Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect 25% of diabetes patients, with high risks of amputation (70%), recurrence (65% within 3–5 years), and mortality (50–70% at 5-years). Current treatments are limited by persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and cost barriers. This study evaluates a bioactive dressing combining a natural latex-based (NLB) biomembrane (Hevea brasiliensis) with curcumin-loaded liposomes, exhibiting angiogenic and antimicrobial properties, and red LED (light-emitting diode) phototherapy (635–640 nm) to address these challenges. Methods: A pilot clinical trial randomized 15 DFU participants into three groups: Control (CG, n = 5, standard care); Experimental Group 1 (EG1, n = 5, NLB + LED, daily treatment); and Experimental Group 2 (EG2, n = 5, NLB-curcumin liposomes + LED, daily treatment). Outcomes included wound closure, inflammatory/oxidative markers, and therapy feasibility. Assessments at D0, D22, and D45 included hematological/biochemical profiling, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and wound area measures. Results: On day 45, GE2 showed an average ulcer contraction of 89.8%, while CG showed 32.8%, and GE1 showed 9.7%. Systemic ROS and biomarkers (C-reactive protein, leukocytes) showed no significant changes (p > 0.05), though transient inflammatory spikes occurred. The combined therapy (EG2) accelerated healing without direct biomarker correlations. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of this combined therapy as an accessible, cost-effective DFU treatment, warranting larger studies to optimize home-based protocols and elucidate mechanisms.

Background: Wound healing in diabetic individuals is a prolonged process, often complicated by infections and impaired tissue regeneration. Innovative strategies combining natural bioactive compounds are needed to enhance repair. Methods: This study reports the development and characterization of natural latex-based biomembranes (NLBs) incorporated with liposome-encapsulated curcumin and papain. The therapeutic efficacy of these composite dressings, in combination with red light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy, was evaluated in a diabetic rat model. NLBs were produced by blending natural latex with multilamellar liposomes containing either curcumin, papain, or both. In vivo wound healing was assessed by applying the biomembranes to the dorsal lesions and administering red LED irradiation (650 ± 20 nm, 10 min every 48 h) over 11 days. Results: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the integration of liposomes did not induce significant chemical alterations to the latex matrix. The treated diabetic rats exhibited enhanced wound contraction, with the curcumin and papain groups demonstrating up to 99% and 95% healing, respectively. Plasma fructosamine levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), indicating improved glycemic control. Conclusions: Combining NLBs with bioactive-loaded liposomes and phototherapy accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats. This multifunctional platform shows promise for the treatment of chronic wounds in diabetic patients.

Optimizing drug combination treatment has been an area of interest for a while, from the beginning with the emergence of the POMP regime. The ability to improve drug combinations for cancer treatment comes up against the possibility of several limitations, such as the lack of specificity of the drugs, generating systemic toxic effects, and also the great possibility of generating tumor cells resistant to the drugs. The development of nanooncology offers advances in new alternatives for the treatment of cancer, especially breast cancer. The strategy of using drugs combined in a nanocarrier for the treatment of breast cancer has proven to be quite effective, taking into account that breast cancer has long shown a good response with therapeutic combinations. In this work, we present a review of some examples of nanoformulations developed with the combination of drugs doxorubicin and/or paclitaxel aimed for the treatment of breast cancer. Also the future perspectives of nanotechnology in the drug combination.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance, with a decrease in insulin sensitivity during pregnancy, with recognition in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and disappearing after delivery. This mini-review is to provide a broad view of some recent studies that investigated the placental morphology in cases of maternal diagnosis of gestational diabetes. A literature search was carried out in PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar data sources, verifying the morphological characteristics of the placenta in situations of diagnosis of gestational diabetes, through prospective and observational studies, with the key terms “gestational diabetes”, “placenta” and ‘morphological”. We show, in table format, the studies carried out between 2015 and 2020 with the main placental morphological changes that reflect the condition of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus, the most considered in the literature, increase in placental weight and thickness. It was evident that there are still few studies on placental changes, requiring the encouragement of scientific productions on the approach. In conclusion, understanding the mechanism of placental development allows the assessment of changes when pregnant women are diagnosed with GDM, taking into account therapeutic strategies that can intervene in glycemic and metabolic control, in order to ensure maternal-fetal health.

Resumo A saúde pública é um direito social fundamental, com o Estado responsável por assegurar o acesso universal e igualitário via políticas públicas. Esse dever é compartilhado entre União, Estados, Distrito Federal e Municípios, que possuem competências legislativas e administrativas para zelar pela saúde. Com a criação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), a assistência integral, incluindo a terapêutica farmacêutica, tornou-se um direito institucionalmente assegurado. A coordenação intergovernamental, por pactos e repasses de recursos, busca promover a equidade no acesso a medicamentos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Desafios sobre financiamento, distribuição de recursos, e os papéis de cada ente federativo, ainda geram debates entre gestores e pesquisadores. Este artigo examina os avanços e perspectivas no acesso a medicamentos na Atenção Primária à Saúde, discorrendo sobre a combinação de descentralização e centralização, aliada à cooperação entre os entes federativos, e a sua importância para garantir o acesso universal e integral aos serviços de saúde no Brasil. Consórcios intermunicipais, como o Consórcio Paraná Saúde®, exemplificam soluções bem-sucedidas para coordenar o acesso a medicamentos, mostrando a necessidade de flexibilidade para lidar com a diversidade regional e garantir a integralidade do sistema.