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The objective of this study was to obtain optimized nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) functionalized with chitosan containing chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) as a photosensitizer. Initially, the optimization of the preparation method of the NLC was performed, where the influence of different surfactants such as PVA and Tween 80, as well as different solid lipids such as stearic acid and Glycerol Monostearate (GM) was evaluated. The formulation containing GM and PVA (NLC10) was considered promising. Following, by the adsorption method (NLC10q), the formulation was functionalized with chitosan and characterized. NLC10 and NLC10q presented sizes of 131.5 and 231.5 nm, and ZP of -24.30 and + 19.96 mV, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of NLC10q was 96 %, higher than NLC10 (79 %). The formulations were able to promote significant cutaneous retention of ClAlPc, after 2 h and 4 h of the study, and showed to be non-toxic to fibroblasts (biocompatible). PDT in BF16-F10 melanoma resulted in reduced cell viability to 70 % and 50 % for NLC10 and NLCq, respectively. In view of the results obtained, NLC showed to be promising in the treatment of skin cancer through PDT. NLC10q showed higher encapsulation efficiency and stability than NLC10, but, contrary to what was expected, it presented lower photodynamic efficiency.

UV radiation can cause damages, such as erythema, skin photoaging, and carcinogenesis. The adoption of protective measures against sun exposure is essential to prevent these damages, and the interest in using natural substances as an alternative for photoprotection is growing. Thus, hesperetin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties is a promising substance to be used with photochemopreventive action and to protect the skin from damage induced by UV radiation. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a topical formulation based on AAMVPC gel containing hesperetin and evaluate its photoprotective effect on the skin of rats exposed to UVA-UVB radiation. The animals were submitted to the irradiation protocol UVA-UVB, and at the end, erythema, lipid peroxidation, and activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and superoxide dismutase were evaluated. Additionally, it evaluated the activity of myeloperoxidase and histological changes. The formulation presented a rheological and spreadability profile suitable for cutaneous application. In vivo results demonstrated that the topical formulation of AAMVPC gel containing hesperetin at a concentration of 10% protected the skin from damage induced by UVA-UVB radiation, with the absence of erythema, lipid lipoperoxidation, and inflammation (low myeloperoxidase activity), and increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. The morphology and architecture of the dermo-epidermal tissue of these animals were like those observed under normal conditions (non-irradiated animals). Thus, the results showed that hesperetin was able to protect the animals' skin against UV radiation-induced skin damage and the protection mechanisms may be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this natural product.

The Mikania glomerata Spreng is a specie found in Europe, Africa, North and South America and is commonly known as “guaco” and “guaco climber”. Many scientific studies confirm the bactericidal, anti-ophidic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and bronchodilator pharmacological activities. These studies aim to contribute to new research, report the phytotherapy aspects and describe the therapeutical properties of Mikania glomerata. This study is an integrative review with a descriptive approach. Were found during the study that the guaco therapeutical properties are diverse, such as: antiasthmatic, tonic, antipyretic, expectorant, appetite stimulant, anti-influenza, antirheumatic, soothing, healing, diuretic, emollient, fluidizing, bacterial growth inhibitor, antiallergic, antifungal, antioxidant, anthelmintic. Thereby, the analyzed texts show, besides the properties mentioned above, an expressive performance on duodenal and stomach ulcers, infectious diseases such as tonsillitis and oropharyngeal inflammation, influenzas, and upper airway infections (UAI), usually known as cold. Thus, is essential to highlight the value of the medicinal use of this compound, in a way to accentuate their benefits for the clinical improvement of various conditions that currently affect patients. However, given the data that were shown previously, as well as the limited number of studies, it is fundamental to carry out more research to define more safely the therapeutic properties of the M. glomerata, in addition to showing the long-term effects of the use of your phytotherapic and safe doses, such as side effects. La Mikania glomerata es una especie que se encuentra en Europa, África y América del Norte y del Sur. Es popularmente conocida por 