RESUMO
A doença de Alzheimer (DA), é uma enfermidade neurodegenerativa que possui como principal característica a perda progressiva das funções cognitivas, afetando milhões de pessoas no mundo. Nesse sentido, existem contínuas buscas por ferramentas terapêuticas que atuem na prevenção e no tratamento da doença. Além disso, pesquisas com a utilização do óleo de coco como ferramenta terapêutica demonstraram um potente efeito anti-inflamatório dessa substância. Dessa forma, foi elaborada uma revisão bibliográfica para investigar os possíveis efeitos do óleo de coco relacionados à DA. O presente artigo trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica utilizando as bases: PubMed, Science Direct, SciELO e LILACS. A partir da busca com descritores específicos, foram incluídos estudos referentes aos últimos cinco anos, publicados em inglês, português e espanhol com dados pré-clínicos e clínicos. Os estudos pré-clínicos incluídos demonstraram que o óleo de coco interfere inibindo vias metabólicas importantes que atuam na promoção da neuroinflamação, na formação de placas amiloides, no desbalanço de neurotransmissores e na dinâmica de vias de sinalização. Além disso, o uso do óleo de coco aumentou os níveis de corpos cetônicos. De certa forma, muitos ensaios clínicos já se mostraram favoráveis ao uso de óleo de coco como adjuvante no tratamento da DA. Contudo, ainda são necessários mais estudos clínicos randomizados e controlados que avaliem a dosagem ideal, bem como a eficácia ou não do óleo de coco contra a doença de Alzheimer.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease whose main characteristic is the progressive loss of cognitive functions, affecting millions of people worldwide. In this sense, there is a continuous search for therapeutic tools that act in the prevention and treatment of the disease. In addition, research using coconut oil as a therapeutic tool has demonstrated a potent anti-inflammatory effect of this substance. Thus, a literature review was conducted to investigate the possible effects of coconut oil on AD. This article is a literature review using the PubMed, Science Direct, SciELO and LILACS databases. From the search with specific descriptors, studies were included referring to the last five years, published in English, Portuguese and Spanish with pre-clinical and clinical data. The included preclinical studies demonstrated that coconut oil interferes by inhibiting important metabolic pathways that act in the promotion of neuroinflammation, amyloid plaque formation, neurotransmitter imbalance, and signaling pathway dynamics. In addition, the use of coconut oil increased the levels of ketone bodies. To some extent, many clinical trials have already shown favorable support for the use of coconut oil as an adjuvant in the treatment of AD. However, there is still a need for more randomized, controlled clinical trials that evaluate the optimal dosage, as well as whether or not coconut oil is effective against Alzheimer's disease.
Assuntos
Humanos , Óleo de Palmeira/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Toxicological studies on medicinal plants are essential to ensure their safety and effectiveness in treating various diseases. Despite the species Chrysobalanus icaco L. being popularly used in the treatment of several diseases due to the pharmacological properties of its bioactive compounds, there are few studies in the literature regarding its toxicity regarding reproduction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the potential embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of the aqueous extract of C. icaco leaves (AECi) on Wistar rats. Animals were given AECi at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg during the pre-implantation and organogenesis periods. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's test and Kruskal-Wallis. Pregnant rats treated during the pre-implantation period showed no signs of reproductive toxicity. Rats that received AECi at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg during organogenesis did not exhibit any signs of maternal systemic toxicity or significant differences in gestational and embryotoxic parameters. Some skeletal changes were observed in the treated groups. Therefore, it can be suggested that AECi at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg is safe for treated animals and does not induce reproductive toxicity under the experimental conditions applied, but it also caused low systemic toxicity.
RESUMO
Despite the fact that skin has a stronger potential to regenerate than other tissues, wounds have become a serious healthcare issue. Much effort has been focused on developing efficient therapeutical approaches, especially biological ones. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the wound healing process, the classification of wounds, and the particular characteristics of each phase of the repair process. We also highlight characteristics of the normal process and those involved in impaired wound healing, specifically in the case of infected wounds. The treatments discussed here include proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Proteins are important actors mediating interactions between cells and between them and the extracellular matrix, which are essential interactions for the healing process. Different strategies involving biopolymers, blends, nanotools, and immobilizing systems have been studied against infected wounds. Lipids of animal, mineral, and mainly vegetable origin have been used in the development of topical biocompatible formulations, since their healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties are interesting for wound healing. Vegetable oils, polymeric films, lipid nanoparticles, and lipid-based drug delivery systems have been reported as promising approaches in managing skin wounds. Carbohydrate-based formulations as blends, hydrogels, and nanocomposites, have also been reported as promising healing, antimicrobial, and modulatory agents for wound management.