Technological Strategies Applied to Pharmaceutical Systems for Intranasal Administration of Drugs Intended for Neurological Treatments: A Review.

The complexity of treating neurological diseases has meant that new strategies have had to be developed to deliver drugs to the brain more efficiently and safely. Intranasal drug delivery is characterized by its ease of administration, safety, and rapid delivery directly from the nose to the brain. Several strategies have been developed to improve the delivery of drugs to the brain via nasal administration.

Using food to color food: photostability of canistel pulp and its application as a food dye.

Unlabelled: The use of foods to color other foods () should be considered in food production. In this study, freeze-dried canistel ( (Kunth) Baehni) pulp underwent a photostability test. A blue LED light with a maximum intensity of 420 nm was utilized to induce photodegradation of the pulp.

From Genes to Stress Response: Genomic and Transcriptomic Data Suggest the Significance of the Inositol and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide Pathways in , Adaptation to the Caatinga Environment.

is an important forage and extremophilic plant native to the Brazilian Caatinga semiarid region. It has only recently been subjected to omics-based investigations, and the generated datasets offer insights into biotechnologically significant candidates yet to be thoroughly examined. INSs (inositol and its derivatives) and RFO (raffinose oligosaccharide family) pathways emerge as pivotal candidates, given their critical roles in plant physiology.

Development of nanostructured environmentally responsive system containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for nose-to-brain administration of meloxicam.

The intranasal administration of drugs using environmentally responsive formulations, employing a combination of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamer 407 (P407), can result in release systems that may assist in the treatment of neurological diseases. Meloxicam, considered a potential adjuvant in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, could be used in these platforms. The aim of this work was to develop a mucoadhesive, thermoresponsive, and nanostructured system containing HPMC for nose-to-brain administration of meloxicam.

Reference genes for gene expression profiling in mouse models of infection.

RT-qPCR dissects transcription-based processes but requires reference genes (RGs) for data normalization. This study prospected RGs for mouse macrophages (pMØ) and spleen infected with . The pMØ were infected with or vehicle for 4 h.

Boosting the photodynamic activity of erythrosine B by using thermoresponsive and adhesive systems containing cellulose derivatives for topical delivery.

Erythrosine displays potential photodynamic activity against microorganisms and unhealthy cells. However, erythrosine has high hydrophilicity, negatively impacting on permeation through biological membranes. Combining biological macromolecules and thermoresponsive polymers may overcome these erythrosine-related issues, enhancing retention of topically applied drugs.

Thermo and Photoresponsive Emulgel Loaded with Ducke and Chlorophylls: Rheological, Mechanical, Photodynamic and Drug Delivery Properties in Human Skin.

Recently, the number of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis has been of concern among health agencies. Research that offers new therapeutic alternatives is advantageous, especially those that develop innovative drugs. Therefore, this paper presents the incorporation of Ducke and chlorophyll extract into Pluronic F127 and Carbopol gels, under optimized polymer quantities.

Unravelling the genetic potential for hydrocarbon degradation in the sediment microbiome of Antarctic islands.

Hydrocarbons may have a natural or anthropogenic origin and serve as a source of carbon and energy for microorganisms in Antarctic soils. Herein, 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing were employed to characterize taxonomic diversity and genetic potential for hydrocarbon degradation of the microbiome from sediments of sites located in two Antarctic islands subjected to different temperatures, geochemical compositions, and levels of presumed anthropogenic impact, named: Crater Lake/Deception Island (pristine area), Whalers Bay and Fumarole Bay/Deception Island (anthropogenic-impacted area), and Hannah Point/Livingston Island (anthropogenic-impacted area). Hydrocarbon concentrations were measured for further correlation analyses with biological data.

Drug Delivery Platforms Containing Thermoresponsive Polymers and Mucoadhesive Cellulose Derivatives: A Review of Patents.

Nowadays, the development of mucoadhesive systems for drug delivery has gained keen interest, with enormous potential in applications through different routes. Mucoadhesion characterizes an attractive interaction between the pharmaceutical dosage form and the mucosal surface. Many polymers have shown the ability to interact with mucus, increasing the residence time of local and/or systemic administered preparations, such as tablets, patches, semi-solids, and micro and nanoparticles.

Development of buccal film formulations and their mucoadhesive performance in biomimetic models.

When developing buccal films for oromucosal drug administration, adhesion is essential to ensure sufficient time for permeation of the active ingredient(s) through the oral mucosa and avoid the detachment and subsequent swallowing of the film. In this study, biomimetic materials were evaluated as a replacement for buccal mucosa in mucoadhesion testing and potential adhesives were compared regarding their suitability to increase the adhesion of hypromellose-based oromucosal films. Gelatin gels, as possible biomimetics, failed to mimic the buccal mucosa.

Design and Optimization of Stimuli-responsive Emulsion-filled Gel for Topical Delivery of Copaiba Oil-resin.

This study presents a phytotherapeutic emulsion-filled gel design composed of Pluronic® F127, Carbopol® C934P, and high level of copaiba oil-resin (PHY-ECO). Mathematical modeling and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to access the optimal ratio between the oil and the polymer gel-matrix constituents. The chemometric approach showed robust mechanical and thermoresponsive properties for emulsion gel.

