Desenvolvimento e caracterização de um sistema de liberação modificada associada à graviola

Abstract

Annona muricata, an herbal plant, presents a wide range of biological properties. Studies have reported that medicinal plants when adsorbed onto polyethylene glycol microparticles result in controlled release of the plant, thus reducing side effects, modulating and prolonging the action of the herbal remedy. However, no study has been conducted on the antitumor effects of Annona muricata when adsorbed to PEG microspheres. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of the ethanolic extract of Annona muricata L. pulp adsorbed onto PEG microspheres. Human peripheral blood cells were treated with the ethanolic extract of Annona muricata and incubated for viability analysis, rheological characterization: flow curve and viscosity, oxidative stress: superoxide anion (O2⁻) assay, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity (Cu-Zn-SOD). Dilution was performed to obtain concentrations of 100 μg/mL⁻¹, 100 ng/mL⁻¹, and 100 pg/mL⁻¹. Cell viability assessment showed no significant difference in any of the groups without extract adsorption onto PEG, indicating that the extract and PEG are biocompatible. Rheological characterization of blood at different concentrations without and with PEG incorporation showed significant difference only at the 100 μg/mL⁻¹ concentration, and with PEG adsorption showed no significant difference in any of the groups. The extract at the 100 ng/mL⁻¹ concentration restored superoxide anion production and resulted in decreased SOD activity. The addition of PEG contributed to cell preservation, indicating its utility as a biological carrier.