Background/Objectives: Chronic treatment with dapsone (DDS) has been linked to adverse reactions involving all organ systems, such as dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome, methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia, besides neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration due to iron accumulation and oxidative stress. These effects probably occur due to the presence of its toxic metabolite DDS-NOH, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron overload. In this sense, antioxidant compounds with chelating properties, such as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), may be an interesting adjuvant therapy strategy in treating or preventing these effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ALA on oxidative and neuroinflammatory changes caused by DDS treatment in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice. Materials and Methods:Mus musculus male mice that were pre-treated with DDS (40 mg/kg) and post-treated with ALA (25 mg/kg) underwent analyses for oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, cytokine expression and microglial/astrocytic activity. Results: DDS did not activate macrophages/microglia or astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex but induced their activation in the hippocampus. ALA stimulated a protective microglial profile and reduced astrocyte reactivity, especially in the hippocampus. DDS increased the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), effects reversed by ALA. DDS also reduced antioxidant capacity (TEAC, GSH, SOD, CAT) and increased oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation), while ALA restored antioxidant levels and reduced oxidative stress. Conclusions: ALA was able to reduce the effects of DDS, such as reducing microglial and astrocytic activation, as well as to decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase BDNF, in addition to increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative damage caused by iron accumulation. Therefore, ALA is considered a useful and promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

In this study, the influence of chemical impregnation with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 1 mol·L⁻¹, combined with temperature variation, was systematically investigated at the laboratory scale on the yield of pyrolysis products (bio-oil, gas, water, and biochar), as well as on the physicochemical properties (acid value, density, and kinematic viscosity), chemical composition (hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds), and antioxidant properties of the bio-oil obtained from açaí seeds (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). The pyrolysis reactions were carried out at temperatures of 350 °C, 400 °C, and 450 °C under a pressure of 1.0 atmosphere. The NaOH impregnation played a crucial role in modifying the thermal degradation pathway of the biomass, promoting the formation of specific chemical structures and altering the product yields. NaOH acted as a catalyst, favoring the deoxygenation processes of the biomass and enhancing the formation of hydrocarbons. As a result, the yields of bio-oil, water, biochar, and gas ranged from 7.0 to 10.22% (by weight), 28.54 to 29.95% (by weight), 26.44 to 33.63% (by weight), and 25.86 to 34.37% (by weight), respectively, influenced by the increase in temperature. FT-IR analyses indicated the presence of characteristic chemical functions of hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics) and oxygenated compounds (phenols, cresols, ketones, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and furans), with intensification of signals corresponding to hydrocarbons at higher temperatures. GC-MS analysis confirmed hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds as the main chemical classes present in the bio-oil, showing strong dependence on the pyrolysis temperature. The antioxidant activity was found to be significant, especially at 350 °C, due to the preservation of phenolic compounds. With the increase in temperature, this activity decreases due to the degradation of functional groups. Nevertheless, bio-oil retains residual activity, with potential for antioxidant applications.