From Nature to Innovation: The Uncharted Potential of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents.

This review discusses the significance of natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) as a promising green extraction technology. It employs the consolidated meta-analytic approach theory methodology, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases to analyze 2091 articles as the basis of the review. This review explores NaDESs by examining their properties, challenges, and limitations. It underscores the broad applications of NaDESs, some of which remain unexplored, with a focus on their roles as solvents and preservatives. NaDESs' connections with nanocarriers and their use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors are highlighted. This article suggests that biomimicry could inspire researchers to develop technologies that are less harmful to the human body by emulating natural processes. This approach challenges the notion that green science is inferior. This review presents numerous successful studies and applications of NaDESs, concluding that they represent a viable and promising avenue for research in the field of green chemistry.

Phenolic Compound Profile by UPLC-MS/MS and Encapsulation with Chitosan of Spondias mombin L. Fruit Peel Extract from Cerrado Hotspot-Brazil.

Taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado that has shown important characteristics such as a significant phenolic compound content and biological activities. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity in taperebá peel extract, as well as microencapsulating the extract with chitosan and evaluating the stability of the microparticles. The evaluation of the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by UPLC-MS/MS. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods. The microparticles were obtained by spray drying and were submitted to a stability study under different temperatures. In general, the results showed a significant content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results of UPLC-MS/MS demonstrated a significant content of polyphenols in taperebá peel, highlighting the high content of ellagic acid and quercetin compounds. There was significant retention of phenolic compounds when microencapsulated, demonstrating high retention at all evaluated temperatures. This study is the first to microencapsulate the extract of taperebá peel, in addition to identifying and quantifying some compounds in this fruit.

Anticancer activity of flavonol and flavan-3-ol rich extracts from Croton celtidifolius latex.

CONTEXT: Croton celtidifolius Baill (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree found in the Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil, where it is commonly known as "Sangue-de-Dragão". Its red latex is used traditionally for treating ulcers, diabetes and cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antitumor activities of Croton celtififolius latex in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phytochemical analyses were conducted using HPLC-DAD-MS. Cytotoxic, nuclease and pro-apoptotic properties were determined using the tetrazolium salt assay (MTT), plasmid DNA damage assay and ethidium bromide (EB)/acridine orange methods, respectively, and antitumor activity was determined in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) mouse model. RESULTS: Phytochemical studies indicated a high phenol content of flavonols (45.67 ± 0.24 and 18.01 ± 0.23 mg/mL of myricetin and quercetin, respectively) and flavan-3-ols (114.12 ± 1.84 and 1527.41 ± 16.42 mg/L of epicatechin and epigallocatechin, respectively) in latex. These compounds reduced MCF-7 and EAC cell viability in the MTT assay (IC50 = 169.0 ± 1.8 and 187.0 ± 2.2 µg/mL, respectively). Latex compounds caused significant DNA fragmentation and increased the number of apoptotic cells (negative control (NC), 12%; latex, 41%) as indicated by differential staining in the EB/acridine orange assay. The in vivo latex treatment at 3.12 mg/kg/day reduced the body weight by 7.57 ± 2.04 g and increased median survival time to 17.5 days when compared to the NC group (13.0 days). In addition, the highest latex concentration inhibited tumor growth by 56%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results agree with ethno-pharmacological reports showing cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of C. celtidifolius latex. The mechanism of antitumor action may be related to direct DNA fragmentation that reduces survival and induces apoptosis.

Drug Use among the Elderly Assisted by the Psychosocial Assistance Center in District Federal-Brasilia.

The inadequate and abusive usage of psychoactive substances is something real that affects Brazil's elderly population, and it is a huge challenge for the public health system and its professionals. Aware of the social impact involving the use of illegal drugs, in 2002, the Ministry of Health instituted a network of psychosocial assistance as a strategy to deal with the problem. This study carried out an analysis of the profile of use of legal and illegal drugs by the elderly who are assisted by the network of psychosocial assistance in the Federal District. A quantitative and analytical study with secondary data collection, using patient records held in the CAPS-AD in the Federal District. The inclusion criteria were people of 60 and over who were users of alcohol and other drugs and who sought assistance at CAPS-AD between 2000 and 2017. A total of 408 medical records were analyzed concerning social demographic variations, types of rehabilitation services sought, types of substances consumed, associations between drugs consumed, time of consumption, and adherence to the treatment. Most of the elderly users were male (85.3%), on average 64 ± 4.42 years old. Regarding the drugs consumed, the highest quantity was for illegal substances (76%), compared to the legal ones (23%). No significant difference was found between males (OR = 1.1) and females (OR = 0.74) regarding the use or abuse of multiple drugs. The elderly used both legal and illegal drugs for a long period of time, with low adherence to the treatment, and alcohol consumption among the elderly prevailed above the other psychoactive substances.

