The aims of this study were to determine the critical hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of licuri oil, and to perform a clinical assay to evaluate its hydrating effects. For the determination of the HLB, serial emulsions were prepared with the oil. Regarding the clinical study, 13 human subjects were recruited to evaluate the hydrating power of the emulsified preparation containing licuri oil, and comparing it with the same preparation containing sweet almond oil (SAO). The critical HLB of licuri oil was represented by the zones within the concentrations of 10% for the oil and 15% for the pair of tensoactive agents, with a value of 11.8. Both preparations showed similar hydrating power. We propose that licuri oil can be considered a new lipophilic adjuvant with hydrating characteristics, which can be used in cosmetic preparations, replacing consecrated oils, such as SAO.

The aim of this study was to design new cosmetic formulations containing oils from catolé, licuri and spent coffee grounds, and to evaluate their immediate and long-term effects on skin barrier function and skin hydration. Nonionic oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions were prepared and physicochemically characterized. The effects of the formulations were assessed by volunteers and by measuring the water content of the epidermis (WCE) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) both two hours and 20 days after daily application. The irritation potential was evaluated using three different methods: the Hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane test (HET-CAM); the observation of undesirable effects after skin formulation application, and by using the L*a*b* system to verify changes in skin coloring. The results obtained showed that the formulations containing 10% of these oils presented promising characteristics in the improvement of hydration and skin barrier function when compared to the baseline values and with the placebo cream. According to the sensory evaluation performed, all creams were found to have great acceptability.

As diferenças anatômicas e fisiológicas entre os gêneros masculino e feminino podem modificar o processo farmacocinético de um fármaco e assim, interferir em sua biodisponibilidade, tornando um determinado medicamento não bioequivalente quando comparado em apenas um gênero. Dito isto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do gênero na bioequivalência de três medicamentos testes na forma de comprimido revestido: Metildopa 500 mg, Diazepam 10 mg e Butilbrometo de Escopolamina 10mg. Para tanto, os parâmetros farmacocinéticos que determinam a bioequivalência, ASC0-t, ASC0-∞ e Cmáx, foram recalculados considerando os gêneros em separado. Os estudos do Diazepam e Escopolamina foram bioequivalentes para ambos os sexos, mas bioinequivalentes quando considerado apenas o sexo feminino. O estudo de bioequivalência da Metildopa não foi bioequivalente para ambos os sexos e nem para os sexos em separado. Assim, faz se necessário ampliar as discussões sobre a forma de analisar e definir a bioequivalência de medicamentos a fim de garantir a eficiência e segurança dos tratamentos para ambos os sexos.