Innovative multiple nanoemulsion (W/O/W) based on Chilean honeybee pollen improves their permeability, antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Beehive derivatives, including honeybee pollen (HBP), have been extensively studied for their beneficial health properties and potential therapeutic use. Its high polyphenol content gives it excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Today its use is limited due to poor organoleptic properties, low solubility, stability, and permeability under physiological conditions. A novel edible multiple W/O/W nanoemulsion (BP-MNE) to encapsulate the HBP extract was designed and optimized to overcome these limitations. The new BP-MNE has a small size (∼100 nm), a zeta potential greater than +30 mV, and efficiently encapsulated phenolic compounds (∼82%). BP-MNE stability was measured under simulated physiological conditions and storage conditions (4 months); in both cases, stability was promoted. The formulation's antioxidant and antibacterial (Streptococcus pyogenes) activity was analyzed, obtaining a higher effect than the non-encapsulated compounds in both cases. In vitro permeability was tested, observing a high permeability of the phenolic compounds when they are nanoencapsulated. With these results, we propose our BP-MNE as an innovative solution to encapsulate complex matrices, such as HBP extract, as a platform to develop functional foods.

The antioxidant activity of standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in rats.

The standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) has been widely employed for its significant benefit in neurodegenerative disorders. Although antioxidative actions have been attributed to this extract, the mechanisms of the multiple principles involved in this pharmacological activity are not completely established. Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are frequently associated with oxidative stress and defects in the cellular protective mechanisms. In this study, the lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated in the hippocampus, striatum and substantia nigra (SN) of rats treated with EGb 761. An increase in the CAT and SOD activities in the hippocampus, striatum and SN, and a decrease of the LPO in the hippocampus were observed. These data are additional to the antioxidant properties of EGb 761 reported in the literature and indicate a possible role for the extract in the treatment of diseases involving free radicals and oxidative damage.

Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of extracts and isolated compounds from Stachytarpheta cayennensis.

The alcoholic and n-butanolic extracts of dried leaves of Stachytarpheta cayennensis (L.C. Rich) Vahl (Verbenaceae) was assessed in antiinflammatory and antinociceptive models. Intraperitoneal pretreatment with the dried extracts at doses ranging from 100 to 200 mg/kg, significantly inhibited carrageenin inducing edema formation. The active extracts were then fractionated and monitored with the same bioassay. The iridoid ipolamiide and the phenylethanoid glycoside acteoside were isolated from the active fraction and showed inhibitory effect on histamine and bradykinin induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum. The compounds also showed in vivo antiinflammatory activity when administered orally to rats mainly in the fourth hour after the administration of the phlogistic agent (70.22% and 93.99%, respectively). These results indicate that S. cayennensis shows antiinflammatory properties which seems to be due, at least partly, to the inhibition of bradyknin and histamine. The extracts also exhibited antinociceptive activity measured by the hot-plate test both i.p. and p.o. in doses ranging from 100 to 300 mg/kg.