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Actinidia arguta is a climbing, fruit plant that recently generated a spread interest in many regions of the world, due to world globalization and knowledge expansion. During its production, different by-products are generated, such as fruits, leaves, stems, flowers and roots, being characterized by a rich bioactive composition that wise the scientific community for its health effects. Inboard of this panoply of valuable bioactive compounds, vitamin C, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, caffeic acid, quercetin, catechin, kaempferol, p -coumaric acid, minerals and fatty acids play critical roles. As a result, the valorization and reuse of these by-products is a challenge, particularly for producers. This review aims to summarize the potential cosmetic and medical skincare applications of the different bioactive compounds from A. arguta by-products, describing and exploring their potential to contribute as active ingredients based on the biological activities reported. Simultaneously, a critical analysis of the patents available on the market regarding its use as cosmetic and medical skincare ingredient is provided. Cosmetic and medical skincare products could be a sustainable and green option for the use of A. arguta by-products bioactive compounds. Apart from contribute to skin appearance and health, the addition of these active compounds to the final cosmetic and pharmaceutical products may also provide skin beneficial effects such as photoprotection, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects, also acting as depigmenting and emollients, among other activities. Besides that, the impact on food by-product valorization and circular economy will be enormous. [Display omitted] • Actinia arguta by-products are rich in bioactive compounds with skin effects. •The use of A. arguta by-products in topical formulations is extremely promising. •Skin health benefits are enormous. •Few patents are available on the market with A. arguta as skin ingredient. •Add value to fruit byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Natural products offer alternatives for disease prevention and treatment; • Kiwiberry has diverse bioactive compounds & biological activities; • Kiwiberry's bioactive compounds show promise in glioblastoma treatment & prevention; • Review explores kiwiberry's glioblastoma effects, offering therapy insights. In recent years, there has been a significant demand for natural products as a mean of disease prevention or as an alternative to conventional medications. The driving force for this change is the growing recognition of the abundant presence of valuable bioactive compounds in natural products. On recent years Actinia arguta fruit, also known as kiwiberry, has attracted a lot of attention from scientific community due to its richness in bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, organic acids, vitamins, carotenoids and fiber. These bioactive compounds contribute to the fruit's diverse outstanding biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties. Due to these properties, the fruit may have the potential to be used in the treatment/prevention of various types of cancer, including glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, displaying 90 % of recurrence rate within a span of 2 years. Despite the employment of an aggressive approach, the prognosis remains unfavorable, emphasizing the urgent requirement for the development of new effective treatments. The preclinical evidence suggests that kiwiberry has potential impact on glioblastoma by reducing the cancer self-renewal, modulating the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of the cell phenotype and metabolism, and influencing the consolidation of the tumor microenvironment. Even though, challenges such as the imprecise composition and concentration of bioactive compounds, and its low bioavailability after oral administration may be drawbacks to the development of kiwiberry-based treatments, being urgent to ensure the safety and efficacy of kiwiberry for the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma. This review aims to highlight the potential impact of A. arguta bioactive compounds on glioblastoma, providing novel insights into their applicability as complementary or alternative therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dissolvable pullulan microneedles were successfully prepared by solvent casting. • Pullulan-insulin microneedles successfully penetrate through the skin. • Storage at 4, 20 and 40 °C maintained the secondary structure of insulin. • Pullulan microneedles deliver 87% of insulin, 120 min after insertion. • Pullulan-insulin microneedles are non-cytotoxic towards human keratinocyte cells. The present study reports the fabrication of dissolvable microneedle (MN) patches using pullulan (PL), a water-soluble polysaccharide with excellent film-forming ability, for the transdermal administration of insulin, envisioning the non-invasive treatment of diabetes. PL MNs patches were successfully prepared by micromoulding and revealed good thermal stability (T dmax = 294 °C) and mechanical properties (>0.15 N needle−1), penetrating skin up to 381 μm depth, as revealed by in vitro skin tests. After application into human abdominal skin in vitro , the MNs dissolved within 2 h releasing up to 87% of insulin. When stored at 4, 20 and 40 °C for 4 weeks, insulin was able to retain its secondary structure, as shown by circular dichroism spectropolarimetry. The prepared PL MNs were non-cytotoxic towards human keratinocytes, being suitable for skin application. These findings suggest that PL