Developing a biomimetic material to wound care is an emerging need for the healing process. Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a polymer with the necessary dressing’s requirements often used in medicine. Their surface, physic-chemical and biological properties can be modified by adding bioactive compounds, such as andiroba seed oil (Carapa guianensis). This Amazonian natural plant has medicinal and pharmacological properties. For this purpose, PCL polymeric films incorporated with andiroba oil were investigated. The synthesis of hybrids materials was carried out in the solvent casting method. Thermal properties were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The solvent type on the surface and hydrophilicity of samples was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, contact angle measurements, functional groups analysis, fluid absorption capacity, and cell viability were performed. The results demonstrated the influences of andiroba oil under the morphology and thermal properties of the polymeric matrix; the hydrophilicity of the hybrid film obtained by acetic acid was reduced by 13%; the porosity decreased as the concentration of oil increased, but its higher thermal stability. The L929 cell line’s proliferation was observed in all materials, and it presented nontoxic nature. It was demonstrated the ability of PCL hybrid film as a matrix for cell growth. Then, the materials were proved potential candidates for biomedical applications.

Hydrogel is a biomaterial widely used in several areas of industry due to its great biocompatibility and adaptability to biological tissues. In Brazil, the Calendula plant is approved by the Ministry of Health as a medicinal herb. It was chosen to be incorporated in the hydrogel formulation because of its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healing effects. This study synthesized polyacrylamide hydrogel containing calendula extract and evaluated its efficiency as a bandage for wound healing. The hydrogels were prepared using free radical polymerization and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, swelling analysis and mechanical properties by texturometer. The morphology of the matrices showed large pores and foliaceous structure. In vivo testing, as well as the evaluation of acute dermal toxicity, was conducted using male Wistar rats. The tests indicated efficient collagen fiber production, improved skin repair and no signs of dermal toxicity. Thus, the hydrogel presents compatible properties for the controlled release of calendula extract used as a bandage to promote cicatrization.

Seed oil (Pp-oil) of Plukenetia polyadenia is used by native people of the Brazilian Amazon against arthritis and rheumatism, spreading it on the arms and legs to reduce the pain and inflammation. Pp-oil was obtained by pressing dried seeds at room temperature to give a 47.0% yield of oil. It was then subjected to fatty acid composition analysis. The principal fatty acids were linoleic acid (46.5%), α-linolenic acid (34.4%) and oleic acid (13.9%). Then, it was evaluated for its antinociceptive activity in mice, using the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, hot plate and formalin test models. Additionally, its toxicity was determined. The Pp-oil proved to have no toxicological effects, showing dose-dependent antinociceptive effect under chemical stimulation. At oral doses of 25–100 mg/kg, Pp-oil significantly reduced the abdominal writhes in the writhing test. A higher oral dose of 200 mg/kg did not induce alterations in the latency time of the hot plate test when compared to the control, suggesting an analgesic activity of peripheral origin. At oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, the Pp-oil significantly reduced the second phase of the algic stimulus in the formalin test. In addition, the antinociception of Pp-oil was reversed by naloxone in the evaluation of its mechanism of action. Therefore, the Pp-oil proved to be safe at very high doses and to show significant analgesic properties. The role of Pp-oil is still being investigated with respect the mechanism of action, but the results suggest that opiod receptors could be involved in the antinociception action observed for the oil of P. polyadenia.

Introduction: Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott (M. linifera) is commonly used by Amazonian riverine communities for the treatment of skin ulcers, although its effects as a wound healer have never been evaluated until now. Therefore, the in vitro wound-healing activity of the extracts from the stem and petiole of M. linifera was investigated for the first time.Methods: The extracts were characterized by chromatography coupled with spectroscopic or spectrometric methods (HPTLC-UV and UHPLC-MS), and free radical scavenging was verified using bioautography with the DPPH radical. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through the MTT method, and a scratch assay was employed to assess cell migration, while in vitro cell proliferation was evaluated through immunofluorescence for BrdU-positive cells.Results: Chemical characterization revealed the presence of 13 metabolites in ESML and EPML extracts. Analytical analysis of the extract demonstrated the elimination of free radicals by autobiography. The extracts did not demonstrate cytotoxicity in fibroblasts and cell migration and proliferation were, significantly, increased reducing the wound area in vitro.Conclusion: Thus, it was observed that the extracts from the stem and petiole of M. linifera possess potential wound-healing effects in fibroblasts in vitro. This is a pioneering study that provides insights for future studies on the mechanisms of action of this species, in addition to validating the ethnopharmacological knowledge of this species used in the Amazon.

Background: Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott is popularly known as “aninga,” “aningaçu,” “aningaíba,” and “aninga-do-igapó.” Compresses and plasters made from the leaves of this medicinal plant are used to treat abscesses, tumors, and pain caused by stingray stings.Aim of the study: This study aimed to chemically characterize the methanolic extract of M. linifera leaves (MEMLL), as well as to verify their acute oral toxicity and antinociceptive potential.Materials and methods: The leaves were collected during the rainy season, and the methanolic extract was obtained after gradient extraction using different solvents. MEMLL was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Acute oral toxicity testing followed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. Subsequently, acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin tests were used to evaluate the analgesic effects.Results: In the chemical characterization of MEMLL by HPLC, three flavonoids were identified: rutin, quercetin, and epicatechin. In addition, when NMR spectroscopy was performed, rutin and quercetin were again identified, as well as the chemical compounds luteolin and chrysoeriol. In the acute oral toxicity test, MEMLL showed no physiological or behavioral changes. In the nociceptive study, MEMLL showed an effect at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg in the 0.6% acetic acid test, i.e., 51.46% and 75.08%, respectively. In the hot plate test, the MEMLL group at a dose of 50 mg/kg was effective at times of 30 and 60 min, i.e., 164.43% and 122.95%, respectively. Similarly, the MEMLL group at a dose of 100 mg/kg was also effective in increasing latency at times of 30 and 60 min, i.e., 162.62% and 136.68%, respectively. In the formalin test, MEMLL showed an antinociceptive effect on neurogenic pain at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg when compared to the control group, 35.25% and 52.30%, respectively. In the inflammatory phase, inhibition was observed in the MEMLL at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.e., 66.39% and 72.15%, respectively.Conclusion: MEMLL has analgesic properties and is non-toxic, validating the Brazilian ethnopharmacological use of this plant for pain treatment. The leaves of the species M. linifera showed central and peripheral antinociceptive effects.