The 2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone isolated from Myrcia multiflora has antiobesity and mixed hypolipidemic effects with the reduction of lipid intestinal absorption.

This study evaluated the hypolipidemic and antiobesity effects of phloroacetophenone (2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone, THA) isolated from Myrcia multiflora and their relationship with triglyceride (TG) intestinal absorption and pancreatic lipase activity inhibition. The hypolipidemic effect of THA was evaluated by acute (Triton WR-1339 treatment) and chronic assay (high-fat diet treatment), the antiobesity effect was evaluated by chronic assay (high-fat diet treatment), while the inhibition of enzymatic activity of pancreatic lipase was measured in the intestinal tissue of mice treated with high olive oil concentration. In the acute assay, THA caused greater total cholesterol (37 %) and triglyceride (46 %) serum level reduction than lovastatin (32 and 1 %), a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or orlistat (26 and 34 %), a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor. In addition, in the chronic assay with a high-fat diet, THA reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels (32 and 61 %, respectively) while lovastatin showed a decrease of 35 and 49 %, respectively. THA also caused a reduction in weight gain very similar to orlistat (40 and 38 %, respectively) when the animals were submitted to a high-fat diet. Moreover, THA showed a stronger and continuous pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity when compared with orlistat, causing inhibition of this enzyme during 6 hours associated to a significant reduction of triglyceride serum levels. The IN VIVO antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects of THA may be partly mediated by delaying the intestinal absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity.

Caracterização química e físico-química de extratos aquosos e hidroetanólicos de entrecascas e cerne de ipê-roxo (Handroanthus impetiginosus Mart. Ex DC. Mattos ­ Bignoniaceae) / Chemical and physicochemical screening of red lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosus Mart. ex DC. Mattos ­ Bignoniaceae) inner bark and heartwood aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts

O ipê-roxo (Handroanthus impetiginosus Mart. ex DC. Mattos) é uma espécie vegetal nativa do Cerrado brasileiro. Essa espécie é utilizada tradicionalmente no Brasil por suas atividades antimicrobiana, antioxidante e antineoplásica. Apesar de popularmente serem utilizadas as entrecascas da planta em decoctos, alguns autores explicitam que seu cerne também pode prover substâncias potencialmente ativas. O estudo objetivou comparar os métodos de extração tradicionais por maceração e decocção utilizando cerne e entrecascas da planta. As drogas vegetais de entrecasca e cerne de ipê-roxo foram analisadas quanto aos teores de cinzas e água. Os decoctos e extratos hidroetanólicos foram caracterizados por análises qualitativas e quantitativas para identificar sete diferentes classes de metabólitos secundários potencialmente ativos, e quantificar resíduo seco e polifenóis totais. Identificou-se a presença de flavonoides e compostos fenólicos em todos os extratos, saponinas nos decoctos e alcaloides nos extratos hidroetanólicos. Os extratos de entrecascas apresentaram maior teor de resíduo seco, e o decocto de entrecascas apresentou maiores valores em teor de polifenóis totais (1,11 mg/mL ± 0,01), tendo extraído 5,62 mg de polifenois totais por grama de base seca. A decocção de entrecascas apresentou o melhor perfil extrativo, confirmando esse método de extração como o mais adequado para finalidades terapêuticas.

Self-medication and adherence to drug treatment: assessment of participants of the Universidade do Envelhecer (the University of Aging) program / Automedicação e adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso: avaliação dos participantes do programa Universidade do Envelhecer

Objectives : to evaluate the use of medication (for continuous use and self-medication) and adherence to treatment among elderly and non-elderly participants of the Universidade do Envelhecer (UniSer). Method : an observational, quantitative and cross-sectional study, using the interview technique, was carried out at UniSer with 215 subjects. A structured instrument was used for the collection of sociodemographic variables and self-medication data. The 1986 Morisky-Green-Levine Scale (MGL) and the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) regimen screening tool were used to assess adherence. Descriptive analyzes of the data were performed, and the chi-squared Test and Fisher's Exact Test were applied to evaluate the association between variables of interest. Results : of the participants, 127 (59.1%) were elderly (< 60 years old), of whom 81.9% were women. Regarding self-medication, 22.9% of elderly and 21.7% of non-elderly persons practiced it in the previous seven days (p=0.848), even if they considered it dangerous (p=0.472). A total of 45.8% of the elderly and 55.6% of the non-elderly irrationally self-medicated within the analyzed period, while 76.4% of the elderly and 64.8% of the non-elderly used medications of continuous use (p=0.063). A total of 78.8% of the elderly and 76.1% of the non-elderly were not adherent to treatment (p=0.719) according to the MGL scale, while the BMQ Regimen Screen found that 36.7% of the elderly and 41.1% of the non-elderly were not adherent (p=0.595). Conclusion : these findings demonstrate that there were no significant differences between the groups studied and health education actions should be carried out with an emphasis on guidelines on adherence and the rational use of medicines.

