The occurrence of several flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential properties in wood may have a viable application in the biocosmetic industry. This paper studies the technical viability of redirecting wood residues of the main commercialized Amazonian species, Dipteryx odorata (cumaru), Manilkara huberi (ironwood), Hymenaea courbaril (Brazilian cherry) and Handroanthus serratifolius (yellow ipe), to obtain natural dyes for facial biocosmetics development. For each dye sample, phytochemical profile of phenolic compounds and the total flavonoids content expressed in rutin and quercetin (ug mL–1) was determined. Wood residues extract yield was 6.5% for cumaru, 8.1% for ironwood, 16.3% for Brazilian cherry and 8.8% for yellow ipe. The physical-chemical properties were compliant with the official compendia. TLC-analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids (quercetin) and hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid). Concentration of total flavonoids content expressed in rutin and quercetin varied between 0.106 to 7.5 and 0.1 to 3.12ug.mL–1, respectively, for all species. Facial biocosmetic formulations with organoleptic properties (appearance, color and odor) suitable for facial use could be obtained from ironwood, Brazilian cherry and yellow ipe dyes. Therefore, Amazon species wood residues reuse is an innovative and sustainable technological strategy to add value to bioproducts of Amazon biodiversity, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.

We comparatively evaluate two distinct formulations containing 5% of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) for wound healing in dogs. An excision model study was performed in 11 dogs with three dermal wounds in each animal, which were treated with: (1) topical phytopharmaceutical based on Carbopol (PyC) containing 5% Jucá ethanolic extract; (2) topical phytopharmaceutical based on Astrocaryum murumuru butter (PyM) containing 5% Jucá ethanolic extract; and (3) commercial ointment (control). Wound treatment was carried out on alternated days starting at day (D) one until D21. Macroscopic (all time-points) and histological (D0 and D21) analyses were performed. The antimicrobial activity of Jucá was evaluated through Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Phytochemical analysis of Jucá revealed 3.1% phenolic compound content expressed in rutin and the presence of hydrolyzable tannins and flavonoids. The mean wound retraction was 33.7 ± 5.5, 34.0 ± 4.7, and 28.4 ± 4.9 % for PyC, PyM, and control groups, respectively, with higher wound retraction for both herbal-treated groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). Alcoholic extract of Jucá had antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida krusei at different degrees, with MIC ranging from 250 to 16.625 μg/ml. Microscopic evaluation showed that the phytotherapic formulations contributed to better dermal wound healing through wound fibroplasia. The alcoholic extract of Jucá pods has great potential for wound healing in dogs and can be used in the development of commercially viable phytotherapic formulations.

Background/Objectives: Treatment options for androgenic alopecia are still very limited and lack long-term efficacy. Dutasteride (DUT) has gained interest as a potent inhibitor of 5α-reductase, allowing for spaced applications, but DUT oral intake can cause serious adverse effects. Herein, we developed, characterized, and assessed the potential of DUT-loaded ethosomes with increasing ethanolic concentrations for hair follicle (HF) targeting to treat androgenic alopecia, hypothesizing that ethanol’s interaction with HFs’ sebum might increase DUT targeting to the HFs. Methods: Ethosomes were obtained using the water-dropping method. After a hydrodynamic size screening, a 30% ethanol concentration was fixed. Ethosomes with 30% ethanol were also prepared and had their ethanolic content removed by rotary evaporation for the evaluation of ethanol in targeting DUT to the HFs. The targeting factor (Tf) was calculated as the ratio between the DUT amount in HFs and the total DUT amount recovered from all skin layers after in vitro porcine skin penetration tests for 12 and 24 h. Results: The ethanolic concentration affected the vesicles’ size and the targeting potential. While the dried ethosomes could not increase DUT accumulation in the HFs at both time points (Tf: 0.27 in 12 h and Tf: 0.28 in 24 h), the presence of 30% ethanol in the vesicles increased the Tf from 0.28 (12 h) to 0.34 (24 h), significantly superior (p < 0.05) than the dried ethosome and control (Tf: 0.24) in 24 h. Conclusion: Ethosomes with a 30% ethanolic concentration were slightly more efficient in targeting HFs for dutasteride delivery.

Fungos fitopatogênicos são responsáveis por doenças que causam grandes perdas agrícolas. O tratamento convencional é realizado por agrotóxicos e embora esses produtos reduzam significativamente as perdas, ocasionam sérias contaminações ambientais, contribuem para o surgimento de patógenos resistentes e eliminam agentes de controle biológico natural. Produtos naturais obtidos de plantas, como óleos essenciais e extratos, possuem substâncias bioativas que têm demonstrado potencial atividade antifúngica. A priprioca (Cyperus articulatus L.) é uma planta encontrada na Amazônia, muito utilizada no preparo de colônias artesanais. A alguns anos, o óleo essencial da espécie se tornou matéria-prima da Perfumaria Nacional e seu cultivo passou a ser em escala comercial, tornando-se fonte de renda para comunidades do entorno de Belém/PA. No processo de obtenção de óleo essencial são gerados grandes quantidades de resíduo sólido (massa vegetal após a retirada do óleo essencial). Esse trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação e comparação da atividade antifúngica do óleo essencial, extrato hexânico e etanólico de priprioca e extrato hexânico e etanólico do resíduo sólido de priprioca, visando o aproveitamento dos resíduos no controle de fitopatógenos responsáveis por grandes perdas na produção agrícola. Para tanto, óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação (6h) e os extratos obtidos via Soxhlet (8h). Foram avaliadas as Concentrações Mínimas Inibitórias (CMI) pelo método de microdiluição e a Concentração Fungicida Mínima (CFM) para os tratamentos ativos. Foram avaliadas as concentrações de 1000 a 15,625 µg/mL frente a Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum e Macrophomina phaseolina. Os extratos etanólicos e hexânico do resíduo sólido apresentaram maior atividade antifúngica, principalmente frente a S. sclerotiorum, sendo fungicidas a 125 e 250 µg/mL, respectivamente. O óleo essencial foi inativo frente aos fitopatógenos teste. Tais resultados indicaram a eficácia dos extratos do resíduo de priprioca frente a fungos fitopatogênicos. O resíduo sólido é gerado em grandes quantidades durante a extração do óleo essencial e não possui valor agregado, tornando-o candidato a matéria-prima de produtos sustentáveis e de baixo impacto ambiental, que atuem no controle alternativo de fungos fitopatogênicos.