'guaco' y 'guaco-trepador'. Varios estudios científicos confirman las actividades farmacológicas bactericidas, antífilas, antifúngicas, antifúngicas, antiinflamatorias, antidiarreicas, antipalúdicas y broncodilatadoras. Estos estudios tienen como objetivo contribuir a nuevas investigaciones, informar sobre aspectos fitoterapéuticos y describir las propiedades terapéuticas de Mikania glomerata. El presente estudio es una revisión integradora con enfoque descriptivo. Se observó durante el estudio que las propiedades del guaco son diversas: antiasmático, tónico, antipirético, expectorante, estimulador del apetito, antigripal, antirreumático, calmante, cicatrizante, diurético, emoliente, fluidificante, inhibidor del crecimiento bacteriano, antialérgico, antifúngico, antioxidante, antihelmíntico. Así como, los textos analizados apuntan más allá de las propiedades antes mencionadas, demostrando tener un rendimiento significativo en el tratamiento referido a úlceras duodenales y estomacales, enfermedades infecciosas como amigdalitis e inflamación de la orofaringe, gripe e infecciones de las vías respiratorias superiores (IVRS), lo que comúnmente se conoce como resfriado. Por lo tanto, es esencial resaltar la relevancia del uso medicinal de este compuesto, con el fin de resaltar sus beneficios para la mejora clínica de diversas afecciones, que afectan a muchos pacientes en el escenario actual. Sin embargo, en vista de los datos presentados anteriormente, así como del número limitado de estudios, es importante realizar más investigaciones para definir de manera más segura las propiedades terapéuticas de la planta M. glomerata, además de mostrar los efectos a largo plazo del uso de sus dosis herbales y seguras, como los efectos secundarios. A Mikania glomerata Spreng. uma espécie encontrada na Europa, África e nas Américas Central do Norte e do Sul é conhecida popularmente por ‘guaco’ e ‘guaco-trepador’. Vários estudos científicos confirmam as atividades farmacológicas bactericidas, antiofídicas, antialérgicas, antifúngicas, anti-inflamatórias, antidiarreicas, antimalárica e broncodilatadora. Estudos esses que tem por objetivo contribuir com novas pesquisas, relatar os aspectos fitoterápicos e descrever as propriedades terapêuticas da Mikania glomerata. O presente estudo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa com abordagem descritiva. Foram achados durante o estudo que as propriedades do guaco são diversas como: antiasmática, tônica, antipirética, expectorante, estimulador de apetite, antigripal, antirreumático, calmante, cicatrizante, diurética, emoliente, fluidificante, inibidor do crescimento bacteriano, antialérgica, antifúngica, antioxidante, anti-helmíntica. Bem como os textos analisados apontam além das propriedades supracitadas, demonstram ter expressiva atuação no tratamento referente a úlceras duodenais e estomacais, doenças infecciosas como amigdalites e inflamação de orofaringe, gripes e infecções das vias aéreas superiores (IVAS), que é comumente conhecida como resfriado. Dessa forma, é imprescindível destacar a relevância do uso medicinal desse composto, de maneira a ressaltar seus benefícios para a melhora clínica de várias condições que acometem muitos pacientes no cenário atual. Todavia, tendo em vista os dados que foram apresentados previamente, como também o número limitado de estudos, é importante a realização de mais pesquisas para definir com mais segurança as propriedades terapêuticas da planta M. glomerata, além de evidenciar efeitos a longo prazo da utilização do seu fitoterápico e doses seguras, como os efeitos colaterais.

Nifedipine is a potent anti-hypertensive, which is poorly orally bioavailable on account of first-pass metabolism, short half-life, and low water solubility. This study aimed to develop a microemulsified system with low surfactant concentration and to evaluate the influence of microemulsion (ME) phase behavior on skin permeation of nifedipine, as drug model. Thereafter, MEs were obtained using PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid, and phosphate buffer at pH 5.0. The selected MEs were isotropic, with droplet diameters less than 10 nm, polydispersity index 0.25, and pH between 5.0 and 5.2. MEs presented low viscosity and Newtonian behavior. SAXS results confirmed bicontinuous and oil-in-water (o/w) MEs formation. The presence of the drug promoted only very slight modifications in the ME structure. The MEs presented ability to deliver nifedipine via the transdermal route when in comparison with the control. Nevertheless, the skin permeated and retained amounts from the o/w and bicontinuous formulations did not differ significantly. The ATR-FTIR demonstrated that both formulations promoted fluidization and disorganization of lipids and increased the drug diffusion and partition coefficients in the skin. In conclusion, PPG-5-CETETH-20 MEs obtained proved to be effective skin permeation enhancers, acting by rising the coefficients of partition and diffusion of the nifedipine in the skin.

