Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most known nanomaterials being used for several purposes, including medical applications. In this study, Calendula officinalis L. flower extract and silver nitrate were used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under red, green and blue light-emitting diodes. AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Electrophoretic Mobility, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction. Isotropic and anisotropic silver nanoparticles were obtained, presenting hydrodinamic diameters ranging 90 - 180 nm, polydispersity (PdI > 0.2) and moderate stability (zeta potential values around - 20 mV).

RESUMO Introdução: A terceira geração de LEDs fotopolimerizadores pode ser utilizada em curtos períodos de exposição para a colagem de braquetes ortodônticos. Objetivo: O presente estudo avaliou o efeito dos diferentes valores de irradiância (IR): instruções do fabricante (IF), ½ IF, ¼ IF e modo Turbo. Dois fotopolimerizadores LED de terceira geração (VALO® e Bluephase20i®) foram utilizados. Foram mensurados o grau de conversão (GC) e a dureza Vickers (VHN) de um compósito ortodôntico (CO) (Transbond XT) sob braquetes metálicos (BM) ou cerâmicos (BC). Métodos: O compósito ortodôntico foi aplicado na base do braquete e foi posicionado sobre uma mesa de refletância total atenuada (ATR) acoplada a um espectroscópio de infravermelho ou a uma superfície de vidro para análise de VHN. As amostras foram fotopolimerizadas e os valores de GC foram calculados. O VHN foi obtido em um microdurômetro. Os dados foram analisados com ANOVA de 2 fatores seguida do teste post-hoc de Tukey (predefinido α = 0,05). A análise de regressão linear avaliou a relação entre os valores de IR e as variáveis dependentes. Resultados: BC permitiu valores maiores de GC e VHN do que BM (p<0,001). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada entre os grupos quando BC foi utilizado. Para BM, os grupos de IF mostraram os maiores valores de GC e VHN. Uma relação significativa, mas fraca, entre os valores de IR entregue e as variáveis dependentes foi encontrada. Conclusões: A diminuição dos valores de IR dos fotopolimerizadores LED de terceira geração não prejudicou os valores de GC quando BC foram utilizados, mas pode comprometer os valores de GC e VHN quando BM são utilizados.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Third generation of LED light curing units might be used in short exposure periods for orthodontic brackets bonding. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the different radiant exposure (RE) values: Manufacturers’ instructions (MI), ½ MI, 1/4 MI and Turbo mode. Two third-generation LED curing units were used: VALO® and Bluephase 20i® . The degree of conversion (DC) and Vickers hardness (VHN) of an orthodontic composite (OC) (Transbond XT) under metallic (MB) or ceramic brackets (CB) were measured. Methods: OC was applied to the bracket base, which was then placed over an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) table coupled to an infrared light spectroscope, or to a glass surface for the VHN analysis. The specimens were light-cured and DC values were calculated. The VHN was obtained in a microhardness tester. The data were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test (pre-set α=0.05). Linear regression analysis evaluated the relationship between RE values and dependent variables. Results: CB allowed higher DC and VHN values than MB (p< 0.001). No significant difference was noted among groups when CB were used. For MB, MI groups showed the highest DC and VHN values. A significant, but weak relationship was found between delivered RE values and dependent variables. Conclusions: The decrease in RE values from third generation LED CU did not jeopardize the DC values when CB were used, but can compromise DC and VHN values when MB are used.

Abstract Green synthesis is an efficient method, frequently applied in nanobiotechnology, as it does not use toxic reagents or solvents. Biological organisms, including medicinal plants, have been used successfully for manufacturing of different types of metallic nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained from the extract of the pulp, seed and leaves of Annona muricata L. The particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, as well as morphological aspects of AgNPs were evaluated. With the data obtained from the analyses, we concluded that the nanoparticles were successfully obtained by a simple and green method using the aqueous extract of the pulp, seeds and leaves of A. muricata. AgNPs obtained by A. muricata pulp extract without exposure to artificial light showed lowest average of hydrodynamic diameter and smallest size at field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). In addition, these nanoparticles showed the best polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of - 29.6, which indicates good stability. AgNPs obtained from the extract of the pulp, seed and leaves showed antimicrobial activity, against strains of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and antifungal activity, compared to the pure extract.

Abstract Eucalyptus species possess anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. In this study, the chemical composition and biological activities of Eucalyptus cinerea essential oil (EO) and the leaf and stem anatomy were investigated. EO was extracted by Clevenger apparatus and the compounds were identified by GC/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, and reducing phosphomolybdenum complex. Broth microdilution was used to determine antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity was verified against HeLa, HRT-18, and Calu-3 cells by MTT assay. The cytotoxic mechanism was studied by cell DNA content, cell cycle, and DNA fragmentation. The microscopic analyzes of the leaves and the stems were performed by light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The main constituent of the EO was 1,8-cineole (55.24%). The EO showed low antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Calu-3 cells showed a significant reduction in viability with IC50 of 689.79 ± 29.34 μg/mL. EO at 1000 μg/mL decreased the DNA content in Jurkat cells. In general, EO increased cell percentage in sub-G0 and S phases with concomitant reduction of cell percentage in G0/G1 and G2/M phases and provided DNA fragmentation of 29.73%. Anatomical and micromorphological features of the leaves and stems can help in the species identification and its differentiation from other Eucalyptus species.

