Retinal Toxicity of Acai Fruit (Euterpe Oleracea) Dye Concentrations in Rabbits: Basic Principles of a New Dye for Chromovitrectomy in Humans

Safety Assessment of Palm-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 8 palm tree (Euterpe edulis (juçara) and Euterpe oleracea (açaí))-derived ingredients as used in cosmetic products; these ingredients are reported to function mostly as skin conditioning agents. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities. The Panel concluded that palm tree (açaí and juçara)-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review

The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a species belonging to the Arecaceae family, has been cultivated for thousands of years in tropical Central and South America as a multipurpose dietary plant. The recent introduction of açaí fruit and its nutritional and healing qualities to regions outside its origin has rapidly expanded global demand for açaí berry. The health-promoting and disease-preventing properties of this plant are attributed to numerous bioactive phenolic compounds present in the leaf, pulp, fruit, skin, and seeds. The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical evaluation of the health benefits of açaí and its phytochemicals with a special focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that açaí possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and exerts cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, renoprotective, antilipidemic, antidiabetic, and antineoplastic activities. Moreover, clinical trials have suggested that açaí can protect against metabolic stress induced by oxidation, inflammation, vascular abnormalities, and physical exertion. Due to its medicinal properties and the absence of undesirable effects, açaí shows a promising future in health promotion and disease prevention, in addition to a vast economic potential in the food and cosmetic industries.

Advances in Vitreoretinal Surgery

Advances in vitreoretinal surgery provide greater safety, efficacy, and reliability in the management of the several vitreoretinal diseases that benefit from surgical treatment. The advances are divided into the following topics: scleral buckling using chandelier illumination guided by non-contact visualization systems; sclerotomy/valved trocar diameters; posterior vitrectomy systems and ergonomic vitrectomy probes; chromovitrectomy; vitreous substitutes; intraoperative visualization systems including three-dimensional technology, systems for intraoperative optical coherence tomography, new instrumentation in vitreoretinal surgery, anti-VEGF injection before vitrectomy and in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and new surgical techniques; endoscopic surgery; the management of subretinal hemorrhages; gene therapy; alternative techniques for refractory macular hole; perspectives for stem cell therapy and the prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy; and, finally, the Port Delivery System. The main objective of this review is to update the reader on the latest changes in vitreoretinal surgery and to provide an understanding of how each has impacted the improvement of surgical outcomes.

Natural products in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema: Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a class of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Long-time smoking is considered the main reason for developing emphysema. Emphysema can be defined as damage to the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. It has been demonstrated that natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can effectively improve or protect the lung against this disease. This paper is dedicated to systematically review the effective natural compounds in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema.

PURPOSE

This is the first systematic and comprehensive review on the role of plant-derived secondary metabolites in managing and/or treating pulmonary emphysema STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive review was done based on Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the "emphysema", "plant", "herb", and "phytochemical" keywords. Non-English, review, and repetitive articles were excluded from the study. Search results were included in the Prisma diagram.

RESULTS

From a total of 1285 results, finally, 22 articles were included in the present study. The results show that some herbs such as Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Monascus adlay and some phytochemicals such as gallic acid and quercetin and blackboard tree indole alkaloids affect more factors in improving the lung emphysema. Also, some natural compounds such as marijuana smoke and humic acid also play an aggravating role in this disease. It also seems that some of the medicinal plants such as PM014 herbal formula, pomegranate juice and açaí berry sometimes have side effects that are inconsistent with their therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that natural compounds can effectively improve pulmonary emphysema due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. However, additional studies are suggested to prove efficacy and side effects.

Neuroprotective activities of acai berries (Euterpe sp.): A review

Dietary interventions rich in fruits and vegetables in aging people can reverse or mitigate age-related cognitive declines, delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), and provide long-term health dividends. The novel food, popularly known as "Acai", is a berry belonging to the Euterpe genus of tropical palms trees and natively found in South America. Euterpe oleracea has been given much attention among scientists due to its high antioxidant capacity compared to other fruits and berries. Additionally, acai pulp composition analysis found that it contains various biologically active phytochemicals. In this review, we focused on current evidence relating to acai berry neuroprotection mechanisms and its efficacy in preventing or reversing neurodegeneration and age-related cognitive decline. A number of studies have illustrated the potential neuroprotective properties of acai berries. They have shown that their chemical extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and maintain proteins, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial function. Moreover, acai berry extract offers other neuromodulatory mechanisms, including anticonvulsant, antidepressant, and anti-aging properties. This neuromodulation gives valuable insights into the acai pulp and its considerable pharmacological potential on critical brain areas involved in memory and cognition. The isolated chemical matrix of acai berries could be a new substitute in research for NDD medicine development. However, due to the limited number of investigations, there is a need for further efforts to establish studies that enable progressing to clinical trials to consequently prove and ratify the therapeutic potential of this berry for several incurable NDDs.

Role of Vital Dyes in Chromovitrectomy

ABSTRACT

Chromovitrectomy, the intraocular application of dyes to assist visualization of preretinal tissues during vitreoretinal surgery, was introduced to avoid ocular complications related to internal limiting membrane peeling, inadequate removal of the vitreous, and incomplete removal of epiretinal membranes. Since 2000, chromovitrectomy has become a popular approach among vitreoretinal specialists. The first vital dye used in chromovitrectomy, indocyanine green, facilitated identification of the fine and transparent internal limiting membrane. Following indocyanine green, trypan blue was introduced to identify epiretinal membranes, and triamcinolone acetonide stained the vitreous well. Recently, additional natural dyes such as lutein and anthocyanin from the açaí fruit have been proposed for intraocular application during vitrectomy. The main goal of this review was to study the role of vital stains in chromovitrectomy and report the latest findings in the literature.

