Herbal Technological Prospects of Morus nigra L.: A Systematic Patent Analysis Review.

BACKGROUND: Morus nigra L. is a plant with significant potential for drug development due to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds in its various parts. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to compile the technological perspectives of Morus nigra L. towards drug development and therapeutic indications based on registered patents in databases. METHODS: The study analyzed patents published within the last five years, focusing on products derived from different parts of the Morus nigra L. plant. Patent databases such as the European Patent Office (EPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the National Institute of Industrial Property Databases (INPI) were examined. RESULTS: A total of 45 patents were categorized by country of origin, type of applicant, extraction method, and therapeutic indications. China had the highest number of patent filings (43.48%), and private companies were the primary technology patent holders (38.64%). Noteworthy extraction methods included ultrasound-assisted extraction, decoction, infusion, and maceration. The most utilized plant parts were leaves (44.44%), followed by fruits (35.56%), root bark (15.56%), and stems (4.44%). The main therapeutic indications identified were the treatment of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia (43.33%), along with digestive problems, cosmetics, nutrition, and cleaning applications. CONCLUSION: The study of patents covers discoveries and advancements often absent in scientific articles, making a review focused on this advanced information crucial for expanding existing scientific knowledge. Even if some therapies have been explored previously, patents can reveal innovative approaches and fresh perspectives that contribute to sustained scientific progress.

Resveratrol-Loaded Attalea funifera Oil Organogel Nanoparticles: A Potential Nanocarrier against A375 Human Melanoma Cells.

This study aimed to evaluate Attalea funifera seed oil with or without resveratrol entrapped in organogel nanoparticles in vitro against A375 human melanoma tumor cells. Organogel nanoparticles with seed oil (SON) or with resveratrol entrapped in the seed oil (RSON) formed functional organogel nanoparticles that showed a particle size <100 nm, polydispersity index <0.3, negative zeta potential, and maintenance of electrical conductivity. The resveratrol entrapment efficiency in RSON was 99 ± 1%. The seed oil and SON showed no cytotoxicity against human non-tumor cells or tumor cells. Resveratrol at 50 µg/mL was cytotoxic for non-tumor cells, and was cytotoxic for tumor cells at 25 µg/mL. Resveratrol entrapped in RSON showed a decrease in cytotoxicity against non-tumor cells and cytotoxic against tumor cells at 50 µg/mL. Thus, SON is a potential new platform for the delivery of resveratrol with selective cytotoxic activity in the treatment of melanoma.

A Review of Analytical Methods for Calcium Salts and Cholecalciferol in Dietary Supplements.

Dietary supplements composed by the combination of a calcium salt with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are widely used for improving bone health in conditions caused by the deficiency of these compounds in the body. Historically, these supplements have been linked to quality and safety issues. In the case of calcium salts, the presence of potentially toxic contaminants such as lead (Pb) has already been alerted by health authorities from different countries. Meanwhile, cholecalciferol is very unstable under inadequate manufacturing and storage conditions. The content of both compounds in commercial dietary supplements is often found to be in disagreement with the label claims, which can lead to a deficient or excessive nutrient intake by consumers. In this scenario, analyzing these compounds is still a difficult and time-consuming task, which usually requires specific pretreatment procedures and multiple analytical methods due to the inorganic nature of calcium and the organic nature of cholecalciferol. Therefore, this article reviews the analytical methods, described in official compendia and scientific literature, for the determination of calcium salts and cholecalciferol in dietary supplement formulations. We also approached the sample preparation procedures highly required due to the matrix complexity of these materials.