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This paper provides a review of the literature on the use of Pluronic (R) triblock copolymers for drug encapsulation over the last 10 years. A special focus is given to the progress of drug delivery systems (e.g., micelles, liposomes, micro/nanoemulsions, hydrogels and nanogels, and polymersomes and niosomes); the beneficial aspects of Pluronic (R) triblock copolymers as biological response modifiers and as pharmaceutical additives, adjuvants, and stabilizers, are also discussed. The advantages and limitations encountered in developing site-specific targeting approaches based on Pluronic-based nanostructures in cancer treatment are highlighted, in addition to inno-vative examples for improving tumor cytotoxicity while reducing side effects. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Baru nuts (Dipteryx alata Vog.) are a native species from Brazil, rich in phenols and other antioxidants, with high socioeconomic value and possible pharmaceutical applications. Here we investigated baru nut ethanolic extract (BNEE) antioxidant and wound healing activities in human NCI-H441 and A549 lung epithelial cell lines for a possible use in conditions related to oxidative stress and wound healing impairments, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BNEE was characterised with high DPPH free radical scavenging activity and high total phenolics content, amongst them gallic acid, that was identified and quantified by HPLC. BNEE was not cytotoxic at concentrations studied, reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species before and during oxidative stress and increased wound healing in cell monolayers. These are the first steps to investigate the beneficial properties of baru in diseases related to oxidative stress and wound healing impairments such as COPD.

Pterodon pubescens Benth is a Brazilian native species, used in folk medicine for chronic pain relief. The anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiproliferative activities attributed to the species have a straight relationship with vouacapans (furanditerpenes) and geranylgeraniol (acyclic diterpenes), identified in P. pubescens extracts. Nevertheless, scarce reports are found on product development and stability studies containing this species. This gap prompted the stability outcome evaluation of carbomer-940 gel-based formulations containing P. pubescens microencapsulated extract compared to non-encapsulated extract reported herein. Seeds were extracted with dichloromethane providing 46.6% (w/w) crude extract yield. Phytochemical markers were monitored by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Detection (GC-MS) using the vouacapans 1:1 ratio isomers 6a-hydroxy-7ß-acetoxy-vouacapan-17ß-oate methyl ester and 6a-acetoxy-7ß-hydroxy-vouacapan-17ß-oate methyl ester for quantification and identification purposes. Spray-dried microcapsules were produced with cashew gum as wall material with structure confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and size distribution by light scattering parameters. The particles presented a bimodal size distribution ranging from 0.2 to 500 µm, vouacapans content and encapsulation efficiency of 55.6% and 44.4% respectively, with an overall spray-drying yield of 82.6% (w/w). The formulation containing microencapsulated extract did not achieve an acceptable outcome under test condition, with further studies needed for optimization. Nevertheless, the gel containing 2.5% (w/v) of non-encapsulated extract stored at 25 °C protected from light presented the best results within 180 days in stability study. P. pubescens incorporation maintained rheological properties with better performance when exposed to light during storage time compared to the gel base formulation. The formulation delivered vouacapans throughout a synthetic membrane. This formulation is the first step to achieve a novel topical gel-based product containing P. pubescens beneficial activities CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP Fechado