was developed with different concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics. The combination of extracts showed a superior antioxidant effect compared to the individual extracts, justifying the use of the blend. FFS prepared with 4.5% PVA, 4.5% PVP, 7.81% E. uniflora extract, and 3.90% T. majus extract was adhesive, lacked scale formation, presented good malleability, and had a suitable pH for topical application. In addition, the viscosity at rest was satisfactory for maintaining stability; water solubility was adequate; skin permeation was low; and the antimicrobial effect was superior to that of the individual extracts. Therefore, the developed FFS is promising for the differentiated treatment of skin lesions through topical application.

Procedimentos estéticos com ênfase na queda capilar / Aesthetic procedures with emphasis on hair loss / Procedimientos estéticos con énfasis en la caída del cabello

A beleza está diretamente ligada ao aspecto dos cabelos, em todos os tempos e todas as culturas. O cabelo ao longo da vida é sujeito a vários tipos de mudanças, sejam elas naturais ou artificiais, conduzidas por uma vontade de mudar, muitas vezes, seja por representar uma nova fase, como também é símbolo de autocuidado, vaidade, sucesso, possuem significativa importância na aparência e autoestima das pessoas e, por isso, a queda capilar pode atingir a qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar procedimentos estéticos minimamente invasivos e não cirúrgicos com ênfase na queda capilar. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica integrativa, de caráter descritivo nas principais bases de dados em saúde: SciELO, Google Acadêmico, PubMed e livros de medicina, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, considerando o período de 2007 a 2022. De acordo com o último censo da Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia, a queixa de alopecia está entre as dez mais frequentes nos consultórios dermatológicos. As doenças capilares mais importantes estão divididas em dois grupos, as cicatriciais quando a perda de cabelo é acompanhada por cicatrizes resultando em calvície permanente, e as não cicatriciais onde a calvície não é permanente levando a diminuição e o afinamento gradual do cabelo. A alopecia não cicatricial é a mais frequente e as mais comuns entre elas são a alopecia androgenética e o eflúvio telógeno. Muitos pacientes procuram tratamento para melhorar a aparência e a autoestima, que podem estar relacionados a quadros de ansiedade e depressão. Esses tratamentos devem ser individualizados, onde se deve avaliar as características individuais de cada paciente. Os tratamentos capilares estéticos podem contribuir de forma significativa para a redução da baixa autoestima, contribuindo para recuperação da autoconfiança através do crescimento capilar proporcionado pela estética. Sendo assim, conclui-se que os resultados coletados na revisão de literatura foram satisfatórios, de forma onde mostra que os medicamentos, suplementos e tratamentos estéticos na queda capilar vem evoluindo cada vez mais. Contudo, mais estudos acerca do assunto são necessários.

Beauty is directly linked to the appearance of hair, in all times and all cultures. Hair throughout life is subject to various types of changes, whether natural or artificial, driven by a desire to change, often because it represents a new phase, as it is also a symbol of self-care, vanity, success, they have significant importance in people's appearance and self-esteem and, therefore, hair loss can affect the individual's quality of life. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate minimally invasive and non- surgical aesthetic procedures with an emphasis on hair loss. To this end, an integrative bibliographic review was carried out, of a descriptive nature, in the main health databases: SciELO, Google Scholar, PubMed and medical books, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, considering the period from 2007 to 2022. According to the latest census by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, the complaint of alopecia is among the ten most frequent complaints in dermatological offices. The most important hair diseases are divided into two groups, scarring when hair loss is accompanied by scars resulting in permanent baldness, and non-scarring where baldness is not permanent leading to gradual thinning and thinning of the hair. Non-scarring alopecia is the most frequent and the most common among them are androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Many patients seek treatment to improve their appearance and self-esteem, which may be related to anxiety and depression. These treatments must be individualized, where the individual characteristics of each patient must be evaluated. Aesthetic hair treatments can contribute significantly to reducing low self-esteem, contributing to the recovery of self-confidence through hair growth provided by aesthetics. Therefore, it is concluded that the results collected in the literature review were satisfactory, in a way that shows that medicines, supplements and aesthetic treatments in hair loss have been evolving more and more. However, more studies on the subject are needed.

