Background/Objectives: Carvacrol, a monoterpenoid phenol found in essential oils, exhibits many biological activities, including anticancer properties through mechanisms such as induction of apoptosis. These properties can be enhanced if encapsulated within nanoparticles. This study focuses on producing functionalized carvacrol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) applied to the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: NLCs were produced by hot emulsification with the sonication method and optimized by the Box–Behnken design, considering Precirol^® (1, 4, 7%), carvacrol (1, 5, 9%), and Tween^® (0.1, 0.5, 0.9%) as independent variables. Results: The optimized NLC containing 2% carvacrol had a particle size of 111 ± 2 nm, PdI of 0.26 ± 0.01, and zeta potential of −24 ± 0.8 mV. The solid lipid (Precirol^®) was the variable that most influenced particle size. NLCs were functionalized with Pluronic^® F68, cholesterol, chitosan, and polyethylene glycol (0.05–0.2%), with oNLC-Chol presenting the most promising results, with no significant increase in particle size (±12 nm) and high encapsulation efficiency (98%). Infrared spectra confirm effective carvacrol encapsulation, and stability tests showed no significant physicochemical changes for 120 days of storage at 4 °C. When incubated with albumin (5 mg/mL), NLCs showed overall good stability over 24 h, except for oNLC-Chol, which increased slightly in size after 24 h. In addition, oNLC increased the cytotoxic effect of carvacrol by 12-fold, resulting in an IC₅₀ of 7 ± 1 μg/mL. Conclusions: Therefore, it was possible to produce stable, homogeneous NLCs with nanometric sizes containing 2% carvacrol that displayed improved anticancer efficacy, indicating their potential as a delivery system.

Senna ser. Bacillares (Benth.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby comprises approximately 50 species, 23 of which are found in Brazil. Micromorphological studies of the leaflet epidermis were performed on ten species of Senna ser. Bacillares collected in the Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River, in Northeastern Brazil, to identify qualitative and quantitative characters supporting their taxonomy. All species showed a uniseriate epidermis, hypostomatic leaflets, and more than one type of stomata (the paracytic type being predominant). Different types of epicuticular waxes were observed, including microplatelets as rosettes (characteristic of Fabaceae), fissured layers, and membranous platelets. A glabrous epidermis on both surfaces was characteristic of Senna splendida (Vogel) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, and disperse trichomes were observed on the abaxial surface of Senna quinquangulata (Rich.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby. Straight to curved anticlinal cell walls were observed in most species, the curved pattern was exclusive to Senna quinquangulata and sinuous types on the abaxial surfaces of Senna macranthera (DC. ex Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby and Senna splendida. A papillose epidermis on the abaxial surface was common to seven species. Four types of stomata were observed, including the anomotetracytic type, which has not been previously reported in Senna Mill. Spherical crystals and crystal sand are reported here for Senna for the first time. Those sets of micromorphological characters provide additional subsidies for the taxonomy of Senna ser. Bacillares, as well as for the genus Senna.

Background: Among major public health problems, malaria stands out as a tropical disease caused by the Plasmodium protozoan, with mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus serving as its vectors. This disease affects a significant portion of the population, with the highest incidence in the Legal Amazon, a region responsible for 99% of cases. Although vector control strategies, such as the use of chemical insecticides, are commonly employed, mosquito resistance, environmental impacts, and risks to human health are driving the search for natural alternatives, including the application of essential oils. Objectives: This study investigates the larvicidal activity of Trattinnickia burserifolia Mart. essential oil against Anopheles darlingi. Methods: The essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The larvicidal assay followed WHO protocols, testing oil concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 µg mL⁻¹. Results: Efficacy was evaluated after 24, 48, and 72 h to determine LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and other parameters. Chemical composition analysis revealed the presence of 40 compounds, primarily terpenes such as tricyclene, β-pinene, limonene, and α-pinene, which possess bioactive properties that contribute to vector control. The larvicidal activity test showed that LC₅₀ decreased with longer exposure times, indica ting increased efficacy over time. After 72 h, the LC₅₀ was 14.51 µg mL⁻¹, classifying the essential oil as highly effective. Conclusions: Therefore, T. burserifolia Mart. essential oil represents a promising natural alternative for malaria vector control.

Disphania ambrosioides (L.), comumente conhecida como “mastruz”, é uma erva medicinal reconhecida por suas propriedades antifúngicas, anti-helmínticas e antitumorais. Sporothrix brasiliensis, o agente causador da esporotricose, é uma espécie fúngica termodimórfica clinicamente relevante, e seu tratamento com itraconazol frequentemente resulta em efeitos colaterais em humanos e felinos. Este estudo teve como objetivo extrair e analisar o perfil químico do óleo essencial (OE) de D. ambrosioides, avaliando sua atividade antifúngica contra cepas de S. brasiliensis. Partes aéreas de D. ambrosioides foram coletadas durante as estações seca e chuvosa e submetidas à extração de OE por hidrodestilação usando um aparelho Clevenger. O perfil químico do OE foi analisado por Cromatografia Gasosa – Espectrometria de Massas (GC-MS). Ensaios microbiológicos foram conduzidos para determinar a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Fungicida Mínima (CFM). Os principais compostos identificados no OE obtido de plantas coletadas durante a estação chuvosa foram ascaridol (58,86%), α-terpineno (22,09%) e p-cimeno (11,36%), enquanto o OE de plantas coletadas durante a estação seca continha α-terpineno (46,81%), ascaridol (34,82%) e p-cimeno (11,54%). Os OE obtidos de ambas as estações exibiram uma CIM de 16 μg/mL e uma CFM de 64 μg/mL para a maioria das cepas testadas, com uma razão CFM/CIM de quatro, demonstrando atividade fungicida. Os resultados indicam que o OE de D. ambrosioides tem potencial como um agente fungicida contra S. brasiliensis. Este estudo é o primeiro a relatar a atividade antifúngica e fungicida in vitro do OE de D. ambrosioides contra cepas de S. brasiliensis.

Background/Objectives: The escalating antimicrobial resistance crisis underscores the urgent need to explore underexplored ecological niches as reservoirs of novel bioactive compounds. The Brazilian Caatinga, a unique semi-arid biome, represents a promising reservoir for microbial discovery. Methods: In this study, we report the polyphasic characterization of Streptomyces galbus I339, a strain isolated from Caatinga soil. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis confirmed its taxonomic identity. In silico mining of the genome was conducted to assess biosynthetic potential. This genetic promise was experimentally validated through an integrated metabolomic approach, including liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling. The anti-mycobacterial activity of the crude extract was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: The strain S. galbus I339 possesses a 7.55 Mbp genome with a high GC content (73.17%). Genome mining uncovered a remarkable biosynthetic potential, with 45 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) predicted, including those for known antibiotics like actinomycins, as well as numerous orphan clusters. Genome mining uncovered a remarkable biosynthetic potential, with 45 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) predicted, including those for known antibiotics like actinomycins, as well as numerous orphan clusters. Metabolomic analyses confirmed the production of actinomycins and identified abundant diketopiperazines. Furthermore, the crude extract exhibited antimycobacterial activity, with a potent MIC of 0.625 µg/mL. Conclusions: The convergence of genomic and metabolomic data not only validates the expression of a fraction of this strain’s biosynthetic arsenal but also highlights a significant untapped potential, with the majority of BGCs remaining silent under the tested conditions. Our work establishes S. galbus I339 as a compelling candidate for biodiscovery and underscores the value of integrating genomics and metabolomics to unlock the chemical diversity of microbes from extreme environments.