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.
Symphytum officinale, comfrey, is a medicinal plant known for its healing properties. On the growing conditions and physiological responses of this plant to stress are scarce. We aimed to assess the ...morphophysiological responses of comfrey to short-term severe water restriction (seven days) and to a control treatment under irrigation. Climatological data, growth parameters, pigment content, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, plant morphological responses, and anatomical differences of roots were evaluated. Symptoms of water deficit were evident from the third day onwards, such as leaf wilt and senescence of a greater quantity of leaves, as well as reduction of stomatal conductance. Photochemical activities were affected in the first days, with less intensity on the seventh day for the photosystem II performance index (PI
abs
). The plant aerial parts were more visually affected than the roots, which showed secondary growth after the water restriction imposition, a possible response of tuberization to drought. The water deficit affected the growth and metabolism of comfrey plants, but adjustments in photosynthetic apparatus and increased dry mass productivity indicated a possible adjustment to severe drought. Further experiments are needed to assess whether there is a viability of the root system after shoot senescence due to extreme drought.
Short-term morphophysiological responses of comfrey to different growing conditions are evaluated to support large-scale production.
Alterations in the electron transport chain were evidenced before visual symptoms of water restriction.
The time of exposure to water stress was decisive for the beginning of morphophysiological changes in comfrey plants.
Comfrey roots show secondary growth activity, although reduced, after water restriction.
Nanoemulsions (NE) belong to the class of emulsions widely used in the scientific field in order to improve drugs bioavailability and selectivity, especially in the control of microbial resistance. ...Among the resistant microorganisms, Candida auris is highly resistant to conventional treatments and has caused serious public health concerns. The amphotericin B (AmB) has shown good antifungal activity, however, with a considerable level of toxicity. In light of this, the incorporation of AmB in NE comprises an efficient strategy to overcome side effects besides enhancing its action. Furthermore, NE can be lower cost and less complex to develop compared to other systems already available. This work aimed to design, characterize and evaluate AmB-loaded NE (denominated NEA) against C. auris biofilm. NE were prepared by a mixture of phosphate buffered saline (PBS - aqueous phase), cholesterol and sunflower oil (oil phase) and Polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (Brij® 58) and soy phosphatidylcholine (surfactants). The proposed nanosystem was successfully characterized and the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and release assays were evaluated using HPLC. NEA was applied against developing and mature biofilms formed by C. auris CDC B11903. The characterization assays results showed a clear liquid NE with the size ranging from 44 to 47 nm, good uniformity and zeta potential (ZP) ranging from −3.77 to −3.56 mV. The thermal data analysis confirmed that the drug incorporation did not change the NE profile. Cryo-TEM images exhibited spherical shape with nanostructures well dispersed with an average size of 40 nm. NEA EE ranged from 69 to 17%, having a slower release potential compared to free AmB. In vitro studies performed against C. auris biofilms displayed promising results with high antibiofilm capacity regarding to the growth control (with no treatment). Considering the aforementioned, NE displayed essential characteristics for an effective nanocarrier, exhibiting good EE, slow AmB release and activity against C. auris biofilms.
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is an emerging yeast of worldwide interest due to its antifungal resistance and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to analyse the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of a nanoemulsion ...loaded with amphotericin B (NEA) against planktonic cells and biofilm of
clinical isolates belonging to four different clades. In vivo assays were performed using the
model to analyse antifungal activity and histopathological changes. The in vitro results showed that NEA exhibited better antifungal activity than free amphotericin B (AmB) in both planktonic and sessile cells, with >31% inhibition of mature biofilm. In the in vivo assays, NEA demonstrated superior antifungal activity in both haemolymph and tissue. NEA reduced the fungal load in the haemolymph more rapidly and with more activity in the first 24 h after infection. The histological analysis of infected larvae revealed clusters of yeast, immune cells, melanisation, and granulomas. In conclusion, NEA significantly improved the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of AmB and could be considered a promising therapy for
infections.
ABSTRACT Introduction: In hemodialysis, patients are exposed to a large volume of water, which may lead to fatal risks if not meeting quality standards. This study aimed to validate an alternative ...method for monitoring microbiological quality of treated water and assess its applicability in dialysis and dialysate analysis, to allow corrective actions in real-time. Methods: Validation and applicability were analyzed by conventional and alternative methods. For validation, E. coli standard endotoxin was diluted with apyrogenic water in five concentrations. For the applicability analysis, treated water for dialysis was collected from different points in the treatment system (reverse osmosis, drainage canalization at the storage tank bottom, reuse, and loop), and dialysate was collected from four machines located in different rooms in the hemodialysis sector. Results: The validation results were in accordance with the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia acceptance criteria, except for the last two concentrations analyzed. In addition, the ruggedness criterion performed under the US Pharmacopoeia was in agreement with the results. Discussion: A limiting factor in the applicability analysis was the absence of the endotoxin maximum permitted level in dialysate by the Brazilian legislation. When comparing the analysis time, the alternative method was more time-consuming than the conventional one. This suggests that the alternative method is effective in the case of few analyses, that is, real-time analyses, favoring corrective actions promptly. On the other hand, it does not support the implementation of the alternative method in a laboratory routine due to the high demand for analyses.
