Potencial terapêutico do extrato etanólico dos ramos de plinia cauliflora (jabuticaba) complexado com HP-βciclodextrina no tratamento da acne vulgar

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial dermatological condition whose treatment requires approaches that target different pathophysiological mechanisms. The currently available methods, although effective, are often associated with side effects such as erythema, skin irritation, photosensitivity, and bacterial resistance, especially due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, driving the search for safer natural alternatives. The jabuticaba tree (Plinia cauliflora), rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant bioactive compounds, was evaluated in the present study through the ethanolic extract of P. cauliflora stems (EER) and its supramolecular complex with hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin (HP-βCD/EER), seeking an innovative and effective alternative for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The complexation of EER with HP-βCD, at a ratio of 1:0.5 (extract: HP-βCD), was proposed to improve the solubility of the extract and favor its application in topical formulations. The obtained supramolecular complex (HP-βCD/EER) was characterized by FT-IR, DLS, zeta potential, conductivity, TGA/DTG, and SEM analyses. In biological assays, EER and HP-βCD/EER showed no cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages and L929 fibroblasts at all tested concentrations, inhibited Cutibacterium acnes (MIC: 100 µg/mL), reduced nitric oxide production in murine macrophages stimulated with LPS and IFN-γ (92.67% and 94.20%), and decreased intracellular ROS levels (83.11% and 82.30%), both at the concentration of 300 µg/mL. They also inhibited enzymes related to the worsening of acne sequelae, with EER showing 92.37% (tyrosinase), 75.59% (elastase), and 74.49% (hyaluronidase) inhibition, while the complex (HP-βCD/EER) achieved 83.37%, 75.94%, and 50.27%, respectively. Thus, to date, both the ethanolic extract (EER) and its complex with HP-βCD have demonstrated safety and therapeutic potential, with complexation being a promising strategy to optimize the extract’s solubility and favor its use as an innovative alternative for the treatment of acne vulgaris.