Gisele Mara Silva Gonçalves

Stability and sensory assessment of emulsions containing propolis extract and/or tocopheryl acetate

The prevention of skin aging has been one of the main aims of cosmetic products. Propolis and tocopheryl acetate can be promising substances because of their antioxidant properties. In this study, propolis extract was obtained and associated with tocopheryl acetate in a cream formulation, which then underwent stability and sensory assessment. The formulation containing propolis extract and tocopheryl acetate proved to be stable in the preliminary stability study, demonstrating gradual darkening and slight pH decrease when subjected to 60oC for 28 days, but showing stability on rheological study. In the sensory analysis, the formulation containing these two components was preferred by the product testers over the base cream and creams containing propolis extract or tocopheryl acetate alone. In conclusion, given the stability of the formulation and the preference of the product testers for this formulation, this association proved promising for use in cosmetic formulations.

Antimicrobial effect of Anacardium Occidentale extract and cosmetic formulation development

The objective of this work was to assess the activity of the extract of Anacardium occidentale Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus and then to develop cosmetic formulations from those extracts. These formulations were stable in relation to their pH and rheological behavior, but were gradually darkened when stored for assessment at temperatures between 40 and 60oC. Thus, even though the extract appeared a promising raw material for use in cosmetic formulations, those compounds might still require adjustments to improve the stability.

Aplicação de métodos de biofísica no estudo da eficácia de produtos dermocosméticos

The authors consider the application of biophysical techniques in the study of cosmetics effectiveness. The quality of a cosmetic product includes the safety of its use, the formulation stability , the visual and other sensorial aspects, and its effectiveness. The biophysical techniques have been widely used in the evaluation of the effect of formulations of topical use, mainly due to the fact of facilitating the evaluation of products in its real use conditions, that is to say, directly in the human skin. The confirmation of the effects of cosmetic products and its action mechanism, by means of experimental protocols properly elaborated using the skin biophysics is of fundamental importance. It should be thoroughly explored and quite developed seeking the improvement of the life quality of users of such products.

Comparative effects of retinoic acid or glycolic acid vehiculated in different topical formulations.

Retinoids and hydroxy acids have been widely used due to their effects in the regulation of growth and in the differentiation of epithelial cells. However, besides their similar indication, they have different mechanisms of action and thus they may have different effects on the skin; in addition, since the topical formulation efficiency depends on vehicle characteristics, the ingredients of the formulation could alter their effects. Thus the objective of this study was to compare the effects of retinoic acid (RA) and glycolic acid (GA) treatment on the hairless mouse epidermis thickness and horny layer renewal when added in gel, gel cream, or cream formulations. For this, gel, gel cream, and cream formulations (with or without 6% GA or 0.05% RA) were applied in the dorsum of hairless mice, once a day for seven days. After that, the skin was analyzed by histopathologic, morphometric, and stereologic techniques. It was observed that the effects of RA occurred independently from the vehicle, while GA had better results when added in the gel cream and cream. Retinoic acid was more effective when compared to glycolic acid, mainly in the cell renewal and the exfoliation process because it decreased the horny layer thickness.

Use of Curcuma longa in cosmetics: extraction of curcuminoid pigments, development of formulations, and in vitro skin permeation studies

Curcuma longa e uma erva aromatica, pertencente a familia Zingiberaceae e seus rizomas contem pigmentos curcuminoides, dentre eles a curcumina, conhecida por seu efeito anti-inflamatorio. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter extratos ricos nestes pigmentos, desenvolver e avaliar a estabilidade de formulacoes topicas e realizar o estudo da penetracao cutânea. Extratos de Curcuma longa foram obtidos e utilizados no desenvolvimento de formulacoes. A penetracao e retencao cutâneas de pigmentos curcuminoides foi avaliada em pele de orelha de porco, utilizando celula de difusao de Franz modificada. As formulacoes de gel creme preparadas que continham ureia foram instaveis e as demais apresentaram estabilidade satisfatoria e comportamento reologico pseudoplastico. A quantidade de pigmentos curcuminoides encontrada na solucao receptora foi insignificante, enquanto que a quantidade retida na pele foi superior a 20 µg/g de pele. Concluiu-se como possivel o desenvolvimento de formulacoes topicas contendo curcumina ou extrato de Curcuma longa, conciliando a adicao de adjuvantes para a preservacao e maior durabilidade da mesma. As formulacoes promoveram a penetracao da curcumina limitada as camadas superiores da pele, possivelmente sem o risco de ocorrencia de acao sistemica sendo possivel a sua utilizacao para acao local com atividade anti-inflamatoria.

