Medicinal chemists continue to be fascinated by chalcone derivatives because of their simple chemistry, ease of hydrogen atom manipulation, straightforward synthesis, and a variety of promising biological activities. However, chalcones have still not garnered deserved attention, especially considering their high potential as chemical sources for designing and developing new effective drugs. In this review, we summarize current methodological developments towards the design and synthesis of new chalcone derivatives and state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry strategies (bioisosterism, molecular hybridization, and pro-drug design). We also highlight the applicability of computer-assisted drug design approaches to chalcones and address how this may contribute to optimizing research outputs and lead to more successful and cost-effective drug discovery endeavors. Lastly, we present successful examples of the use of chalcones and suggest possible solutions to existing limitations.

The genus Justicia has more than 600 species distributed in both hemispheres, in the tropics and temperate regions, and it is used in the treatment of numerous pathologies. This study presents a review of the biological activities of plant extracts and isolated chemical constituents of Justicia (ACANTHACEAE), identified in the period from May 2011 to August 2022. We analyzed over 176 articles with various biological activities and chemical compound descriptions present in the 29 species of Justicia. These have a variety of applications, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial, with alkaloids and flavonoids (e.g., naringenin) the most frequently identified secondary metabolites. The most observed species were Justicia gendarussa Burm., Justicia procumbens L., Justicia adhatoda L., Justicia spicigera Schltdl, and Justicia pectoralis Jacq. The frontier molecular orbitals carried out using density functional theory (M062X and basis set 6-311++G(d,p) indicate reactive sites for naringenin compound and a chemical reaction on phytomedicine activity. The energy gap (206.99 kcal/mol) and dimer solid state packing point to chemical stability. Due to the wide variety of pharmacological uses of these species, this review points toward the development of new phytomedicines.

Flavonoids are highly bioactive compounds with very low toxicity, which makes them attractive starting points in drug discovery. This study aims to provide information on plant species containing flavonoids, which are found in the Brazilian Cerrado. First, we present the characterization and plant diversity with emphasis on the families of flavonoid-producing plants, and then we describe the phenylpropanoid pathway which represents the flavonoids’ main route biosynthesis—generally conserved in all species. Chemical structures and biological activities of flavonoids isolated from the Cerrado’s plant species are also described based on examples from the relevant literature studies. Finally, research on the biodiversity of the Cerrado biome should be encouraged, due to the discovery of new sources of flavonoids which can provide several benefits to human health and the possibility of developing new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry.

Introduction: Justicia pectoralis Jacq. is traditionally applied in folk medicine in Brazil and in several Latin American countries. The leaves are used in tea form, especially in the treatment of respiratory disorders, acting as an expectorant. It also has activity in gastrointestinal disorders, and it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, and estrogenic, among others. Aims: To investigate the gastroprotective activity of the methanol extract of the leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (MEJP) in different experimental models of gastric ulcers. Materials and methods: The adult leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. were collected and cultivated in beds, with an approximate spacing of 40 × 40 cm, organic fertilization, irrigation with potable water and without shelter from light. The MEJP was prepared from the dried and pulverized leaves and concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. For the experimental model of gastric ulcer, Swiss male albino mice were used. The inputs used in the experiment were MEJP at three different concentrations (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.), cimetidine (50 mg/kg p.o.), indomethacin (50 mg/kg s.c.) and vehicle (10 mL/kg p.o.). Results: MEJP (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) demonstrated gastroprotective activity, with levels of protection of 45.65%, 44.80% and 40.22%, respectively, compared to the control (vehicle). Compared with cimetidine (48.29%), MEJP showed similar gastroprotective activity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the gastroprotective activity of MEJP and contributes to validate the traditional use the species for gastric disorders and provides a pharmacological basis for its clinical potential.

Na Convenção dos Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência da ONU (2006), o Brasil assumiu o compromisso de promover o conhecimento, o acesso e a disponibilização de recursos de Tecnologia Assistiva (TA). O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar as principais formas de aquisição de TA, utilizadas por pacientes em reabilitações em três instituições de Anápolis/GO. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo. Participaram desta pesquisa 108 pacientes com sequelas de lesões neurológicas e pais/responsáveis daqueles menores de 18 anos de idade. Ficou constatado que a maioria dos participantes (66%) adquire os recursos de TA através do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), o qual disponibiliza recursos por meio das instituições e associações de apoio à pessoa com deficiência. O acesso aos recursos de TA por meio da dispensação, do financiamento, do apoio à redução ou isenção tributária em produtos de TA e o fomento à produção de TA no Brasil, representam o cumprimento das disposições presentes na Constituição Federal, nos tratados internacionais e na legislação infraconstitucional, o que coloca o nosso país em posição de destaque em relação aos direitos humanos. Porém, é necessário que as políticas e programas voltados ao acesso dos recursos de TA sejam revistos, melhorados e ampliados para que possa cumprir com seu propósito e atingir o maior número de pessoas possíveis.

Founded by Baden-Powell, Scouting, as a non-formal education, allows its members to value the environment, preparing them for preservation and sustainable development. The practice of scouting and its socio-environmental and educational benefits for adolescents from the Bernardo Sayão Scout Group were analyzed, through the activity Insignia Reduce, Recycle and Reuse (3R's). Bibliographical and field research was carried out, with a qualitative approach. The theoretical framework was based on the concepts of Scouting, Environmental Education, Non-formal Education, Transdisciplinary Education. Weekly technical visits were made to the Scout Group, from October to November/2022. For four months, the scouts gathered PET bottle caps and participated in workshops and, with the guidance of a Scoutmaster, made with the caps: tic-tac-toe, pencil holder, “fidget spinner”, cup holder and plastic plate. The scouts evaluated the discarded material on the environment and realized the importance of responsible consumption and reuse of bottle caps. This research demonstrated that the Scout method is a transdisciplinary education that is concerned and carries out activities related to environmental and sustainability issues, such as the 3R's Insignia, promoting sustainable habits for an ecological and healthy lifestyle.