P. nigrum L. extracts and the piperine alkaloid have important antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of P. nigrum L. extracts and piperine, a compound isolated from the extracts of P. nigrum L. Extracts obtained via maceration, soxhlet, and purification steps, in addition to isolated piperine, were used in this study. Spectroscopic methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry, were used to characterize piperine. In the microbiological analyses, the extract obtained via maceration-derived sample showed high efficiency in inhibiting Salmonella spp. (MIC < 100 μg/mL). The extract obtained via a soxhlet-derived sample showed promising inhibitory activity against almost all microorganisms, with negligible inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Favorable inhibition coefficients were also observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. (MIC < 100 μg/mL) for the extract obtained via purification of the steps-derived sample. Piperine showed an excellent inhibition coefficient against most microorganisms, with inactivity only observed against P. aeruginosa. Cytotoxicity evaluation assays in cancer cell lines revealed that piperine exhibited inhibitory potential on all tested tumor cell lines, causing a decrease in cell viability and achieving an IC₅₀ of less than 30 μg/mL. The analyzed extracts from P. nigrum L. seeds showed cytotoxic activity against tumor and non-tumor cell lines.

Organogels are semi-solid pharmaceutical forms whose dispersing phase is an organic liquid, for example, an oil, such as acai oil, immobilized by a three-dimensional network formed by the gelling agent. Organogels are being highlighted as innovative release systems for cosmetic active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for topical applications. Acai oil was evaluated for its physicochemical parameters, fatty acid composition, lipid quality index, spectroscopic pattern (Attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), thermal behavior, total phenolic, total flavonoids, and total carotenoids and β-carotene content. The effectiveness of the organogel incorporated with hyaluronic acid (OG + HA) was evaluated through ex vivo permeation and skin retention tests, in vitro tests by Attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The physicochemical analyses highlighted that the acai oil exhibited quality standards in agreement with the regulatory bodies. Acai oil also showed high antioxidant capacity, which was correlated with the identified bioactive compounds. The cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the formulation OG + HA does not release toxic substances into the biological environment that could impede cell growth, adhesion, and efficacy. In vitro and ex vivo analyses demonstrated that after 6 h of application, OG + HA presented a high level of hydration, thermal protection and release of HA. Thus, it can be concluded that the OG + HA formulation has the potential for physical–chemical applications, antioxidant quality, and potentially promising efficacy for application in the cosmetic areas.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a major advance in cancer immunotherapy, providing durable clinical responses in several malignancies. Despite their growing clinical relevance, information on regulatory approval and public procurement of ICIs in middle-income countries remains limited. In this context, the upcoming expiration of patents for several ICIs, expected from 2026 onward, may substantially impact access and pricing. This study describes the regulatory landscape and federal acquisition of ICIs in Brazil between 2014 and 2023. A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using publicly available databases from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) and the Federal Government procurement system. All ICIs approved during the study period were evaluated according to molecular target (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4), antibody type, expression system, approved clinical indications, number of units acquired, and acquisition costs. Nine ICIs had active marketing authorization in Brazil, eight of which were procured by the Federal Government. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab accounted for the highest number of units acquired and the largest share of total expenditure. Overall federal spending on ICIs exceeded BRL 861 million during the study period, with PD-1 inhibitors representing approximately 78% of total costs. Most units (66%) were allocated to centralized logistics centers of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), while regional distribution data revealed a concentration of acquisitions in the South and Southeast regions. No ICI biosimilars were approved during the study period, despite the anticipated patent expiration of key molecules beginning in 2026. Although federal investment in ICIs has increased, access within the Brazilian public health system remains uneven, limited by high costs, centralized distribution, and the current absence of biosimilars. The forthcoming patent expirations may represent a strategic opportunity to expand access through biosimilar incorporation and local production. Strengthening regulatory strategies, improving transparency in distribution, and fostering innovation are essential to promote equitable access to cancer immunotherapy in Brazil.

Introdução: O processamento industrial de açaí gera grandes volumes de resíduos e, embora tradicionalmente descartados, apresentam elevado potencial para aplicações tecnológicas alinhadas aos princípios da bioeconomia circular e das biorrefinarias. Nos últimos anos, avanços nas técnicas de caracterização e conversão da biomassa ampliaram significativamente as possibilidades de aproveitamento desses resíduos. Objetivo: Analisar a evolução tecnológica da valorização dos resíduos de E. oleracea, sintetizando as evidências experimentais sobre caracterização físico-química, compostos bioativos, tecnologias ambientais, biomateriais e processos de conversão biotecnológica e energética. Metodologia: Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura seguindo as recomendações PRISMA 2020. As buscas foram realizadas na base PubMed com os descritores resíduos agroindustriais, E. oleracea, biomassa, biochar, biomateriais, compostos bioativos e biorrefinarias. Incluíram-se estudos experimentais publicados entre 2022 e 2026 que abordaram a valorização tecnológica da biomassa residual. Os dados foram tratados por síntese narrativa com cinco eixos temáticos. Resultados: Doze estudos atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade. Observou-se uma diversificação progressiva e crescente sofisticação analítica e tecnológica das rotas de valorização. Técnicas como FTIR, HRMS, HPLC-RID, RMN e DRX permitiram caracterizar compostos fenólicos, fibras lignocelulósicas, mananas cristalinas e oligossacarídeos bioativos, subsidiando o desenvolvimento de antioxidantes naturais, prebióticos, biochar, nanoadsorventes, materiais biodegradáveis e processos de conversão para bioenergia. Os resíduos ainda constituem integração entre química analítica, ciência dos materiais, nanotecnologia, biotecnologia e engenharia de processos, ampliando as perspectivas de aproveitamento integral da biomassa. Conclusões: Os resíduos constituem uma plataforma renovável e multifuncional para obtenção de ingredientes, biomateriais, tecnologias ambientais e bioenergia. Os resultados evidenciam o crescimento de abordagens compatíveis com a lógica da biorrefinaria, reforçando seu papel estratégico na bioeconomia circular. Contudo, a consolidação industrial dessas tecnologias ainda depende da padronização da matéria-prima, integração das rotas de conversão, validação em escala piloto, análises técnico-econômicas e estudos de ciclo de vida.