Nanoemulsion with wine lees: a green approach.

Bioactive substances can be found in wine lees, a waste from the winemaking industry. This work developed two formulations, a nanoemulsion with coconut oil (NE-OC) and a nanoemulsion with coconut oil and 0.5% of wine lees extract (NE-OC-Ext), to investigate their effect on untreated, bleached, and bleached-colored hair. The oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions were prepared with coconut oil, TweenTM 80, SpanTM 80, AristoflexTM AVC, Conserve NovaMit MFTM, wine lees extract, and deionized water. The hydration measurements were carried out using a Corneometer® CM 825 with the capacitance method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the effect of formulations on hair fibers. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) was to assess the thermal stability and compatibility of wine lees and coconut oil in formulations. Compared to NE-OC, NE-OC-Ext showed a greater hydration effect on bleached-colored hair. DTA showed that NE-OC-Ext presented a smaller number of exothermic degradation events than those of NE-OC, suggesting good interaction and compatibility of the wine lees extract in this formulation. This study highlights the value of wine lees, a residue from the winemaking process, and its possibility of use as raw material for the cosmetic hair industry since it shows a greater moisturizing potential in colored hair.

Hybrid Vesicular Nanosystems Based on Lipids and Polymers Applied in Therapy, Theranostics, and Cosmetics.

Nanotechnology has made great contributions in the development of materials with potential application in different areas, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, where nano-systems are being intensely studied for controlled drug release. These innovative systems are composed of structures such as nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and cyclodextrins, with the aim of promoting enhanced bioavailability of bioactive molecules. Among these nanocarriers, vesicles such as liposomes and polymersomes are considered to be promising alternatives in delivering hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. They have different classifications according to their composition, among which are hybrid vesicles, which unlike liposomes are composed of both lipids and polymers. These vesicular systems stand out for combining the advantages of both components, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems imposed by low stability and premature release of the encapsulated active substance. The polymers applied in hybrid vesicles can make up the membrane structure itself or be employed to coat preformed vesicles. Due to the relevance of these systems, this work covers their characteristics and summarizes recent articles about them in the literature.

Nanovesicle-based formulations for photoprotection: a safety and efficacy approach.

Vesicular nanosystems are versatile and they are able to encapsulate actives with different solubilities, such as lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds. The most well-known vesicular nanosystems are liposomes and niosomes, the last one is formed by non-ionic surfactants. In the present work, we developed photoprotective niosomes containing sunscreens (octyl methoxycinnamate, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate and phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid), non-ionic surfactants, cholesterol and stearylamine (positive-charged lipid). Studies based on dynamic light scattering techniques, entrapment efficiency and morphology by transmission electron microscopy were performed to characterize the niosomes. In addition, rheology, pH, in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) efficacy and toxicity and in vivo and in vitro safety were determined for the niosome formulations F-N1 and F-N2. The mean sizes of N1 and N2 were 168 ± 5 nm and 192 ± 8 nm, respectively, and their morphologies were spherical, unilamellar and with an entrapment efficiency of more than 45% for each sunscreen. Both formulations, F-N1 and F-N2 presented characteristics of pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluids, showing declining viscosity with increasing shear rate applied. SPF values were considered satisfactory, 34 ± 8 for formulation F-N1 and 34 ± 5 for F-N2. The formulations did not present toxicity when tested in macrophages and the pH was compatible with skin, which minimizes allergies. The in vitro safety assay showed lipophilic sunscreens greater affinity for the epidermis, since this layer contains natural lipids. In vivo safety assay suggests that the increased skin retention of N2 is directly correlated with the positive charge of stearylamine. Stable photoprotective niosomes were obtained and were shown to be promising nanostructures to be used against solar radiation.

The development and characterization of Propranolol Tablets using Tapioca starch as excipient.

