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The skin is the largest organ of the human body and has several functions such as barrier against external agents, the maintenance of temperature and homeostatic functions. Skin ageing is a natural process that can be influenced by environmental factors, intrinsic skin factors and lifestyle. UV light plays an important role in skin ageing and can cause spots, requiring the use of depigmenting agents. Nowadays, there is a great demand for ingredients that prevent skin ageing, with natural agents occupying a promising position. Among the natural agents, polyphenols, such as resveratrol and piceatannol, found in grapes, passion fruits and other fruits, have a huge relevance. Great benefits of piceatannol have been reported, so thus, this work focuses specifically on a review of the literature regarding the application of this polyphenol in skin care products. This polyphenol can be used in a wound‐healing, or as anti‐ageing, antioxidant, anti‐acne and skin whitening, among other effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] This study aims to design and characterize Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and Nanostructured lipid carrier-based hydrogels with Passiflora edulis seeds oil, a by-product from Madeira Island food industry. NLC were prepared by the ultrasonication technique, using passion fruit seeds oil as a liquid lipid and glyceryl distearate as a solid lipid. These NLC were then gelled with Poly (acrylic acid). Long-term stability studies were conducted with NLC and NLC-based hydrogels stored for 12 months. The following tests were performed: morphology, encapsulation efficiency, particle size analysis, polydispersity index analysis, zeta potential, pH measurement, color analysis, viscosity studies, texture analysis, in vitro occlusion test, ex vivo skin penetration study, tyrosinase inhibition activity, in vitro skin permeation experiments and in vitro cytotoxicity studies. The developed NLC had spherical shape and narrow particle sizes distribution with mean sizes in the range of 150 nm and PDI below 0.3, Zeta potential values around −30 mV and high Encapsulation efficiency. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity and skin retention of the nanoparticles was superior to that of the non-encapsulated oil. The developed formulations did not show cytotoxicity towards HaCat cells and presented suitable viscosity and texture properties for skin application, proving to be good candidates as depigmenting agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, studies on the by-products from the food industry, such as passion fruit seeds, have significantly increased, as these can have an added value, due to their properties, such as potential antioxidant activity. This study was conducted to determine the presence of piceatannol and resveratrol in various extracts of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds from Madeira Island and a commercial passion fruit oil was used as reference. The commercial oil and the extracts that were obtained by traditional Soxhlet method with ethanol and acetone did not reveal the presence of the two stilbenes, piceatannol and resveratrol. However, the extracts that were obtained by the ultrasound method showed significant amounts of piceatannol and resveratrol when compared with the commercial oil. The presence of these compounds indicates that this oil could have potential application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, due to their proven antioxidant and anti-aging properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The delivery of peptides and proteins usually faces formulation development challenges attributed to the difficulties encountered in their stabilization. Nanoparticles offer an alternative to improve the physicochemical stability of such biomacromolecules, while increasing their bioavailability by overcoming biological absorption barriers. With this review, we aim to discuss the stability problems of proteins and peptides that have driven the scientific community to find in nanotechnology a valid alternative for oral administration of biomolecules. In addition, we describe the most commonly used nanoparticles for this purpose (e.g., polymers such as polylactic acid, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, modified chitosan, and lipids such as oil-in-water nanoemulsions, self-emulsified drug delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, liposomes, as well as hybrid systems like micelles), and we show some of the most important recent applications of these nanoparticles for the delivery of proteins and peptides, including for the treatment of diabetes, viruses (such as HIV), cancer, as well as in the development of vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, which can be found in mammalian milk. It was first isolated from bovine milk in the 1930s, and later in the 1960s, it was determined from human milk. This multifunctional protein has the specific ability to bind iron. It plays various biological roles, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-tumour, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. There are several studies describing its use against in various cancer cell lines (e.g., liver, lung and breast) and the glycoprotein has even been reported to inhibit the development of experimental metastases in mice. Previous studies also suggest Lf-mediated neuroprotection against age-related neurodegenerative diseases and it is also expected to attenuate aging. More recently, Lf has been proposed as a potential approach in COVID-19 prophylaxis. In this review, we discuss the recent developments about the biological activities of this pleiotropic glycoprotein that will reason the exploitation of its biomedical and supplementary nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidation of lipids and lipoproteins contributes to inflammation processes that promote the development of eye diseases. This is a consequence of metabolism dysregulation; for instance, that of the dysfunctional peroxisomal lipid metabolism. Dysfunction of lipid peroxidation is a critical factor in oxidative stress that causes ROS-induced cell damage. Targeting the lipid metabolism to treat ocular diseases is an interesting and effective approach that is now being considered. Indeed, among ocular structures, retina is a fundamental tissue that shows high metabolism. Lipids and glucose are fuel substrates for photoreceptor mitochondria; therefore, retina is rich in lipids, especially phospholipids and cholesterol. The imbalance in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid accumulation in the human Bruch's membrane are processes related to ocular diseases, such as AMD. In fact, preclinical tests are being performed in mice models with AMD, making this area a promising field. Nanotechnology, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to develop site-specific drug delivery systems to ocular tissues for the treatment of eye diseases. Specially, biodegradable nanoparticles constitute an interesting approach to treating metabolic eye-related pathologies. Among several drug delivery systems, lipid nanoparticles show attractive properties, e.g., no toxicological risk, easy scale-up and increased bioavailability of the loaded active compounds. This review analyses the mechanisms involved in ocular dyslipidemia, as well as their ocular manifestations. Moreover, active compounds as well as drug delivery systems which aim to target retinal lipid metabolism-related diseases are thoroughly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]