Abstract Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, popularly known as “Cipó-de São-João”, has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. Nanotechnology is able to enhance the pharmacological activity of plant extracts. In this context, liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles containing P. venusta ethanolic extract were developed and then physico-chemically characterized to evaluate the mutagenic/antimutagenic effects of P. venusta. In addition, transaminases and serum creatinine were biochemically analyzed for liver and renal damage, respectively. The micronucleus test was performed with male Swiss mice treated orally for 15 consecutive days with free extracts and nanostructured with P. venusta, and then intraperitoneally with N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (50 mg/kg) on the 15th day of treatment. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) were evaluated in bone marrow. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of MNPCE (LPEPV = 183% and NPEPV = 114%, p < 0.001), indicating antimutagenic potential of the nanostructured extracts with P. venusta. The groups treated with only nanostructured extract did not show an increase in MNPCE frequency, and biochemical analyzes showed no significant difference between treatments. The liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles containing Pyrostegia venusta ethanolic extract showed biological potential in preventing the first step of carcinogenesis under the experimental conditions.

RESUMO Os mecanismos de defesa bioquímica dos anfíbios envolvem secreções cutâneas de moléculas bioativas com atividade antimicrobiana. Este estudo avaliou a atividade in vitro de extratos metanólicos da secreção cutânea de duas espécies de anfíbios da família Bufonidae, Rhaebo guttatus e Rhinella marina, no controle dos patógenos Fusarium udum, Fusarium solani, Colletotrichum truncatum, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina e Calonectria pseudometrosideri. O extrato de R. guttatus inibiu o crescimento micelial de F. udum, F. solani, A. flavus e M. phaseolina em algumas concentrações testadas. O extrato de R. marina inibiu o crescimento micelial de C. truncatum na concentração de 0,5 mg mL-¹, e inibiu o crescimento micelial de A. flavus nas concentrações de 0,1 e 0,5 mg mL-¹, que foi semelhante à inibição pelo controle positivo. O extrato de R. marina também diminuiu a produção de microescleródios de R. solani nas concentrações de 0,2 e 0,3 mg mL-¹. Além disso, os extratos inibiram a esporulação e germinação de conídios em graus variados. A inibição da formação de apressórios em C. truncatum pelos extratos de R. guttatus e R. marina foi de 85%-99% e 63%-100%, respectivamente. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com extratos da secreção cutânea de R. guttatus e R. marina apresentou atividade antifúngica sobre os fitopatógenos estudados.

ABSTRACT The biochemical defense mechanisms of amphibians involve cutaneous secretions of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial activity. This study evaluated the in vitro activity of methanolic extracts from cutaneous secretions of two amphibian species of the Bufonidae family, Rhaebo guttatus and Rhinella marina, in the control of the phytopathogens Fusarium udum, Fusarium solani, Colletotrichum truncatum, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Calonectria pseudometrosideri. The R. guttatus extract decreased the mycelial growth of F. udum, F. solani, A. flavus, and M. phaseolina at some tested concentrations. The R. marina extract decreased the mycelial growth of C. truncatum at the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-¹, and inhibited the mycelial growth of A. flavus at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mg mL-¹, which was similar to the inhibition by the positive control. The R. marina extract also decreased the microsclerotia production by R. solani at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.3 mg mL-¹. In addition, the extracts inhibited conidial sporulation and germination at varying degrees. The inhibition of appressoria formation in C. truncatum by the R. guttatus and R. marina extracts was 85-99% and 63-100%, respectively. Our results demonstrated that treatment with extracts from R. guttatus and R. marina cutaneous secretions showed antifungal activity against the studied phytopathogens.

RESUMO Carvão ativado é o nome de um grande grupo de materiais que apresentam alto grau de porosidade e, consequentemente, extensa área superficial interna, com propriedades adsortivas de caráter físico e químico. Inúmeros materiais podem ser utilizados como precursores, especialmente biomassa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter carvão ativado a partir da ativação física do fruto da castanheira-do-brasil (“ouriço”) e avaliar suas propriedades físico químicas em função das diferenças entre as temperaturas e atmosferas de ativação. As amostras foram carbonizadas em 3 diferentes temperaturas e o carvão produzido foi ativado sob atmosfera saturada por CO2 e vapor d’água. Os resultados mostraram a influência da temperatura e atmosfera de ativação nas propriedades físico-químicas do carvão. O carvão do ouriço ativado por CO2 e por vapor apresentou perfil microporoso, indicando seu uso como adsorvente de moléculas orgânicas de pequenas dimensões. Foi observado um caráter básico nas amostras e o carvão produzido foi termicamente estável. Melhor qualidade foi atribuída ao carvão ativado por vapor d’água a 800 ºC.

ABSTRACT Activated carbon is the name of a big group of materials that presents high degree of porosity and, consequently, an extended internal surface area, with physical and chemical adsorption properties. Innumerous raw materials can be used as precursors, especially biomass. The objective of this study was to obtain activated carbon from physical activation of the fruit of Brazil nut tree (“ouriço”) and to evaluate its physical and chemical properties in function of the differences between the temperatures and atmospheres of activation. The samples were carbonized at 3 different temperatures and the carbons were activated under atmosphere saturated by CO2 or steam. The results showed the influence of activation temperature and atmosphere on physicochemical characteristics of carbon. The carbon from woody Brazil nut seed capsule activated by CO2 and steam at different temperatures had a microporous profile, indicating its use to adsorb organic molecules of small dimensions. Basic characteristic was observed on samples and the carbon produced was thermally stable. Best quality was attributed to carbon activated by steam at 800 °C.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit which has important pharmacological activities and has been attracting attention due to its important antioxidant activity, a significant feature in relation to cosmetics. Formulations containing different concentrations of an ethanolic extract of pomegranate (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0%) (w/w) as an antioxidant agent showed that this is an interesting alternative for the use of natural products with biological activity. The stability and rheology of semissolid systems containing an extract of this plant were evaluated. Preliminary stability studies showed greater physico-chemical stability of the formulation, and thus it was used in an accelerated stability study, as well the quantification of total phenolic compounds and the determination of antioxidant activity. It was observed that different concentrations of the extract did not significantly influence the stability. Moreover, the formulation was found to have better stability when stored at room temperature than under heated or cooled conditions. Formulations containing 0.1 and 5.0% of extract showed more stable rheological behavior, due to the absence of a solid/liquid transition in the rheogram. Tests confirmed the high phenolic content and antioxidant activity, demonstrating the potential of this plant for use in cosmetology as an antioxidant.