Cecropia pachystachya Trécul: a promising ingredient for skin-whitening cosmetics

Abstract Because it promotes the lightening of pigment spots, tyrosinase inhibition is one of the mechanisms of depigmenting cosmetic products. Considering the adverse effects produced by synthetic depigmenting actives, the search for new therapeutic options is desirable, and plant extracts are possible candidates for hyperpigmentation treatment. Glycolic extracts of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul are, therefore, the focus of this study. Its chemical characterization, antioxidant activity, tyrosinase inhibition, and cell viability were evaluated. Glycolic extracts were obtained by macerating the leaves of C. pachystachya in grain alcohol and glycerin or propylene glycol. Both had a similar chemical constitution, the glycerin being more efficient in concentrating phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Analyses by UHPLC-MS detected quinic acid, chlorogenic acid isomers, proanthocyanidin dimers type B and C, catechin/epicatechin, orientin/isoorientin, isoorientin 2"-O-xyloside, vitexin/isovitexin, and rutin. 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid was then quantified was then quantified, with predominance in the extract produced with propylene glycol. These extracts showed a high antioxidant capacity by the method of DPPH, ß-carotene, and nitric oxide. As for depigmenting activity, both extracts were able to inhibit tyrosinase. Cell viability assay also revealed that the extracts could safely be used in concentrations of ≤ 125 µg/mL. Thus, this study demonstrated for the first time that the glycolic extracts of C. pachystachya have promising chemical and biological characteristics for the development of a multifunctional cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase-inhibition activities

Antimicrobiana de óleos essenciais e extratos glicólicos de plantas medicinais sobre enterobactérias resistentes a beta-lactâmicos de amplo espectro / Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils and glycolic extracts of medicinal plants on wide spectrum beta-lactamic resistant enterobacteria

O avanço da resistência bacteriana tem sido considerado pela OMS uma das maiores ameaças à saúde pública do século XXI. Os patógenos multirresistentes aumentam as taxas de mortalidade e elevam o custo do tratamento antibiótico no mundo todo, tanto em hospitais quanto na comunidade. As opções terapêuticas estão ficando cada vez mais escassas frente a tantos mecanismos de resistência. Dentre eles, as enzimas, como as beta-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL), se destacam pelo grande espectro de hidrólise, inativando penicilinas e cefalosporinas. A disseminação da capacidade de produção dessas enzimas é facilitada pela localização dos genes em plasmídeos, e atualmente está presente tanto em ambientes hospitalares quanto na comunidade. Novas alternativas estão sendo pesquisadas, e possíveis fontes de substâncias com atividade antimicrobiana são as plantas, já amplamente utilizadas na medicina popular. Entre elas, podemos citar a arnica (Arnica montana) e a erva-cidreira (Cymbopogon citratus), que tem atividade antimicrobiana descrita na literatura, e apresentaram atividade contra enterobactérias em testes prévios deste grupo de pesquisa. Neste trabalho, foram testadas as atividades in vitro de extratos glicólicos e óleos essenciais destas duas plantas contra enterobactérias produtoras de ESBL, tendo sido testadas 42 cepas, e dentre elas, 12 apresentaram teste positivo para ESBL. Foi realizada a técnica de difusão em ágar, que mostrou que os micro-organismos apresentaram certa sensibilidade aos extratos glicólicos, com um maior destaque para o extrato de arnica. Sendo assim, é sugerido que esses extratos possam ser utilizados como alternativa em produtos saneantes de superfícies hospitalares e de unidades de cuidado à saúde, sendo uma alternativa aos produtos sintéticos potencialmente tóxicos comumente empregados.

The advancement of bacterial resistance has been considered by WHO as one of the greatest threats to public health in the 21st century. Multidrug-resistant pathogens increase mortality rates and raise the cost of antibiotic treatment worldwide, both in hospitals and community. Therapeutic options are becoming increasingly scarce in face of so many resistance mechanisms. Among them, enzymes, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), stand out for the large spectrum of hydrolysis, inactivating penicillins and cephalosporins. The dissemination of the production capacity of these enzymes is facilitated by the location of genes in plasmids, and is currently present both in hospital environments and in the community. New alternatives are being researched, and possible sources of substances with antimicrobial activity are plants, which are already widely used in folk medicine. Among them, we can mention arnica (Arnica montana) and lemon balm (Cymbopogon citratus), which has antimicrobial activity described in literature, and showed activity against enterobacteria in previous tests of this same research group. In this work, in vitro activities of glycolic extracts and essential oils of these two plants were tested against ESBL-producing enterobacteria. 42 strains were tested, and among them, 12 tested positive for ESBL. Agar diffusion technique was performed, which showed that the microorganisms showed some sensitivity to glycolic extracts, with greater emphasis on the extract of arnica. Therefore, it is suggested that these extracts can be used as an alternative in sanitizing products on hospital surfaces and health care units, being an alternative to the potentially toxic synthetic products commonly used.

Antibacterial Activity of Gels with Pomegranate, Apricot and Green Tea Glycolic Extracts.

Pomegranate (PGE) and green tea (GTGE) glycolic extracts are being employed in formulations because of their antiseptic and astringent effects. Apricot (AGE) glycolic extract possesses function cooling and antibacterial. The aim was to verify the antibacterial activity of these extracts incorporated in gel base. The antibacterial activity was verified by diffusion in agar method, using cylinder in plate. Plates containing Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538p), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536) and Salmonella sp. (ATCC 19196) were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. After incubation, the results were analysed with a pachymeter, observing the bacterial growth inhibition halo diameter and the statistical significance level was determined. PGE presented activity only against P. aeruginosa; GTGE presented activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli; and AGE presented activity against P. aeruginosa and Salmonella sp. According to the experimental conditions, it is possible to conclude that GTGE presented the greater growth inhibition halo diameter when compared with other extracts, suggesting higher antibacterial action of this extract.