Hepatopancreatic metabolic disorders and their implications in the development of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Dementia has been faced with significant public health challenges and economic burdens that urges the need to develop safe and effective interventions. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the relationship between dementia and liver and pancreatic metabolic disorders that result in diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Previous reports have shown that there is a plausible correlation between pathologies caused by hepatopancreatic dysfunctions and dementia.

Abusive use of Zolpidem as a Result of COVID-19 and Perspectives of Continuity of the Problem in the Post-Pandemic Period.

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drug that works as a positive modulator of Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid-A (GABA-A) receptors, with high selectivity for α1 subunits. Given this selective binding, the drug has a strong hypnotic activity. Social isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has contributed to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Vitamin E and Its Molecular Effects in Experimental Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

With the advancement of in vivo studies and clinical trials, the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases has been better understood. However, gaps still need to be better elucidated, which justifies the publication of reviews that explore the mechanisms related to the development of these diseases. Studies show that vitamin E supplementation can protect neurons from the damage caused by oxidative stress, with a positive impact on the prevention and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuroprotective Potential of Seed Extracts: Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by neuronal dysfunction and death. Studies suggest that some seed extracts have a neuroprotective effect. Considering the increased incidence of these diseases and the need for new effective therapies with fewer side effects, this review aimed to assess the evidence of the efficacy and safety of seed extracts in experimental models of neurodegeneration.

Susceptibility to COVID-19 in Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Period: Immune System, Vertical Transmission, and Breastfeeding.

The new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) was first identified in late 2019 as the new RNA virus in the coronaviridae family responsible for causing COVID-19 in the residents of China's Hubei province. In mid-March 2020 WHO declared the pandemic caused by this virus as a result of thousands of people infected all over the world. Epidemiological evidence obtained from other pandemics, such as influenza and ebola, suggest that pregnant women are more susceptible to serious complications and death from viral infection.

Selenium in Human Health and Gut Microflora: Bioavailability of Selenocompounds and Relationship With Diseases.

This review covers current knowledge of selenium in the dietary intake, its bioavailability, metabolism, functions, biomarkers, supplementation and toxicity, as well as its relationship with diseases and gut microbiota specifically on the symbiotic relationship between gut microflora and selenium status. Selenium is essential for the maintenance of the immune system, conversion of thyroid hormones, protection against the harmful action of heavy metals and xenobiotics as well as for the reduction of the risk of chronic diseases. Selenium is able to balance the microbial flora avoiding health damage associated with dysbiosis.

Essential Oils in Experimental Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background: Neural cells undergo functional or sensory loss due to neurological disorders. In addition to environmental or genetic factors, oxidative stress is a major contributor to neurodegeneration. In this context, there has been a growing interest in investigating the effects of EOs (EOs) in recent years, especially in the treatment of neuropathologies.

Therapeutic Options Against the New Coronavirus: Updated Clinical and Laboratory Evidences.

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) has encouraged numerous studies and clinical trials around the world, with research groups testing existing drugs, novel drug candidates and vaccines that can prevent or treat infection caused by this virus. The urgency for an effective therapy is justified by the easy and fast viral transmission and the high number of patients with severe respiratory distress syndrome who have increasingly occupied intensive care hospital beds, leading to a collapse in health systems in several countries. However, to date, there is no sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of any researched therapy.

Supramolecular aggregates of cyclodextrins with co-solvent modulate drug dispersion and release behavior of poorly soluble corticosteroid from chitosan membranes.

In this study, the ability of different beta-cyclodextrins to facilitate homogeneous dispersion of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) into chitosan membranes is assessed. Drug loading was assessed through atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (MEV-FEG), and X-ray diffraction analyses. Drug interactions with the co-polymer were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses.

In Vivo Antidepressant Effect of f. into Cationic Nanoparticles: Improving Bioactivity and Safety.

A variety of neuroactive flavonoids can be found in the species of the genus; however, their difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier limits their in vivo neuropharmacological activity. In this study, cationic nanoparticles were developed as a novel nanocarrier for improving the antidepressant activity of f. leaf extract.

L. Miller (Palma Forrageira) as an Alternative Source of Cellulose for Production of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Biomaterials: Extraction and Characterization.