La belleza está directamente ligada al aspecto del cabello, en todos los tiempos y en todas las culturas. El cabello a lo largo de la vida está sujeto a diversos tipos de cambios, ya sean naturales o artificiales, impulsados por un deseo de cambio, a menudo, ya sea para representar una nueva etapa, como también es un símbolo de auto- cuidado, la vanidad, el éxito, tienen una importancia significativa en la apariencia y la autoestima de las personas y, por lo tanto, la pérdida del cabello puede afectar la calidad de vida del individuo. En este sentido, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los procedimientos estéticos mínimamente invasivos y no quirúrgicos con énfasis en la pérdida de cabello. Para ello, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica descriptiva integradora en las principales bases de datos de salud: SciELO, Google Scholar, PubMed y libros de medicina, en portugués, inglés y español, considerando el período de 2007 a 2022. Según el último censo de la Sociedad Brasileña de Dermatología, la queja de alopecia está entre las diez más frecuentes en las consultas de dermatología. Las enfermedades capilares más importantes se dividen en dos grupos, las cicatriciales, cuando la caída del cabello va acompañada de cicatrices que dan lugar a una calvicie permanente, y las no cicatriciales, cuando la calvicie no es permanente, dando lugar a un adelgazamiento y reducción gradual del cabello. Las alopecias no cicatriciales son las más frecuentes y entre ellas destacan la alopecia androgenética y el efluvio telógeno. Muchos pacientes buscan tratamiento para mejorar su aspecto y autoestima, que pueden estar relacionados con la ansiedad y la depresión. Estos tratamientos deben ser individualizados, donde se deben evaluar las características individuales de cada paciente. Los tratamientos capilares estéticos pueden contribuir significativamente a la reducción de la baja autoestima, contribuyendo a la recuperación de la confianza en uno mismo gracias al crecimiento del cabello que proporciona la estética. Por lo tanto, se concluye que los resultados recogidos en la revisión bibliográfica fueron satisfactorios, mostrando que los medicamentos, suplementos y tratamientos estéticos para la caída del cabello están evolucionando cada vez más. Sin embargo, son necesarios más estudios sobre el tema.

Safety Investigations of Two Formulations for Vaginal Use Obtained from Eugenia uniflora L. Leaves in Female Rats.

Medicinal plants have great prominence in research into the development of new medicines. Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is an edible and medicinal plant with economic value in the northeast region of Brazil. Several preparations from E. uniflora leaves and its fruits are employed as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. In this study we evaluated the preclinical toxicology of crude extract and vaginal gel obtained from the leaves of E. uniflora (5%, 10%, and 15%) aiming to provide safety for its use in the treatment of vulvovaginitis. Both formulations were applied to the vaginal cavity for 14 days. Detailed observations of the vaginal region, including pruritus, swelling, irritation, burning, pain, and vaginal secretion, as well as the estrous cycle were evaluated. On the fifth day, blood samples were obtained from the supraorbital plexus for biochemical and hematological analyses. The animals were subsequently euthanized. All animals underwent necropsy and macroscopic examination of the vaginal mucosa and reproductive system. A histological examination was also performed. No clinically significant changes were detected during the entire experimental period. All biochemical, hematological, or histopathological parameters were within the normal range for the species. The data obtained allow us to suggest that the E. uniflora vaginal formulations are safe in this experimental model.

Otimização de método extrativo para raízes de Arctium lappa L / Extractive method optimization for Arctium lappa l. Roots / Optimización de un método de extracción de raíces de Arctium lappa L

Arctium lappa L. é indicada no Formulário de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira para o tratamento de distúrbios urinários leves. Estudos já demonstraram o potencial antioxidante, anti-inflamatório e antidiabético deste extrato, onde foram identificados fenóis, lignanas, taninos e flavonoides. O objetivo deste trabalho foi otimizar o método extrativo de raízes de A. lappa. Realizou-se o preparo de extratos por diferentes métodos: Ultrassom, Soxhlet, maceração e turbo extração. A otimização foi realizada por turbo extração seguindo um planejamento fatorial 23, empregando como fatores: teor alcoólico, concentração da matéria prima e tempo de extração. Os extratos foram avaliados quanto ao resíduo seco, teores de fenóis e flavonoides, e atividade antioxidante. Com relação ao resíduo seco, e aos teores de fenóis e flavonoides, os métodos de ultrassom e turbo extração demonstraram melhor poder extrativo. Devido ao menor tempo e custo operacional, a otimização foi realizada por turbo extração, e o extrato otimizado foi obtido utilizando álcool 60%, em proporção matéria prima solvente 1:10 e tempo de extração de 15 minutos. Estas análises poderão nortear futuros testes de transposição de método para escala industrial, diminuindo mão de obra, tempo e custos, visando obter produtos fitoterápicos mais eficientes, com valor acessível à população.

