Plants of the species Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann (Bignoniaceae), which are widely distributed in Brazil and named crajiru in the state of Amazonas, are known in folk medicine as a traditional medicine in the form of a tea for the treatment of intestinal colic, diarrhea, and anemia, among other diseases. The chemical analysis of extracts of the leaves has identified phenolic compounds, a class of secondary metabolites that provide defense for plants and benefits to the health of humans. Several studies have shown the therapeutic efficacy of F. chica extracts, with antitumor, antiviral, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities being among the therapeutic applications already proven. The healing action of F. chica leaf extract has been demonstrated in several experimental models, and shows the ability to favor the proliferation of fibroblasts, which is essential for tissue repair. The anti-inflammatory activity of F. chica has been clearly demonstrated by several authors, who suggest that it is related to the presence of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, which is capable of inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways such as the kappa B (NF-kB) nuclear transcription factor pathway. Another important effect attributed to this species is the antioxidant effect, attributed to phenolic compounds interrupting chain reactions caused by free radicals and donating hydrogen atoms or electrons. In conclusion, the species Fridericia chica has great therapeutic potential, which is detailed in this paper with the objective of encouraging new research and promoting the sum of efforts for the inclusion of herbal medicines in health systems around the world.

Nanocapsules provide selective delivery and increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. In this study, we examined the anticancer and immunomodulatory potential of Fridericia chica (crajiru) extract encapsulated in nanocapsules targeting myeloid leukemias. Nanocapsules containing crajiru (nanocapsules-CRJ) were prepared via interfacial polymer deposition and solvent displacement. Size and polydispersity were measured by dynamic light scattering. Biological assays were performed on leukemia cell lines HL60 and K562 and on non-cancerous Vero cells and human PBMC. The anticancer activity was evaluated using cytotoxicity and clonogenic assays, while the immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by measuring the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in PBMC supernatants treated with concentrations of nanocapsules-CRJ. Nanocapsules-CRJ exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HL60 and K562 cells at concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 50 μg/mL, with the greatest reductions in cell viability observed at 50 μg/mL (p < 0.001 for HL60; p < 0.01 for K562), while not affecting non-cancerous Vero cells and human PBMCs. At concentrations of 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, nanocapsules-CRJ reduced the formation of HL60 and K562 colonies by more than 90% (p < 0.0001). Additionally, at a concentration of 12 μg/mL, nanocapsules-CRJ induced the production of the cytokines IL-6 (p = 0.0002), IL-10 (p = 0.0005), IL-12 (p = 0.001), and TNF-α (p = 0.005), indicating their immunomodulatory potential. These findings suggest that nanocapsules-CRJ hold promise as a potential therapeutic agent with both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties.

Introdução: A retina é uma estrutura pertencente ao sistema nervoso central (SNC) que contém quase todos os sistemas de neurotransmissores e neuromoduladores, como GABA e adenosina. Sua função de reconhecer estímulos luminosos externos a torna extremamente importante para a visão. Portanto, muitos estudos buscam métodos/alvos para proteger a retina contra insultos e doenças. Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann (FC) é uma planta amazônica com propriedades medicinais, que já revelou ter efeitos antiinflamatórios, antioxidantes, antitumorais, antibióticos e antiparasitários. Entretanto, não há dados de suas ações em neurônios, incluindo aqueles pertencentes a retina. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito do extrato de F. chica na ativação de sinais clássicos de sobrevivência na retina, como ERK, AKT e CREB, e na expressão de componentes do sistema adenosinérgico durante o desenvolvimento retiniano. Métodos: Os procedimentos foram aprovados pelo Comitê de Ética em Experimentação Animal (CEUA) sob o protocolo número 1159241122. Ovos de galinha da raça White Leghorn com 14 dias de desenvolvimento foram tratados com uma injeção de 10, 15 e 20 mg/kg da fração acetato de etila do extrato de F.C diluída em água. Após o tratamento de 2 dias, com 16 dias de desenvolvimento, as retinas foram dissecadas e processadas para Western Blot (WB). No WB, avaliamos a fosforilação de CREB, ERK e AKT, a expressão dos receptores de adenosina A1 e A2a, e o transportador ENT-1. (diluições dos anticorpos: pCREB 1:1000, tCREB 1:2000, pERK 1:1000, tERK 1:1000, pAKT 1:1000, tAKT 1:2000, A1r 1:1000, A2ar 1:1000, Ent-1 1:1500, Tubulina 1:100000) Resultados: O FC 10 mg/kg reduziu significativamente a fosforilação da CREB (CTR 10 mg: 100±13,7; n=5; FC 10 mg: 59,9±12,3; n=5; P=0,0313), enquanto aumentou significativamente a fosforilação em 15 e 20 mg/kg (CTR 15 mg: 100±8,8; n=3; FC 15 mg: 293,8±42,1; n=3; P=0,0440; CTR 20 mg: 100±14,5; n=5; FC 20 mg: 196,1±28,5; n=5; P=0,0281). O tratamento reduziu significativamente a fosforilação d ERK em 15 e 20 mg/kg (CTR 15 mg: 100±27,17; n=6; FC 15 mg: 46,30±7,74; n=6; P=0,0010; CTR 20 mg: 100±30; n=4; FC 20 mg: 39,31±7,20; n=4; P=0,0035), e a fosforilação de AKT aumentou significativamente em 15 e 20 mg/kg (CTR 15 mg: 100±11; n=4; FC 15 mg: 185±22,3; n=4; P=0,0310; CTR 20 mg: 100±11,2; n=4; FC 20 mg: 140,8±10,85;