Development of a Phytocosmetic Enriched with Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) Oil

Abstract The pulp oil of Caryocar brasiliense Camb., better known as pequi, is used in the typical cuisine of the Brazilian Cerrado region. It is also used in folk medicine to combat several types of disease of the respiratory system and skin. However, since its exploration is purely extractive, the exhaustion of this plant is already foreseen. Thus, in order to establish the sustainable use of pequi and contribute to its maintenance, this study aimed to develop a phytocosmetic with antioxidant and photoprotective properties using the oil of this fruit. Initially, the cytotoxicity of the oil was evaluated in order to establish the safety of its use and its fatty acid composition. Then, from the cream enriched with the oil, it was evaluated the antioxidant and photoprotector potentials, quantified the total phenolic content and examined the quality of the formulation. Pequi oil showed high percentages of palmitic (52.11%) and oleic (44.57%) fatty acids and absence of cytotoxicity. The analysis of the cream revealed 168.8 mg of total phenols in gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of oil. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed an EC50 of 2.921 mg/mL and a capacity of inhibiting the lipoperoxidation process higher than 100%. The obtained sun protection factor was 11.40 at the concentration of 6.25 mg/mL. The quality tests revealed small disturbances in the cream stability that can be solved by further research and improvement of the formulation. The pequi oil can be converted into a phytocosmetic of great commercial value.

Ultrastructural study of morphological changes in Schistosoma mansoni after in vitro exposure to the monoterpene rotundifolone

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, affects more than 200 million people worldwide, and its control is dependent on a single drug, praziquantel. Here, we report the in vitro effect of rotundifolone, a monoterpene isolated from Mentha x villosa (Lamiaceae), on Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. METHODS: The in vitro effect of rotundifolone on adult Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated by analysis of behavior and mortality and through a scanning electron microscopic analysis of ultrastructural changes in the tegument of the worms. RESULTS: At concentrations of 3.54 and 7.09μg/mL-1 rotundifolone, no worm mortality was observed at any of the sampling intervals. A minor reduction in movement of the tail, suckers, and gynecophoral canal membrane was observed after 96 h of exposure to 7.09μg/mL-1 rotundifolone. At 70.96μg/mL-1, a lack of movement was observed from 72h onwards and all worms were deemed dead; similar effects were observed at 48h with 177.4μg/mL-1, and at 24h with 354.8μg/mL-1 and 700.96μg/mL-1. Rotundifolone also caused death of all parasites and separation of coupled pairs into individual males and females after 24h at 354.8μg/mL-1. CONCLUSIONS: The main changes in the tegument induced by the different ROT treatments were: after 24h incubation, bubble lesions spread over the entire body and loss of tubercles occurred in some regions of the ventral region.

Organic fertilization and composition of oregano essential oil / Fertilización orgánica y composición de aceite esencial de orégano

Origanum vulgare L. better known as oregano or marjoram in Europe and Brazil is a herbaceous plant which determines long-range chemical and morphological diversity. The composition of essential oil of herbs like oregano, depends on different factors such as climate, geographical origin, harvest season, nutrition that can significantly affect the oil production and quality. The objective of this work was investigate the oregano oil production and composition in differents conditions of crops and seasons in Cerrado of Brazil. The experimental was a randomized block design (RBD) in a factorial 2 x 2 x 2 with five replications, two systems of planting (greenhouse and field), two types of fertilizers (mineral and organic) and two seasons (autumn and spring). The results of essential oil presented the same composition for all the treatments. However, the relative proportion of some chemical constituents was altered according to the planting in greenhouse or in field and organic or mineral fertilizer. Carvacrol, terpinene, ortho-cymene were the major constituents. The spring season and the field conditions favored better essential oil yield and carvacrol production.

Origanum vulgare L. mejor conocido como orégano o mejorana en Europa y Brasil es una planta herbácea que presenta una gran diversidad química y morfológica. La composición del aceite esencial de hierbas como el orégano, depende de diversos factores tales como el clima, la procedencia geográfica, época de la cosecha, la nutrición que pueden afectar significativamente la producción de aceites y su calidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la producción de aceite de orégano y composición en diferentes condiciones de los cultivos y las estaciones en Cerrado de Brasil. La parte experimental consistió en bloques al azar (RBD) en un diseño factorial 2 x 2 x 2 con cinco repeticiones, dos sistemas de siembra (invernadero y de campo), dos tipos de fertilizantes (minerales y orgánicos) y dos estaciones (otoño y primavera). Los resultados del aceite esencial presentan la misma composición para todos los tratamientos. Sin embargo, la proporción relativa de algunos componentes químicos se modificó de acuerdo con la siembra en invernadero o en el campo y abono orgánico o mineral. Carvacrol, terpineno, orto-cimeno fueron los principales constituyentes. La temporada de primavera y las condiciones de campo favorecieron el rendimiento de aceite esencial y una mejor producción de carvacrol.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN Schistosoma mansoni MALE WORMS AFTER in vitro INCUBATION WITH THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF Mentha x villosa Huds

Introduction: The essential oil Mentha x villosa (MVEO) has a wide range of actions, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal and schistosomicidal actions. The present study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural changes of MVEO on the tegument of adult Schistosoma mansoni. Materials and Methods: Different concentrations of MVEO were tested on S. mansoni adult worms in vitro. Ultrastructural changes on the tegument of these adult worms were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The MVEO caused the death of all worms at 500 μg mL-1 after 24 h. After 24h of 500 μg mL-1 MVEO treatment, bubble lesions were observed over the entire body of worms and they presented loss of tubercles in some regions of the ventral portion. In the evaluation by TEM, S. mansoni adult worms treated with MVEO, 500 μg mL-1, presented changes in the tegument and vacuoles in the syncytial matrix region. Glycogen granules close to the muscle fibers were visible. Conclusion: The ability of MVEO to cause extensive ultrastructural damage to S. mansoni adult worms correlates with its schistosomicidal effects and confirms earlier findings with S. mansoni.