Physico-chemical, sensory and nutritional characteristics of cereal bars with addition of acacia gum, inulin and sorbitol

The cereal bars are products globally accepted and consumed by all age groups. In this study, by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the effects of different concentrations of inulin, acacia gum and sorbitol in the characteristics of hardness, color and water activity of cereal bars were studied. A total of 17 experiments being 8 factorials, 6 axials and 3 repetitions at the central point were performed. The regression model presented for the hardness was significant indicating that the quantities of inulin, acacia gum and sorbitol affect the hardness of the cereal bars. Referring to color it was observed that the less inulin and more sorbitol, the more yellow the tone of the bars was. The results of water activity were not influenced by the ingredients. In a comprehensive assessment through the RSM, the bars coming from the treatments 5 and 11 provided the best results and when submitted to sensory evaluation they were not statistically different. Although these bars have presented reduction of 15 to 20% in calorific value, according to the DRC 54/2012 they cannot be considered products with a reduced caloric value. These bars also presented considerable level of soluble fiber (more than 3% inulin).

Occurrence of Salmonella in Minimally Processed Vegetables

Vegetables that have been physically altered from its original state but remain in its fresh state are considered minimally processed. These vegetables are subjected to one or more physical changes (processes of washing, peeling, slicing and cutting), which make them ready for consumption. However, in the dicing step occurs the release of internal cellular fluids, rich in nutrients, which allow microorganisms to multiply rapidly increasing the initial microbial load and thus reducing considerably the shelf life of these products (FARBER, 1999). Therefore, the sanitization step aiming the reduction or destruction of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms to acceptable levels is critical for these products (BACHELLI, 2010) since food poisoning outbreaks associated with contamination of vegetables continue to exist despite the technological advances. Leafy vegetables have been identified as significant vehicles of pathogens relevant to public health, including enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (O157: H7), Listeria sp., Salmonella sp. and Shigella spp. (FRANK & TAKEUSHI, 1999) especially if proper care is not met on the steps of growing, harvesting and processing (GARG et al., 1990). Thus, a minimally processed product should be consistent, to have fresh look, be of acceptable color, free from defects and safe from a microbiological standpoint.

Capsiate treatment in liver surgeries may compromise its recovery

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of capsiate treatment on hepatic hyperplasia in partially hepatectomized rats. METHODS The animals were divided into a Capsiate group (CPH), a Capsiate Post-Partial Hepatectomy group (CPPH) and a Partial Hepatectomy Control group (PH). CPH and CPPH animals received 60 mg/kg/day Capsiate for 30 days. Next, the rats underwent partial hepatectomy. CPPH animals continued to receive treatment for 48 h after partial hepatectomy. Liver tissue and intracardiac blood samples were obtained 24 or 48 h after PH. RESULTS Capsiate treatment interfered with hepatic parameters, reducing the number of mitoses and apoptosis and increasing blood ALT and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. CONCLUSION Capsiate treatment preceding hepatic surgery may compromise the initial period of postoperative recovery.

Fortifying pork liver mixture: Evaluation of protein quality and iron bioavailability – Part 2

1 Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Centro de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Nutrição. Av. John Boyd Dunlop, s/n., Jd. Ipaussurama, 13060-904, Campinas, SP, Brasil. Correspondência para/Correspondence to: SM SREBERNICH. E-mail: <srebernich@uol.com.br>. 2 Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Centro de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Farmácia. Campinas, SP, Brasil. 3 Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade, Departamento de Políticas Públicas e Saúde Coletiva. Santos, SP, Brasil. Fortifying pork liver mixture: Evaluation of protein quality and iron bioavailability – Part 2

Hepatoprotective Effect of Quercetin Pretreatment Against Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage and Partial Hepatectomy in Rats

ABSTRACT Quercetin has potent antioxidant action and a hepatoprotective role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective action of quercetin pretreatment in paracetamol-induced liver damage (PILD) and structural injury resulting from partial hepatectomy (PH). In the first model, Wistar rats received oral quercetin (50mg/kg/day) during 8 days. On the 8 th day, 3g/kg paracetamol were added. In the second model, the same quercetin dose was given during 7 days and rats were submitted to PH on the 8 th day. Blood samples were obtained for determination of enzyme levels. Liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue were also collected for assessment of quercetin biodistribution and/or histological analyses. The results obtained after PILD were more pronounced at 24 hours, as reflected by the reduction of serum ALT levels and by the lower concentration of quercetin in liver at this time point. Quercetin also had a protective effect in groups submitted to PH, as shown by decreased ALT levels after 18 hours, and of AST levels after 18 and 36h. The reduction in serum AST and ALT levels suggest that treatment with quercetin is useful as a preoperative pharmacologic measure and for prevention of liver damage caused by drugs.