RESUMO Introdução: Na hemodiálise, os pacientes são expostos a um grande volume de água, o que pode levar a riscos fatais se não cumprir com padrões de qualidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo validar um método alternativo para monitorar a qualidade microbiológica da água tratada e avaliar sua aplicabilidade em análises de diálise e dialisato, para permitir ações corretivas em tempo real. Métodos: A validação e aplicabilidade foram analisadas por métodos convencionais e alternativos. Para validação, a endotoxina padrão de E. coli foi diluída com água apirogênica em cinco concentrações. Para a análise de aplicabilidade, a água tratada para diálise foi coletada em diferentes pontos do sistema de tratamento (osmose reversa, canalização de drenagem no fundo do tanque de armazenamento, reutilização e circuito) e o dialisato foi coletado em quatro máquinas localizadas em diferentes salas do setor de hemodiálise. Resultados: Os resultados da validação obedeceram aos critérios de aceitação da Farmacopeia Brasileira, com exceção das duas últimas concentrações analisadas. Além disso, o critério de robustez realizado sob a Farmacopeia dos EUA estava de acordo com os resultados. Discussão: Um fator limitante na análise de aplicabilidade foi a ausência do nível máximo permitido de endotoxina no dialisato pela legislação brasileira. Ao comparar o tempo de análise, o método alternativo consumiu mais tempo que o convencional. Isso sugere que o método alternativo é eficaz no caso de poucas análises, ou seja, análises em tempo real, favorecendo ações corretivas imediatamente. Por outro lado, não suporta a implementação do método alternativo em uma rotina de laboratório devido à alta demanda por análises.
Fungal infections are one of the main public health problems, especially in immunocompromised patients, nosocomial environments, patients with chronic diseases, and transplant recipients. These ...diseases are increasingly frequent and lethal because the microorganism has a high capacity to acquire resistance to available therapy. The main resistance factors are the emergence of new strains and the uncontrolled use of antifungals. It is, therefore, important to develop new methods that contribute to combating fungal diseases in the clinical area. Natural products have considerable potential for the development of new drugs with antifungal activity, mainly due to their biocompatibility and low toxic effect. This promising antimicrobial activity of natural products is mainly due to the presence of flavonoids, terpenes, and quinones, which explains their antifungal potential. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology has been explored to enhance the delivery, selectivity, and clinical efficacy of these products. Nanotechnological systems provide a safe and selective environment for various substances, such as natural products, improving antifungal activity. However, further safety experiments (in vivo or clinical trials) need to be carried out to prove the therapeutic action of natural products, since they may have undesirable, toxic, and mutagenic effects. Therefore, this review article addresses the main nanotechnological methods using natural products for effective future treatment against the main fungal diseases.
Abstract Lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid extracted mainly from tomatoes, has several biological properties, making its use desirable as a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical active ingredient. Among its ...various applications vulvovaginal candidiasis stands out. However, the use of LYC in therapy has limitations related to its solubility and stability. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are used to load and protect LYC from degradation. The exact amount of drug incorporated was determined by analytical techniques, such as high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thermal analysis. For this, we developed and validated an HPLC method for LYC quantification and evaluated LYC impregnation in MSNs, followed by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also used in order to confirm drug incorporation. Additionally, an in vitro release study in simulated vaginal fluid was also carried out. The HPLC method was duly validated for the range of 26–125 µg mL −1 and proved to be suitable for LYC quantification. DSC measurements suggest an improvement in the stability of the impregnated drug, which was reinforced by the release assay. Overall, the developed method is suitable to quantify LYC‐loaded porous materials enabling its use in vaginal applications.
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a global public health concern generated by uncontrolled uses of antimicrobials resulting in multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens. The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ...has made explicit the ineffective action of the current medicines and vaccines. Rapid diagnosis and effective treatment are the keys to reduce the capacity of MDR pathogens spreading very fast, avoiding high socioeconomic impact, severe and prolonged illness and death. Advanced porous materials have emerged as promising alternatives to the conventional diagnoses and therapy due to their low‐cost production, high biocompatibility, adjustable porous structure, large surface area, easy surface functionalization and capacity of loading high drugs amount. In this review, we first highlighted the current strategies to fight against infectious diseases. Then, we introduce the main advanced porous materials used in infectious diseases, including mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), porous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent–organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and porous carbon materials. The strategies to fabricate these materials and their characterization for the application in the recent years for antimicrobial treatment is also discussed. Finally, we present an overview outlook and challenges on the future application of such materials for infectious diseases.
Background: Phase angle (PA) is interpreted as an indicator of cell membrane integrity and a prognostic indicator in some clinical situations. This study aims to evaluate PA as a prognostic marker in ...critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and associate this marker with length of hospital stay, mortality, and clinical scores. Methods: A cohort study was conducted with 95 patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the ICU, who were assessed in terms of prognostic indexes (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II APACHE II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment SOFA), clinical evolution (ICU discharge, death, and length of ICU stay), and PA. Results: Patients were predominantly male (63.1%) and had a mean age of 63.7 ± 14.6 years; length of stay of 4 days (range, 3–9 days); mortality of 15.8%; mean APACHE II and SOFA scores of 17.3 ± 8.2 and 6.1 ± 3.1 points, respectively; and mean PA of 4.91 ± 1.36°. An association was observed between females and PA <5.1° (P = .035), which was the cutoff point determined from the receiver operating characteristic curve. PA was correlated with APACHE II score (r = −0.241; P = .02). This correlation became moderate only when patients without sepsis were considered (r = −0.506; P < .001). Conclusions: PA seems to be a good prognostic marker for patients without sepsis. The weak correlation between PA and APACHE II score and the lack of association with other clinical outcomes are limitations for interpreting the prognostic value of PA in the entire study sample.
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.
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