Tapioca starch (TS) is produced from Cassaca roots and it is differentiated from other starches because it contains about 17-20% amylase and low amount of residual substances. Propranolol (POP) is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agent and it is in the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of TS in the development of POP tablets by means of direct compression. Its evaluation was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), uniformity of weight, drug content, disintegration, friability, hardness, dissolution test and drug release kinetics. The TS granules were spherical with mean diameter of 10.09 ± 1.85 µm. The XRD, FTIR and NMR suggested physical interaction between TS and POP. The tablets presented average diameter of 1.1 ± 0.0 cm, 0.24 ± 0.02 cm thickness and average weight of 0.544 ± 0.003 g. The hardness of tablets was 10.98 ± 0.31 N and the percentage of friability was 25.74 ± 0.08%. POP was released after 45 min and the release kinetics properly fitted the Hixson-Crowell equation.

Photoprotection assessment of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves extract standardized to oleuropein: In vitro and in silico approach for improved sunscreens.

Olive leaves contain higher amount of polyphenols than olive oil and represent a waste product from olive harvest and pruning of olive trees. The most abundant compound in olive leaves is oleuropein. Benefits of the topical application of olive leaves extract were previously reported, but little information is available on its photoprotective potential and the result of the association of this extract with organic UV filters in topical sunscreen formulations. The olive leaves extract photoprotective potential is less explored for both oral and topical photoprotection in comparison with other plants extracts and polyphenols, such as Polypodium leucotomos extract and resveratrol. There are increasing efforts towards developing more efficient sunscreens and a photoprotection assessement along with a better understanding of the photochemistry of naturally occurring sunscreens could aid the design of new and improved commercial sunscreen formulations. This study was designed to investigate the photoprotective potential of olive leaves extract standardized for oleuropein performing a set of in vitro and in silico tools as an innovative approach, highlighting yeast assays, in vitro Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and molecular modelling studies of UV absorption. This study supports the use of olive leaves extract for photoprotection, as an effective photoprotective, anti-mutagenic and antioxidant active, also showing a synergistic effect in association with UV filters with an improvement on in vitro SPF of sunscreen formulations.

Niosomes as Nano-Delivery Systems in the Pharmaceutical Field.

Nanosystems used in the pharmaceutical field aim to guarantee a controlled release and efficacy boost with dose reduction of the drug. The same active ingredient could be vehiculated in different concentrations in distinct nanosystems. Among these nanostructures, the vesicular ones present a versatile delivery system that could be applied to encapsulate lipophilic, amphiphilic, and hydrophilic compounds. Liposomes are the most well-known vesicular nanosystems; however, there are others, such as niosomes, that are composed of nonionic surfactants that are polymeric or conventional. Niosomes could be prepared using the thin film hydration method, in which the active ingredient is solubilized in organic solvent with the surfactant or in aqueous solution depending on its polarity. In addition, co-surfactants could be used to improve stabilization and vesicle integrity because they occupy regions in the interface where the mainly surfactant could not reach. Vesicular nanosystems could be characterized by different techniques, such as microscopy, dynamic light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and others. These nanostructures could be applied to drugs (administered by different routes) or to gene and cosmetic delivery systems.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of efficacy and safety of photoprotective formulations containing antioxidant extracts

ABSTRACT Chronic exposure to solar radiation could contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Skin presents its own antioxidant defense, however when defenses are out of balance, reactive oxygen species could damage biological structures. In the present work, an oil-in-water photoprotective emulsion was developed and Bauhinia microstachya var. massambabensis Vaz, Fabaceae, extracts at 1% (obtained by extraction with different solvents) were added to this emulsion. In vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety of the formulations were evaluated. Spectrophotometric methods and in vivo Colipa test were performed to evaluated efficacy of the formulations, through sun protection factor (SPF) determination and UVA protection factor assessment. To the in vitro safety assessment HET-CAM, CAM-TBS and Red Blood Cell tests were performed. Results showed that both extracts contributed to a higher in vivo photoprotection (SPF 18) when compared to the formulation without extract (SPF 13), this result could be attributed to the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts that act by capturing reactive oxygen species. Concerning safety, all formulations were considered non-irritant according to in vitro tests. Formulations containing extracts could be considered efficient and safe for cosmetic use since they presented higher sun protection factor and passed the toxicity tests.

Nanosystems in Photoprotection.

