The aim of the present study was to compare two nanoparticle composition loaded with Brazilian red propolis extract regarding its physicochemical characteristics and its antioxidant and antileishmanial activities. The red propolis nanoparticles in an aqueous medium and in solid-state presented particle size in a nanometric scale with an apparent size of 100–288 nm for the NEPE and 175–380 nm for the NPPE. ATR-FTIR and thermal analysis revealed an encapsulation of flavonoids from the red propolis extract in polymeric matrices for the multidrug delivery system. UPLC-DAD identified red propolis markers (flavonoids) in EPE, NEPE and NPPE. The efficiency of encapsulation (28.0–55.0% for NEPE and 61.2–81.0% for NPPE) were determined and calculated using UPLC-DAD. DPPH method showed the antioxidant activity of both EPE and nanoparticle compositions of red propolis. These polymeric matrices systems were able to encapsulate flavonoids from red propolis extract with specific characteristics of solubility and polarity. EPE and nanoparticles loaded with red propolis extract in the multi-constituent co-delivery system presented leishmanicidal activity and a good correlation was established between IC₅₀ and efficiency of encapsulation. Red propolis nanoparticles exhibited leishmanicidal activity but NEPE presented a lower leishmanicidal effect in relation to NPPE, which showed similar activity compared to EPE. The nanopolymeric matrices choice should be established in propolis nanoparticle compositions to avoid lack of efficacy of bioproducts. Red propolis nanoparticles were shown to be a potential final bulk product for the preparation of various pharmaceutical and cosmetics compositions in therapy against diseases such as leishmaniasis. Scanning Electron Microscopy of red propolis nanoparticles (NEPE 30) (A). ATR-FTIR spectra of NPPE 30 and NPPE placebo (B). Chromatogram of the NPPE 30 (C). Determination of IC using leishmanicidal assay against Leishmania braziliensis for EPE, NEPE and NPPE (D).

This study investigated the chemical composition, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of commercial propolis extracts produced in the Sergipe and Alagoas States of Brazil as potential bioproducts for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Four samples were analyzed, three brown propolis extracts and one red propolis extract, and were characterized through phytochemical screening, chemical, chromatographic profile and antibacterial activity. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of triterpenoids and phenolic compound in propolis extracts. Propolis extracts showed total phenolic content between 9 and 15% and total flavonoids >2%. Propolis extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity with inhibition of the Free radical DPPH˙ between 97 and 60%, which confirm the results obtained in total phenolics, total flavonoids content and antibacterial activity. The chromatographic profile showed differences for brown propolis samples and quite different from the red propolis extract, which present flavonoids as isoflavonoids, pterocarpans, chalcones and guttiferones. Commercial propolis extract (propolis extract C and propolis extract D) showed excellent activity for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and moderate activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The chemical characterization of propolis extracts is fundamental in the process of standardization and monitoring of the chemical composition susceptible to geographic and seasonal variation. These results point to new possibilities of use as bio-preservative of processed foods as well as in the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals products from propolis extract C and D in its formulation actuate on the inhibition of some pathogenic microorganisms strains.

Propolis is a natural product of honey bees whose chemical composition is influenced by different plant species and environmental factors, resulting in diverse biological activities. A new propolis type, the greenish-brown propolis (GBPUP), was identified in the northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasonal variation in the chemical composition of GBPUP extracts over a 12-month period. LC–ESI–Orbitrap–FTMS and UFLC–DAD–UV–Vis revealed a chemical composition with some differences to that of Brazilian green propolis, with pinocembrin as the major compound, followed by galangin, pinostrobin, chrysin, artepillin C, and pinobanksin. The extracts exhibited high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavanone contents and moderate to high antioxidant activity. Circos plot analysis showed that specific metabolites were responsible for the high activity against S. aureus (artepillin C, kaempferol, and ferulic acid) and C. albicans (galangin, pinobanksin, chrysin, and pinocembrin) and for moderate antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (rutin) and E. coli (luteolin, rutin, quercetin, and caffeic acid). ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) showed a strong correlation between the metabolites (p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, luteolin) and leishmanicidal activity. Thus, seasonal evaluation allowed the identification of bioactive molecules, the months with greater bioactivity of the GBPUP extracts representing the first comprehensive study of the seasonality of this new and promising propolis variety.

