Use of residual extract of Artemisia annua L., resulting from the extraction of antimalarial sesquiterpene in cosmetic applications

• Grant number: 14/21549-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: December 01, 2015 - August 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Rosana Maria Alberici Oliveira
• Grantee: Rosana Maria Alberici Oliveira
• Host Company: Soraya El Khatib - EPP
• City: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Marcos Nogueira Eberlin ; Mary Ann Foglio
• Associated grant(s): 16/10639-7 - Use of residual extract of Artemisia annua L., resulting from the extraction of antimalarial sesquiterpene in cosmetic applications, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/24761-6 - Use of residual extract of Artemisia annua L., resulting from the extraction of antimalarial sesquiterpene, in cosmetic applications, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Malaria is a parasitosis that has main cause of mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries, which implies serious social and economic costs. Each year around 300 million people contract the disease of which one million are affected. Present in hot climates, the mosquito Anopheles is widely distributed throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. In Brazil, most cases of malaria is concentrated in the Amazon region, an endemic area of the disease.Artemisia annua L., a shrub that occurs naturally in China and Vietnam, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat malaria. Among the secondary metabolites isolated from species of the genus Artemisia, the most characteristic are the sesquiterpene lactones, and artemisinin (quinghaosu), which shows effectiveness in the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The plant produces about 1.2% by dry weight of artemisinin plant material.The global demand for artemisinin has grown in recent years due to its advantages over other antimalarial compounds, and its use is recommended by the WHO. In Brazil, the Multidisciplinary Center for Chemical, Biological and Agricultural Research (CPQBA-Unicamp), adapted the cultivation of Artemisia annua L. climate conditions in southeastern Brazil and patented a process for obtaining artemisinin extracts, which is being transformed into medicine antimalarial. In the production process of this important antimalarial is generated a significant extraction residue with high pharmacological activity, which led the study object. Among the many bioactive compounds produced by the Artemisia annua L. highlights are the flavonoids that are responsible for its antioxidant activity, in addition to the terpenes (monoterpenes, triterpenes and sesquiterpenes), in particular sesquiterpene lactones, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.In this context, the main objective of this project is to develop a cosmetic product with antioxidant properties, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, related to the residual extract of Artemisia annua L. resulting artemisinin extraction for the production of antimalarial drugs, leading to better utilization of the plant . The Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory (CPQBA-UNICAMP) cultivate the plant, carry out extraction of artemisinin and provide residual extracts. The survey markers / active ingredients, essential for obtaining new products for the cosmetics industry, will be held at the Laboratory Thomson Mass Spectrometry (IQ-UNICAMP). AS Distributor Cosmetics will be responsible for formulating tests with incorporation of standardized residual extract a cream base. The final product, containing different concentrations of the residual extract is subjected to stability tests, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory as well as preclinical tests carried out by S Distributor. Efficacy and safety tests will be carried out by Allergisa (outsourced service). Once proven efficacy and safety, other products can be formulated, such as hair products and lip treatment to serve the public with predisposition to develop skin changes.Through this project, the S Distribuidora seeks to innovate by developing a new sustainable cosmetic product with the maximum use of standardized residual extract by mass spectrometry, renewable ingredients, proven efficacy and safety, and which has great economic potential within the markets national and international. (AU)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project