Preclinical study of methotrexate-based hydrogels versus surfactant based liquid crystal systems on psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune, inflammatory and chronic skin disease in which cell growth and proliferation are increased, causing erythema, lesions and skin's peeling. Oral methotrexate (MTX) is the first-choice drug when phototherapy or retinoid treatment are not effective. Topical administration can be advantageous to better orientate the drug's delivery; however, the stratum corneum performs as a barrier for hydrofilic drugs penetration.

Evaluation of quality and gene expression of goat embryos produced in vivo and in vitro after cryopreservation.

In the present study, we aimed to identify morphological and molecular changes of in vivo and in vitro-produced goat embryos submitted to cryopreservation. In vivo embryos were recovered by transcervical technique from superovulated goats, whereas in vitro produced embryos were produced from ovaries collected at a slaughterhouse. Embryos were frozen by two-steps slow freezing method, which is defined as freezing to -32 °C followed by transfer to liquid nitrogen.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) defensins: Prospection, structural analysis and tissue-specific expression under biotic/abiotic stresses.

Defensins are a prominent family of antimicrobial peptides. They play sophisticated roles in the defense against pathogens in all living organisms, but few works address their expression under different conditions and plant tissues. The present work prospected defensins of Manihot esculenta Crantz, popularly known as cassava.

Interaction between mucoadhesive cellulose derivatives and Pluronic F127: Investigation on the micelle structure and mucoadhesive performance.

Systems composed of bioadhesive and thermoresponsive polymers can combine in situ gelation with bio/mucoadhesion, enhancing retention of topically applied drugs. The effect of bioadhesive sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose cellulose (HPMC) on the properties of thermoresponsive Pluronic® F127 (F127) was explored, including micellization and the mucoadhesion. A computational analysis between these polymers and their molecular interactions were also studied, rationalising the design of improved binary polymeric systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Acacia mearnsii gum: A residue as an alternative gum Arabic for food stabilizer.

Acacia mearnsii gum is not commercially exploited, being characterized as residue from A. mearnsii cultivation. This work investigated the A.

Effects of Nicotine Gum Administration on Vision (ENIGMA-Vis): Study Protocol of a Double-Blind, Randomized, and Controlled Clinical Trial.

Studies reported that tobacco addiction was related to visual impairments, but one unresolved issue is whether the impairments are related to the many compounds existing in the cigarettes or to the effects of nicotine. On the other hand, nicotine gum can be used as replacement therapy or as a neuroprotective agent for some diseases. The main purpose of this controlled trial is to investigate the effects of nicotine gum on vision.

Chromosome evolution in Lophyohylini (Amphibia, Anura, Hylinae).

The hyline tribe Lophyohylini includes 87 species of treefrogs, of which cytogenetics aspects have been studied in less than 20% of them. In order to evaluate the evolution of some of its chromosome characters (NOR position, C-bands, and DAPI/CMA3 bands), we studied the karyotypes of 21 lophyohylines, 16 of them for the first time, and analyzed them in a phylogenetic context. Most species showed similar karyotypes regarding chromosome number (2n = 24) and morphology (FN = 48), excepting Phyllodytes edelmoi and Osteocephalus buckleyi with 2n = 22 (FN = 44) and 2n = 28 (FN = 50), respectively.

Thermoresponsive systems composed of poloxamer 407 and HPMC or NaCMC: mechanical, rheological and sol-gel transition analysis.

Poloxamer 407 (polox407) is widely studied as thermogelling polymer, transitioning to a gel state when warmed Polox407 forms weak hydrogels with rapid dissolution in excess solvent. This study reports the development of binary systems composed of polox407 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) aiming to improve the rheological and mechanical properties of the hydrogel. The interaction between polox407 and cellulose derivatives was studied, and their interaction with biological surfaces predicted.

Design of a nanostructured mucoadhesive system containing curcumin for buccal application: from physicochemical to biological aspects.

Mucoadhesive nanostructured systems comprising poloxamer 407 and Carbopol 974P have already demonstrated good mucoadhesion, as well as improved mechanical and rheological properties. Curcumin displays excellent biological activity, mainly in oral squamous cancer; however, its physicochemical characteristics hinder its application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop nanostructured formulations containing curcumin for oral cancer therapy.

Photodynamic Therapy of Psoriasis Using Photosensitizers of Vegetable Origin.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease, prevalent worldwide, and represents an important burden in life quality of patients. The most common clinical variant is termed as psoriasis vulgaris or plaque psoriasis, which with an individualized and carefully monitored therapy can decrease the patients' morbidity and improving their life quality. The aim is to achieve disease control, minimize the adverse drug effects, and tailor the treatment to individual patient factors.

Biomedical Platform Development of a Chlorophyll-Based Extract for Topic Photodynamic Therapy: Mechanical and Spectroscopic Properties.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that has shown effectiveness in the inactivation of cancer cell lines and microorganisms. Treatment consists of activating the photosensitizer (PS) upon light irradiation of adequate wavelength. After reaching the excited state, the PS can handle the intersystem conversion through energy transfer to the molecular oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species.

Design and Characterization of Mucoadhesive Gelatin-Ethylcellulose Microparticles for the Delivery of Curcumin to the Bladder.

Background: Bladder cancer is the second type of malignant carcinoma of the urinary tract. The treatment is time-consuming and requires maintenance doses of the drug for long period of time with important side effects. Curcumin has shown evident clinical advances in the treatment of cancer.