Antibacterial activity and good mechanical properties are some of the characteristics required for an appropriate film dressing. A novel polymer blend was developed for wound healing application. Twenty-four formulations using the polymers chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and/or ɛ-Polylysine and the plasticizer glycerol were designed using factorial design and then the films were prepared by the casting/solvent evaporation method. Seventeen films were obtained among the twenty-four proposed formulations that were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength (σ), elongation at break (ɛ) and Young’s modulus (Y) as well as antibacterial properties were determined. The best candidate was then further analyzed with regard to porosity, Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR), swelling and cytotoxicity experiments. The results showed a film with semi-occlusive characteristics, good mechanical properties and no toxic. Incorporation of ɛ-Polylysine increased antibacterial activity against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria.

The objective of this work was to develop and characterize liposomes loaded with silver nanoparticles (LAgNPs) to show improvement in stability characteristics. AgNPs were prepared by the green synthesis method with Aloe vera gel extract and exposure to sunlight. Liposomes were prepared by the modified reverse phase method. Particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, as well as the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphological aspects of AgNPs and LAgNPs were evaluated. In addition, was used flame atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the amount of AgNP that was encapsulated in liposomes. The AgNPs presented as amorphous and polydisperse structures, with a mean diameter of 278.46 nm and zeta potential of -18.3 mV. LAgNPs had a mean diameter between 321 and 373 nm, the polydispersity index close to 0.2 and a zeta potential around -40 mV, which indicates greater stability to the AgNPs. The images obtained by SEM show semicircular structures for AgNPs and well-defined spherical shape for LAgNPs. The percentage of encapsulation was between 51.81 to 58.83%. These results showed that LAgNPs were obtained with adequate physicochemical characteristics as a release system.

Abstract Metallic nanoparticles have great potential as a chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize silver and gold nanoparticles using a simple method, as well as evaluating the potential cytotoxic activity in relation to the K-562 cell line. For the synthesis, a solution containing the metallic ions was subjected to magnetic stirring with the aqueous extract of Lavandula dentata L. and a change of colour was observed. With the data obtained from the analyses we concluded that the nanoparticles were successfully obtained by a simple and green method using the aqueous extract of L. dentata. The obtained nanoparticles presented a reduced size, a low level of polydispersion, and a homogenous spherical shape. The nanoparticles presented intense and characteristic diffraction peaks, which could be correlated to the planes of the centred cubic structure of the silver and gold. The two formulations presented predominantly crystalline characteristics. The infrared analysis suggested that the amides and alcohols present in the samples may have been responsible for the reduction and limitation of the size and dispersion of the silver and gold nanoparticles. The cytotoxic assay showed that the nanoparticles demonstrated great potential to reduce the cell viability of the K-562 cell line, especially the gold nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT Lavandula dentata, popularly known as lavender, is commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of digestive and inflammatory disorders. The objective of this study was to analyzed the chemical oil composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and anatomical markers of the leaf and stem of L. dentata cultivated in South Brazil. Essential oil showed an antioxidant activity similar to rutin and gallic acid when analyzed by phosphomolybdenum method. However, by the free radical DPPH and ABTS methods, it showed a slight potential antioxidant. Essential oil presented 1,8-cineol (63%) as major component, antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria strains and Candida albicans, by broth microdilution. The anatomical profile provided the following main microscopic markers: hypostomatic leaves; diacytic stomata, thin and striate cuticle; multicellular and branched non-glandular trichomes; capitate glandular trichomes; peltate glandular trichomes; dorsiventral mesophyll; flat-convex shape midrib, truncated on the abaxial side; one collateral vascular bundle in the midrib; square stem shape, angular collenchyma alternated with cortical parenchyma; sclerenchymatic fibers well-developed on the four edges.

ABSTRACT Mikania belongs to the Asteraceae family and includes a wide range of promising pharmacological activities. Several species of Mikania, which is popularly known in Brazil as “guaco”, occur in Southern Brazil and their external morphology is similar. The aim of this study was to investigate the morpho-anatomical characteristics of the leaf and stem of Mikania campanulata, Mikania cordifolia, Mikania glomerata, Mikania hastato-cordata, Mikania microptera and Mikania sessilifolia as a means of providing additional support for differentiating these taxa. The leaves and stems were investigated by employing scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy techniques. The morphological features of Mikania spp. leaves make it possible to differentiate between the species; nevertheless, when the plants were fragmented or pulverized the anatomical features of the leaves and stems supplied additional helpful data in this regard. The main anatomical characteristics were presence of hypodermis and lens shaped epidermal cells, set of trichomes; midrib, petiole and stem shape and vascular pattern; sclerenchymatous ring in the cortex, sclerenchymatous cells and secretory ducts in the pith.