Objetivo : avaliar o uso de medicamentos de forma contínua e por automedicação e a adesão ao tratamento entre os participantes idosos e não idosos da Universidade do Envelhecer (UniSer). Método : estudo observacional, quantitativo e transversal, com emprego da técnica de entrevista, realizado na UniSer com 215 sujeitos. Foi utilizado um instrumento estruturado que permitiu a coleta de variáveis sociodemográficas e automedicação. Foram utilizados a Escala de Morisky-Green-Levine (MGL), de 1986, e o Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) domínio regime na análise de adesão. Foram realizadas análises descritivas dos dados, além do teste qui-quadrado e do exato de Fisher para avaliar associação entre as variáveis de interesse. Resultados : dos entrevistados, 127 (59,1%) foram idosos (>60 anos), sendo 81,9% mulheres. Em relação à automedicação, 22,9% dos idosos e 21,7% dos não idosos a praticaram nos últimos sete dias (p=0,848), mesmo que considerem perigosa (p=0,472). Entre estes, 45,8% dos idosos e 55,6% dos não idosos realizaram automedicação irracional dentro do período analisado. Tem-se que 76,4% dos idosos e 64,8% dos não idosos utilizavam medicamentos de uso contínuo (p=0,063). Ao analisar a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso, 78,8% dos idosos e 76,1% dos não idosos não eram aderentes ao tratamento (p=0,719) segundo a escala MGL; já pelo BMQ domínio Regime 36,7% dos idosos e 41,1% dos não idosos não eram aderentes (p=0,595). Conclusão: estes achados demonstram que não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos estudados e as ações de educação em saúde devem ser realizadas com ênfase nas orientações sobre adesão e uso racional de medicamentos.

Stilbenes and tyrosol as target compounds in the assessment of antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity of Vitis vinifera red wines from southern Brazil.

The contents of stilbene monomers, cis-resveratrol, trans-resveratrol, cis-piceid, trans-piceid, and tyrosol, were quantified in Vitis vinifera red wines, cvs. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah, 2006 and 2007 vintages, from the São Joaquim region, a new grape-growing region at southern Brazil. Moreover, the effect of chronic consumption of these wines on the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities was monitored in C57BL6 LDL receptor knockout mice and treated with a hypercholesterolemic diet. Red wines from this region had substantial levels of resveratrols (the predominant forms were glycoside and trans) and tyrosol. Biomonitoring of antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities in vivo revealed that consumption of these wines increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced the hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia promoted by the hypercholesterolemic diet. Significant correlations were found between the increase of antioxidant capacity markers, the decrease of lipid levels promoted by wine consumption, and the contents of stilbenes and tyrosol, supporting the important biological activity of these compounds.

Potent hepatoprotective effect in CCl(4)-induced hepatic injury in mice of phloroacetophenone from Myrcia multiflora.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant properties of phloroacetophenone (2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone - THA), an acetophenone derived from the plant Myrcia multiflora. MATERIAL #ENTITYSTARTX00026; METHOD: The free radical scavenging activity in vitro and induction of oxidative hepatic damage by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) were tested in male Swiss mice (25±5 g). RESULTS: This compound exhibited in vitro antioxidant effects on FeCl(2)-ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mouse liver homogenate, scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The in vivo assays showed that THA significantly (p<0.01) prevented the increases of hepatic LPO as measured by the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, mitochondrial swelling. It also protected hepatocytes against protein carbonylation and oxidative DNA damage. Consistent with these observations, THA pre-treatment normalized the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in CCl(4)-treated mice. In addition, THA treatment significantly prevented the elevation of serum enzymatic activities of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as histological alterations induced by CCl(4). Silymarin (SIL) (24 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug used for comparison, led to a significant decrease (p<0.01) in activities of theses enzymes in way very similar to that observed in pre-treatment with THA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the protective effects are due to reduction of oxidative damage induced by CCl(4) resulting from the antioxidant properties of THA.

Avaliação do tempo de meia-vida de antocianinas de uvas cabernet sauvignon em sobet / Evaluation of half-life time of anthocyanins of cabernet sauvignon grapes in sorbet

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade e a viabilidade da aplicação de antocianinas de casca de uva Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinífera L.) como corante natural em sorbet. As amostras foram monitoradas pela medida da absorvência em espectrofotômetro (ultra-violeta visível) durante 7 semanas. Foram realizados cálculos de tempo de meia-vida e percentagem de retenção de cor desses pigmentos em sorbet. O experimento foi realizado com tres repetições em triplicata. Os resultadosdemonstraram que a utilização desses pigmentos em sorbet é via´vel, apresentando tempo de meia-vida de aproximadamente 8 meses e percentagem de retenção de cor de 87,7 por cento ao final do experimento