Repellents are important allies in trying to prevent diseases transmitted by mosquito bites. Plants have been a source of various repellents and insecticides because they have a large reservoir of bioactive substances, in addition, their products have already been tested and are gaining space in research as a low-cost and easy-access alternative. A systematic review was carried out in the databases, Science Direct, Scielo, SciFinder, Springer, PubMed / Medline, Scopus and Web of Science, evaluated by three reviewers. Titles, abstracts and articles were analyzed in full in English, Spanish and Portuguese. To identify the articles, the following descriptors from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used: “insect repellents”, “essential oils”, “plants extract”, “repellent activity”, mosquitoes and plants. The bibliographic search resulted in 2274 records. Of these, 27 abstracts were considered potentially relevant, and at the end of the selection, 17 articles were included in their entirety. It was found that medicinal plants showed repellent activity against various species of mosquitoes, however due to the little standardization of the methodologies used and the products obtained it is necessary to develop standardized methods to guarantee the quality and reproducibility of clinical trials with medicinal plants. Los repelentes son aliados importantes para tratar de prevenir enfermedades transmitidas por picaduras de mosquitos. Las plantas han sido fuente de diversos repelentes e insecticidas porque cuentan con un gran reservorio de sustancias bioactivas, además, sus productos ya han sido probados y están ganando espacio en la investigación como alternativa de bajo costo y fácil acceso. Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos Science Direct, Scielo, SciFinder, Springer, PubMed / Medline, Scopus y Web of Science, evaluadas por tres revisores. Los títulos, resúmenes y artículos fueron analizados íntegramente en inglés, español y portugués. Para identificar los artículos se utilizaron los siguientes descriptores de Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “repelentes de insectos”, “aceites esenciales”, “extracto vegetal”, “actividad repelente”, mosquitos y plantas. La búsqueda bibliográfica dio como resultado 2274 registros. De estos, 27 resúmenes se consideraron potencialmente relevantes y, al final de la selección, se incluyeron 17 artículos completos. Se encontró que las plantas medicinales mostraron actividad repelente contra varias especies de mosquitos, pero debido a la falta de estandarización de las metodologías utilizadas y los productos obtenidos, es necesario desarrollar métodos estandarizados para asegurar la calidad y reproducibilidad de los ensayos clínicos con plantas medicinales. Os repelentes são aliados importantes na tentativa de prevenir doenças transmitidas por picadas de mosquitos. As plantas têm sido fonte de diversos repelentes e inseticidas por apresentarem um grande reservatório de substâncias bioativas, além disso, seus produtos já foram testados e vêm ganhando espaço em pesquisas como alternativa de baixo custo e fácil acesso. Foi realizada revisão sistemática nas bases de dados Science Direct, Scielo, SciFinder, Springer, PubMed / Medline, Scopus e Web of Science, avaliadas por três revisores. Títulos, resumos e Artigos foram analisados na íntegra nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português. Para a identificação dos artigos, foram utilizados os seguintes descritores do Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “repelentes de insetos”, “óleos essenciais”, “extrato de plantas”, “atividade repelente”, mosquitos e plantas. A busca bibliográfica resultou em 2274 registros. Destes, 27 resumos foram considerados potencialmente relevantes e, ao final da seleção, 17 artigos foram incluídos na íntegra. Verificou-se que as plantas medicinais apresentaram atividade repelente contra várias espécies de mosquitos, porém devido à pouca padronização das metodologias utilizadas e dos produtos obtidos é necessário o desenvolvimento de métodos padronizados que garantam a qualidade e reprodutibilidade dos ensaios clínicos com plantas medicinais.