Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of orally disintegrating films based on starch and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with Cordia verbenacea (erva baleeira) extract.

Cordia verbenacea (erva baleeira) is a plant used in indigenous folk medicine. Due to its pharmacological properties (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), it can be used in the development of herbal medicines by different forms of administration such as orally disintegrating films (ODFs), which would facilitate the systemic release of its active ingredients. Considering the properties of the C. verbenacea and the advantages of ODFs, the objective of this work was the potential development of ODFs with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The polymeric matrices were produced based on starch and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and additives with different C. verbenacea extract concentrations in order to obtain concentrations of 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg flavonoids/ODF. The films were characterized by microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, mechanical properties, mucoadhesiveness, in vitro disintegration, in vitro release of flavonoids, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the films. The ODFs showed good antioxidant activity and high anti-inflammatory capacity with inhibition of COX-2 enzyme. The stability study demonstrated the conservation of flavonoids and also the maintenance of the anti-inflammatory capacity of ODFs. This study demonstrated that orally disintegrating films have high potential for the delivery of natural bioactive compounds and the maintenance of their pharmacological properties.

Effects of different sources and levels of copper on lipid metabolism in Merino × Texel lambs.

The study was conducted with 40 lambs Merino × Texel in order to determine the effects of 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM of copper sulphate and copper-methionine on the lipid and cholesterol metabolism. The lambs were randomly distributed into 5 treatments, with 8 animals each. The treatments were: control, without cooper additions; 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM in the form of copper sulphate; 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM in the form of copper-methionine. The hepatic concentration of copper was higher in lambs supplemented with copper. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum, as well as the SFTU did not differ between treatments. The supplementation of copper regardless of source or level reduced the concentration of cholesterol in the LT muscle, and reduced the concentration of GSH and increased the concentration of GSSG in the liver. Additionally, there was a minimal effect on the fatty acid profile of lipid in lambs.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effect of hydroxyapatite containing Brazilian propolis.

The aim of this work was to produce hydroxyapatite powder (HA) containing the dry extract of green and red propolis, and to evaluate the possible bactericidal activity of these materials over a short period of time through a fast release system. The ethanolic extracts of green and red propolis (EEP) were incorporated into the material by spray drying. After release tests, powders containing dry EEP were characterized regarding the content of total phenolics and flavonoids. Material characterization was undertaken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by plate colony counting, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The cytotoxicity of the materials was determined by the neutral red incorporation method. The materials showed apparently spherical morphology, indicating a decrease in the degree of agglomeration with the addition of propolis. Characteristic HA and propolis functional groups were observed in the FTIR. The materials showed a higher release of phenolics and lower amounts of flavonoids when compared to the EEP, with the higher amounts of flavonoids observed for HA with red propolis. A bactericidal effect was observed for all materials within the interval of 0.5 and 1 h, showing lower inhibitory activity (MIC) and higher bactericidal activity (MBC) when compared to the EEP, with the best results attributed to HA with red propolis. The IC50 values (which is the concentration needed to inhibit cell growth by 50%) obtained from the cytotoxicity assay for HA with the green and red propolis lay between MIC and MCB. Considering these results, it is suggested that HA and propolis may be used as a possible antimicrobial agent, inhibiting the growth of S. aureus, although further in vivo biocompatibility should be investigated before using this material as a medical device with bactericidal potential.