José Adão Carvalho Nascimento Júnior

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a complication associated with bacterial colonization of suture material. Although triclosan-coated sutures are used to reduce this risk, concerns regarding their safety and their role in resistance selection have prompted research into alternative approaches. This study evaluated polyglactin 910 sutures coated with Lippia sidoides Cham. essential oil (LSEO), rich in thymol, assessing their physicomechanical properties, in vitro antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and biocompatibility using the Hen's Egg Test–Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Three suture groups were compared: uncoated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl_U), triclosan-coated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl_P), and LSEO-coated polyglactin 910 (VLSEO). All groups met pharmacopoeial requirements for length, diameter, and tensile strength, with VLSEO exhibiting the highest mean tensile strength (13.76 ± 1.43 N), followed by Vicryl_P (13.07 ± 1.04 N) and Vicryl_U (12.43 ± 0.99 N). High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed effective thymol impregnation on the VLSEO surface (142 μg/cm), while scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform and intact surfaces. VLSEO exhibited antibiofilm activity comparable to Vicryl_P, reducing bacterial cell survival to 18% for S. aureus and 30% for E. coli relative to the uncoated control. The HET-CAM assay classified both VLSEO and LSEO as non-irritant (0 ± 0). Thus, LSEO-coated sutures demonstrated adequate mechanical properties, antibiofilm activity, and biocompatibility, representing a promising alternative to triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of SSIs.

Background/Objectives: Essential oils (EOs) from plants of the genus Cinnamomum have been widely used based on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, their elevated volatility and limited aqueous solubility restrict their use in pharmaceutical and food formulations. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations through the formation of inclusion complexes. Methods: In this study, inclusion complexes of essential oil from C. camphora L. (EOCNM) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were developed using physical mixing (PM), ultrasonic treatment (US), and freeze-drying (FD). The inclusion complexes were physicochemically characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate their physicochemical interactions and complexation efficiency. Results: Our results demonstrated successful complex formation, with the FD and US methods showing greater amorphization and stronger inclusion characteristics compared to the PM method. Thermal analysis confirmed improved physicochemical stability of the essential oil when complexed with β-CD. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assay of the complexes was assessed using the MTT assay and J774 macrophage cells. The complexes exhibited low cytotoxicity, indicating their potential biocompatibility for biomedical and food applications. Conclusions: Overall, β-CD encapsulation effectively enhanced the physicochemical stability and safety profile of C. camphora essential oil, providing a promising strategy for its controlled delivery and protection against degradation.

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing pharmaceutical industry and drug development by providing significant advantages in controlling drug release, enhancing stability, and reducing adverse effects. Concurrently, natural products are being extensively researched for their anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. This patent review aims to analyze publications that integrate nanotechnology with natural products to develop cancer treatments and immunotherapies. In this context, 17 patents were identified through the free online databases of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The review discusses various types of nanotechnology, including nanoparticles, nanocarriers, and nanocapsules, as well as bioactive compounds primarily extracted from plants. Among the most frequently identified natural products were ursolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and catechins. These bioactive compounds have been shown to promote cell cycle arrest, reduce tumor size, and exhibit synergistic effects with other anticancer agents. Consequently, the combination of natural products with nanotechnology holds significant therapeutic potential.

Morinda citrifolia L., known as noni, is a tropical plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family and is widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. This review compiles botanical, ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological information about the species, as well as its technological applications. Studies indicate that various parts of the plant, such as the fruits, leaves, seeds, and roots, contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, iridoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. These compounds are associated with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, and hypocholesterolemic activities. Among these, antioxidant activity is particularly notable, with different extracts and isolated compounds demonstrating potent free radical scavenging capabilities. Additionally, the antimicrobial potential against resistant bacteria, healing effects observed in animal models, and immunomodulatory properties further support the traditional therapeutic use of noni. Moreover, the plant shows promise for applications in the formulation of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products. Although evidence of its beneficial effects is growing, further clinical studies and standardization of extracts are necessary to ensure its safe and effective use in medical practice.

Insects are considered as an alternative in vivo model for evaluating various biological activities. Among them, larvae stand out as experimental model due to the low economic value during maintenance, in addition to the low demand and easy handling. Tenebrio molitor larvae are receiving attention as alternative methods in determination of efficacy studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to review experimental models that use T. molitor larvae as alternatives in defining the biological activities, safety, and effectiveness of new drugs. The current review was conducted using online journal databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase without geographical, publication date, or filtering restrictions. The search obtained a total of 5781 documents which were evaluated according to the focus of the review, reaching 14 articles. Thus, the systematic search strategy was developed to encompass all published papers that explore the use of larvae in experimental studies, particularly those investigating the biological activity and/or characterization of drugs/compounds. The selected articles were classified according to the methodologies used, such as toxicity, antimicrobial, and other types of assessments. Despite the results, there is still a lack of studies that use this model as a source for evaluating drugs and possible therapies.