ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) occur worldwide. Infections caused by these viruses have great public health importance due to the growing resistance to the first-choice drug, acyclovir, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Alkaloids derived from species of Annonaceae have been reported as antiviral agents against HSV and others viruses. Within this context, we evaluated the antiviral activity of the total alkaloid fraction (TAF) extracted from the branches of Fusaea longifolia (Aubl.) Saff. (Annonaceae), a species native to the Amazon region, against the HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses. The antiviral activity was evaluated through the plate reduction assay and the mode of action was investigated by a set of other assays. The TAF was active against the HSV-2 strain 333 and against the HSV-1 strains KOS and 29R (acyclovir resistant), with selectivity index values (SI = 50% cytotoxic concentration/50% effective concentration) of 5, 4 and 3, respectively. In the preliminary study of the anti-HSV-2 mode of action, TAF showed viral inhibitory effects if added up to 12 h post-infection, had virucidal activity and did not present viral inhibition in pre-treatment. Our results showed that the TAF exhibited anti-HSV activity. Regarding HSV-2, TAF acted after the viral infection and had virucidal activity. A mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of nine alkaloids in the TAF that had previously been reported for Annonaceae, including liriodenine, lysicamine and isoboldine, which have been described as potential anti-HSV-1 agents.

RESUMO Os vírus herpes simplex tipo 1 (HSV-1) e tipo 2 (HSV-2) têm ampla ocorrência global. As infecções causadas por esses vírus têm grande importância em saúde pública devido à crescente resistência ao fármaco de primeira linha, aciclovir, principalmente em pacientes imunossuprimidos. Alcaloides derivados de espécies de Annonaceae têm sido relatados como agentes antivirais contra o HSV e outros vírus. Neste contexto, nós avaliamos a atividade antiviral da fração alcaloide total (TAF) dos ramos de Fusaea longifolia (Aubl.) Saff. (Annonaceae), uma espécie nativa da região amazônica, contra os vírus HSV-1 e HSV-2. A atividade antiviral foi avaliada através do ensaio de redução em placa e o modo de ação foi investigado por um conjunto de ensaios. O TAF foi ativo contra a cepa HSV-2 333 e contra as cepas HSV-1 KOS e 29R (resistente ao aciclovir), com valores de índice de seletividade (IS = 50% concentração citotóxica/50% concentração efetiva) de 5, 4 e 3, respectivamente. No estudo preliminar do modo de ação da atividade anti-HSV-2, o TAF inibiu a replicação viral quando adicionados até 12 h pós-infecção, apresentou atividade virucida e não apresentou inibição viral no pré-tratamento. Nossos resultados mostraram que o TAF exibiu atividade anti-HSV. Em relação ao HSV-2, o TAF atuou após a infecção viral e apresentou atividade virucida. Uma análise do TAF por espectrometria de massas identificou a presença de nove alcaloides, incluindo liriodenina, lisicamina e isoboldina, que já foram descritos como potenciais agentes anti-HSV-1.

Abstract The hydroelectrolytic beverages segment has been expading its market and introducing new flavors in order to meet the demand for new products. However, experimental studies find concerns about the chemical compositions of these drinks. The aim of this study was to develop a drink without synthetic coloring or flavoring, with functional attributes based on the bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) peel extract. Two hydroelectrolytic drinks were developed, one hypotonic and the other isotonic, containing 0.5 and 1.0% of bacaba peel extract. Physicochemical characterization, determination of total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity were perfomed, in addition to color evaluation, as well as sensory analysis by means of preference tests. The developed formulations showed potential antioxidant activity and natural red coloring due to the phenolic compounds and anthocyanins present in the beverages. The sensory evaluation indicated positive acceptance by the tasters regarding the addition of the bacaba peel extract to the beverage formulations. The developed formulations demonstrated that the use of the bacaba peel is a viable option for the production of sports drinks, acting as a natural dye and offering health benefits due to its bioactive compounds.

RESUMO: O estudo analisou a aplicação do método de extração assistida por ultrassom como método alternativo para a obtenção do óleo de munguba. A extração do óleo resultou num rendimento de 47.70 % com qualidade adequada avaliada pela %AGL como índices de ácido oleico, iodo, refração, peróxido, saponificação e densidade. O óleo apresentou estabilidade térmica até 300 °C sendo constituído majoritariamente do ácido palmítico (C16:0) e expressou um teor de fenóis totais de 55.02 ± 1.872 µg/EAGg-1. Os resultados sugerem que o método de extração assistida por ultrassom apresenta potencial para obtenção de óleos vegetais sem alterar suas características e qualidade, além de possibilitar a otimização do tempo, volume de solvente e custo operacional. Ainda, o óleo de munguba mostra-se como alternativa sustentável na aplicação como adjuvante em alimentos, medicamentos, cosméticos e biocombustíveis.

