Limonium species represent a source of bioactive compounds that have been widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative potential of Limonium species through a systematic review. Searches were performed in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Scielo and via a manual search. In vivo or in vitro studies that evaluated the anticancer or anti-proliferative effect of at least one Limonium species were included. In total, 942 studies were identified, with 33 articles read in full and 17 studies included for qualitative synthesis. Of these, 14 (82.35%) refer to in vitro assays, one (5.88%) was in vivo, and two (11.76%) were designed as in vitro and in vivo assays. Different extracts and isolated compounds from Limonium species were evaluated through cytotoxic analysis against various cancer cells lines (especially hepatocellular carcinoma—HepG2; n = 7, 41.18%). Limonium tetragonum was the most evaluated species. The possible cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activity of some Limonium species included the inhibition of enzymatic activities and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which suggested anti-metastatic effects, anti-melanogenic activity, cell proliferation inhibition pathways, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. The results reinforce the potential of Limonium species as a source for the discovery and development of new potential cytotoxic and anticancer agents. However, further studies and improvements in experimental designs are needed to better demonstrate the mechanism of action of all of these compounds.

Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze, Plumbaginaceae, is an herb popularly known as guaicuru, guaicurá or baicuru. The species inhabits salt marshes from the coastal region of southern Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, to Uruguay and Argentina. Although widely used in folk medicine in the state of Rio Grande do Sul to treat genitourinary infections and to regulate menstrual periods, L. brasiliense has been little studied. The present morpho-anatomical study was undertaken to resolve some doubts in the literature as to the nature of the part of the plant that is used for medicinal purposes, a true rhizome or a root. The morpho-anatomical characteristics were analyzed with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. The botanical material was characterized as a rhizome with internodes that are evident in the younger but not the older portions. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of a multilayered periderm with a cortex, ray parenchyma, and pith, formed by collenchyma tissue with abundant intercellular spaces in the outer portions of the cortex, responsible for the rigidity of the body, and with walls impregnated with phenolic compounds. The vascular bundles are collateral with elliptical to elongated cells, and with few conducting and sclerenchymal elements. Groups of sclereids are dispersed through the cortex and pith. These morpho-anatomical characteristics define the structure as a rhizome.

Croton floribundus, Euphorbiaceae, popularly known as “capixingui” is a native tree of the Atlantic Forest. In folk medicine, the tea of C. floribundus stem bark is used for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, and syphilis. The aim of this work was to describe the morphological and anatomical characteristics of C. floribundus stem bark and to establish parameters for its quality control. Accordingly, different analyses were performed, including organoleptic, morphological, anatomical, and histochemical analysis of the samples, plus the characterization of druse crystals by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The sample showed menthol and camphor odor, and bitter taste. The main macroscopic characteristic was the presence of a thin periderm with striations. The main distinctive microscopic features of the species were: dense gelatinous fibers, phenolic idioblasts, sclereids, numerous crystalline idioblasts with druses located in the cortex and abundantly in the parenchymal rays of the phloem, and absence of laticifers in the mature stem bark. These analyses made possible to describe the morpho-anatomy of that species, contributing to phytochemical and pharmacognostic future studies of C. floribundus.

Hair loss is a condition that affects both men and women, causing psychological and physical suffering. This literature review aimed to bring together in vivo studies and clinical trials related to the use of phenolic compounds, mainly tannins, flavonoids, and metabolites from the phenolic acid class to combat hair loss. The bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases, using keywords such as “flavonoids”, “tannins”, “phenolic acid” and “hair loss”. Regarding the clinical trials included, three types of study were used (randomized, double-blind, and placebo control). All the compounds evaluated were obtained from medicinal plants, three tannins and one flavonoid. The formulations evaluated were three hair tonics and one lotion, and phenolic compounds from procyanidin class were present in almost all articles (n=3). The use of these compounds was related to the reported potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which favor the anagen phase of hair, reducing reactive oxygen species and inflammation of hair follicles. Therefore, more studies are needed to promote and discuss the use of phenolic compounds for hair loss, mainly through randomized clinical trials. To contribute to the research and development of new medicines, polyphenols have several benefits and have a similar action to conventional medicines.

O setor magistral apresenta um crescimento consistente no mercado farmacêutico brasileiro e a questão da qualidade de insumos vegetais, em sua maioria importados, representa uma preocupação à medida em que vem aumentando a demanda por produtos magistrais, por parte de profissionais farmacêuticos, médicos, nutricionistas, entre outros. Este trabalho visou, inicialmente, levantar dados da literatura sobre a qualidade de insumos vegetais magistrais e, em um segundo momento, analisar o resultado dos serviços analíticos prestado pela Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) no controle de qualidade destes insumos, para farmácias magistrais, entre 11/2020 a 12/2022. Foram encontrados 14 artigos utilizando as palavras-chaves selecionadas, destes, 7 artigos atendiam aos critérios de inclusão, revelando a escassez deste tipo de estudo. No período de 25 meses, 36 insumos vegetais foram analisados pelo laboratório PALAFITO da UEM. A maioria das amostras foram aprovados, porém cerca de 14% (n=5) foram reprovadas, sendo 5,6% (n=2) devido à ausência do marcador. Estes resultados revelam a fragilidade do processo de qualificação de fornecedores pelo setor magistral ou ausência do processo. Em vários casos, foram evidenciados problemas relacionados a ensaios não realizados pelas farmácias, uma vez que seus fornecedores tenham sido qualificados.Palabraschaves: farmácia clínica; cuidado farmacêutico; educação farmacêutica; farmácia prática; serviços farmacêuticos; farmacêutico clínico.