HYDROGELS:: PRODUCTION, CLASSIFICATION, AND PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATION

Polymers are macromolecules made up of smaller units, the monomers, offering advantages for their different physical and chemical properties; being classified according to their nature in natural (biopolymers) and synthetic. Among the polymeric biomaterials are hydrogels, which are 3D polymeric networks with the ability to absorb a large volume of water. Characteristics such as flexibility, chemical and physical versatility, response to stimuli, and resilient structure are the main advantages of hydrogels, which are classified based on their origin, crosslinking, polymerization method, biodegradability, physical properties, and ionic charge. Hydrogels are used in various fields, yet most of the research is taking place in the field of biomedical applications because of their similarity to tissue, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Based on this, this narrative type of literature review was conducted by searching articles indexed in the databases: PubMed, SciELO, Science direct, BVS, MedLine and Lilacs. As inclusion criteria, the articles should be between 2015 to 2020, freely available in the databases, with the following descriptors in the title and/or abstract: Hydrogels, Polymeric biomaterials, Obtaining, Classification and Pharmaceutical applications, those that did not have these criteria were excluded from the review. After the inclusion criteria 41 articles were used, aiming to detail the main characteristics and classifications of hydrogels that enable their use in various pharmaceutical applications. Based on the studies, the use of hydrogels in biomedical applications has been acquiring a key role, since due to their characteristics they have the ability to adapt to the needs of the desired application, although studies are still needed to improve them even more

ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT SPECIES FROM BRAZILIAN CAATINGA AGAINST DERMATOPHYTES

Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, or Trichophyton spp. are the main etiologic agents of dermatophytosis, whose treatment is limited by the high cost of antifungal treatments, their various side effects, and the emergence of resistance amongst these species. This study evaluated the in vitro antidermatophytic activity of 23 crude extracts from nine plant species of semiarid vegetation (caatinga) found in Brazil. The extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 1,000.0 mg/mL by broth microdilution assay against the reference strains T. rubrum ATCC 28189 and T. mentagrophytesATCC 11481, and 33 clinical isolates of dermatophytes. All plants showed a fungicidal effect against both fungal species, with MIC/MFC values of the active extracts ranging from 15.6 to 250.0 µg/mL. Selected extracts of Eugenia uniflora (AcE), Libidibia ferrea (AE), and Persea americana (AcE) also exhibited a fungicidal effect against all clinical isolates of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complex. This is the first report of the antifungal activity of Schinus terebinthifolius, Piptadenia colubrina, Parapiptadenia rigida, Mimosa ophthalmocentra, and Persea americana against both dermatophyte species

ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT SPECIES FROM BRAZILIAN CAATINGA AGAINST DERMATOPHYTES

Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, or Trichophyton spp. are the main etiologic agents of dermatophytosis, whose treatment is limited by the high cost of antifungal treatments, their various side effects, and the emergence of resistance amongst these species. This study evaluated the in vitro antidermatophytic activity of 23 crude extracts from nine plant species of semiarid vegetation (caatinga) found in Brazil. The extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 1,000.0 mg/mL by broth microdilution assay against the reference strains T. rubrum ATCC 28189 and T. mentagrophytesATCC 11481, and 33 clinical isolates of dermatophytes. All plants showed a fungicidal effect against both fungal species, with MIC/MFC values of the active extracts ranging from 15.6 to 250.0 µg/mL. Selected extracts of Eugenia uniflora (AcE), Libidibia ferrea (AE), and Persea americana (AcE) also exhibited a fungicidal effect against all clinical isolates of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complex. This is the first report of the antifungal activity of Schinus terebinthifolius, Piptadenia colubrina, Parapiptadenia rigida, Mimosa ophthalmocentra, and Persea americana against both dermatophyte species

Total Flavonoids Content in the Raw Material and Aqueous Extractives from Bauhinia monandra Kurz (Caesalpiniaceae)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the spectrophotometric methodology for determining the total flavonoid content (TFC) in herbal drug and derived products from Bauhinia monandra Kurz. Several analytical parameters from this method grounded on the complex formed between flavonoids and AlCl3 were evaluated such as herbal amount (0.25 to 1.25 g); solvent composition (ethanol 40 to 80%, v/v); as well as the reaction time and AlCl3 concentration (2 to 9%, w/v). The method was adjusted to aqueous extractives and its performance studied through precision, linearity and preliminary robustness. The results showed an important dependence of the method response from reaction time, AlCl3 concentration, sample amount, and solvent mixture. After choosing the optimized condition, the method was applied for the matrixes (herbal material and extractives), showing precision lower than 5% (for both parameters repeatability and intermediate precision), coefficient of determination higher than 0.99, and no important influence could be observed for slight variations from wavelength or AlCl3 concentration. Thus, it could be concluded that the evaluated analytical procedure was suitable to quantify the total flavonoid content in raw material and aqueous extractives from leaves of B. monandra

Influence of Major Polyphenols on the Anti-<i>Candida</i> Activity of <i>Eugenia uniflora</i> Leaves: Isolation, LC-ESI-HRMS/MS Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation

