Physicochemical, biological and release studies of chitosan membranes incorporated with Euphorbia umbellata fraction

Abstract Formulations containing chitosan incorporated with methanolic fraction of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, Euphorbiaceae, were studied aiming future applications of this new material as medicine. In order to investigate potential interactions between chitosan and the methanolic fraction (10, 50 and 100% in relation to the amount of chitosan) physicochemical characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy, density, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and colorimetry techniques. The phenolic compounds released from the chitosan membranes were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteau quantification method; antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were also studied. Increasing amounts of the methanolic fraction added to polymeric matrix produced different numbers of pores on the surface of the membranes, changes in the calorimetric, spectroscopic and crystalline properties as well as color changes, when compared to the inert membrane. These changes can be attributed to chemical interactions that occurred between the structure of the chitosan and the phenolic compounds present in the studied fraction. The matrix samples incorporated with 50 and 100% of the methanolic fraction presented different release profiles of phenolic compounds from the membranes (controlled manner) and promoted antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Estudo fitoquímico de goiaba (Psidium guajava L. ) com potencial antioxidante para o desenvolvimento de formulação fitocosmética / Phytochemical study of guava (Psidium guajava L. ) with potential antioxidant activity aiming at developing a phytocosmetic formulation

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento e produção destes produtos, desde a coleta do vegetal até a disponibilidade do produto final. Neste trabalho, foram realizados o controle da qualidade, o potencial antioxidante como também ensaios biológicos in vitro do fruto da goiabeira (Psidium guajava L.), para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação fitocosmética. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o fruto apresenta taninos e flavonóides, bem como atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana. A análise microbiológica não apresentou crescimento de patógenos na formulação desenvolvida entre os outros testes realizados. Destaca-se a importância do estabelecimento do controle da qualidade para as plantas, a fim de que sejam utilizadas para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação fitocosmética segura, eficaz e com qualidade.

Considering the quality of the phytotherapic products, it is important to point out that the concern with this question includes rigorous accompaniment of the different stages of the development and production of these products, since the collection of the vegetable until the availability of the end product. In this work the quality control, the antioxidant potential were performed as also biological assays in vitro of guava fruit (P. guajava L.), for the development of a phytocosmetic formulation. The results had shown that the fruit presents tannins and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The microbiological analysis did not present growth of pathogens. The importance of the establishment of the quality control for the plants is relevant, so that they are used for the development of a phytocosmetic formulation considered safe, efficient and with quality.