Aedes aegypti is the main vector of three neglected tropical diseases: dengue, zika and chikungunya. Dengue is under surveillance by health organizations worldwide due to the risk of epidemics. Since there is no specific treatment for dengue, most studies have focused on preventing the reproduction and/or development of the mosquitoes. We studied the larvicidal activity of five phosphates and phosphorothioates derived from cardol, one of the four main components of cashew nut shell liquid (Anacardium occidentale L.), at different concentrations. The organophosphorothioate derivatives were tested for their in vitro inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). One compound, Cdl.i-dPS (median lethal concentration (LC50) = 0.8 ppm), was four times more efficient compared to an important commercial larvicide, Temephos (LC50 = 3.2 ppm), and showed greater AChE inhibition than its monosubstituted analogue and Temephos.

In order to produce bioactive derivatives of carvacrol and thymol, nine derivatives of each compound were prepared through modifications the phenolic hydroxyl group. The structures of compounds were confirmed by spectral data from MS, IR and NMR. Carvacrol, thymol and derivatives were submitted to the evaluation of the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, using a colorimetric method in which the inhibition of the enzyme is measured by coloration, and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. Derivatives carvacryl acetate-1b and thymyl hexanoate-2b showed the best results for the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and for the larvicidal activity the derivatives 1a, 1b, 1c, 3h, 2a, 2b, 2c and 4h showed positive results, emphasizing compound thymyl 4-methoxybenzoate-4h which showed LC50 values of 23.60 ppm, considered a very good result.

Binary mixtures of block copolymers E114CL20 and E97P69E97 (F127(®)) were prepared in order to tailor a drug delivery system with synergistic effect, concerning dilution stability and high drug solubility. Both reduction of the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) values and enhance hydrophobic drug solubility in F127/E114CL20 mixtures (30-50 wt.%) were observed by addition of the diblock E114CL20, also reaching the best enhancement of drug solubility for mangiferin and carbamazepine.

Cardanol is an alkyl/alkenyl phenolic material obtained from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which is a byproduct of cashew nut processing. In an effort to develop new uses, cardanol was derivatized for the first time with diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) through the ene reaction. The reaction was facile and required only the application of heat without a catalyst. Both conventional heating and microwave heating were shown to be effective; the latter entailed much shorter reaction time and substantial energy savings. The reaction product (a hydrazino-ester derivative of cardanol) was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The product increased in viscosity with time and may be useful as a viscosifier in oil-based commercial formulations and as a synthon for further organic reactions.