Avaliação do potencial antimicrobiano e anti-inflamatório de filmes bioativos à base de pectina

Abstract

The growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the limitations of conventional treatments in wound healing have driven the search for alternative and sustainable therapies. In this context, bioactive dressings based on pectin incorporated with essential oils (EOs) have shown great potential. The skin, a structurally complex organ with vital functions, is vulnerable to injuries that compromise its integrity, making wound healing a multifaceted process influenced by factors such as infection, age, and nutritional status. Chronic wounds, often associated with comorbidities like diabetes and aging, have a significant clinical and economic impact, demanding effective solutions. Modern dressings, particularly bioactive ones, interact with the wound environment to promote healing. Pectin, a natural polysaccharide with biocompatible properties, forms stable gels, absorbs exudate, and serves as a matrix for cell adhesion. Although lacking inherent antimicrobial activity, pectin can be functionalized with bioactive compounds such as EOs to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. Essential oils of rosemary, citronella, lavender, and tea tree exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties through multitarget mechanisms, reducing the emergence of resistant strains. Their actions include disrupting bacterial membranes, inhibiting inflammatory mediators, and protecting against oxidative stress. When integrated into dressings, these compounds contribute to tissue regeneration, provide analgesic effects, and support the management of topical infections. Nanotechnology, particularly through nanoemulsions, improves the stability, skin permeability, and bioavailability of EOs, overcoming challenges like volatility and poor water solubility. These formulations are suitable for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. This work is grounded in the principles of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS), as established by Brazil's National Policy, aligning with the goal of promoting natural, accessible, and holistic healthcare. Thus, the development of sustainable pectin-based films incorporating EOs represents an effective, low-cost therapeutic alternative with positive implications for Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), fostering innovation in wound care and supporting the scientific advancement of aromatherapy.