MNs have potential to deliver insulin transdermally, thus avoiding its subcutaneous administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chestnut shells (CS) are fruit by-products with a high content of (poly)phenols that may play a key role in the oral mucositis (OM) pathogenesis. OM is an inflammatory condition and a common side effect of oncological treatments, being characterized by painful ulceration, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and an increased risk of infection that can compromise the primary treatment outcome. Natural antioxidants have emerged as an interesting approach to the prevention and treatment of OM by inhibiting the redox imbalance responsible for its development. To overcome the instability and poor water solubility of (poly)phenols, CS extract was encapsulated by spray-drying. The results attested the successful microencapsulation with a product yield of 44%, a total phenolic content of 9.73 mg GAE/g, an antioxidant activity of 91.76 μmol FSE/g and an antiradical ability of 7.83 mg TE/g. FTIR results showed successful encapsulation. The CS-loaded microparticles revealed a median size of 1.95 μm (Dv 50), a moisture content of 4.33% and a swelling capacity of 98.16%. The thermal properties of the extract were preserved, while rheological studies evidenced the microparticles pseudoplastic behavior. The microparticles safety was demonstrated through experiments on oral epithelial cell lines, where no adverse effects were observed at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL. Additionally, the (poly)phenols permeation, such as vanillin, succinic acid, protocatechuic acid, pyrocatechol, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, was confirmed by LC-HRMS using an in vitro buccal model. This study demonstrated the potential application of CS-loaded microparticles for the prevention/treatment of OM. [Display omitted] • Chestnut shells (CS) extract was successfully encapsulated. • Microparticles presented high phenolic content and antioxidant activity. • LC-HRMS analysis validated the encapsulation of most of the CS extract. • Vanillin, pyrocatechol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and pyroglutamic acid permeated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pistacia vera L. shell extract was optimized by a response surface methodology approach. • The HPLC/ESI-MS/MS allowed to identify the main constituents of the optimized extract. • The optimized extract exhibited a significant antioxidant/antiradical activity. • The optimized extract exhibited a notable α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. • Intestinal cell viability (Caco-2, HT29-MTX) was not affected by the optimized extract. Pistacia vera shells, an abundant agricultural by-product, are a rich source of undiscovered bioactive compounds. This study employed a response surface methodology (RSM) approach to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidants. The highest total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were achieved under the optimized extraction conditions (20 % ethanol, 1000 W, 135 s, and solvent-to-solid ratio of 27 mL/g). The resulting extract (OPVS-E) included gallic acid derivatives, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, fatty acids, and anacardic acids. Remarkably, OPVS-E displayed potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC 50 = 2.05 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC 50 = 41.07 μg/mL), by far more powerful than the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, OPVS-E exhibited a strong antiradical capacity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) without causing toxicity in intestinal cells (HT29-MTX and Caco-2). These findings introduce OPVS-E as a potential novel dual-action nutraceutical ingredient, able to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia and counteract the ROS overproduction occurring in type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The original smectite clay mineral has been collected from Amazon region, Brazil. The compound 2-aminomethylpyridine (AMP) was anchored onto Amazon smectite surface by heterogeneous route. The natural (SMC) and modified (SMCAMP) smectite samples were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, and silicon-29 and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. Due to the increment of basic centers attached to the pendant chains, the metal adsorption capability of the final chelating material, was found to be higher than the precursor. The ability of these materials to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was followed by a series of adsorption isotherms at room temperature and pH 4.0. The maximum number of moles adsorbed was determined to be 1.16 and 1.87mmolg−1 for SMC and SMCAMP, respectively. In order to evaluate the clay samples as adsorbents in dynamic system, a glass column was fulfilled with clay samples (1.0g) and it was fed with 2.0×10−4 moldm−3 Cr(VI) at pH 4.0. The energetic effects caused by metal cation adsorption were determined through calorimetric titrations. Thermodynamics indicated the existence of favorable conditions for such Cr(VI)–nitrogen interactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Designing hydrogels with high-strength and stiffness remains a challenge, limiting their usage in several applications that involve load-bearing. In this work, in situ incorporation of different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) was used to create hydrogels with outstanding stiffness (Young's modulus of up to 6.5 MPa, 8.3x higher than neat pHEMA) and tensile resistance (ultimate tensile strength of up to 