Nowadays, emerging radiolabeled nanosystems are revolutionizing medicine in terms of diagnostics, treatment, and theranostics. These radionuclides include polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), liposomal carriers, dendrimers, magnetic iron oxide NPs, silica NPs, carbon nanotubes, and inorganic metal-based nanoformulations. Between these nano-platforms, polymeric NPs have gained attention in the biomedical field due to their excellent properties, such as their surface to mass ratio, quantum properties, biodegradability, low toxicity, and ability to absorb and carry other molecules. In addition, NPs are capable of carrying high payloads of radionuclides which can be used for diagnostic, treatment, and theranostics depending on the radioactive material linked. The radiolabeling process of nanoparticles can be performed by direct or indirect labeling process. In both cases, the most appropriate must be selected in order to keep the targeting properties as preserved as possible. In addition, radionuclide therapy has the advantage of delivering a highly concentrated absorbed dose to the targeted tissue while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. Said another way, radioactive polymeric NPs represent a promising prospect in the treatment and diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac ischemia, infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, and other type of cancer cells or tumors.

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Increasing resistance to current fungicides is a clinical problem that leads to the need for new treatment strategies. Clove oil (CO) has already been described as having antifungal action. However, it should not be applied directly to the skin as it may be irritating. One option for CO delivery and suitable topical application would be nanoemulsions (NEs). NEs have advantages such as decreased irritant effects and lower dose use. The purpose of this work was the development of NEs containing CO and in vitro evaluation against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The NEs were produced by an ultrasonic processor with different proportions of CO and Pluronic ® F-127. In order to determine the best composition and ultrasound amplitude, an experimental design was performed. For the evaluation, droplet size and polydispersity index (PdI) were used. After the stability study, in vitro activity against C. albicans and C. glabrata was evaluated. NEs selected for the stability study, with diameter <40 nm and PdI <0.2, remained stable for 420 d. Activity against Candida spp. was improved when the CO was nanoemulsified, for it possibly leads to a better interaction between the active and the microorganisms, mainly in C. albicans.

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O processo de secagem por atomização ou spray-drying é uma das operações mais frequentes para a obtenção de extratos secos a partir de plantas medicinais. No entanto, durante o processo de preparação desses insumos farmacêuticos ativos (IFA) de origem vegetal, uma série de fatores podem afetar a qualidade desses produtos intermediários. Por meio de levantamento bibliográfico científico e da legislação brasileira sobre medicamentos fitoterápicos, vivências do grupo em pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D) da Fiocruz e da realização de Brainstorming entre os integrantes da equipe, foi elaborado um diagrama de causa e efeito (Diagrama de Ishikawa). Tal pesquisa teve o objetivo de levantar pontos críticos no processo de produção desses IFA de origem vegetal, apontando aspectos do processo de spray-drying de ordem teórica e prática que poderiam afetar a qualidade do produto fitoterápico. Com base nas informações mencionadas no diagrama e na discussão desses pontos acerca de cada etapa até a preparação do extrato seco, foi possível racionalizar o processo de obtenção desse intermediário, com foco em transformá-lo em produto fitoterápico.