ABSTRACT In the search for new natural photoprotective agents, the mesocarp of babassu (Attalea speciosa) stands out as a promising candidate due to its unique chemical composition and regional significance. In this study, we investigated the in vitro photoprotective and antioxidant properties of babassu mesocarp flour extracts and their fractions. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays. The sun protection factor (SPF) was determined through the Mansur assay, and cytotoxicity was determined in RAW cells. The samples exhibited high antioxidant activity, especially in the more polar fractions. The hydroethanolic extract had an SPF of 16.69, while the aqueous extract had an SPF of 14.83. Notably, the hydroethanolic extract exhibited no cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. Our findings suggest that babassu mesocarp flour is a potential source for developing photoprotective agents to shield skin from UV radiation and combat free radicals.

RESUMO Na busca por novos agentes fotoprotetores naturais, o mesocarpo do babassu (Attalea speciosa) se destaca como um candidato promissor, devido à sua composição química única e importância regional. Neste estudo, investigamos as propriedades fotoprotetoras e antioxidantes in vitro dos extratos da farinha de mesocarpo de babassu e suas frações. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada usando os ensaios DPPH e ABTS. O fator de proteção solar (FPS) foi determinado através do ensaio de Mansur, e a citotoxicidade foi determinada em células RAW. As amostras apresentaram alta atividade antioxidante, especialmente nas frações mais polares. O extrato hidroetanólico teve um FPS de 16,69, enquanto o aquoso registrou um FPS de 14,83. Notavelmente, o extrato hidroetanólico não exibiu efeitos citotóxicos nas concentrações testadas. Nossos resultados sugerem que a farinha de mesocarpo de babassu é uma fonte potencial para o desenvolvimento de agentes fotoprotetores para proteger a pele da radiação UV e combater radicais livres.

ABSTRACT Geopropolis is produced by some stingless bee species such as Melipona fasciculata and consists of a mixture of plant resins, salivary secretions of the bee, wax, and soil. This study evaluated the antileishmanial activity in vitro, cytotoxicity and chemical composition of geopropolis produced by M. fasciculata in the savannah region of Maranhão, Brazil. The geopropolis extract was obtained through maceration using in 70% ethanol. The hydroalcoholic extract of geopropolis after liquid–liquid partition yielded the hexane, chloroformic, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic fractions. Antileishmanial activity was evaluated against promastigote and intracellular amastigote of Leishmania amazonensis. Cytotoxic was realized in BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages. Chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet–visible detector. The geopropolis inhibited the L. amazonensis promastigotes growth and was effective in reducing the infection of murine macrophages since the number of internalized amastigotes were smaller in cells treated with the geopropolis extract in relation to the untreated group. The ethyl acetate fraction was the most active and showed the highest index of selectivity as antileishmanial product. The geopropolis from M. fasciculata had an antileishmanial effect, mainly after the obtention of the ethyl acetate fraction that improved the activity without increasing the cytotoxicity against murine macrophages. Analysis for gas chromatography-mass spectrometer identified as main compounds the gallic and ellagic phenolic acids, either in the extract or in the active fraction. The results obtained by high performance liquid chromatography it was possible to confirm the presence and quantify the concentration gallic and ellagic acid either in the extract or in the active fraction. These results suggest that the antileishmanial activity of geopropolis is related to the presence of derivatives of these phenolic acids, mainly gallic and ellagic acids.

Salivary IgA can serve as a first line of defense against pathogens that colonize and invade mucosal surfaces and may be protective against periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to assess salivary immunoglobulin A levels in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with different periodontal treatment needs. The Periodontal Screening & Recording (PSR) system was used to evaluate the periodontal treatment needs of 41 diabetic and 42 non-diabetic patients. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each patient immediately before clinical examination and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and values were expressed as optical density. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients were compared using clinical and laboratory data. PSR data indicated that periodontal disease was more frequent and more severe in diabetic patients. A higher prevalence of codes 3 and 4 was observed in diabetics as compared with non-diabetics (odds ratio = 2, P < 0.05). Furthermore, non-diabetic patients had more healthy sextants (code 0) than did diabetic patients. Over half of diabetic patients (∼54%) presented with s-IgA levels that were lower than the normal range (optical density from 0.4 nm to 0.6 nm; P < 0.05). In addition, diabetic patients showed a higher variability in s-IgA levels as compared with non-diabetic patients. In conclusion, diabetic individuals had lower s-IgA levels, more-frequent and more-severe periodontal disease, and a greater need for periodontal treatment as compared with non-diabetic patients.

OBJETIVOS/MÉTODOS: Avaliou-se a condição periodontal de 30 pacientes, em hemodiálise, através do índice de placa, índice gengival, índice de cálculo, PSR e quantidade de IgA na saliva, visando determinar a condição periodontal de doentes renais crônicos. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que os índices de placa, índice gengival e índice de calculo foram considerados altos nestes pacientes. Com relação à necessidade de tratamento periodontal, observou-se que a maior parte dos pacientes em hemodiálise precisava de medidas de higiene bucal, raspagem supra e subgengival e fluoretação tópica (código 2). Em relação aos valores de IgA na saliva, somente três pacientes apresentaram densidade baixa. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que pacientes renais crônicos em hemodiálise apresentam maior acúmulo de placa bacteriana e elevada formação de cálculo dentário, necessitando de tratamento periodontal como raspagem supra e subgengival.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing hemodialysis were evaluated for their periodontal condition through plaque, calculus and gingival indexes; PSR and IgA present in the saliva were also appraised in order to determine the periodontal condition of patients presenting chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: Results obtained demonstrated that in the studied group the plaque, calculus and gingival indexes were high. With regard to these patients' requirement to undergo periodontal treatment, most patients submitted to hemodialysis needed better oral hygiene, in addition to supra and sub gingival scraping and topic application of fluor (code 2). As to the IgA amount present in the saliva, only three patients showed a low density. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting chronic kidney disease disclosed a tendency for greater bacterial plaque concentration, high formation of dental calculus suggesting the need for periodontal treatment comprising supra and sub gingival scraping.