The ultraviolet (UV) radiation is responsible for stimulating acute responses in the human skin, those including positive responses like vitamin D synthesis along with negative ones such as erythema. The chronic effects of UV radiation include photoaging and cancer. Sunscreens are classified as organic and inorganic and the safety of the products containing them is related to the evaluation of the effects of these actives on the skin (irritation and sensitization) and also the possibility of cutaneous permeation that may cause the product to permeate into the bloodstream, possibly generating systemic toxicity. Nanotechnology plays an important role in overcoming the obstacles related to sunscreens. In this context, there are the nanosystems that have been widely used as vehicles to sunscreens. The use of nanosystems aims to reduce phototoxicity and cutaneous permeation of sunscreens and also to act in improving the photostability, the sun protection factor (SPF) and the protection spectrum of sunscreens. The most studied nanosystems in photoprotection are: liposomes, nanoparticles (lipid, polymeric and inorganic), cyclodextrins and nanoemulsions.

Molecular modeling studies of the structural, electronic, and UV absorption properties of benzophenone derivatives.

Benzophenone derivatives (BZP), an important class of organic UV filters, are widely used in sunscreen products due to their ability to absorb in the UVA and UVB ranges. The structural, electronic, and spectral properties of BZP derivatives have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods. DFT/B3LYP with the 6-31G(d) basis set is an accurate method for optimizing the geometry of BZPs. The absorption maxima obtained from the TD-DFT calculations in a vacuum were in agreement with the experimental absorption bands and showed that the main electronic transitions in the UVA/UVB range present π → π* character, the major transition being HOMO → LUMO. The oscillator strength seems to increase in the presence of disubstitution at the para position. For protic substituents, the position appears to be related to the absorption band. Absorption in the UVB range occurs in the presence of para substitution, whereas ortho substitution leads to absorption in the UVA spectral region. The obtained results provide some features for BZP derivatives that can be useful for customizing absorption properties (wavelengths and intensities) and designing new BZP derivatives as sunscreens.

Atividades antimicrobiana e fototóxica de extratos de frutos e raízes de Physalis angulata L. / Antimicrobial and phototoxic activities of Physalis angulata L (Solanaceae) extracts, fruits and roots

Extratos e frações de frutos e raízes de Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) foram ensaiados para encontrar atividade antimicrobiana. Aplicando o método de difusão em agar, todas as amostras foram testadas contra Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. O extrato etanólico dos frutos apresentou atividade antibacteriana, a qual teve a atividade fototóxica estimada em cobaias quando expostas a luz ultravioleta, e não foram observados eritemas. Esses dados impulsionaram a pesquisar diferentes formas de obtenção de extratos da planta, com o objetivo de preparar formulações com atividade anti-séptica, que possam se apresentar mais eficazes e seguras, quando aplicadas no tratamento de doenças infecciosas.

Extracts and fractions of Physalis angulata L. prepared from fruits and roots were assayed to find out antimicrobial activity. Using the agar diffusion method all samples were tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The ethanolic extract of the fruits displayed bacterial activity. Phototoxic property was estimated with guinea pigs when they were exposed to ultraviolet light, no erythemas were observed. These data encouraged us to look for different forms of extracts wich could be applied as a safe and effective antiseptic product.

Avaliaçäo do nível de informação do estudo das reaçöes adversas a medicamentos em um Hospital Universitário / Information level of drug adverse reactions study in a University Hospital

Avalia o nível de informação e valorização do estudo das reações adversas a medicamentos dos profissionais da área da saúde, visando a identificar subsídios para elaboração de um Programa de Farmacovigilância. Estudo de delineamento transversal, sendo utilizados questionários, que foram aplicados a enfermeiros, farmacêuticos e médicos lotados em um Hospital Universitário Público situado no Rio de Janeiro e entrevistados enfermeiros e médicos que atuavam nas Unidades de Internação. Quanto aos farmacêuticos foram entrevistados os que atuavam na área de Farmácia Hospitalar. Um total de 274 profissionais foi entrevistado. Conclui que os médicos possuem maior conhecimento sobre os assuntos pertinentes a reações adversas a medicamentos, abordados no questionário, do que enfermeiros e farmacêuticos; o mesmo ocorrendo com enfermeiros em relção a farmacêuticos