Purification and drying methods of sericin from Bombyx mori cocoons.

Different methods of purification and drying of sericin were evaluated to obtain a material free of contaminating residues through the development of safer and sustainable environmental technology. Samples purified using different proportions of alcohol solvents and by freezing/thawing were compared, while drying was performed by lyophilisation and atomisation in a spray. No significant statistical differences were observed in the yield of the purification process compared with the evaluated methods. Thus, the freezing/thawing method has economic and environmental advantages over other methods. Drying by spraying and lyophilisation produced particles exhibiting different properties in terms of structure: ß-sheets, random sheets, and ß-turns. In general, these particles are amorphous. The particles obtained by spray drying were more luminous, soluble, and spherical. Thus, purification by freezing/thawing and drying by spray can be considered appropriate methodologies for obtaining contaminant-free sericin through sustainable environmental technology.

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.

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.

Análise da participação popular e das variáveis que interferem na mesma com relação ao SUS: uma revisão / Analysis of popular participation and the variables that interfere with it in relation to SUS: a review / Análisis de la participación popular y de las variables que interfieren en ella en relación con SUS: una revisión

Para que haja um sistema de saúde eficiente, a participação da comunidade se faz essencial nesse processo, pois é direito da mesma expor suas necessidades para que novas ações relativas à saúde sejam tomadas. Nesse sentido, o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) tem em sua construção espaços que são destinados a esta prática, como os Conselhos e Conferências de Saúde. Todavia ainda é notório que os cidadãos brasileiros não ocupam estes espaços de maneira efetiva. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica com o intuito de compreender os motivos que corroboram com a falta de participação da comunidade. As principais problemáticas levantadas após a pesquisa nas bases de dados foram a escassa compreensão da legislação vigente, sensação de obrigatoriedade (trabalho) e certa pressão do próprio sistema contra o cidadão. Todavia, nota-se que apesar das dificuldades, há formas de contornar essas barreiras, através da implementação de tecnologias de comunicação que facilitem o diálogo da população para com o Estado. Portanto, ainda que haja muitas dificuldades impostas no cotidiano dos cidadãos, existem formas do exercício da cidadania - participando da construção do SUS - que podem ser implementadas com o auxílio da tecnologia.

In order to have an efficient health system, the participation of the community is essential in this process, because it is their right to expose their needs so that new actions related to health can be taken. In this sense, the Unified Health System (SUS) has in its construction spaces that are destined to this practice, such as the Health Councils and Conferences. However, it is still notorious that Brazilian citizens do not effectively occupy these spaces. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform a literature review in order to understand the reasons that corroborate the lack of community participation. The main problems raised after the database research were the lack of understanding of the current legislation, the feeling of obligation (work), and a certain pressure of the system itself against the citizen. However, it is noted that despite the difficulties, there are ways to get around these barriers, through the implementation of communication technologies that facilitate the dialogue of the population with the State. Therefore, even though there are many difficulties imposed in the daily lives of citizens, there are ways of exercising citizenship - participating in the construction of the SUS - that can be implemented with the help of technology.

Para un sistema de salud eficiente, la participación de la comunidad es esencial en este proceso, ya que es un derecho de la comunidad exponer sus necesidades para que se tomen nuevas acciones relacionadas con la salud. En este sentido, el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) tiene en su construcción espacios que se destinan a esta práctica, como los Consejos y Conferencias de Salud. Sin embargo, sigue siendo notorio que los ciudadanos brasileños no ocupan efectivamente estos espacios. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión bibliográfica para conocer las razones que corroboran la falta de participación de la comunidad. Los principales problemas planteados tras la investigación en las bases de datos fueron la escasa comprensión de la legislación vigente, el sentimiento de obligación (trabajo) y una cierta presión del propio sistema contra el ciudadano. Sin embargo, se constata que, a pesar de las dificultades, hay formas de sortear estas barreras, a través de la implementación de tecnologías de comunicación que faciliten el diálogo de la población con el Estado. Por lo tanto, aunque haya muchas dificultades impuestas en la vida cotidiana de los ciudadanos, hay formas de ejercer la ciudadanía - participar en la construcción del SUS - que pueden ser implementadas con la ayuda de la tecnología.