Epilepsy is a most disabling neurological disorder affecting all age groups. Among the various mechanisms that may result in epilepsy, neuronal hyperexcitability and oxidative injury produced by an excessive formation of free radicals may play a role in the development of this pathology. Therefore, new treatment approaches are needed to address resistant conditions that do not respond fully to current antiepileptic drugs. This paper reviews studies on the anticonvulsant activities of essential oils and their chemical constituents. Data from studies published from January 2011 to December 2018 was selected from the PubMed database for examination. The bioactivity of 19 essential oils and 16 constituents is described. Apiaceae and Lamiaceae were the most promising botanical families due to the largest number of reports about plant species from these families that produce anticonvulsant essential oils. Among the evaluated compounds, β-caryophyllene, borneol, eugenol and nerolidol were the constituents that presented antioxidant properties related to anticonvulsant action. These data show the potential of these natural products as health promoting agents and use against various types of seizure disorders. Their properties on oxidative stress may contribute to the control of this neurological condition. However, further studies on the toxicological profile and mechanism of action of essential oils are needed.

The importance of essential oils and their components in the industrial sector is attributed to their chemical characteristics and their application in the development of products in the areas of cosmetology, food, and pharmaceuticals. However, the pharmacological properties of this class of natural products have been extensively investigated and indicate their applicability for obtaining new drugs. Therefore, this review discusses the use of these oils as starting materials to synthesize more complex molecules and products with greater commercial value and clinic potential. Furthermore, the antiulcer, cardiovascular, and antidiabetic mechanisms of action are discussed. The main mechanistic aspects of the chemopreventive properties of oils against cancer are also presented. The data highlight essential oils and their derivatives as a strategic chemical group in the search for effective therapeutic agents against various diseases.

Stereoisomers of the monoterpene epoxycarvone (EC), namely (+)-cis-EC, (−)-cis-EC, (+)-trans-EC, and (−)-trans-EC, were comparatively evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in specific methodologies. In the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced anticonvulsant test, all of the stereoisomers (at 300 mg/kg) increased the latency to seizure onset, and afforded 100% protection against the death of the animals. In the maximal electroshock-induced seizures (MES) test, prevention of tonic seizures was also verified for all of the isomers tested. However, the isomeric forms (+) and (−)-trans-EC showed 25% and 12.5% inhibition of convulsions, respectively. In the pilocarpine-induced seizures test, all stereoisomers demonstrated an anticonvulsant profile, yet the stereoisomers (+) and (−)-trans-EC (at 300 mg/kg) showed a more pronounced effect. A strychnine-induced anticonvulsant test was performed, and none of the stereoisomers significantly increased the latency to onset of convulsions; the stereoisomers probably do not act in this pathway. However, the stereoisomers (+)-cis-EC and (+)-trans-EC greatly increased the latency to death of the animals, thus presenting some protection. The four EC stereoisomers show promise for anticonvulsant activity, an effect emphasized in the isomers (+)-cis-EC, (+)-trans-EC, and (−)-trans-EC for certain parameters of the tested methodologies. These results serve as support for further research and development of antiepileptic drugs from monoterpenes.

Imidazolidine derivatives, or hydantoins, are synthetic compounds with different therapeutic applications. Many imidazolidine derivatives have psychopharmacological properties, such as phenytoin, famous for its anticonvulsant efficacy, but also effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The hydantoin, 3-phenyl-5-(4-ethylphenyl)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (IM-3), synthesized from the amino acid, glycine, was selected for psychopharmacological studies in mice on the basis of its chemical and structural similarity with phenytoin. The first step of this study was to define the LD₅₀, which determined the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for subsequent tests. The results obtained from the behavioral screening indicated that IM-3 produces decreased ambulation and analgesia in mice. Motor coordination and anxiety behavior were not affected by treatment with IM-3, as observed in the rotarod and elevated plus-maze tests, respectively. Regarding its antinociceptive properties, IM-3 showed efficacy in the acetic acid-induced writhing test by increasing the latency of the first writhe and reducing the number of writhes, as well as reducing the paw licking time in the second phase of the formalin test. The behavior of treated animals exposed to the hot plate test, however, did not differ from that of the control group. These data suggest that IM-3 has antinociceptive effects in mice, which is probably mediated by anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Chronic pain significantly impacts quality of life and is often accompanied by inflammation, a natural bodily response that can become harmful when excessive. The orofacial region is commonly affected, making effective treatment crucial. However, current drugs often cause undesirable side effects, highlighting the need for new pharmacological alternatives. 4-hydroxycoumarin (4-HC), a natural compound, has shown promising antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, but studies confirming its specific properties are limited. In silico analyses suggest that 4-HC exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, not interacting with P-glycoprotein and successfully crossing the blood–brain barrier. Molecular docking studies indicate that its effects may be mediated through NMDA_R or by inhibiting iNOS. Our study assessed the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of 4-HC in animal models at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg. 4-HC significantly reduced abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid and decreased nociceptive rubbing in orofacial pain models induced by formalin, glutamate, and capsaicin. Interactions with opioid receptors were not observed, suggesting that 4-HC’s antinociceptive effect does not involve this pathway. Additionally, 4-HC reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan and significantly decreased leukocyte migration and TNF-α levels. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of 4-HC and warrant further investigation into its mechanisms.

As enteroparasitoses constituem um sério problema de saúde pública em razão do elevado número de pessoas acometidas e das alterações orgânicas que podem ser causadas. Atingem indivíduos de todas as faixas etárias, mas principalmente as crianças em idade escolar. Assim, o objetivo consiste em construir uma revisão bibliográfica sobre enteroparasitismo em crianças no Nordeste Brasileiro entre os anos de 2015 a 2020. A pesquisa é do tipo descritiva e qualitativa, cujo material foi oriundo dos resultados encontrados nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde e Google Acadêmico. Foram encontrados 160 estudos. Após aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, analisaram-se 37 artigos, sendo 1 do estado de Alagoas, 1 do Sergipe, 1 do Rio Grande do Norte, 2 do Pernambuco, 4 da Bahia, 5 do Piauí, 7 do Ceará, 8 da Paraíba e 8 do Maranhão. Foi possível constatar que a prevalência de enteroparasitoses em crianças ainda é um problema no Nordeste brasileiro e permanece alta, indicando dificuldades no acesso à educação sanitária e no controle das infecções. Dessa maneira, fica evidente a necessidade de medidas que diminuam ou até eliminem processos de infecções, como ações profiláticas e atividades educativas em saúde.