Background: This review examines in vitro techniques for characterizing the pharmacokinetics of medicinal plants, focusing on their role in understanding absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). The diverse bioactive compounds in medicinal plants highlight the need for robust pharmacokinetic evaluations to ensure their safety and efficacy. Objectives: The objectives were to identify and analyze in vitro techniques applied to medicinal plants’ pharmacokinetics, addressing a gap in the literature. Methods: Studies were included based on predefined eligibility criteria: in vitro pharmacokinetic studies involving medicinal plants, focusing on ADME stages. Ex vivo, in vivo, and in silico studies were excluded, along with reviews. Data were collected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases in June 2024 using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and their MeSH synonyms. The data extracted included study location, plant species, bioactive compounds, in vitro protocols, and ADME characteristics. Results: The review included 33 studies, with most focusing on metabolism (60%), absorption (25%), or a combination of ADME aspects. Techniques like Caco-2 cells, human liver microsomes, and simulated gastric and intestinal fluids were widely used. Conclusions: The findings highlight methodological heterogeneity, including variability in extract preparation, compound concentrations, and experimental conditions, which limits the comparability and clinical applicability of results. Key limitations include the lack of standardized protocols and physiological relevance in in vitro models, underscoring the need for multidisciplinary approaches and integration with in vivo studies.

The Miconia genus is traditionally used in folk medicine in Brazil and other tropical American countries and is represented by 282 species in this region. It is a multifaceted genus of medicinal plants widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain, inflammatory diseases, and many more therapeutic applications. In the present study, we systematically identify and discuss the literature on in vivo and in vitro studies focusing on the therapeutic potentials and related molecular mechanisms of the Miconia genus. The review also assessed phytochemicals and their pharmacological properties and considered safety concerns related to the genus. Literature searches to identify studies on the Miconia genus were carried out through four main electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science limited to Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH) and Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DCS) (Health Sciences Descriptors) to identify studies published up to December 2022. The relevant information about the genus was gathered using the keywords 'Miconia', 'biological activities', 'therapeutic mechanisms', 'animal model, 'cell-line model', 'antinociceptive', 'hyperalgesia', 'anti-inflammatory', and 'inflammation'. The therapeutic potentials and mechanisms of action of 14 species from genus Miconia were examined in 18 in vitro studies and included their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antibacterial, cytotoxic, mutagenic, antioxidant, anti-leishmanial, antinociceptive, schistosomicidal, and anti-osteoarthritis potentials, and in eight in vivo studies, assessing their analgesic, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-osteoarthritis activities. Some of the main related molecular mechanisms identified are the modulation of cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin synthesis. The limited number of studies showed that commonly available species from the genus Miconia are safe for consumption. Miconia albicans Sw.Triana and Miconia rubiginosa (Bonpl.) DC was the most frequently used species and showed significant efficacy and potential for developing safe drugs to treat pain and inflammation.

Brazil is a South American country where arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and yellow fever are endemic. There are also reports of sporadic outbreaks of viruses such as the Oropouche virus (OROV), which is an Orthobunyavirus¹. Although it has not received much attention, this virus was responsible for more than 7,000 documented cases in the country by July 2024, an eight-fold increase compared to the entire previous year, which saw just over 800 cases². Recently, the first fetal death from the vertical transmission of OROV fever worldwide was documented². The case occurred in the northeastern city of Pernambuco. The mother was 28 years old and was in her 30th week of pregnancy. A second suspected case in the same state that resulted in a miscarriage is being investigated². Health authorities and the general population have overlooked this disease, in a similar manner to the Zika virus prior to the congenital syndrome caused by Zika raising levels of concern². Events like this emphasize the importance of closely monitoring the public health impact of viruses like OROV. In this letter, we draw attention to OROV fever, which has been causing serious consequences in the Brazilian population, characterizing it as a public health problem. In addition to the common symptoms, such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, more intense symptoms, such as severe headache, balance dysfunction, and photophobia can occur³. In the most severe cases, neurological damage such as brain inflammation, dizziness, and lethargy can occur, as well as miscarriages and congenital damage such as microcephaly, which are possibly associated with the virus³. Recently, OROV genetic material has been identified in the umbilical cord, brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and spleen of a fetus exposed to vertical transmission³. This finding promotes a greater understanding of the importance of research on and prevention of this virus.