Curcuma Longa: Nutraceutical Use and Association With Nanotechnology.

Curcumin is a natural product found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (L.) and other Curcuma spp. As a lipophilic molecule, it has greater affinity for polar, non-polar, alkaline, or extremely acidic organic solvents. Several studies indicate that curcumin has several benefits for human health, for example, against degenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. To obtain a quality product with nutraceutical properties, it is necessary to know its physicochemical characteristics and preserve it from cultivation until ingestion by the human. However, its low solubility leads to low absorption; in this context, nanotechnological systems can contribute to increase curcumin bioavailability. This review aims to highlight important issues in all stages that curcumin goes through: from aspects related to its extraction to its association with nanotechnology. Although curcumin extraction process is already well established, it is possible to observe more and more research focused on increasing yield and being more environmentally friendly. Further, curcumin's low absorption is notable due to its physicochemical characteristics, mainly due to its low aqueous solubility. However, its association with nanotechnology shows to be promising and an increasingly growing trend because the use of this "Indian solid gold" is the hope of many patients.

Functionalized lipid-based drug delivery nanosystems for the treatment of human infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases are still public health problems. Microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the main causing agents related to these diseases. In this context, the search for new effective strategies in prevention and/or treatment is considered essential, since current drugs often have side effects or end up, causing microbial resistance, making it a serious health problem. As an alternative to these limitations, nanotechnology has been widely used. The use of lipid-based drug delivery nanosystems (DDNs) has some advantages, such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, controlled release, the ability to carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, in addition to be easel scalable. Besides, as an improvement, studies involving the conjugation of signalling molecules on the surfaces of these nanocarriers can allow the target of certain tissues or cells. Thus, this review summarizes the performance of functionalized lipid-based DDNs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

An overview of the use of central venous catheters impregnated with drugs or with inorganic nanoparticles as a strategy in preventing infections.

Central venous catheter (CVC) is a medical device widely used in therapeutics to avoid repetitive venipuncture. Although its use is advantageous, it is possible to highlight limitations, such as the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections, caused by excessive manipulation and even the urgency at the time of insertion. These factors lead to an expensive treatment, often hampered by resistance to antimicrobial agents, exposing the patient the risk and even leading to death. The use of CVC impregnated with free drugs or incorporated with nanoparticles is a promising strategy for preventing the adherence of microorganisms in these devices and consequently in the prevention of the infections. Although most of the nanoparticles registered by the FDA for medical use are organic, several studies have reported the potential of inorganic nanoparticles for this purpose. Therefore, the present review seeks to highlight the current scenario of hospital infections related to the use of CVC and the importance of CVCs impregnated with drugs or incorporated with inorganic nanoparticles as an interesting strategy in combating infections assigned to the use of this medical device.