Vital Dyes in Vitreomacular Surgery

Vital dyes contain complex molecules with chromophores that stain living tissues and have greatly enhanced identification and removal of transparent vitreoretinal tissues during surgery. Several "chromovitrectomy" dyes are frequently used by vitreoretinal specialists, including indocyanine green, trypan blue, brilliant blue G, and triamcinolone acetonide; other dyes are also under investigation. Trypan Blue was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for epiretinal membrane removal, and preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide was approved by the FDA for intraocular use. However, currently available chromovitrectomy dyes have their limitations, and of particular concern for some of them is the possibility for acute and chronic toxicity to the neurosensory retina and retinal pigmented epithelium. The potentially irreversible acute toxicity and other limitations, such as lack of long-term safety profiles, highlight the need for further advancements. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:788-798.].

A new dye based on anthocyanins from the acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea) for chromovitrectomy in humans: clinical trial results

PURPOSE

To test the applicability of the acai dye at a 25% concentration for identifying the posterior hyaloids and internal limiting membranes (ILMs) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in human eyes with macular holes (MHs).

METHODS

This study included 25 patients with chronic idiopathic MHs. The exclusion criteria included glaucoma, previous significant ocular conditions, and previous ocular surgeries except uncomplicated cataract. Ten surgeons performed 23-gauge four-port PPV, phacoemulsification, posterior hyaloid detachment, ILM peeling guided by dye staining, and perfluoropropane injection. The patients remained prone for 5 days postoperatively. The patients were evaluated postoperatively after 1, 30, and 180 days. The surgeons completed a questionnaire regarding the dye's staining abilities.

RESULTS

The posterior hyaloids and ILMs stained purple in all eyes. The final best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (p < 0.001) from preoperatively (1.37 ± 0.29) to 180 days postoperatively (1.05 ± 0.43). The MHs closed in 76% of eyes.

CONCLUSION

The acai dye at a 25% concentration identified posterior hyaloids and ILMs during PPVs in humans. Dye toxicity was unlikely.

Analysis of Anthocyanins Extracted from the Acai Fruit (Euterpe oleracea): A Potential Novel Vital Dye for Chromovitrectomy

Purpose

To classify and quantify anthocyanins in a vital dye extracted from the acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea), adjust pH and osmolarity, and perform lyophilization to develop a new chromovitrectomy dye.

Methods

Three dye concentrations 10%, 25%, and 35% (equivalent to 100, 250, and 350 mg of lyophilized acai fruit pulp extract samples) were evaluated when diluted in 1 ml of phosphate-buffered solution (pH 7 and 300 mOsm). The dye was analyzed by mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify and quantify anthocyanins molecules.

Results

The pH and osmolarity correction and lyophilization were performed without damaging the anthocyanin molecular structure. Mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of five anthocyanins in the three concentrations of the dye. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was the major anthocyanin found. HPLC showed that the concentration of anthocyanin was similar, independent of the dye concentration tested.

Conclusions

Lyophilization and the correction of pH and osmolarity (7.00 and 300 mOsm, resp.) were performed successfully. Five anthocyanins are present in the dye from the acai fruit. The major anthocyanin is cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. Independent of the dye concentration tested, the anthocyanin concentration was similar. Standardized chemical characteristics of this new dye may allow its use during chromovitrectomy in humans.

Anticancer potential, molecular mechanisms and toxicity of Euterpe oleracea extract (açaí): A systematic review

Cancer is an increasingly frequent malignancy worldwide, and despite the advances in drug development, it is still necessary to develop new plant-derived medicines. Euterpe oleracea (açaí) is abundant in South and Central America and has health benefits due to its high levels of phytochemicals, including lignans and polyphenols. The aim of this review was to systematically describe the safety and antitumor effects of açaí in preclinical models using rodents to provide a more comprehensive assessment of açaí for both therapeutic uses and the development of future clinical studies in cancer. Eligible studies were identified using four international databases (PubMed, Medline, Lilacs and SciELO) from their inception date through December 2017. The included studies were analyzed with methodological rigor (QATRS) to enable better quality control for these experimental studies. Sixty publications were identified in the databases, but only 9 articles were eligible: 6 evaluated the pharmacological effects of açaí in animal models of cancer (1 model each of esophageal cancer, urothelial cancer, melanoma and Walker-256 tumor and 2 models of colon cancer), and 3 were toxicological assays using preclinical models with rodents. Overall, 747 animals were analyzed. On a QATRS score scale of 0-20, the quality of the studies ranged from 16 to 20 points. Pulp was the main fraction of açaí administered, and an oral administration route was most common. The açaí dosage administered by gavage ranged from 30 mg/kg to 40,000 mg/kg, and açaí fed in the diet accounted for 2.5% to 5% of the diet. The anticarcinogenic and chemopreventive activities of açaí were observed in all experimental models of cancer and reduced the incidence, tumor cell proliferation, multiplicity and size of the tumors due to the antiinflammatory, antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties of açaí. No genotoxic effects were observed after açaí administration. The results of this review suggest that açaí is safe and can be used as a chemoprotective agent against cancer development. Açaí therapy may be a novel strategy for treating cancer.