Abstract Pterodon pubescens (Benth.) Benth., Fabaceae, fruits have been investigated for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, and have demonstrated effectiveness in inflammatory conditions. A physiochemical and microbiological stability study was conducted to investigate two nanoemulsion-based delivery systems of two different hydrophilic surfactants (polyethylene glycol-40H castor oil or polyethylene glycol-40 castor oil). The nanoemulsions, containing P. pubescens oil, lecithin, hydrophilic surfactant and water, were analyzed for droplet size distribution, polydispersity index, pH, consistency index, stability against centrifugal force, and active content/vouacapan derivatives. The physicochemical characteristics were followed for 365 days. The nanoemulsion system was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by using with a peritonitis model, immediately after preparation and after 365 days of storage at 25 °C. The stability study demonstrated that proper storage (25 °C) preserved the characteristics of the nanoemulsion containing 7.5% polyethylene glycol-40H castor oil, 5% lecithin, and 5% P. pubescens oil. Further, it ensured a shelf life of 365 days as a phytotherapeutic formulation. In the peritonitis assay induced by carrageenan, nanoemulsion prepared with polyethylene glycol-40H castor oil (125 mg/kg) reduced leukocyte migration, even after 365 days of storage (25 °C), highlighting its potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, further studies are needed to confirm its clinical effectiveness.

Uma fração oleaginosa obtida do extrato etanólico de frutos de Pterodon pubescensBenth (FHPp) foi microencapsulada em um sistema polimérico. Estes sistemas foram desenvolvidos utilizando o método de coacervação complexa, constituído de alginato/quitosana massa molecular média (F1-MC), alginato/quitosana com desacetilação superior a 75% (F2-MC) e alginato/quitosana de massa molecular baixa (F3-MC). Estes sistemas desenvolvidos têm o potencial tanto de mascarar o sabor do extrato, quanto de protegê-lo de possível degradação química. A influência dos parâmetros de formulação e processo foram determinadas por caracterização química, determinação da eficiência de microencapsulação da fração oleaginosa e por avaliação morfológica da microcápsula. As formulações mostraram-se ligeiramente amareladas, inodoras e com sabor agradável. Os diâmetros médios das microcápsulas foram de 0,4679 µm (F2-MC), 0,5885 µm (F3-MC) e 0,9033 µm (F1-MC). A melhor formulação foi F3-MC, considerando-se que apresentou eficiência de encapsulação de 61,01 ± 2,00%, e perfil de liberação in vitro de 75,88 ± 0,45%; o conteúdo dos vouacapanos 3-4 foi 99,49 ± 2,80%. O melhor modelo para descrever a cinética de liberação foi o modelo proposto por Higuchi para F1-MC e F3-MC, entretanto, para F2-MC foi o modelo de primeira ordem, e o mecanismo de liberação foi do tipo super caso II para todas as formulações.

An oleaginous fraction obtained from an alcohol extract of the fruit of Pterodon pubescensBenth. (FHPp) was microencapsulated in polymeric systems. These systems were developed using a complex coacervation method and consisted of alginate/medium-molecular-weight chitosan (F1-MC), alginate/chitosan with greater than 75% deacetylation (F2-MC), and alginate/low-molecular-weight chitosan (F3-MC). These developed systems have the potential to both mask the taste of the extract, and to protect its constituents against possible chemical degradation. The influence of the formulation parameters and process were determined by chemical profiling and measurement of the microencapsulation efficiency of the oleaginous fraction, and by assessment of microcapsule morphology. The obtained formulations were slightly yellow, odorless, and had a pleasant taste. The average diameters of the microcapsules were 0.4679 µm (F2-MC), 0.5885 µm (F3-MC), and 0.9033 µm (F1-MC). The best formulation was F3-MC, with FHPp microencapsulation efficiency of 61.01 ± 2.00% and an in vitro release profile of 75.88 ± 0.45%; the content of vouacapans 3-4 was 99.49 ± 2.80%. The best model to describe the release kinetics for F1-MC and F3-MC was that proposed by Higuchi; however, F2-MC release displayed first-order kinetics; the release mechanism was of the supercase II type for all formulations.