Patients with chronic hepatitis C exhibit cerebral metabolite alterations and structural or functional neuroimaging abnormalities, which sustain the hypothesis of hepatitis C virus involvement in brain disturbances.

The technologies used to produce the different dosage forms of propolis can selectively affect the original propolis compounds and their biological activities. The most common type of propolis extract is hydroethanolic. However, there is considerable demand for ethanol-free propolis presentations, including stable powder forms. Three propolis extract formulations were developed and investigated for chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE). The different technologies used to produce the extracts affected their physical appearance, chemical profile, and biological activity. PPF was found to contain mainly caffeic and p-Coumaric acid, while PSDE and MPE showed a chemical fingerprint closer to the original green propolis hydroalcoholic extract used. MPE, a fine powder (40% propolis in gum Arabic), was readily dispersible in water, and had less intense flavor, taste, and color than PSDE. PSDE, a fine powder (80% propolis) in maltodextrin as a carrier, was perfectly water-soluble and could be used in liquid formulations; it is transparent and has a strong bitter taste. PPF, a purified solid with large amounts of caffeic and p-Coumaric acids, had the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and therefore merits further study. PSDE and MPE had antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and could be used in products tailored to specific needs.

RESUMO ZAMARRENHO, L. G. Efeitos agudos centrais do canabidiol por meio de neuroimagem funcional e sobre o reconhecimento de emoções faciais em pacientes com transtorno depressivo maior. 2019. 195 f. Tese

Propolis is known for its immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the effects of three recently developed propolis extract formulations: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE), and some of their components, on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in a macrophage model. Bone marrow cell-derived macrophages (BMDM) in cell culture were E. coli lipopolysaccharide (500 ng/mL) stimulated for two hours and subsequently incubated for 20 hours with one of the three propolis extract formulations (1, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300 µg/mL) or with isolated propolis components (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, or baccharin) (10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) to determine how they affected secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. PPF increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels. PSDE increased IL-6 and IL-10 at lower concentrations, while at higher concentrations it increased TNF-α and decreased IL-10. MPE increased IL-10. Caffeic acid and PPF increased both IL-6 and IL-10. Artepillin C and PSDE decreased IL-10. Baccharin and MPE increased IL-10. Baccharin also decreased IL-6. p-coumaric acid did not affect secretion of these cytokines. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by the different propolis extracts differed; however, all three propolis extract formulations have potential as immunomodulatory agents in food supplement and pharmaceutical products.

ZAMARRENHO, L. G. Effect of ayahuasca beverage on the behavior of Wistar rats in the open field and elevated plus maze and on the expression of EAAC1 in the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex. 2014. 92 f. Dissertação (Mestrado)