Technological development and evaluation of the biological activity of phytoactives from Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos

• Grant number: 23/01007-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Wanderley Pereira Oliveira
• Grantee: Gabriela Alberto Gil
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/13973-9 - Bioassays and 2D and 3D cell culture techniques to evaluate immune responses of pau-d'arco extracts, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

ABSTRACTSignificant side effects are commonly associated with commercially available anti-inflammatory drugs. Thus, several studies have been carried out with the aim of developing new treatment alternatives, including the use of medicinal plants, encouraged by the World Health Organization and the Brazilian government. In Brazil, in 2007, the Ministry of Health prepared a National List of Medicinal Plants of interest to the Unified Health System, called RENISUS, including native and exotic plant species widely used in the Brazilian traditional medicine. Among the species, the pau-d'arco, Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos, a native species of the Brazilian flora and traditionally used in the treatment of pain, arthritis, prostatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections and cancer of skin stands out stands out. Currently, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, diuretic, anticoagulant, laxative and anticancer properties are attributed to the inner bark of the plant. However, the effectiveness of herbal medicines depends on the presence and concentration of actives, bioavailability and stability. Therefore, standardization processes, including the use of extraction, drying and encapsulation, and methods for validating their biological activity, are essential to guarantee the product quality, efficacy and safety. Therefore, the objective of this proposal is to obtain extracts from the inner bark of pau-d'arco, perform drying, standardization of active substances and encapsulation into lipid-based nanoparticles, as well as the in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of the products. It is intended to continue this initial study, at postgraduate level - Master and Doctorate degrees - aiming at the production of an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.