Cynara scolymus L. leaves, popularly known as globe artichoke, have cholagogue and choleretic properties which are attributed to caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. Although, there are already pharmacopoeial methods for quality control of artichoke dry leaf extract, it only shows the assessment of chlorogenic acid determination. This study aimed to adapt and validate a method for simultaneous determination of neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, cryptochlorogenic, cynarin and isochlorogenic acids A and C in tablets or capsules of globe artichoke leaf extract herbal medicines. Also, it evaluated the content of these caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in three commercial products and leaf extract. The validation considered the parameters of selectivity, precision, linearity, quantification and detection limits and accuracy. The method proved to be selective, precise and accurate. Commercial products and leaf extract had significantly different concentrations of standard compounds which may bring an impact on therapeutic outcomes. The method proposed was suitable for the identification and quantification of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in tablets and capsules and could be used in quality control, ensuring the safety and efficacy of commercially prepared herbal medicines.

Melanogenesis is a process responsible for melanin production, which is stored in melanocytes containing tyrosinase. This enzyme is responsible for skin hyperpigmentation due to the overproduction of melanin. Inhibition of this enzyme is a target in the cosmetics industry, since it controls undesirable skin conditions. Plant species of the Morus genus are known for the beneficial uses offered in different parts of the plant, including tyrosinase inhibition. Thus, this project aimed to study the inhibitory activity of tyrosinase by extracts from Morus nigra leaves, as well as the characterization of the chromatographic profile of its extract and viability of incorporation in cosmetics from their cytotoxicity, in order to become a new therapeutic option from a natural source. M. nigra leaves were collected, pulverized, equally divided into five batches and the standardized extract was obtained by passive maceration. There was no significant difference between batches for total solids content, yield and moisture content, which shows good reproducibility of the extraction process also demonstrated by TLC chromatographic profile. Tyrosinase enzymatic activity was determined for each batch, providing the percentage of enzyme inhibition and IC 50 values obtained by constructing dose-response curves and compared with kojic acid, a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor. High inhibition of tyrosinase activity was observed (above 90 % at 15,625 g/mL) and IC 50 values ranging from 5.00 g/mL ± 0.23 to 8.49 g/mL ± 0.59, comparable to kojic acid (3.37 g/mL ± 0.65). According to ICH and Anvisa guidelines, the chromatographic method employed using High Profile Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was validated. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, rutin and its major compound, isoquercitrin. Thus, M. nigra leaf extract was standardized using these polyphenols as markers. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay on murine melanomas (B16F10), human keratinocytes (HaCat) and mouse fibroblasts (L-929). Cytotoxicity was not observed to the cell lines in tyrosinase IC 50 values. This study demonstrated the potential of M. nigra extract as a promising whitening agent of natural source against skin hyperpigmentation.

Tecnologia: O acetato de abiraterona, medicamento apresentado na forma de comprimido, é um inibidor potente e irreversível da enzima que estimula a síntese de hormônios masculinos (andrógenos), os quais são responsáveis pelo crescimento e evolução do câncer de próstata. Indicação: O acetato de abiraterona é indicado para o tratamento de pacientes com câncer de próstata metastático resistente à castração. Pergunta: O acetato de abiraterona é eficaz e seguro para o tratamento de pacientes com câncer de próstata metastático resistente à castração e refratários à quimioterapia? Métodos: Para responder à pergunta PICO, as estratégias estruturadas de busca foram utilizadas nas seguintes bases de dados: Medline (via Pubmed), Cochrane Library, NICE EvidenceSearche Epistemonikos. Resultados: Foram identificadas 40 publicações, sendo que, após a avaliação dos textos recuperados, um artigo de revisão sistemática foi incluído nesta nota técnica.  Conclusão: O acetato de abiraterona mostrou-se eficaz e seguro para o tratamento de pacientes com quadro de adenocarcinoma de próstata metastático resistente à castração e refratários à quimioterapia. Os dados científicos disponíveis demonstraram que o medicamento em questão relacionou-se à menor incidência de novas lesões tumorais, melhora da qualidade de vida, aumento da sobrevida global sem aumentar de maneira significativa a taxa de eventos adversos em comparação com o tratamento placebo. A evidência científica analisada de alta qualidade metodológica suporta a incorporação do acetato de abiraterona na lista de medicamentos padronizados da instituição.