Asteraceae family is as an interesting target for researching natural alternatives for crop protection. Many species from this family grow as weeds, and some of them can influence the development of other species by the allelopathy phenomenon. This paper aimed to review the literature for the main genera and species of the Asteraceae family with allelopathic or phytotoxic potential, as well as the classes of secondary metabolites present in this family and responsible for such activity. Artemisia, Ambrosia, Bellis, Bidens, Helianthus and Tagetes were identified as the main genera with phytotoxic or allelopathic activity. Among the secondary metabolites from this family, terpenes, polyacetylenes, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones, phenolic acids and flavonoids were described as responsible for inhibiting the development of other species. In addition, the phytotoxic potential of Acmella oleracea and Sphagneticola trilobata against the weeds Calopogonium mucunoides. and Ipomoea purpurea was described for the first time. At 0.2 mg/mL, crude extract and fractions of A. oleracea inhibited above 60% of C. mucunoides root growth. Hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of S. trilobata, except hexane, significantly affected I. purpurea root growth, ranging from 38 ± 14% to 59 ± 8% of inhibitory effect at different concentrations (0.19 mg/mL to 1.13 mg/mL).

Saccharum officinarum L., Poaceae (sugarcane), occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the planet, and Brazil stands out as the largest producer of sugar and ethanol from sugarcane. In addition, it is rich in phenolic substances, which have antioxidant potential, generating interest in its use in the cosmetic area. The objective of this work was to develop and characterize an emulsion and a nanoemulsion containing S. officinarum fraction. S. officinarum fraction was analyzed through liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-MS) analysis and in vitro cytotoxicity. The formulations were developed with 10% Tween™ 80, 8% diethylamino hydroxybenzoylhexylbenzoate, 10% octylmethoxycinnamate, 0.3% conserv™, 1% aristoflex™ AVC, 0.4% of S. officinarum fraction, and distilled water. The emulsion was developed by the fusion-emulsification method and nanoemulsion by processing on the Hielscher UP100H Ultrasound for 5 min. The macroscopic aspects, pH, viscosity, mean droplet size, and in vitro FPS were analyzed. Through LC-ESI-MS analysis, it was possible to verify the presence of phenolic substances in the composition of methanol fraction from sugarcane juice and the IC 50 estimated was 21.08 ± 6.43 mg/ml. All formulations presented pH around 5. The emulsion, emulsion with S. officinarum fraction, nanoemulsion, and nanoemulsion with S. officinarum fraction showed a size of 1.68 ± 0.12 μm, 0.58 ± 0.08 μm, 222 ± 1.58 nm, and 195.0 ± 0.53 nm, respectively. The in vitro sun protection factor of the emulsion, emulsion with S. officinarum fraction, nanoemulsion, and nanoemulsion with S. officinarum fraction was 20 ± 5, 30 ± 3, 24 ± 2, and 35 ± 5.6, respectively. The UVA/UVB ratio of all formulations was moderate and presented λc of 370 nm, which is considered a broad-spectrum product. Substances with photoprotective potential can be found in tailings from the sugarcane industry, suggesting that it can be converted into raw materials or innovative cosmetic products.

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This work aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanolic fractions from sugarcane varieties (MFSCf) in classic nociception models, as well as evaluate the interactions between bioactive compounds and the µ-opioid receptor (µOR) through docking analysis. Five methanolic fractions of sugarcane juice were obtained and analysed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. The fractions and standards of phenolic compounds were evaluated in a nociception model using the formalin test. All MFSCfs exhibited antinociceptive activity in the first phase of the formalin test. Docking analyses corroborates with the in vivo test results, suggesting that the phenolic substances are able to activate µOR. These results, for the first time, implicate phenolic constituents from sugarcane juice and other phenolic compounds in the activation of µOR. The antinociceptive activity of fractions from sugarcane juice suggests the potential pharmacological use of this species, widely cultivated in Brazil