Pradosia huberi Ducke (Sapotaceae) is a medicinal plant found in t he Amazonian Forest and used for the treatment of g astric disorders. This study assessed the acute and chroni toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained f rom stem... more
Pradosia huberi Ducke (Sapotaceae) is a medicinal plant found in t he Amazonian Forest and used for the treatment of g astric disorders. This study assessed the acute and chroni toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained f rom stem barks of P. huberi in Wistar rats. For the study of the acute toxicit y, the animals were treated orally for 14 days with a dose of 2000 mg/kg, while the control group received distilled water. T he chronic toxicity was evaluated with the oral adm inistration of a single dose of the extract (1,22, 6,1 and 30,5mg/kg), duri ng 90 days. The acute toxicology study revealed alt erations in the consumption of water, ration and in the body weight in males, as well as changes in the biochemical an d hematological parameters. The chronic toxicity revealed the decre ase in the consumption of water in male and female r ts, and the ration (treated females), resulting in decrease in the bod y weight of treaties animals. The microscopic exam of the liver of the an...
... Maycon de Moura Reboredo* Leda Marília Fonseca Lucinda* ... Os animais foram sacrificados por inalação excessiva de anestésico no 190 dia. Foi reali-zada a laparotomia para remoção e pesagem dos seguintes órgãos: testículo direito,... more
... Maycon de Moura Reboredo* Leda Marília Fonseca Lucinda* ... Os animais foram sacrificados por inalação excessiva de anestésico no 190 dia. Foi reali-zada a laparotomia para remoção e pesagem dos seguintes órgãos: testículo direito, testículo esquerdo, epidídimo ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
As doenças crônicas representam o principal grupo de doenças com elevados índices de mortalidade. Dessa forma, a utilização de plantas medicinais por adultos no tratamento de enfermidades ou amenização de seus sintomas é uma prática... more
As doenças crônicas representam o principal grupo de doenças com elevados índices de mortalidade. Dessa forma, a utilização de plantas medicinais por adultos no tratamento de enfermidades ou amenização de seus sintomas é uma prática alternativa que vem sendo adotada mundialmente. O avanço científico e a modernização contribuem substancialmente para descoberta de substâncias naturais para produção de novos fármacos, com uma grande possibilidade de terem menor grau de toxicidade. Algumas dessas plantas são ricas em moléculas dotadas de potencial biotecnológico, como os flavonoides. O presente estudo avaliou o perfil bioativo in silico de três flavonoides: tilirosídeo (Kaempferol-3-O-β-D-(6”-Ep-coumaril) glucopiranosideo), Pg-1 (5,7-dihidroxi-3,8,4'-trimetoxi) e vitexina (5,7,4'-trihidroxiflavona-8-C-β-glucopiranosideo). Foi abordada a ação preditiva antineoplásica em órgãos do sistema gastrointestinal e urinário e a atividade protetora contra doenças crônicas (diabetes, hipert...
Problems in the female reproductive system appear at the beginning of the reproductive cycle and persist until hormonal regulation in menopause. The drug therapies currently used can cause intolerance and susceptibility to other diseases,... more
Problems in the female reproductive system appear at the beginning of the reproductive cycle and persist until hormonal regulation in menopause. The drug therapies currently used can cause intolerance and susceptibility to other diseases, making it important to search for alternative therapeutic approaches that can be adopted during your reproductive life. Women use several species of plants to treat reproductive disorders. Some species are rich in bioactive molecules, such as flavonoids. The present study evaluated the bioactive in silico profile of three flavonoids: tyroside (Kaempferol-3-O-β-D- (6 ”-Ep-coumaryl) glucopyranoside), Pg-1 (5,7-dihydroxy-3,8, 4'-trimethoxy) and vitexin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-8-C-β-glucopyranoside). The predictive antineoplastic action on organs of the female reproductive system and the protective activity against pathogens (protozoa, bacteria, fungi and viruses) were addressed. The study showed that vitexin had antiviral activity, tilirosid...
