Abstract Monteverdia ilicifolia (Mart. ex Reissek) Biral (basionym: Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek) (Celastraceae) is popularly known as holy thorn or “espinheira-santa” in Brazil. This herb is traditionally used for gastric and digestive problems. However, similar species are often used as adulterants. Considering the pharmacological interest and the existence of adulterants, this study was devoted to characterizing M. ilicifolia samples by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) by using Citronella gongonha (Mart.) R. A. Howard as adulterant sample. Six commercial samples were purchased, and seven collected samples were obtained in the Campos Gerais region. The leaves were then dehydrated and converted to powder. The FTIR spectroscopic assay was carried out and consisted of ten different measurements for each sample with a time interval of seven days between them. The PCA was performed from these spectra. The characterization by FTIR demonstrated the presence of tannins and flavonoids in the studied samples. FTIR spectroscopy coupled with PCA was able to discriminate the commercial and the collected samples of M. ilicifolia using three principal components. The photoacoustic spectroscopy resulted in absorption bands centered at ~280, ~380, ~480, and ~630 nm. These bands presented a higher spectral resolution for the collected samples. The commercial samples showed broadening bands, which allowed the differentiation between these two sets of samples. FTIR spectroscopy coupled with PCA, and photoacoustic spectroscopy are alternative tools for the differentiation of M. ilicifolia samples.

Abstract Baccharis articulata (Lam.) Pers., popularly known as carqueja, carquejinha or carqueja-doce, is a plant widely used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, digestive and antidiabetic. Due to its similar morphology with other species of the "carqueja group", especially Baccharis pentaptera (Less.) DC., it can be easily confused even by specialists. Thus, this study aimed to characterize micromorphology of the crystals present in B. articulata to show botanical markers that can help differentiate this species from other carquejas. Eleven crystalline morphotypes, including druses, styloids and various shapes of prismatic and sand crystals, were evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the elemental chemical composition and the degree of hydration of the crystals were analyzed by EDS and Raman spectroscopy. The results of this study would aid in the authentication of B. articulata and serve as a basis for future studies of other species of Baccharis.

Abstract Eugenol is a phenolic compound with numerous biological activities. It is widely used in dentistry to treat toothache and pulpitis. In particular, eugenol may be used for tooth whitening procedures to minimize dental sensitivity in patients. However, eugenol has some disadvantages such as its volatility, its photosensitivity, and immediate effect, which can be avoided by using pharmaceutical nanotechnology. The aim of the present study was to obtain, characterize, quantify, and evaluate the physicochemical stability of eugenol-loaded Eudragit RS100 nanocapsules. The nanocapsules (NCs) were prepared by interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer method. The NCs were characterized through morphological and spectroscopic studies. The encapsulation efficiency was achieved by quantifying the non-encapsulated eugenol using a previously developed and validated analytical method. The physicochemical stability of NCs was assessed at predetermined time intervals for 90 days after preparation. The nanocapsules were successfully prepared by the chosen method and had a predominantly spherical shape with a smooth surface. The mean size, the polydispersion index, and the zeta potential were in agreement to literature data. Infrared spectra ensured that the nanoencapsulation process did not result in chemical reactions between the drug and the polymer. The formulations showed encapsulation efficiency higher than 90% and remained stable after 60 days of preparation. Thus, eugenol-loaded Eudragit RS100 nanocapsules may be further considered as an alternative formulation for dental sensitivity in order to provide a controlled release, a decreased toxicity, and a better dental sensitivity relief.

Abstract Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a natural phenolic compound found in leaves of olive trees. It is a photosensitive solid phytochemical constituent and an irritant substance to skin and mucosa as pure drug. HT is a lipophilic chemical constituent and shows low solubility in water, bitter taste, and instability to oxidizing atmosphere. Considering the limitations for its suitable therapeutic use, the aim of the present study was to obtain, to characterize, to quantify, and to evaluate the stability of HT-loaded poly(ԑ-caprolactone) nanocapsules for its further use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Nanocapsules were prepared by method of interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer. The formulations were characterized by morphological and spectroscopic methods. The UHPLC-PDA analytical method was developed and validated for quantifying the HT encapsulation. Physicochemical stability assay was performed for 120 days. Nanocapsules were successfully obtained by the proposed method. The morphological evaluation demonstrated the drug absence in the nanocapsule surface. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the drug nanoencapsulation. The analytical method was validated and confirmed a high HT encapsulation efficiency over 95%. Considering the physicochemical stability testing, the polydispersity index changed after 30 days for NC-2 (HT at 2 mg/mL) and after 90 days for NC-5 (HT at 5 mg/mL). Zeta potential changed after 60 days for both formulations (NC-2 and NC-5). pH values were modified after 60 days for NC-5 and after 90 days for NC-2. HT-loaded PCL nanocapsules demonstrate adequate physicochemical features and high drug encapsulation. The different formulations revealed stability changes from 30 to 90 days. Additional in vitro and in vivo evaluations may be performed in order to use these nanoformulations for treating several diseases based on oxidative-inflammatory environments.

Abstract Silsesquioxane 3-n-propylpyridinium chloride (SiPy+Cl-) is a water-soluble polymer that can be used as a promising material with remarkable biological effects. SiPy+Cl- can form thin films on substrate surfaces and shows suitable adhesiveness. Besides, it has high affinity for metal ions. Considering this effect as exchanger polymer and the well-known antimicrobial and cytotoxic features of copper, the aim of this study was to perform the copper functionalization of silsesquioxane 3-n-propylpyridinium chloride Cu-SiPy+Cl-. The SiPy+Cl- was obtained by the sol-gel processing method and the incorporation of copper (II) chloride was carried out by immobilization. Its characterization was performed by spectroscopic methods of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The FTIR spectrum of SiPy+Cl- showed symmetric and asymmetric stretching of Si-O-Si group and also exhibited vibrational bands of pyridinium ring. The FTIR spectrum of Cu-SiPy+Cl- assigned typical bands displacements of the metal coordination to nitrogen atoms. Spectroscopic data recorded by 13C and 29S NMR confirmed the chemical structures of SiPy+Cl- and Cu-SiPy+Cl-. Concerning to the in vitro susceptibility assay, the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococus mutans was achieved by the agar-well diffusion method. Cu-SiPy+Cl- showed similar cytotoxicity than SiPy+Cl- against Calu-3 and 3T3 cell lines by the MTT colorimetric assay. Further studies are required to investigate the use of Cu-SiPy+Cl- as a novel dental material.

Abstract Formulations containing chitosan incorporated with methanolic fraction of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, Euphorbiaceae, were studied aiming future applications of this new material as medicine. In order to investigate potential interactions between chitosan and the methanolic fraction (10, 50 and 100% in relation to the amount of chitosan) physicochemical characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy, density, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and colorimetry techniques. The phenolic compounds released from the chitosan membranes were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteau quantification method; antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were also studied. Increasing amounts of the methanolic fraction added to polymeric matrix produced different numbers of pores on the surface of the membranes, changes in the calorimetric, spectroscopic and crystalline properties as well as color changes, when compared to the inert membrane. These changes can be attributed to chemical interactions that occurred between the structure of the chitosan and the phenolic compounds present in the studied fraction. The matrix samples incorporated with 50 and 100% of the methanolic fraction presented different release profiles of phenolic compounds from the membranes (controlled manner) and promoted antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.