In this literature review, we present the main scientific findings on the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) applicable for a new drug formulation to treat oral candidiasis. Seven literature databases were systematically searched for eligible in vitro and clinical trials. Selected articles were screened for biological activity, botanical species, phytochemical composition, study design, and methodological quality. A total of 26 articles were included in the review, of which 21 were in vitro studies and 5 clinical trials. The most promising EOs were obtained from Allium tubeorosum, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Coriandrum sativum L. Among the phytochemicals, citral and thymol were the most active. Clinical trials indicated that the EOs from Pelargonium graveolens and Zataria multiflora are potentially effective to treat oral candidiasis. Further nonclinical and clinical studies with these EO are warranted to determine their potential use and safety for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Few studies have associated the effects of changes in caloric intake and redox disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the hypercaloric diet consumption influence on the contractile reactivity of intestinal smooth muscle, morphology, and oxidative stress of rat ileum. Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups that received a standard diet and fed with a hypercaloric diet for 8 weeks. Animals were euthanized, and the ileum was isolated to isotonic contraction monitoring. Morphology was evaluated by histological staining and oxidative stress by quantification of malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant activity. Cumulative concentration-response curves to KCl and carbachol were attenuated in rats fed with a hypercaloric diet compared to those that received a standard diet. In addition, an increase in caloric intake promotes a rise in the thickness of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of rat ileum and tissue malondialdehyde levels, characterizing lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in the antioxidant activity. Thus, it was concluded that the consumption of a hypercaloric diet impairs rat intestinal contractility due to mechanisms involving modifications in the intestinal smooth muscle architecture triggered by redox disturbances.

Spirulina platensis, an important source of bioactive compounds, is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its nutrient composition, the alga is considered a complete food and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity, and reproprotective effects. All of which are important for prevention and treatment of organic and metabolic disorders such as obesity and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory role of Spirulina platensis food supplementation and the mechanisms of action involved in reversing the damage caused by a hypercaloric diet on the erectile function of rats. The animals were divided into a standard diet group (SD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group (HCD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (HCD+SP25, n=5), 50 (HCD+SP50, n=5), and 100 mg/kg (HCD+SP100, n=5); and a hypercaloric diet group subsequently fed a standard diet (HCD+SD, n=5). In the rats fed a hypercaloric diet, dietary supplementation with S. platensis effectively increased the number of erections while decreasing latency to initiate penile erection. Additionally, S. platensis increases NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation by reducing the release of contractile prostanoids, enhances the relaxation effect promoted by acetylcholine (ACh), restores contractile reactivity damage and cavernous relaxation, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increases cavernous total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Food supplementation with S. platensis thus restores erectile function in obese rats, reduces production of contractile prostanoids, reduces oxidative stress, and increases NO bioavailability. Food supplementation with S. platensis thus emerges as a promising new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as induced by obesity.

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a wide range of community and nosocomial infections. The high capacity of this pathogen to acquire resistance drugs makes it necessary to develop therapeutic alternatives, discovering new antibacterial molecules. Acetamides are molecules that have several biological activities. However, there are no reports on the activity of 2-chloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of this molecule on K. pneumoniae, evaluating whether the presence of the chloro atom improves this effect. Then, analyzing its antibacterial action more thoroughly, as well as its cytotoxic and pharmacokinetic profile, in order to contribute to future studies for the viability of a new antibacterial drug. It was shown that the substance has good potential against K. pneumoniae and the chloro atom is responsible for improving this activity, stabilizing the molecule in the target enzyme at the site. The substance possibly acts on penicillin-binding protein, promoting cell lysis. The analysis of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity shows favorable results for future in vivo toxicological tests to be carried out, with the aim of investigating the potential of this molecule. In addition, the substance showed an excellent pharmacokinetic profile, indicating good parameters for oral use.

Erectile dysfunction is increasingly affecting men, from the elderly to young adults, being a sexual disorder related to the inability to generate or maintain a penile erection. This disorder is related to psychosocial factors such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, to organic factors such as the presence of preexisting conditions like hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. The pathophysiology of the disease is related to changes in the neurotransmission of the autonomic or the non-cholinergic non-adrenergic nervous system, as well as the release of local mediators, such as thromboxane A2 and endothelin, and hormonal action. These changes lead to impaired relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle, which reduces local blood flow and impairs penile erection. Currently, therapy is based on oral vasodilation, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and iodenafil, or by direct administration of these agents into the corpus cavernosum or by intraurethral route, such as alprostadil and papaverine. Despite this, studies that consolidate the understanding of its pathophysiological process contribute to the discovery of new more efficient drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In this sense, in the present work an extensive survey was carried out of the mechanisms already consolidated and the most recent ones related to the development of erectile dysfunction.