A series of seven limonene beta-amino alcohol derivatives has been regioselectively synthesised in moderate to good yields. Two of these compounds were found to be significantly effective against in vitro cultures of the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigote form in the micromolar range. The activities found for 3b and 3f were about 100-fold more potent than the standard drug, Pentamidine, in the same test, while limonene did not display any activity. This is the first report of antileishmanial activity by limonene beta-amino alcohol derivatives.

Activated carbon is a porous material with several industrial applications. In this research, brazil nut shell was used to produce activated carbon, a promising raw material based on its low cost and high quality. Also, nut processing generates an extensive amount of waste, requiring proper disposal. The carbon was produced at temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 °C and activated by physical method using steam or CO2. Yield was calculated, and the activated carbon was analyzed according to the following physical-chemical parameters: water content, volatile material, fixed carbon, ash, apparent density, and pH. Infrared spectroscopy and BET adsorption isotherms were also performed. The fixed carbon contents of the carbons produced at 700 and 800 °C remained above 84%. The pH values characterized them as basic. The surface areas of the carbon obtained at 800 °C were 397 ± 8 m2 g–1 and 325 ± 7 m2 g–1 in those which were activated by steam and CO2, respectively.

Malaria poses a global threat to human health, with millions of cases and thousands of deaths each year, mainly affecting developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Malaria’s causative agent is Plasmodium species, generally transmitted in the hematophagous act of female Anopheles sp. mosquitoes. The main approaches to fighting malaria are eliminating the parasite through drug treatments and preventing transmission with vector control. However, vector and parasite resistance to current strategies set a challenge. In response to the loss of drug efficacy and the environmental impact of pesticides, the focus shifted to the search for biocompatible products that could be antimalarial. Plant derivatives have a millennial application in traditional medicine, including the treatment of malaria, and show toxic effects towards the parasite and the mosquito, aside from being accessible and affordable. Its disadvantage lies in the type of administration because green chemical compounds rapidly degrade. The nanoformulation of these compounds can improve bioavailability, solubility, and efficacy. Thus, the nanotechnology-based development of plant products represents a relevant tool in the fight against malaria. We aim to review the effects of nanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts on Anopheles and Plasmodium while outlining the nanotechnology green synthesis and current malaria prevention strategies.