Moringa oleifera is an arboreal plant belonging to the family Moringaceae distributed in tropical areas and has gained enormous attention in the last decades. This research is a review on the association between aqueous extracts of M. oleifera leaves and diabetes mellitus and understanding its pharmacological functions and underlying mechanisms. The research refinement demonstrated the pharmaceutical potential of M. oleifera and its phytochemicals, given its antidiabetic effect. The prospective analysis showed the amount of application within IPC A61K in health area. The secondary metabolites present in M. oleifera, glucosinolates, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds may be responsible, in part, for the disease control hypoglycemic actions. Glucosinolates, when metabolized by salivary enzymes, give rise to sulforaphanes that act in preventing type 2 diabetes and in reducing insulin resistance. Flavonoids interact with intestinal enzymes by modifying carbohydrate metabolism by regulating glycemic levels, in addition to increasing insulin sensitivity. Phenolic compounds increase the expression of glucose transporters (GLUT4) and reduce the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, contributing to the reduction of glucose resistance and blood sugar control. Moringa oleifera can be used as complementary therapy of the type-2 diabetes.

As intoxicações por agrotóxicos resultam da exposição ocupacional dos trabalhadores rurais, principalmente nas áreas agrícolas. Para reduzir esses problemas é necessário o uso de estratégias de monitoramento e controle do manejo racional dos produtos químicos utilizados. O objetivou-se com o trabalho avaliar o perfil ocupacional dos trabalhadores rurais por meio de entrevistas e exames toxicológicos. O estudo caracteriza-se por uma pesquisa aplicada, de característica exploratória, com procedimento de levantamento a partir de uma amostra com 50 agricultores. Observou-se maioria dos fatores de riscos aos trabalhadores está intrinsecamente relacionada, pois quando são verificadas as correlações causais da exposição e intoxicação dos agricultores, verificamos que a baixa escolaridade associada à carência técnica de instrução do uso racional dos agrotóxicos, o tempo prolongado de exposição e o não uso de EPIs, contribuem para o perfil toxicológico dos trabalhadores rurais. Em relação às análises laboratoriais foi possível observar que parte dos trabalhadores apresentava intoxicação aguda, verificada através da análise da colinesterase, porém, não foi suficiente para causar danos as funções renais e hepáticas. Contudo, podendo ocorrer com o uso crônico e recorrente dessas substâncias químicas. Portanto, é necessário uma maior fiscalização na aplicação dos agrotóxicos no campo, treinamento dos trabalhadores rurais sobre uso correto dos insumos agrícolas e estratégias de intervenção pelos órgãos de saúde e meio ambiente.

O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar uma análise crítica do processo de apropriação das patentes em própolis que podem ser consideradas uma proxy de apropriabilidade de valor da inovação, particularmente quando se trata da grande empresa. Realizou-se uma investigação de artigos científicos, documentos de patentes e busca de anterioridade realizados por meio de bases de dados, nacionais e internacionais. A contribuição foi mostrar que o desenvolvimento tecnológico pode acontecer por meio das empresas de Biotecnologia (Biotec), mas os ativos específicos e co-especializados necessários para a proteção do conhecimento de acordo com os regimes de apropriabilidade vigentes, as estratégias para explorar a maior fatia do valor da inovação são traçadas pelas grandes empresas. A originalidade do trabalho vem da própolis como objeto de pesquisa que apesar de bastante conhecida e utilizada no exterior ainda é pouco estudada em termos de redes de pesquisa e inovação no Brasil.