Pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) contains bioactive compounds capable of modulating the inflammatory process; however, its hydrophobic characteristic limits its therapeutic use. The encapsulation of pequi oil in nanoemulsions can improve its biodistribution and promote its immunomodulatory effects. Thus, the objective of the present study was to formulate pequi oil-based nanoemulsions (PeNE) to evaluate their biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects in in vitro (macrophages—J774.16) and in vivo (Rattus novergicus) models. PeNE were biocompatible, showed no cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and no changes in body weight, biochemistry, or histology of treated animals at all concentrations tested (90–360 µg/mL for 24 h, in vitro; 100–400 mg/kg p.o. 15 days, in vivo). It was possible to observe antinociceptive effects in a dose-dependent manner in the animals treated with PeNE, with a reduction of 27 and 40% in the doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg of PeNE, respectively (p < 0.05); however, the treatment with PeNE did not induce edema reduction in animals with carrageenan-induced edema. Thus, the promising results of this study point to the use of free and nanostructured pequi oil as a possible future approach to a preventive/therapeutic complementary treatment alongside existing conventional therapies for analgesia.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect 25% of diabetes patients, with high risks of amputation (70%), recurrence (65% within 3–5 years), and mortality (50–70% at 5-years). Current treatments are limited by persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and cost barriers. This study evaluates a bioactive dressing combining a natural latex-based (NLB) biomembrane (Hevea brasiliensis) with curcumin-loaded liposomes, exhibiting angiogenic and antimicrobial properties, and red LED (light-emitting diode) phototherapy (635–640 nm) to address these challenges. Methods: A pilot clinical trial randomized 15 DFU participants into three groups: Control (CG, n = 5, standard care); Experimental Group 1 (EG1, n = 5, NLB + LED, daily treatment); and Experimental Group 2 (EG2, n = 5, NLB-curcumin liposomes + LED, daily treatment). Outcomes included wound closure, inflammatory/oxidative markers, and therapy feasibility. Assessments at D0, D22, and D45 included hematological/biochemical profiling, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and wound area measures. Results: On day 45, GE2 showed an average ulcer contraction of 89.8%, while CG showed 32.8%, and GE1 showed 9.7%. Systemic ROS and biomarkers (C-reactive protein, leukocytes) showed no significant changes (p > 0.05), though transient inflammatory spikes occurred. The combined therapy (EG2) accelerated healing without direct biomarker correlations. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of this combined therapy as an accessible, cost-effective DFU treatment, warranting larger studies to optimize home-based protocols and elucidate mechanisms.

Background: Wound healing in diabetic individuals is a prolonged process, often complicated by infections and impaired tissue regeneration. Innovative strategies combining natural bioactive compounds are needed to enhance repair. Methods: This study reports the development and characterization of natural latex-based biomembranes (NLBs) incorporated with liposome-encapsulated curcumin and papain. The therapeutic efficacy of these composite dressings, in combination with red light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy, was evaluated in a diabetic rat model. NLBs were produced by blending natural latex with multilamellar liposomes containing either curcumin, papain, or both. In vivo wound healing was assessed by applying the biomembranes to the dorsal lesions and administering red LED irradiation (650 ± 20 nm, 10 min every 48 h) over 11 days. Results: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the integration of liposomes did not induce significant chemical alterations to the latex matrix. The treated diabetic rats exhibited enhanced wound contraction, with the curcumin and papain groups demonstrating up to 99% and 95% healing, respectively. Plasma fructosamine levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), indicating improved glycemic control. Conclusions: Combining NLBs with bioactive-loaded liposomes and phototherapy accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats. This multifunctional platform shows promise for the treatment of chronic wounds in diabetic patients.