1.14 MPa, 7.4x higher than neat pHEMA) without affecting the water absorption capacity, surface wettability and cytocompatibility of pHEMA. Such magnitude of improvement in Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength was never before described for GO incorporation in hydrogels. Moreover, these stiffness and tensile resistance values are higher than the ones of most hydrogels (few hundred kPa), achieving a stiffness comparable to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), cartilage and artery walls and a tensile resistance similar to rigid foams, PDMS and cork. These new materials open a wide range of applications for pHEMA in different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract The utilization of natural compounds, such as phenolic acids and biopolymers, in the healthcare domain is gaining increasing attention. In this study, bacterial nanocellulose (BC) membranes were loaded with ionic liquids (ILs) based on phenolic acids. These ionic compounds, with improved solubility and bioavailability, were prepared by combining the cholinium cation with anions derived from caffeic, ellagic and gallic acids. The obtained BC-ILs membranes were homogeneous, conformable and their swelling ability agreed with the solubility of each IL. These membranes revealed a controlled ILs dissolution rate in the wet state and high antioxidant activity. In vitro assays performed with Raw 264.7 macrophages and HaCaT keratinocytes revealed that these novel BC-ILs membranes are non-cytotoxic and present relevant anti-inflammatory properties. Diffusion studies with Hanson vertical diffusion cells showed a prolonged release profile of the ILs from the BC membranes. Thus, this work, successfully demonstrates the potential of BC-ILs membranes for skin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. • Riluzole was loaded into lipid nanoparticles (SLN and NLC) for ALS therapy. • Optimized SLN and NLC exhibited desirable characteristics for brain delivery. • Lipid nanoparticles were stable, promoting a slow and sustained release of riluzole. • Nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility with brain microvascular endothelial cells. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, with a median survival of only 2 to 4 years. Riluzole, a drug commonly used in the management of ALS, has a low aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability. ALS treatment is also hindered by the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that preserves the delicate homeostasis of the cerebral milieu, isolating it and making brain drug delivery exceptionally hard. To overcome these issues, the use of lipid nanocarriers, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), is a promising strategy. In this study, SLN and NLC were prepared and optimized to facilitate riluzole uptake into the brain for ALS therapy. The lipid nanoparticles were characterized through different techniques, with respect to their physicochemical properties (size, zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI)), as well as encapsulation efficiency, morphology, stability, in vitro release, crystallinity, and biocompatibility. Riluzole-loaded nanocarriers exhibited characteristics suitable for brain delivery, including mean diameters between 147.2 and 203.1 nm, low PDI (<0.3), and negative ZP between −22.5 and −27.5 mV. Additionally, they were physically stable over 3 months under storage conditions (5 ℃ and 25 ℃), promoting a slow and sustained release of the drug, which was shown to be inside the core of the lipid matrix. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that both SLN and NLC did not significantly affect the viability of an hCMEC/D3 cell monolayer at a riluzole concentration up to 10 μM. The results suggest that the developed nanocarriers could be a viable platform to target riluzole to the central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate their therapeutic efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts the access of therapeutic agents to the brain, complicating the treatment of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), glioma, etc. To overcome this limitation and improve drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), the potential of nanocarriers, including lipid-based nanosystems, has been explored. Through active targeting, the surface of the nanocarriers can be modified with ligands that interact with the BBB, enhancing their uptake and penetration across the brain endothelium by different physiological mechanisms, such as receptor- or transporter-mediated transcytosis. This review seeks to provide an overview of active targeting in brain delivery, while highlighting the potential of functionalized lipid nanocarriers to treat brain diseases. Therefore, in the first sections, we discuss the importance of active targeting in CNS drug delivery, present the different ligands commonly used for functionalization, as well as summarize the state of the art of the most recent and relevant studies of surface-modified lipid nanosystems developed for neurological disorders. Lastly, challenges hindering clinical translation are discussed, and critical insights and future perspectives outlined. Although some limitations have been identified, it is expected that in the upcoming years these nanosystems will be an established approach. [Display omitted] • The blood-brain barrier (BBB) hinders the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. • Lipid nanocarriers are a promising approach to improve brain drug targeting. • Functionalization of nanocarriers with ligands increases BBB selectivity uptake. • The main ligands are