Dyslipidemia is a metabolic condition linked to increased morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two new nutraceuticals derived from annatto (Bixa orellana), açaí (Euterpe oleracea), and soybean germ or red clover isoflavones (Trifolium pratense) against high-fat-induced dyslipidemia in female Wistar rats. The formulations were assessed through GC-MS and HPLC-UV/Vis. Next, female Wistar rats received daily administrations of coconut oil and were treated with Ormona^® SI (OSI), Ormona^® RC (ORC), soybean germ (SG), simvastatin (simv.), simvastatin + Ormona^® SI (simv. + OSI), or only distilled water (control). Biochemical tests were performed using the animals’ blood, and their arteries were screened for atheroma formation. The results show abnormal TC, TG, LDL, and HDL levels caused by the high-fat diet, increased glucose levels, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and atherogenesis. The nutraceuticals significantly ameliorated all conditions, with results that are similar to the group treated with simvastatin. Notably, the groups treated with either Ormona^® or simvastatin + Ormona^® had better liver protection than those treated only with SG or simvastatin; additionally, the nutraceuticals could prevent atherogenesis, unlike SG. The results indicate a high efficacy of the nutraceuticals in preventing dyslipidemia and its complications.

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the potential synergy between pharmaceutical formulations containing Bixa orellana L. (granulated—CHR OR and injectable nanodispersion—CHR IN) in conjunction with a cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract of Cannabis sativa L. (CSE) on experimental pain models in Wistar rats. Methods: Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography (GC-MS). The pain tests employed were acetic acid-induced writhing (injection i.p. of 0.9% acetic acid), formalin (solution 1%), hot plate (55 ± 0.5 °C), and cold-water tail withdrawal tests. Results: Chemical analyses by chromatography confirmed that the oil from B. orellana is rich in δ-tocotrienol (72.0 ± 1.0%), while the oil from Cannabis sativa highlighted the presence of cannabidiol (CBD). The results from the experimental pain tests indicated that the combined administration of formulations containing Bixa orellana and C. sativa, such as the granulated CHR OR (400 mg/kg, orally) with CSE (40 mg/kg, orally) or the nanodispersion CHR IN (10 mg/kg, intramuscularly) with CSE (40 mg/kg, orally), demonstrated significant results (p < 0.001) in pain reduction. Although the formulations containing Bixa orellana extract showed statistical significance in the tests when used in isolation, their effects were inferior compared to the combined use with CSE or the isolated use of CSE. These findings suggest that combining formulations containing extracts of these plant species may represent a viable therapeutic option, considering the synergistic action in reducing pain under the experimental conditions employed. Conclusions: these results imply that combining the phytocomplexes present in B. orellana and C. sativa may be a promising approach for pain treatment.

Medicinal plants hold great potential for the development of drugs to treat inflammatory diseases. Bixa orellana L, popularly known as “annatto” or “urucum”, stands out among various species. The Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small tropical freshwater fish which, due to its experimental attributes, has been highlighted as an experimental model in pharmacological and toxicological tests of new drugs. This study aims to evaluate the acute toxicological effects and anti-inflammatory activity of the injectable nanodispersion of Bixa orellana (NBO, Chronic In®) in zebrafish. The stability of the NBO was assessed with an average particle size ranging from 53.15 ± 0.64 nm to 59.90 ± 3.63 nm. The acute toxicity study used intraperitoneal doses of NBO ranging from 250 to 1500 mg/kg. The results showed significant toxic effects at doses of 750, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg with histopathological changes in the liver, kidneys, and intestine. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) calculation corresponded to 830.6 mg/kg. In silico tests suggest that the detected toxicity mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the cardiac potassium channel (hERG II) and/or the inhibition of the TNF tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1). In the anti-inflammatory evaluation of NBO in a model of intraperitoneal edema induced by carrageenan in Zebrafish, a significant anti-inflammatory effect was observed at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg (i.p), without significant histopathological alterations in the organs evaluated. In summary, NBO has an anti-inflammatory effect at low doses and demonstrated that doses of NBO ranging from 500 to 1500 mg/kg applied intraperitoneally were unsafe and showed toxic effects and lethality as the dose increased.

Aging is a complex process associated with tissue degeneration and an increased risk of age-related diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Terasen^®, a nutraceutical containing standardized extracts of Euterpe oleracea, Myrciaria dubia, and purified oil of Bixa orellana and Astrocaryum aculeatum on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. The findings demonstrated that Terasen^® exhibited significant radical scavenging in vitro, decreased the feeding behavior of C. elegans without affecting the animals’ final size, increased the eggs laid in a concentration-dependent fashion, although the total progeny was reduced compared to the control, and increased the median and maximum lifespan. These findings suggest that Terasen^® may improve the lifespan in C. elegans, warranting further investigation.

Aging is a complex process associated with tissue degeneration and an increased risk of age-related diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Terasen®, a nutraceutical containing standardized extracts of Euterpe oleracea, Myrciaria dubia, and purified oil of Bixa orellana and Astrocaryum aculeatum on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model organism for aging research. The findings demonstrated that Terasen® exhibited significant antioxidant activity and influenced the feeding behavior of C. elegans, leading to a reduced pharyngeal pumping rate and a decreased number of offspring produced by treated individuals. Notably, Terasen® also displayed a remarkable ability to extend the lifespan of C. elegans. These findings suggest that Terasen® may possess promising anti-aging effects in vivo, warranting further investigation.

Background/Objectives: β-Caryophyllene is a plant-derived sesquiterpene with recognized therapeutic potential; however, high lipophilicity and low aqueous solubility limit its parenteral application. Nanoemulsion-based systems represent a rational strategy to address these challenges. This study aimed to develop and physicochemically characterize an injectable β-caryophyllene nanoemulsion and to evaluate its preclinical safety following intramuscular administration. Methods: Five nanoemulsions (NBCP1–NBCP5) were prepared by low-energy emulsification using different hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values and characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The optimized formulation (NBCP1) was evaluated in a 14-day subacute intramuscular toxicity study in male Wistar rats (n = 5 per group) at doses of 5 and 15 mg/kg. Clinical observations, food and water intake, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters, and histopathological analyses of muscle, liver, and kidney tissues were assessed. Results: NBCP1 exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, including a mean particle size of 102.39 nm, PDI of 0.27, zeta potential of −27.5 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 97.16%, and remained stable under stress conditions. Repeated intramuscular administration did not induce behavioral alterations, changes in consumption patterns, or differences in body weight between the control and treated groups. Hematological and biochemical parameters remained within physiological ranges, and histopathological analysis revealed preserved tissue architecture without inflammatory or degenerative changes. Conclusions: The results support the suitability of NBCP1 as a stable nanoemulsion platform for the parenteral delivery of β-caryophyllene under the evaluated conditions. These findings address the limited information available on injectable formulations of this sesquiterpene and provide a foundation for future pharmacokinetic, longer-term safety, and efficacy studies.