title: Microemulsion of babassu oil as a natural product to improve human immune system function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a babassu oil microemulsion system and determine the effect of this microemulsion on the functional activity of phagocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The microemulsion was formulated using distilled water, babassu as the oil phase component, Sorbitan monooleate-Span 80(®) (SP), Polysorbate 80-Tween 80(®) (TW), and 1-butanol (BT). Pseudoternary diagrams were prepared, and microemulsion diagram regions were preselected. Rheological characterization and preliminary and accelerated stability tests were performed. The effect of the microemulsion on the interactions between leukocytes and bacteria was determined by superoxide release, phagocytosis, and microbicidal activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The developed formulation SP/TW/BT (4.2/4.8/1.0) was classified as oil/water, showed a Newtonian profile, and had linear viscosity. When we assessed the interaction of the microemulsion or babassu oil with phagocytes, we observed an increase in superoxide, phagocytosis, and microbicidal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The babassu oil microemulsion system is an option for future applications, including for vaccine delivery systems. Babassu oil is a natural product, so is an alternative for future immunotherapy strategies, in particular for infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Souza
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil ; Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Luzia
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: França
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elton Brito
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia Kelly Dias
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lanes
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natalina Galdeano Abud
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Chaud
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucélia Campelo Albuquerque
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Material Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil ; Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adenilda Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Honorio-França
mesh_terms: D020001:1-Butanol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006601:Hexoses / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012212:Rheology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D004655:Emulsions; D006601:Hexoses; D010938:Plant Oils; D011136:Polysorbates; C018665:sorbitan monooleate; D013481:Superoxides; D020001:1-Butanol
keywords: babassu; delivery systems; microemulsion; phagocytes; vegetable oil