Use of sugar cane leaves for the obtainment of chlorophylas, carotenoids and production of anti-acne drugs

• Grant number: 19/16380-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Adjaci Uchôa Fernandes
• Grantee: Adjaci Uchôa Fernandes
• Company: Base Verde Pesquisa em Biomassa Ltda
• CNAE: Atividades de pós-colheita ; Fabricação de preparações farmacêuticas
• City: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Mauricio da Silva Baptista
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/09790-3 - Processes for transforming sugarcane leaves into a photosensitizing cream., BP.TT; 22/09799-0 - Preparation of biocompatible formulas for the extraction of sugarcane biomass products, BP.TT

Abstract

Base Verde is a technology company that aims to develop new products in the chemical, pharmaceutical and/or health areas, always contributing to the sustainable use of environmental resources. In this project, we propose to transform residues (sugar cane leaves) into photopharmaceuticals for the treatment of acne by photodynamic therapy. Sugar cane is considered one of the plants with greater photoconversion power of solar energy in biomass. In this sense, it appears to be a powerful and very rich machine in photoconverters (chlorophylls) and at the same time, in antioxidant species such as carotenoid and flavonols, which prevent excessive redox misbalance. On the other hand, Acne is a disease that affects a large part of society, especially during puberty, causing dermatological and psychological damage. The global market for acne medicines reached $ 4.1 billion by 2017. Despite being one of the most common dermatological diseases in the world, innovation in this market has been quite limited. Drug treatment with the most widespread drug, isotretinoin (Rocutan) causes liver and gallbladder disorders. In this sense, society and the market demand for treatments that are more efficient and less damaging to the patient. Thus, we planned a product that presents the extracts of sugar cane leaves that will have a proper amount of stabilized photosensitizers, as well as, natural anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. In this sense we propose to develop a formula for the treatment of Acne by photodynamic therapy, which does not present prolonged photosensitivity. Initial data demonstrates the potential of our proposal. In the project we will vary the extraction and synthesis conditions to maximize the cost-benefit ratio of the chemical and biochemical procedures. In addition, we will work to obtain a cream that can be used for testing in the next stages of product development. (AU)