Characterization of a lignin from Crataeva tapia leaves and potential applications in medicinal and cosmetic formulations.

Lignins are phenolic macromolecules that have several applications. In this work, we examine some biological activities of a lignin-like macromolecule isolated from the Crataeva tapia leaves, not yet studied to evaluate its potential applications in medicinal and cosmetic formulations. Lignin was obtained by alkaline delignification and its physical-chemical characterization was made by means of FT-IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, molecular mass determination and thermal analysis. Lignin is of the GSH type, with levels of hydrogen (5.10%), oxygen (27.18%), carbon (67.60%), nitrogen (0.12%) and phenolic content of 189.6 ± 9.6 mg GAE/g. In addition, it is a thermally stable macromolecule with low antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity and cytokine production were assessed by flow cytometry. The photoprotective activity was evaluated by adding different concentrations of lignin to a commercial cream. Lignin was not cytotoxic, it stimulated the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 and did not promote a significant change in nitric oxide levels. In addition, this macromolecule was able to promote increased absorption of ultraviolet light from a commercial cream. These results reinforce the ethnopharmacological use of C. tapia leaves and suggest the need for further studies to determine the potential medicinal and cosmetic applications (sunscreen) of lignin from C. tapia leaves.

Lignin isolated from Caesalpinia pulcherrima leaves has antioxidant, antifungal and immunostimulatory activities.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a shrub with worldwide distribution used as an ornamental plant. In this study, we extracted a lignin from the C. pulcherrima leaves and investigated its biological functions. The lignin was characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, GPC, TGA and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using phosphomolybdenum complexation methods (TAA), sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, reducing power, formation of nitrite radical and iron chelating activity (Fe2 +). Antifungal activity was made using Candida spp., Aspergillus spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans strains. Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cytokine production were performed using mouse splenocytes. The lignin showed maximal UV-Vis at ~280 nm, 22.27 L/g·cm of absorptivity and, 2,503 kDa of molecular weight. Phenolic compounds (41.33 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g) and indications of a guaiacyl-syringyl-hydroxyphenyl (GSH)-type composition were found. Antioxidant activities of lignin to TAA (40±1.2%) and to DPPH (16.9±0.2%) was high and showed antifungal potential, especially against Candida spp. (IC50 = 31.3 µg/mL) and C. neoformans (15.6 µg/mL). In mouse splenocytes, the lignin was not cytotoxic and stimulated the cell proliferation and cytokine release. These results indicate that C. pulcherrima lignin has the potential to be used as antifungal and immunostimulant compound.

Tolerance of early oral feeding in patients subjected to total laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the tolerance of early oral feeding after total laryngectomy. METHOD: A randomized multicenter study was conducted that included 89 individuals subjected to total laryngectomy. The participants were allocated to 2 groups: early (n = 44), early oral feeding; and late (n = 45), late oral feeding. The participants in the early group were assessed as to acceptance of oral feeding, and their food intake was quantified. RESULTS: In the early group, the total energy expenditure and protein needs were not met through oral feeding alone at any time during the first 7 postoperative days. The times to attain 25% and 50% of the total energy expenditure and protein needs by oral feeding after surgery were 4 and 7 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The patients subjected to early oral feeding failed to meet their caloric and protein needs through that route alone during the first 4 postoperative days and required complementary nutrition through another route. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E643-E648, 2016.