Background: In Brazil, the Bothrops genus accounts for 87% of registered snakebites, which are characterized by hemorrhage, tissue necrosis, hemostatic disturbances, and death. The treatment recommended by governments is the administration of specific antivenoms. Although antivenom efficiently prevents venom-induced lethality, it has limited efficacy in terms of preventing local tissue damage. Thus, researchers are seeking alternative therapies able to inhibit the main toxic effects of venoms, without compromising safety.Objective: The study aimed to test the ability of aqueous extracts of leaves, stems, and fruits of the plant Clusia fluminensis to neutralize some toxic effects induced by the venoms of Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops jararacussu.Methods: The plant extracts were incubated with venoms for 30 min. at 25 °C, and then in vitro (coagulant and proteolytic) and in vivo (hemorrhagic, myotoxic, and edematogenic) activities were evaluated. In addition, the extracts were administered to animals (by oral, intravenous or subcutaneous routes) before or after the injection of venom samples, and then hemorrhage and edema assays were performed. In addition, a gel solution of the fruit extract was produced and tested in terms of reducing hemorrhage effects. A chemical prospection was performed to identify the main classes of compounds present in the extracts.Results: All the extracts inhibited the activities of the two venoms, regardless of the experimental protocol or route of administration of the extracts. Moreover, the gel of the fruit extract inhibited the venom-induced-hemorrhage. The extracts comprised of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids.Conclusion: Antivenom properties of C. fluminensis extracts deserve further investigation in order to gain detailed knowledge regarding the neutralization profile of these extracts.

Background/Objectives: Pediatric drug administration is hindered by difficulties in swallowing conventional medications and the unpalatable taste of many drugs. Among diseases highlighting the need for improved pediatric delivery, tuberculosis (TB) stands out. One form of the disease is latent TB infection (LTBI), which is concerning in children. Effective LTBI treatment is crucial for prevention, with isoniazid (INH) widely used for its proven efficacy and safety. This study aims to develop innovative 3D-printed chewable gels containing INH for LTBI treatment. Methods: The gels were formulated using gelatin and carrageenan gum, sugar-free sweeteners, and flavoring. Two batches were prepared, and using 3D printing (3DP) with a semi-solid extrusion (SSE) module, chewable gels were produced. Rheological properties were measured to assess the feasibility of 3DP-SSE, evaluating the structural integrity and adequate fluidity of the formulation. The 3D-printed chewable gels were evaluated by visual, mass, and dimensional characteristics. In addition, the water activity, texture profile, INH and degradation product content, in vitro release, and taste-masking were investigated. Results: The optimized formulation maintained suitable rheological properties for 3DP-SSE, demonstrating consistent weight, dimensions, and stability after the process. The texture achieved a balance between printing parameters and shape maintenance, and the INH presented an immediate-release profile (>85% within 30 min). The chewable gels showed an improvement in palatability compared to conventional INH tablets. Conclusions: This innovative approach offers a promising solution for pediatric LTBI treatment, as it improves efficacy, medication acceptability, and on-demand access.

The genus Clusia L. is highly diverse in Central and South America, comprising about 300 species, including trees and shrubs, hemiepiphytes, epiphytes, and lianas. This genus deserves attention due to its wide range of biological activities. Clusia belongs to the Clusiaceae family, chemically characterized by the presence of xanthones, benzophenones, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, and other substances with bioactive activity already described. This review aims to highlight the biological activity associated to extracts and isolated substances from species of the Clusia genus, including anti-HIV, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antinociceptive, antitumor, leishmanicidal, modulator of inflammatory processes, neutralization of toxic effects caused by snake bites, and others. This review gathered information on biological activities associated with different types of extracts and isolated substances of the genus Clusia, traditional use, chemical profile, and biological properties of plants of the genus, published in the last 23 years (1998 to 2021) and that can provide support for future research. The paper aims to provide an overview of existing knowledge about the biological properties of the genus Clusia plant species.