The content of chemical constituents in Eugenia uniflora leaf extracts correlates positively with biological activities. The experimental objective was to carry out the phytochemical screening and purification of the major polyphenols from the leaves of E. uniflora. In addition, the anti-Candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extract, fraction, subfractions and polyphenols purified were evaluated. After partitioning of the extract with ethyl acetate, the fractions were chromatographed on Sephadex® LH-20 gel followed by RP-flash chromatography and monitored by TLC and RP-HPLC. The samples were characterized by mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS2) and subjected to the microdilution method in 96-well plates against strains of C. albicans, C. auris, and C. glabrata. Myricitrin (93.89%; w/w; m/z 463.0876), gallic acid (99.9%; w/w; m/z 169.0142), and ellagic acid (94.2%; w/w; m/z 300.9988) were recovered. The polyphenolic fraction (62.67% (w/w) myricitrin) and the ellagic fraction (67.86% (w/w) ellagic acid) showed the best antifungal performance (MIC between 62.50 and 500 μg/mL), suggesting an association between the majority constituents and the antifungal response of E. uniflora derivatives. However, there is a clear dependence on the presence of the complex chemical mixture. In conclusion, chromatographic strategies were effectively employed to recover the major polyphenols from the leaves of the species

Obtaining a Dermocosmetics from the aerial parts of Eclipta alba (L.) for the treatment of alopecia / Obtenção de um Dermocosmético das partes aéreas de Eclipta alba (L.) para o tratamento da alopecia

Eclipta alba (L.) has been studied for years to treat various diseases amongst them, the alopecia. The objective of this work was to perform the physico-chemical and phytochemical characterization of E. alba to develop a capillary product for alopecia. The physico-chemical characterization of the aerial parts of the herbal drug was performed according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia 6th edition, and the phytochemical analysis was based on the literature. Then the methanolic extract obtained was subjected to spray drying for subsequent incorporation into the dermocosmetic batches. Finally, the product was subjected to quality control analyzes for 15 days and the quantification of wedelolactone was also performed. The percentage of total ashes of the E. alba powder was considered high value, when compared to a published study, where the value of the non-volatile inorganic impurities of the vegetable drug was 10.54%. According to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, the humidity of E. alba powder is within the specified limit, which is 8 to 14%. With the granulometric distribution, it was possible to classify it as moderately thick. The pH of the methanolic extract was within the considered ideal for the cosmetic formulations, which is between 4.5 and 6.0. The Thin Layer Chromatography of the extractive solution revealed the presence of several constituents that have pharmacological activities, amongst them it was possible to evidence the presence of wedelolactone, a coumarin that provides capillary growth. Additionally, the coumarin assay was performed by spectrophotometry at 340 nm, demonstrating the linearity of the method. Therefore, E. alba has been used in a formulation that satisfy the specific care that alopecia needs and meets the expectations of the population that has been affected by hair loss

Libidibia ferrea Fruit Crude Extract and Fractions Show Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antinociceptive Effect In Vivo and Increase Cell Viability In Vitro

Background. Libidibia ferrea (L. ferrea) is found throughout the northeastern region of Brazil, where it has been used in folk medicine with beneficial effects on many inflammatory disorders. Purpose. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the crude extract and fractions of L. ferrea fruit and evaluated its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in vivo and effect on cell viability in vitro. Methods. Characterization of polyphenols present in crude extract (CE), hydroalcoholic fractions of 20-80% ethanol (CE20, CE40, CE60, and CE80), aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions of L. ferrea fruit was performed by chromatographic analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using a carrageenan-induced peritonitis model submitted to a leukocyte migration assay and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) analysis. Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed to evaluate the oxidative stress level. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot plate test. In vitro cell viability was determined by using MTT assay in a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (3T3 cells). Results. Chromatography revealed the presence of ellagic acid content in EAF (3.06), CE (2.96), and CE40 (2.89). Gallic acid was found in EAF (12.03), CE 20 (4.43), and CE (3.99). L. ferrea crude extract and all fractions significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p<0.001). L. ferrea antioxidant effect was observed through high levels of total glutathione and reduction of MDA levels (p<0.001). Acetic acid-induced nociception was significantly inhibited after administration of L. ferrea crude extract and all fractions (p<0.001). Crude extract and all fractions significantly increased the viability of the 3T3 cell line (p<0.05). Conclusions. The appropriate extraction procedure preserves the chemical components of L. ferrea fruit, such as gallic acid and ellargic acid. Crude extract and fractions of L. ferrea fruit exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive activities in vivo and enhanced cell viability in vitro

Crude extract from Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex. Tul.) L.P. Queiroz leaves decreased intra articular inflammation induced by zymosan in rats

Abstract Background Libidibia ferrea (L. ferrea) has been used in folk medicine to treat several conditions and to prevent cancer. This study performed a chromatographic analysis of the crude aqueous extract of Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex. Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (LfAE) leaves and evaluated its in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Methods Polyphenols present in LfAE were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Anti-inflammatory activity was studied in an experimental model of zymosan-induced intra-articular inflammation, conducted in Wistar rats treated with LfAE at the doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg by gavage. Synovial fluid was collected for global leukocyte count, for spectrocopical UV/VIS analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA), and for quantification of inflammatory cytokines IL1-β and TNF-α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Synovial membrane was collected for histological analysis. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05. Results HPLC detected concentrations of 1.56 (0.77) %m/m for ellagic acid and 1.20 (1.38) %m/m for gallic acid in LfAE leaves. Treatment with LfAE at all doses significantly decreased the leukocyte influx into the synovial fluid (p < 0.001) and myeloperoxidase activity (p < 0.001), an important marker of neutrophils. LfAE at doses of 100 (p < 0.05), 200 and 300 mg/kg (p < 0.001) also reduced the levels of MDA. LfAE at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of IL-1β (p < 0.05) and TNF-α (p < 0.001). All doses of LfAE resulted in increased levels of total glutathione (p < 0.001). Histopathological findings confirmed a reduction of the inflammatory infiltrate in the rats treated with LfAE at a dose of 200 mg/kg (p < 0.05). Conclusion LfAE has an important anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on intra-articular inflammation