glycoproteins, antibodies, apolipoproteins, and peptides. • Robust regulatory and manufacturing practices are needed for clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current challenges in the development of scaffolds for bone regeneration include the engineering of materials that can withstand normal dynamic physiological mechanical stresses exerted on the bone and provide a matrix capable of supporting cell migration and tissue ingrowth. The objective of the present work was to develop and characterize a hybrid polymer–ceramic injectable system that consists of an alginate matrix crosslinked in situ in the presence of strontium (Sr), incorporating a ceramic reinforcement in the form of Sr-rich microspheres. The incorporation of Sr in the microspheres and in the vehicle relies on the growing evidence that Sr has beneficial effects in bone remodeling and in the treatment of osteopenic disorders and osteoporosis. Sr-rich porous hydroxyapatite microspheres with a uniform size and a mean diameter of 555 μm were prepared, and their compression strength and friability tested. A 3.5% ( w / v ) ultrapure sodium alginate solution was used as the vehicle and its in situ gelation was promoted by the addition of calcium (Ca) or Sr carbonate and Glucone-δ-lactone. Gelation times varied with temperature and crosslinking agent, being slower for Sr than for Ca, but adequate for injection in both cases. Injectability was evaluated using a device employed in vertebroplasty surgical procedures, coupled to a texture analyzer in compression mode. Compositions with 35% w of microspheres presented the best compromise between injectability and compression strength of the system, the force required to extrude it being lower than 100 N. Micro CT analysis revealed a homogeneous distribution of the microspheres inside the vehicle, and a mean inter-microspheres space of 220 μm. DMA results showed that elastic behavior of the hybrid is dominant over the viscous one and that the higher storage modulus was obtained for the 3.5%Alg–35%Sr-HAp-Sr formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] BC membranes were used as transdermal systems for diclofenac sodium. [•] BC-diclofenac sodium loaded membranes were very homogeneous and quite flexible. [•] Permeation studies through human epidermis were conducted using Franz cells. [•] The results showed therapeutic feasibility when compared with commercial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Figueira Branca Suite (FBS) comprises a layered mafic–ultramafic complex which together with mafic–felsic plugs makes up a string of NW-trending intrusive bodies that are emplaced into the Jauru domain (Rio Negro-Juruena province; 1.80–1.60Ga). This domain comprises Orosirian calc-alkaline rocks and coeval metamorphic volcanic–sedimentary associations, intruded by voluminous granitoid plutons resulted from outboard Cachoeirinha (1587–1522Ma) and Santa Helena (1485–1420Ma) accretionary orogens that eventually created the Rondonian-San Ignacio province along the SW margin of the proto-Amazonian Craton. SHRIMP U–Pb age in zircon for one cumulatic gabbro from the FBS yielded a concordia intercept age of 1425.5±8.0Ma (MSWD=1.11). Another gabbroic plug which crops out to the East gives a similar within error concordia intercept zircon age of 1415.9±6.9Ma (MSWD=0.25), whereas a nearby monzogranite yields a concordia intercept zircon age of 1428.9±2.8Ma (MSWD=1.30). All these results are crystallization ages and constrain an important intraplate magmatic event within the Orosirian continental crust at the time of outboard Santa Helena orogen. On the other hand, igneous titanite from another gabbro located to the West of the FBS yielded a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb crystallization age of 1541±23Ma (MSWD=0.74). Therefore this rock is not genetically associated with the FBS, as previously suggested by the field information. Additional Nd–Sr isotopic analyses of the FBS mafic–ultramafic rocks and coeval gabbro showed comparable ɛ Nd(1.42Ga) values (+3.0 to +4.7) and variable ɛ Sr(1.42Ga) ones (−39.1 to −8.1). These data plot in the depleted field quadrant of the Nd–Sr diagram, indicating a significant influence of the MORB end-member reservoir in the magma genesis. This interpretation is similarly supported by comparison of the Nd evolutionary path of the FBS with those that characterize the isotopic evolution of the Jauru crust and the Cachoeirinha and Santa Helena intrusive plutons. The bulk isotopic signature allows the genetic relationship among the Santa Helena Suite and the FBS and coeval rocks. The anorogenic character of the FBS is supported by the geologic framework of the Jauru domain, given that the emplacement took place under an extensional regime, associated with the recognized regional NW-trending structures. 40Ar–39Ar analyses were carried out in mafic rocks that are assigned to the FBS. Biotite from a gabbronorite yielded an ideogram age of 1222±5Ma while a nearby troctolite yielded plateau biotite ages of 1275±4Ma and 1268±4Ma. These ages are minimum estimates of the regional cooling of the FBS. One gabbro of the Alto Jauru Group yields a 40Ar–39Ar plateau age of 1781±15Ma, interpreted as the time of regional cooling that succeeded continental accretion and metamorphism at Orosirian times. Later on heterogenous crustal thickening and uplift took place from West to East, as response from the Cachoeirinha and Santa Helena orogen dynamics, which is marked by the 1539–1510Ma and 1452–1322Ma 40Ar–39Ar age-patterns, respectively. The available apparent ages suggest that Cachoeirinha crust was subjected to a fast exhumation rate (ca. 50m.y.), as estimated by the zircon–titanite–hornblende–biotite time-path, while the Santa Helena crust seems to display a lower exhumation rate. Particularly, the youngest 40Ar–39Ar biotite age (1322Ma) available for the Santa Helena crust signals the post-tectonic phase of the Rondonian-San Ignacio province. