Recent discoveries have shown that enteric glial cells play an important role in different neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is characterized by motor dysfunctions caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substance nigra pars compacta and non-motor symptoms including gastrointestinal dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the modulatory effects of the flavonoid rutin on the behavior and myenteric plexuses in a PD animal model and the response of enteric glia. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to stereotaxic injection with 6-hydroxydopamine or saline, and they were untreated or treated with rutin (10 mg/kg) for 14 days. The ileum was collected to analyze tissue reactivity and immunohistochemistry for neurons (HuC/HuD) and enteric glial cells (S100β) in the myenteric plexuses. Behavioral tests demonstrated that treatment with rutin improved the motor capacity of parkinsonian animals and improved intestinal transit without interfering with the cell population; rutin treatment modulated the reactivity of the ileal musculature through muscarinic activation, reducing relaxation through the signaling pathway of nitric oxide donors, and increased the longitudinal contractility of the colon musculature in parkinsonian animals. Rutin revealed modulatory activities on the myenteric plexus, bringing relevant answers regarding the effect of the flavonoid in this system and the potential application of PD adjuvant treatment.

The use of fruits and their by-products in food has dramatically impacted the food industry due to the nutritional benefits and the technological and sensory effects of food matrices. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of adding cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) pulp and flour on fermented milk beverages’ physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties during refrigerated storage (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). Twelve formulations were realized with different percentages of cupuassu pulp (0, 5, 7.5, and 10% w/v) and flour (0, 1.5, and 3% w/v). The treatments with 3% cupuassu flour presented the highest percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates, compared with the samples containing pulp. On the other hand, the addition of pulp increased water retention capacity and color parameters (L*, a*, b*, and C*) and decreased pH and syneresis on day 0 of storage. During storage, the samples with pulp showed increases in pH values, consistency index, and apparent viscosity. In comparison, cupuassu flour addition decreased syneresis values and increased L* and b* during storage, as did pulp. In addition, sample HPHF (10% pulp and 3% cupuassu flour), based on just-about-right, penalty, and check-all-that-apply analyses, improved some sensory attributes of the fermented milk beverage, such as brown color, acid taste, bitter taste, cupuassu flavor, and firm texture. It can be concluded that cupuassu pulp and flour addition improves the physicochemical and sensory quality of fermented milk beverages and can provide nutritional value to the product.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the deadliest noncommunicable disease worldwide. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for the development of CVD. Although there is a wide range of antihypertensive drugs, there still remains a lack of blood pressure control options for hypertensive patients. Additionally, natural products remain crucial to the design of new drugs. The natural product 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) exhibits pharmacological properties linked to antihypertensive mechanisms of action. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular effects of 7-HC in an experimental model of essential hypertension. The isometric tension measurements assessed the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC (0.001 μM–300 μM) in superior mesenteric arteries isolated from hypertensive rats (SHR, 200–300 g). Our results suggest that the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC rely on K⁺-channels (K_ATP, BK_Ca, and, to a lesser extent, K_v) activation and also on Ca²⁺ influx from sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum mobilization (inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine receptors). Moreover, 7-HC diminishes the mesenteric artery’s responsiveness to α1-adrenergic agonist challenge and improves the actions of the muscarinic agonist and NO donor. The present work demonstrated that the relaxant mechanism of 7-HC in SHR involves endothelium-independent vasorelaxant factors. Additionally, 7-HC reduced vasoconstriction of the sympathetic agonist while improving vascular endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation.

Background: Arterial hypertension (AH) remains a global health concern due to its multifactorial etiology, limited therapeutic success, and high cardiovascular risk. In this context, plant-derived compounds such as essential oils have gained attention as alternative strategies. The monoterpene (-)-linalool (LIN) demonstrates antihypertensive effects. However, its clinical application is hampered by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the chronic cardiovascular effects of free LIN and its inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin (LIN/β-CD) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats. Results: Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that complexation with β-CD markedly improved LIN plasma exposure, increasing systemic bioavailability by approximately 20-fold and prolonging its circulation time. In acute assays, intravenous LIN and LIN/β-CD (50 mg/kg) reduced blood pressure in SHR, LIN induced bradycardia, and LIN/β-CD elicited a mild, non-significant tachycardia. Orally administered LIN/β-CD exerted superior antihypertensive effects compared to free LIN. In a 60-day chronic regimen, LIN/β-CD consistently maintained reduced arterial pressure, achieving levels comparable to normotensive controls, while free LIN produced transient effects. LIN/β-CD also significantly reduced the cardiac mass index in SHR, suggesting attenuation of hypertrophic remodeling. Vascular reactivity assays revealed enhanced endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation and diminished vasoconstriction in LIN/β-CD-treated animals, indicating improved endothelial and smooth muscle function. Histological analyses confirmed the absence of cardiac or vascular injury in both treatment groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, the LIN/β-CD complex improves the pharmacokinetic profile and enhances the arterial morphology, antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of linalool. These findings support its translational potential as a safe and effective oral formulation for the long-term management of hypertension and associated cardiovascular dysfunction.

Microemulsions (MEs) are delivery systems that can enhance the rate of drug dissolution due to their supramolecular structure. However, adding drugs, such as menthol, and thickness agents, like xanthan gum (XG), can significantly modify these nanoscaled architectures. This study aimed to understand the mechanistic basis of supramolecular structural modifications in oleic acid-based MEs induced by XG and menthol addition. A multitechnique approach combining electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), rheology, and texture analysis was employed to characterize formulations containing concentration ranges of menthol (0.1–1.0%w/w) and XG (0.1–0.5%w/w). This complementary analytical strategy enabled the detection of structural changes across different length scales. Our findings revealed that menthol addition leads to droplet diameter modulation (DLS: 127–157 nm; SAXS: 108–136 nm), suggesting drug entrapment within the oil phase. XG addition produces a distinctive interconnected “pearl-necklace” supramolecular architecture without significant droplet size changes (DLS: 102–111 nm; SAXS: 102 nm). Crucially, rheological and textural analyses detected physical property modifications not identified by light scattering techniques, with XG dramatically influencing consistency, firmness, and adhesiveness, while menthol enhanced adhesive properties. These structure–function correlations showed that rational ME design can be achieved through controlled excipient addition. Collectively, the nanoscaled pearl-necklace architecture and enhanced adhesive properties suggest promising applications for sustained topical drug delivery, warranting future investigation of skin permeation kinetics and therapeutic efficacy in dermatological formulations.