ABSTRACT: This study analyzed the use of the ultrasound-assisted method as an alternative to obtain munguba oil. The extraction provided a 47.70 % yield of an oil with appropriate quality, evaluated by assessing the %FFA as oleic acid, iodine, peroxide, and saponification values, in addition to the refractive index and density. The oil presented thermal stability up to 300 °C, was constituted mainly by palmitic acid (C16:0), and presented a total phenolic content of 55.02 ± 1.872 µgEAG g-1. Results suggest that the ultrasound-assisted method has the potential to obtain vegetable oils without compromising their characteristics and quality, as well as optimize extraction time, solvent volume, and operational costs. Moreover, munguba oil presents itself as a suitable and sustainable alternative as an adjuvant in food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofuels.

RESUMO Os avanços no âmbito da nanotecnologia, aliados ao uso de produtos naturais, representam uma área promissora de pesquisa. O Brasil é um país de rica biodiversidade, especialmente na floresta amazônica. Frutos utilizados comumente nas comunidades locais, como a bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba), são potencialmente interessantes para prospecção de aplicação industrial de produtos naturais. Na área da nanotecnologia, as microemulsões se destacam por prover uma liberação modificada das substâncias veiculadas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver formulações microemulsionadas de óleo da bacaba, caracterizá-las e avaliar sua estabilidade. Determinamos o EHL (equilíbrio hidrófilo-lipófilo) do óleo da bacaba para o desenvolvimento das formulações. A partir de diagramas pseudoternários, que indicaram as proporções de tensoativos da fase aquosa e do óleo de bacaba, foram selecionadas seis formulações. A viabilidade dessas formulações foi analisada por meio de testes de estabilidade. As formulações passaram por caracterização reológica, avaliação do potencial de atividade antioxidante através da capacidade de redução do radical DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil), e determinação do diâmetro hidrodinâmico de suas gotículas. As microemulsões mostraram-se estáveis durante o período de teste e apresentaram diâmetro de gotículas abaixo de 200 nm, foram caracterizadas como fluídos newtonianos e apresentaram um aumento da atividade antioxidante quando comparadas com o óleo diluído. Nossos resultados indicam o potencial do óleo de bacaba em formulação microemulsionada para veiculação de diversos princípios ativos.

ABSTRACT Advances in nanotechnology, combined with the use of natural products, represent a promissing research field. Brazil is a country of a rich biodiversity, especially in the Amazon forest. Fruits commonly used by local communities, such as bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba), are potentially important for prospection of industrial applications of natural products. In nanotechnology, microemulsions stand out for providing a modified release to conveyed substances. This work aimed to develop microemulsionated formulations of bacaba oil, characterize them and evaluate their stability. We determined the HLB (hydrophile-lipophilic balance) of bacaba oil for formulation development. Six formulations were selected from pseudoternary diagrams, which indicated the proportions of surfactants, aqueous phase and bacaba oil. The viability of these formulations was evaluated through stability tests. We provided the rheological characterization of the formulations, evaluated their potential antioxidant activity through the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method, and determined the hydrodynamic diameter of the droplets. The microemulsions were stable throughout the test period. Droplet diameter was below 200 nm, and the microemulsions were characterized as newtonian fluids, presenting an increase in antioxidant activity when compared with the diluted oil. Our results confirm the potential of bacaba oil in microemulsionated formulation as a suitable carrier for active compounds.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a Brazil nut oil microemulsion system and determine the effect of this microemulsion on the superoxide release in human phagocytes. The microemulsion was formulated using distilled water, Brazil nut as the oily phase, Sorbitan monooleate, Polysorbate 80, and butan-1-ol. Hydrophile-lipophile balance of Brazil nut oil was determined, pseudoternary diagrams were prepared, and microemulsion diagram regions were preselected. Preliminary and accelerated stability tests, rheological characterization and dynamic light scattering were performed. The immunomodulatory effect of the microemulsion on the interactions with leukocytes was determined by superoxide release. The developed formulations were classified as oil-in-water, showed a Newtonian profile, with linear viscosity and droplet sizes of 46.9; 66.5 and 34.3 nm. When we assessed the interaction of the microemulsion of Brazil nut oil with phagocytes, we observed an increase in superoxide release. Our findings indicate that the developed formulation improved the immunomodulatory activity of the Brazil nut oil, proving to be a natural product option for future applications, in particular for infectious diseases.

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.