Cellulose is among the top 5 excipients used in the pharmaceutical industry. It has been considered one of the main diluents used in conventional and modern dosage forms. Therefore, different raw materials of plant origin have been evaluated as potential alternative sources of cellulose.

Inclusion Complexes of β and HPβ-Cyclodextrin with α, β Amyrin and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

α, β amyrin (ABAM) is a natural mixture of pentacyclic triterpenes that has a wide range of biological activities. ABAM is isolated from the species of the Burseraceae family, in which the species is commonly found in the Amazon region of Brazil. The aim of this work was to develop inclusion complexes (ICs) of ABAM and β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) by physical mixing (PM) and kneading (KN) methods.

Protective effect of aqueous extract, fractions and phenolic compounds of Hancornia speciosa fruits on the inflammatory damage in the lungs of mice induced by Tityus serrulatus envenomation.

Scorpion envenomation has been considered a public health issue around the world. Tityus serrulatus represents a specie of major medical importance in Brazil due to mortality rates of approximately 1% among children and elderly populations. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract from Hancornia speciosa fruits, its fractions and its phenolic compounds against T.

Characterization and Antiproliferative Activity of a Novel 2-Aminothiophene Derivative-β-Cyclodextrin Binary System.

The novel 2-aminothiophene derivative 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[]thiophene-3-carbonitrile (6CN) has shown potential anti-proliferative activity in human cancer cell lines. However, the poor aqueous solubility of 6CN impairs its clinical use. This work aimed to develop binary 6CN-β-cyclodextrin (βCD) systems with the purpose of increasing 6CN solubility in water and therefore, to improve its pharmacological activity.

Supplementation with Curcuma longa Reverses Neurotoxic and Behavioral Damage in Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: The formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of the tau protein are the main pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current therapies for AD offer discrete benefits to the clinical symptoms and do not prevent the continuing degeneration of neuronal cells. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies have long been investigated, where curcumin (Curcuma longa) has shown some properties that can prevent the deleterious processes involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

Development of solid dispersions of β-lapachone in PEG and PVP by solvent evaporation method.

β-lapachone (βlap) has shown potential use in various medical applications. However, its poor solubility has limited its systemic administration and clinical applications. The aim of this work is to develop solid dispersions of βlap using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG 6000) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) as hydrophilic polymers and evaluate the dissolution rate in aqueous medium.

Amorphous solid dispersions of hecogenin acetate using different polymers for enhancement of solubility and improvement of anti-hyperalgesic effect in neuropathic pain model in mice.

Hecogenin acetate (HA) is an acetylated sapogenin that has shown potential antihyperalgesic activity, inhibiting descending pain and acting in opioid receptors. However, HA exhibits poor aqueous solubility, which may limit its application. This study aims to develop amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) using five hydrophilic polymers, to characterize them and to evaluate their antihyperalgesic activity.

Characterization and Trypanocidal Activity of a Novel Pyranaphthoquinone.

Chagas disease is an endemic parasitic infection that occurs in 21 Latin American countries. New therapies for this disease are urgently needed, as the only two drugs available (nifurtimox and benznidazol) have high toxicity and variable efficacy in the disease's chronic phase. Recently, a new chemical entity (NCE) named Pyranaphthoquinone (IVS320) was synthesized from lawsone.

Development, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Solid Dispersions of α,β Amyrin Isolated from Protium Oilresin.

α,β Amyrin (ABAM) is a natural mixture of pentacyclic triterpenes that has shown a variety of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory effect. ABAM is isolated from Burseraceae oilresins, especially from the species, which is commonly found in the Brazilian Amazon. This work aimed to develop solid dispersions (SD) of ABAM with the following hydrophilic polymers: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-K30), polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC).

Supplementation with Herbal Extracts to Promote Behavioral and Neuroprotective Effects in Experimental Models of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) consists of a neurodegenerative pathology that has received a considerable amount of attention because of its clinical manifestations. The most common treatment consists of administering the drugs levodopa and biperiden, which reduce the effectiveness of the disease and the progress of its symptoms. However, phytotherapy treatment of PD has shown great potential in retarding the loss of dopaminergic neurons and minimizing the behavioral abnormalities.