Arctium lappa L. is indicated in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia Herbal Medicines Form for the treatment of mild urinary disorders. Studies have already demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of this extract, where phenols, lignans, tannins and flavonoids were identified. The objective of this work was to optimize the extractive method of A. lappa roots. Extracts were prepared by different methods: Ultrasound, Soxhlet, maceration and vortical extraction. The optimization was performed by vortical extraction following a 23 full factorial design, using as factors: alcohol content, drug concentration and extraction time. The extracts were evaluated for dry residue, phenols and flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activity. Regarding the dry residue, and the phenols and flavonoids contents, the ultrasound and vortical extraction methods showed better extractive power. Due to the lower operating time and cost, the optimization was performed by vortical extraction, and the optimized extract was obtained using 60% alcohol, in a 1:10 drug solvent ratio and extraction time of 15 minutes. These assessments guide the future tests of transposition of the method to an industrial scale, reducing manpower, time and costs, aiming to obtain more efficient phytotherapic products, with affordable value for the population.

Arctium lappa L. está indicado en la Formulacao de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira para el tratamiento de trastornos urinarios leves. Los estudios han demostrado el potencial antioxidante, antiinflamatorio y antidiabético de este extracto, donde se identificaron fenoles, lignanos, taninos y flavonoides. El objetivo de este trabajo fue optimizar el método extractivo de las raíces de A. lappa. Los extractos se prepararon por diferentes métodos: Ultrasonido, Soxhlet, maceración y turboextracción. La optimización se realizó mediante turboextracción siguiendo una planificación factorial de 23, empleando como factores: tenor alcohólico, concentración de materia prima y tiempo de extracción. Se evaluaron los extractos para determinar el residuo seco, el contenido de fenoles y flavonoides y la actividad antioxidante. En cuanto al contenido de residuo seco, fenoles y flavonoides, los métodos de extracción por ultrasonidos y turbo demostraron un mejor poder de extracción. Debido al menor tiempo y coste operativo, la optimización se realizó mediante turboextracción, y el extracto optimizado se obtuvo utilizando alcohol 60%, en proporción disolvente-materia 1:10 y tiempo de extracción de 15 minutos. Estos análisis podrán orientar futuros ensayos de transposición del método para escala industrial, reduciendo mano de obra, tiempo y costes, con el objetivo de obtener productos fitoterapéuticos más eficientes, con valor accesible para la población.

The NO-cGMP-K+ Channel Pathway Participates in Diuretic and Cardioprotective Effects of Blutaparon portulacoides in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Blutaparon portulacoides is a Brazilian plant species that is widely used in folk medicine. The present study investigated the role of an aqueous extract of B. portulacoides against hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was obtained from the whole plant. Its chemical profile was analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was evaluated in female Wistar rats. Male 6-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats then received the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/kg), or vehicle once daily for 28 days. On days 1, 14, and 28, the diuretic effects of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides were evaluated. The role of prostaglandins and the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway in the diuretic activity of the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides was also investigated. At the end of the treatment, hepatic and renal biochemical markers, serum nitrotyrosine, malondialdehyde, nitrite, and aldosterone levels, and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity were measured. The electrocardiographic profile, blood pressure, and renal vascular reactivity were also assessed. The heart, kidneys, and liver were collected to determine relative organ weight, histopathology, and cardiac morphometry. Caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and several flavonoids were identified in the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides. No signs of toxicity were observed. Prolonged treatment with the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides (300 mg/kg) induced significant diuretic activity by activating the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway. These effects reduced blood pressure and oxidative stress and prevented renal vascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy that was induced by hypertension. Overall, the present data suggest that the aqueous extract of B. portulacoides has important diuretic and cardioprotective effects by activation of the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-potassium channel pathway.

Repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study of Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke.

Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke is a plant with medicinal properties popularly used in Brazil to treat diabetes and obesity. Despite the promising use of this plant, are still incipient toxicology studies on prolonged periods of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study of V. megapotamica methanolic extract (VMME) in male and female Wistar rats. Different groups of rats (n = 8) were treated daily with three different doses of VMME (100, 300, and 900 mg/kg) or vehicle (filtered water). Body weight, water, and feed consumption, and clinical and behavioral changes were monitored daily. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were obtained for hematological and biochemical analyzes. After euthanasia, the vital organs were removed for the determination of relative weight and for histopathological analysis. No clinical signs of toxicity or mortality were found during the experimental period. Treatment with VMME did not induce any change in body weight gain, eating patterns, and behavior. We found no statistically significant changes in the different hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated. The relative weight of the organs and histopathological analysis did not show any significant change when compared to animals treated with the vehicle. The data obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the VMME obtained from V. megapotamica is safe after a repeated-dose 90-day oral toxicity study in male and female Wistar rats.