Anti-Inflammatory Effect and Toxicological Profile of Pulp Residue from the Caryocar Brasiliense, a Sustainable Raw Material

Author(s):Show less -

Rodrigues Fracasso, Julia Amanda ; Ibe, Mariana Bittencourt ; Silverio da Costa, Luisa Taynara ; Guarnier, Lucas Pires ; Viel, Amanda Martins ; de Brito, Gustavo Reis ; Parron, Mariana Conti ; do Santo Pereira, Anderson Espirito ; Pegorin Brasil, Giovana Sant'Ana ; Ximenes, Valdecir Farias ; Fraceto, Leonardo Fernandes ; Malacrida Mayer, Cassia Roberta ; Ribeiro-Paes, Joao Tadeu ; de Ferreira, Fernando Yutaka ; Zoppe, Natalia Alves ; dos Santos, Lucineia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GELS; v. 9, n. 3, p. 21-pg., 2023-03-01.

Abstract

Caryocar brasiliense Cambess is a plant species typical of the Cerrado, a Brazilian biome. The fruit of this species is popularly known as pequi, and its oil is used in traditional medicine. However, an important factor hindering the use of pequi oil is its low yield when extracted from the pulp of this fruit. Therefore, in this study, with aim of developing a new herbal medicine, we an-alyzed the toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of pequi pulp residue (EPPR), fol-lowing the mechanical extraction of the oil from its pulp. For this purpose, EPPR was prepared and encapsulated in chitosan. The nanoparticles were analyzed, and the cytotoxicity of the encapsu-lated EPPR was evaluated in vitro. After confirming the cytotoxicity of the encapsulated EPPR, the following evaluations were performed with non-encapsulated EPPR: in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, quantification of cytokines, and acute toxicity in vivo. Once the anti-inflammatory activity and absence of toxicity of EPPR were verified, a gel formulation of EPPR was developed for topical use and analyzed for its in vivo anti-inflammatory potential, ocular toxicity, and previous stability assessment. EPPR and the gel containing EPPR showed effective anti-inflammatory activity and lack of toxicity. The formulation was stable. Thus, a new herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory activity can be developed from discarded pequi residue. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/02805-2 - Development and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of the new herbal enriched with the extract of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. encapsulated in chitosan
• Grantee: Mariana Bittencourt Ibe
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation