The COVID-19 has become of striking interest since the number of deaths is constantly rising all over the globe, and the search for an efficient treatment is more urgent. In light of this worrisome scenario, this opinion review aimed to discuss the current knowledge about the potential role of curcumin and its nanostructured systems on the SARS-CoV-2 targets. From this perspective, this work demonstrated that curcumin urges as a potential antiviral key for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 based on its relation to the infection pathways. Moreover, the use of curcumin-loaded nanocarriers for increasing its bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency was highlighted. Additionally, the potential of the nanostructured systems by themselves and their synergic action with curcumin on molecular targets for viral infections have been explored. Finally, a viewpoint of the studies that need to be carried out to implant curcumin as a treatment for COVID-19 was addressed.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa, has several therapeutic properties. However, its high lipophilicity, metabolization, and instability impair its bioavailability and trans...

Curcumin is a natural compound that has been widely investigated thanks to its various biological properties, including antiproliferative. This molecule acts on different cancers such as lung, breast, pancreatic, colorectal, etc. However, the bioactive actions of curcumin have limitations when its physicochemical properties compromise its pharmacological potential. As a therapeutic strategy against cancer, curcumin has been associated with inorganic nanoparticles. These nanocarriers are capable of delivering curcumin and offering physicochemical properties that synergistically enhance anticancer properties. This review highlights the different types of curcumin-based inorganic nanoparticles and discusses their physicochemical properties and in vivo anticancer activity in different models of cancer.

Theranostic nanoparticles integrate diagnostic and therapeutic potential, representing a promising approach in precision medicine. Accordingly, numerous inventions have been patented to protect novel formulations and methods. This review examines the evolution of patented theranostic nanoparticles, focusing on organic nanosystems, particularly polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, to assess their development, technological advances, and patentability. A scoping review approach was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and European Patent Office (EPO) database. The search included patents filed within the last ten years (2014–2024) that specifically claimed organic and/or hybrid theranostic nanoparticles. Data extraction focused on nanoparticle composition, synthesis methods, functionalization strategies, and theranostic applications. The search identified 130 patents, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. These patents were primarily filed by inventors from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, and China. Polymeric nanoparticles were frequently engineered for targeted drug delivery and imaging, utilizing hyperbranched polyesters, sulfated polymers, or chitosan-based formulations. Lipid nanoparticles were often hybridized with inorganic nanomaterials or magnetic nanostructures to enhance their theranostic potential. While most patents detailed synthesis methods and physicochemical characterizations, only a few provided comprehensive preclinical validation, limiting their demonstrated efficacy. The analysis of recent patents highlights significant advances in the design and application of theranostic nanoparticles. However, a notable gap remains in validating these nanosystems for clinical translation. Future efforts should emphasize robust preclinical data, including in vitro and in vivo assessments, to enhance patent quality and applicability to substantiate the claimed theranostic capabilities.

Pantanal is the largest wetland on the American continent. This biome contains several plant species of interest for the development of medicines and cosmetics. Hence, this work aimed to review technologies described in patents concerning highly published plants from the Pantanal and their pharmacological and cosmetic applications. This research surveyed species in the Brazilian Pantanal and identified those with relevant scientific data. Patent searches for the selected species were conducted covering the past 10 years. Overall, 1859 plant and fungal species from the Pantanal were identified. Anacardium occidentale L., Annona montana Macfad., Annona muricata L., Annona squamosa L., and Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton presented the highest number of scientific publications. The patent search yielded 58 patents, mostly filed by private companies and in South Korea. Additionally, extracts were the primary products examined. The main pharmacological activities exploited were antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic. For cosmetic compositions, the main activities were anti-aging, anti-acne, hair loss, and skin whitening. Despite strong scientific evidence for the included plant species, their claimed activities, and filings from Countries with a strong history of technology development, most studies focused on extracts. Therefore, the development of formulations to deliver these plant extracts is encouraged to improve technology transfer.