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The physical properties of pharmaceutical powders are of upmost importance in the pharmaceutical industry. The knowledge of their flow properties is of critical significance in operations such as blending, tablet compression, capsule filling, transportation, and in scale-up operations. Powders flow properties are measured using a number of parameters such as, angle of repose, compressibility index (Carr''s index) and Hausner ratio. To estimate these properties, specific and expensive equipment with time-consuming analysis is required. Near infrared spectroscopy is a fast and low-cost analytical technique thoroughly used in the pharmaceutical industry in the quantification and qualification of products. To establish the potential of this technique to determine the parameters associated with the flow properties of pharmaceutical powders, blended powders based on paracetamol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient were constructed in pilot scale. Spectra were recorded on a Fourier-transform near infrared spectrometer in reflectance mode. The parameters studied were the angle of repose, aerated and tapped bulk density. The correlation between the reference method values and the near infrared spectrum was performed by partial least squares and optimized in terms of latent variables using cross-validation. The near infrared based properties predictions were compared with the reference methods results. Prediction errors, which varied between 2.35% for the angle of repose, 2.51% for the tapped density and 3.18% for the aerated density, show the potential of NIR spectroscopy in the determination of physical properties affecting the flowability of pharmaceutical powders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The growing interest in the substitution of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered research on vegetable sources and on the screening of raw materials, for identifying new antioxidants. In the present study, an ethanol:water (4:6) extract from Juglans regia leaves was evaluated for its putative in vitro scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) [hydroxyl radical (HO ), superoxide radical , peroxyl radical (ROO ) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide ( NO) and peroxynitrite anion (ONOO−)]. The extract presented a potent scavenging activity against all the reactive species tested, all the IC50s being found at the μg/mL level. IC50s (mean±SE) for the ROS and H2O2 were 47.6±4.6, 383±17μg/mL, respectively. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value obtained for ROO was 2.17±0.22μmol Trolox equivalents/mg extract. The IC50s for NO and ONOO− were 1.95±0.29 and 1.66±0.10μg/mL, respectively. The content of total phenolics was 270±3mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of lyophilised extract. These results showed that J. regia leaf extracts can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alterations of the physical-chemical properties of the oceans due to anthropogenic activities are, at present, one of the most concerning environmental issues studied by researchers. One of these issues is ocean acidification, mainly caused by overproduction and release of carbon dioxide (CO 2) from anthropogenic sources. Another component of environmental degradation is related to the production and release of potential toxic compounds, namely active pharmaceutical ingredients, into the aquatic environment that, combined with oceanic acidification, can cause unpredictable and never before considered deleterious effects on non-target marine organisms. Regarding this issue, the hereby study used predictions of future ocean acidification to simulate realistic scenarios of environmental exposure to a common therapeutic drug, salicylic acid (SA), in the marine gastropod Gibbula umbilicalis under different pH values. This species was exposed to a range of pH values (8.2, 7.9 and 7.6), and to already reported environmentally realistic concentrations (5, 25 and 125 μg/L) of SA. To evaluate the effects of these environmental stressors, key physiological biomarkers (GSTs, CAT, TBARS, AChE and COX) and shell hardness (SH) were quantified. Results from the present study showed that CAT and GSTs activities were enhanced by SA under water acidification; increased lipid peroxidation was also observed in organisms exposed to SA in more acidic media. In addition, the hereby study demonstrated the neurotoxic effects of SA through the inhibition of AChE. Effects were also observed in terms of COX activity, showing that SA absorption may be affected by water acidification. In terms of SH, the obtained data suggest that SA may alter the physical integrity of shells of exposed organisms. It is possible to conclude that the combination of seawater acidification and exposure to toxic xenobiotics (namely to the drug SA) may be strenuous to marine communities, making aquatic biota more susceptible to xenobiotics, and consequently endangering marine life in an unpredictable extent. • Physiological alterations were enhanced under SA exposure at lower pH levels. • Lipid peroxidation increased after seawater acidification. • Neurotoxic effects were reported under SA exposure. • Prostaglandins biosynthesis pathway inhibited by SA absorption at lower pH levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]