Biological activities of composite 1,8-cineol associated with nanostrutured systems: a brief review

Abstract

At present, there is a great interest of researchers to discover differentiated properties in compounds that perform some pharmacological activity, since the abusive use of medicines can lead to resistance in the eradication of the pathologies, dependency processes and often to a process of self-dosage intoxication. Based on the importance of minimizing this situation, many compounds of natural origin have been studied in the attempt of less toxic and less expensive therapies, because they are composed in nature in abundance. Obtained from natural compounds, the essential oils, has gained considerable space in the study of potential pharmacological applicabilities, and to these potential activities are attributed that the majority is due to the presence of the compound 1,8-cineol, a monoterpene, present in quantity in essential oils. However, the essential oils are characterized by some physical-chemical instability. Thus, in an attempt to minimize or eliminate these instabilities, several works have been carried out by linking these natural compounds to nanosystems, which have the potential to increase the stability of those compounds. In this way, due to the absence of conclusive studies, it is necessary to review systematically the works of the literature that elucidate similar topics. A review study was carried out using the Scopus database looking of all articles published until July 28, 2017, totaling 29 years of research, which mentioned the compound 1,8-cineol, associating the use of nanotechnology and with a possible biological activity. This study aims to encourage research focusing on the botanical approach interconnected with technological sciences as a potential source of bioactive substances with differentiated actions.