Research Interests:
Os produtos naturais têm sido utilizados para combater os crescentes efeitos danosos causados pela exposição solar, adicionando fórmulas químicas a compostos ou substâncias naturais para potencializar o efeito protetor na pele. Através de... more
Os produtos naturais têm sido utilizados para combater os crescentes efeitos danosos causados pela exposição solar, adicionando fórmulas químicas a compostos ou substâncias naturais para potencializar o efeito protetor na pele. Através de análises in silico e in vitro, o presente estudo avaliou o efeito farmacológico contra o câncer de pele e o fator de proteção solar de três flavonoides: Hv-1 (Kaempferol-3-O-β-D- (6”-Ep-coumaril) glucopiranosideo), Pg-1 (5,7-dihidroxi-3,8,4'-trimetoxi) e Wv-1 (5,7,4'-trihidroxiflavona-8-C-β-glucopiranosideo), bem como seus respectivos compostos naturais (extratos etanólicos brutos – EEBs e frações diclorometano/clorofórmio – FC/FD), oriundos de processos de extração em espécies da família Malvaceae. Os resultados da análise in silico demonstraram que o Pg-1 possui maior probabilidade no potencial antineoplásico para o tratamento do sarcoma, do carcinoma, do melanoma e do câncer de células escamosas, enquanto o Hv-1 apresenta efeito antineop...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Many plant substances are known for their interference with the reproductive system. Mikania glomerata is a plant popularly used to treat respiratory diseases and is reported to have flavonoids and coumarin, which have been shown to have... more
Many plant substances are known for their interference with the reproductive system. Mikania glomerata is a plant popularly used to treat respiratory diseases and is reported to have flavonoids and coumarin, which have been shown to have antifertility activity in male dogs and female rats, respectively. This work analyzes the effect of a high dose of M. glomerata extract administered
Research Interests: Contraception, Testosterone, Food Consumption, Respiratory Disease, Spermatogenesis, and 13 moreAnimals, Male, Food intake, Clinical Sciences, Plant extracts, Rats, Public health systems and services research, Body Weight, Wistar Rats, Reproductive System, Sperm Count, Organ Weight, and Paediatrics and reproductive medicine
Due to regulatory bans and voluntary substitutions, halogenated polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants (FR) are increasingly substituted by mainly organophosphorus FR (OPFR). Leveraging a 3D rat primary neural organotypic... more
Due to regulatory bans and voluntary substitutions, halogenated polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants (FR) are increasingly substituted by mainly organophosphorus FR (OPFR). Leveraging a 3D rat primary neural organotypic in vitro model (rat brainsphere), we compare developmental neurotoxic effects of BDE-47—the most abundant PBDE congener—with four OPFR (isopropylated phenyl phosphate—IPP, triphenyl phosphate—TPHP, isodecyl diphenyl phosphate—IDDP, and tricresyl phosphate (also known as trimethyl phenyl phosphate)—TMPP). Employing mass spectroscopy-based metabolomics and transcriptomics, we observe at similar human-relevant non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.1–5 µM) stronger developmental neurotoxic effects by OPFR. This includes toxicity to neurons in the low µM range; all FR decrease the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA (except BDE-47 and TPHP). Furthermore, n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), considered a neurologic diagnostic molecule, was decreased by all OPFR. At simila...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A group of teachers from Northeast Brazil developed a model of membrane potentials and action potential and tested the hypothesis that using the peer-instruction model would provide a better performance for students in reading traditional... more
A group of teachers from Northeast Brazil developed a model of membrane potentials and action potential and tested the hypothesis that using the peer-instruction model would provide a better performance for students in reading traditional texts and lectures. The results were obtained from 357 students from 20 different courses in 9 different undergraduate programs. All students attended two 100-min theoretical lecture and, at the end of the second lecture, were asked to answer a multiple-choice question (a pretest). In the following lecture, students were divided into three groups: control, text, and model. At the end of the lecture, everyone responded to a posttest. Student performance in the pretest did not differ significantly between groups. In the comparison between the pretest and the posttest, students in the model and text groups significantly improved their performance, but there was no improvement in the control group. In the posttest, the model group presented a better pe...
Research Interests:
The constituents of essential oils are widely found in foods and aromatic plants giving characteristic odor and flavor. However, pharmacological studies evidence its therapeutic potential for the treatment of several diseases and... more
The constituents of essential oils are widely found in foods and aromatic plants giving characteristic odor and flavor. However, pharmacological studies evidence its therapeutic potential for the treatment of several diseases and promising use as compounds with analgesic-like action. Considering that pain affects a significant part of the world population and the need for the development of new analgesics, this review reports on the current studies of essential oils' chemical constituents with analgesic-like activity, including a description of their mechanisms of action and chemical aspects.
Research Interests: Genetics, Pain, Food, Lamiaceae, Humans, and 5 moreAnimals, Molecular sciences, Analgesics, Molecular Structure, and Burseraceae
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Pradosia huberi is a species found in the Amazon region and used as an antiulcerogenic and gastroprotective agent; however, phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of compounds with potential toxic effects on the reproductive... more
Pradosia huberi is a species found in the Amazon region and used as an antiulcerogenic and gastroprotective agent; however, phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of compounds with potential toxic effects on the reproductive system. For the evaluation of the toxicity of P. huberi on male fertility, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: one control (distilled water p.o.) and three treated (hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of P. Huberi (PH-HAE) at doses of 1.22, 6.1, and 30.5 mg/kg p.o.) once daily, for 63 days. In the last week of treatment (from the 57th to the 63rd day), the rats were mated with untreated virgin females (n = 30/group) and were killed on day 64. To investigate the toxic potential of PH-HAE on the reproductive system of rats the following parameters were evaluated: sperm production, genotoxicity, and general development. The production of gametes and their morphology did not differ between control and treated groups. Treatment with PH-HAE d...
