Several species of the genus Ceiba (Malvaceae) are ethnopharmacologically used. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro beneficial properties of the aqueous stem bark extract of Ceiba speciosa. The extract presented a great amount of phenolic compounds (117.4 ± 6.2 mg GAE/g). The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (IC = 42.87 μg/mL), ORAC (2351.17 μmol TE/g) and FRAP (235.94 μM FeSO/g) methods. In addition, the extract reduced MCF-7 cell viability as assessed by MTT. However, it prevented mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced caspase-9 activity induced by hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, these findings indicate the extract is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and is able to protect ROS-induced cell death. Therefore, C. speciosa extract may possess beneficial properties for application in pharmaceutical industry as an antioxidant. However, further studies to better elucidate its mechanisms and to isolate its active compounds are required.

Myricetin is a flavonoid with several biological properties, including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory features. Its protective effect in chronic diseases may occur through the inhibition of protein kinases that trigger inflammation and carcinogenesis pathways. Considering the influence of kinases on such pathological disorders, it is crucial to study compounds that inhibit these proteins. This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory potential of 14 flavonoids on TNF‐α release in human whole blood as well as the inhibitory potential of myricetin towards kinases involved in tumorigenesis. Our results showed that, out of all flavonoids, myricetin had the highest inhibitory effect on TNF‐α level. In addition, myricetin showed potential as a multi‐anti‐kinase compound, reducing the activity of 7 kinases by >70% and of 9 kinases by >90%. Together these data demonstrate the great inhibitory activity of myricetin on tumorigenic kinases and potential for the development of new therapeutics.

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 ± 0.34 µg/mL; TPC: 307.20 ± 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 µg/mL), JAK3 (5.25 µg/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 µg/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients.

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic Toxicology involves the study of substances contained in beauty products that can accumulate in the body such as lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe). These substances reach tissues and the bloodstream and can cause long-term damage such as hormonal disorders and carcinogenic events. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the toxicological analytical methods commonly used in the identification and/or quantification of heavy metal cosmetic ingredients. METHODS: A literature review was conducted with a targeted search of scientific articles during the month of June 2019 in the PubMed and Scielo databases published between 2009 and 2019, using the keywords: toxicology, cosmetic, metal. RESULTS: Spectrometry is the most widely used toxicological method in the detection of heavy metals in cosmetics and presents good accuracy and reliability. In the analyzed studies, several spectrometry variations were used, such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry, Optical Emission Spectrometry. Among the products analyzed for metals, lipstick was the most prevalent cosmetic (in 69% of cases), followed by eye shadows (in 38.4% of articles). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of heavy metals such as Pb, Al, Cr, Cd seems to be widely present in cosmetics such as lipsticks and eye shadows, at levels above the considerable safe.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only the population, but also health systems around the world. Hospitals and care networks have been caught up in one of the biggest public health challenges of recent times: a novel coronavirus. In this scenario, pharmaceutical professionals perform an essential function since they are easily accessible to the population through drugstores and pharmacies and are able to offer guidance in the fight against the disease. Thus, the objective of the present study was to observe and report the services and performance of the pharmaceutical professional during the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. To this end, a bibliographic review was performed with a targeted search of scientific articles during the month of June 2020 in the PubMed and Scielo databases. The data were presented in the form of a comparative table containing the objectives of the articles, country of origin and dates of publication, as well as a description of the activities of the pharmaceutical professional cited in the different studies. Based on the results, it was observed the importance of the performance of the pharmaceutical professional in the hospital, community and clinical spheres, during the pandemic, both in the direct care of the patient and in the pharmacotherapeutic contribution in team. Therefore, the role of the pharmacist in the fight against COVID-19 is essential not only in dispensing the drug in pharmacies, but also in the primary care of the patient with reliable guidance and avoiding unnecessary trips to hospitals.