Research Interests:
This review is aimed at presenting relevant information on the therapeutic potential of essential oil sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory activity. The data reviewed provide a basis for seeking new anti-inflammatory drugs from natural... more
This review is aimed at presenting relevant information on the therapeutic potential of essential oil sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory activity. The data reviewed provide a basis for seeking new anti-inflammatory drugs from natural products that do not exhibit the undesirable side effects often displayed by anti-inflammatory drugs. In this review the experimental models, possible mechanisms of action, and chemical structures of 12 sesquiterpenes are presented.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The treatment during the embryonic preimplantation phase of Wistar rats with thePradosia huberiextract did not interfere with the water and feed consumption, as well as upon the body-weight gain. However, it has expressed a decrease of... more
The treatment during the embryonic preimplantation phase of Wistar rats with thePradosia huberiextract did not interfere with the water and feed consumption, as well as upon the body-weight gain. However, it has expressed a decrease of the uterine implant number, followed by the preimplantation losses at all applied doses (1.22, 6.1, and 30.5 mg/kg), and the number of embryonic resorptions in the two highest doses (6.1 and 30.5 mg/kg). After the organ weighing (hypophysis, ovaries, and uterus), only the relative weight of the hypophysis was raised at the different doses (1.22, 6.1, and 30.5 mg/kg). It was concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract ofPradosia hubericompromises the reproductive ability during the embryonic preimplantation phase, suggesting a possible toxic effect upon the reproductive system of Wistar rats.
Research Interests:
Lapachol is a therapeutic naphthoquinone, but little is known about its general and reproductive toxicity. In female rats, a high incidence of resorptions and fetal mortality has been reported. This work analyses the effect of the... more
Lapachol is a therapeutic naphthoquinone, but little is known about its general and reproductive toxicity. In female rats, a high incidence of resorptions and fetal mortality has been reported. This work analyses the effect of the short-term administration of lapachol on vital and reproductive organs, and sperm production in Wistar rats. Adult animals were treated with 1 mL of lapachol hydroalcohol solution (100 mg/kg of body weight) for 5 days and killed 3 (T1) and 14 days (T2) after the end of treatment. Body and organ weights and sperm production were evaluated. The administration of lapachol significantly reduced the weight of the seminal vesicle (T1 animals). No significant alteration of gamete production, body weight and the weight of the other organs analysed were detected. The results suggest a reproductive toxicity effect of lapachol, indicating the seminal vesicle as a possible target organ.
Research Interests:
The Gingko biloba extract is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of information about its effects on these reproductive phases. Previous studies have shown that G. biloba extract contains components with... more
The Gingko biloba extract is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of information about its effects on these reproductive phases. Previous studies have shown that G. biloba extract contains components with estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities, thus nursing dams treated with the extract of this plant could show reduction in milk production, resulting in malnutrition and poor development of pups. This work analyzes the postnatal development of pups, whose mothers were treated with G. biloba extract during the lactation period. Nursing Wistar rats received 3.5 mg/kg/day of G. biloba aqueous extract, corresponding to the highest human dose. Clinical signs of maternal toxicity were evaluated. The growth rate, viability, survival during treatment and lactation indices of the pups were calculated. The physical, motor and sensorial development of the pups was also evaluated. No maternal signs of toxicity were observed. As there were no biological differences between control and G. biloba treated pups, it is possible to assume that, in this experimental design, the administration of G. biloba aqueous extract to nursing rats during the lactation period seems to be devoid of toxic effect to mothers and to the physical, motor and sensory development of the pups.
Research Interests:
Since the beginning of civilization, herbal medicines have been an important source for human beings to treat their ailments. Despite the large number of synthetic remedies available in the market, the use of plants is seen as a great... more
Since the beginning of civilization, herbal medicines have been an important source for human beings to treat their ailments. Despite the large number of synthetic remedies available in the market, the use of plants is seen as a great challenge in the search for new substances endowed with therapeutic properties. One example is Dioclea grandiflora Mart. ex Benth. (Leguminosae) employed in traditional medicine to treat prostate disorders and kidney stones. This work presents a brief overview of D. grandiflora, including a description of the plant, its chemical composition and pharmacological properties. This review gathers information available in the scientific literature compiled from databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Dr. Dukes Phytochemical and Ethnobotany, Missouri Botanical Garden and The International Plant Names Index. The information found in the literature showed that flavonoids are the major constituents of D. grandiflora that account for most of the pharmacological properties so far disclosed. Several studies have revealed that D. grandiflora possesses antinociceptive, cardiovascular, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Research shows that D. grandiflora is a potential source of compounds pertaining medicinal applications. It provides an interesting subject in the search for new drugs of natural origin.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The acute treatment of mice with an ethanolic extract from the seed pod ofDioclea grandiflora(EDgP) at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg by intraperitoneal administration produced a significant antinociceptive effect as displayed by the... more
The acute treatment of mice with an ethanolic extract from the seed pod ofDioclea grandiflora(EDgP) at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg by intraperitoneal administration produced a significant antinociceptive effect as displayed by the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin test. The antinociception was observed through the first (neurogenic pain) and second (inflammatory pain) phases in the formalin test. The hot plate test did not show an increase in the antinociceptive latency whereas the motor performance was affected by the administration at 300 mg/kg at the beginning (30 minutes) of the observation period but not at later periods (60 and 120 minutes). These results suggest that EDgP has a central antinociceptive action and a possible anti-inflammatory activity in mice.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and... more
Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-...