Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Fernanda M."
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- Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Anthemis nobilisPublication . Pereira, Sara I.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Ferreira, Fernanda M.Introduction: Anthemis nobilis L. (roman chamomille) is an autochthonous plant, very common in North America and in Iberian Peninsula territory. The yellow flower buttons of this plant are widely used in traditional medicine and thus, they are commonly found in herbal stores. Anthemis nobilis L. is used as a potential therapeutic agent for all body illnesses, in particular for fever, inflammatory processes, skin infections and as a tranquilizer (1). In accordance, the main goal of this work was the evaluation of A. nobilis therapeutic potential, with focus on its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Methodology: Aqueous extracts of A. nobilis button flowers were prepared by maceration with water at room temperature during 2 hours or by decoction. Both extracts were analysed by electrospray mass spectrometry in the negative mode and their phenolic content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method (2). Antioxidant activity was evaluated through ABTS radical-scavenging activity (3),TBARS method (4) and red blood cells haemolysis (5). Potential antibacterial action of the two extracts was evaluated as the antibiogram potential, analyzing Staphyllococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth. Results: The aqueous extracts (crude and decoccion) of A. nobilis button flowers showed high antioxidant activity, as evaluated by ABTS, TBARS and haemolysis of red blood cells assays. Moreover, this activity was higher for the decoction extract, in good agreement with its greater phenolic content. As revealed by the mass spectrometry analysis, the potent antioxidant ability of aqueous A. nobilis extracts can result from the presence of quinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives. In opposition, the two aqueous extracts of A. nobilis button flowers showed no inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and E. coli (common Gram+ and Gram- bacteria), thus indicating that this plant is not is not suitable for the treatment of health problems associated to those microorganisms.
- Antioxidant capacity and toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum flower extractsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Dinis, Lia Tânia; Azedo, Pedro; Galhano, Cristina; Cardoso, Susana M.; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Simões, Anabela; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Peixoto, Francisco P.Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous plant, common in Portuguese territory. The yellow flowers are used in traditional medicine, as a potential cure for all body illnesses, mainly for throat irritation treatment or for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia therapy.Despite its traditional use, no toxicological assessment has been performed as we know. A high antioxidant activity of P. tridentatum flower water extract was acessed in good agreement with its ESI-MS spectrum that revealed the presence of several flavonoids, as luteolin-O-(O-acetyl)-glucuronide, luteolin-O- glucuronide or isorhamnetin-O-hexoside. Mitocondrial respiratory rates (state 4, state 3 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and respiratory indexes (respiratory control and P/O ratios) showed no consistent decrease of respiratory and phosphorylative efficiencies for the concentrations tested (up to 500 μg.mL-1). Cytotoxicity evaluation, using MTT assay, was reliable with the previous results. In conclusion, for the concentration range commonly used P. tridentatum flowers usage can be regarded as harmless and trustworthy.
- Effect of a pterospartum tridentatum enriched phenolic extract in mitochondrial bioenergetic functionsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Dinis, Lia Tânia; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Crespí, António; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Cardoso, Susana M.Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal, locally known as ‘carqueija’. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals and leaves are also used as condiment in fresh salads. Despite its traditional use, no evaluation in mitochondrial bioenergetics has been performed. P. tridentatum leaf extract phenolic composition was elucidated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). M. aquatica extract effects were evaluated over mitochondrial membrane potential by using a Clarktype oxygen electrode in the presence of succinate as respiratory substrate. Cytotoxicological effects of plant extracts were evaluated on HepG2 cells throughout MTT assay. The ESI-MS spectrum of P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Yet, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 lg plant extract mg protein _1) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Hence, respiratory control ratios were diminished, indicating a phosphorylative efficiency decrease, due to inner mitochondrial membrane permeability induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract. Nevertheless, P/O ratios were not affected in the range of concentrations tested and cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT assay (50 and 125 ug plant extract) showed no significant decrease over HepG2 cell viability. This dual behaviour reflects the P. tridentatum hormetic effects over mitochondrial activity. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that consumption of P. tridentatum leaves should be regarded as safe and present benefits concerning the modern lifestyles.
- Effect of pterospartum tridentatum enriched phenolic extract in mitochondrial bioenergetic functionsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Dinis, Lia Tânia; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Crespí, António; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Cardoso, Susana M.Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal, locally known as ‘carqueija’. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals and leaves are also used as condiment in fresh salads. Despite its traditional use, no evaluation in mitochondrial bioenergetics has been performed. P. tridentatum leaf extract phenolic composition was elucidated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). M. aquatica extract effects were evaluated over mitochondrial membrane potential by using a Clarktype oxygen electrode in the presence of succinate as respiratory substrate. Cytotoxicological effects of plant extracts were evaluated on HepG2 cells throughout MTT assay. The ESI-MS spectrum of P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Yet, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 lg plant extract mg protein _1) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Hence, respiratory control ratios were diminished, indicating a phosphorylative efficiency decrease, due to inner mitochondrial membrane permeability induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract. Nevertheless, P/O ratios were not affected in the range of concentrations tested and cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT assay (50 and 125 ug plant extract) showed no significant decrease over HepG2 cell viability. This dual behaviour reflects the P. tridentatum hormetic effects over mitochondrial activity. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that consumption of P. tridentatum leaves should be regarded as safe and present benefits concerning the modern lifestyles.
- Mentha aquatica L. extract affects mitochondrial bioenergeticsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Moreno, António J.M.Mentha aquatica extracts are commonly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present work, we evaluated the possible effects of Mentha aquatica L. (water mint) ethanolic extract on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics. Rat liver mitochondria were isolated using conventional protocols. M. aquatica extracts were evaluated on mitochondrial membrane electric potential by using a tetraphenylphosphonium cation (TPP+)-selective electrode, while mitochondrial respiratory activity was evaluated using a Clark-type oxygen electrode, either in the presence of glutamate + malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. Mitochondrial osmotic volume changes were measured by the pseudo-absorbance changes at 520 nm with a suitable spectrophotometer- recorder set up. Incubation of M. aquatica extracts with isolated liver mitochondria resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative phsophorylation, reflected both by a decrease in respiratory parameters (state 3, respiratory control ratio -RCR, uncoupled respiration) and in membrane electric potential. This decrease can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin-7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid), that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane characteristics. Nevertheless, for the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 ug mg protein _1) no significant increase in the inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed. Although decreasing the RCR, the M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the P/O ratio. Nevertheless, for highest concentrations (25 ug mg protein _1 or higher) the inhibitory effect over mitochondrial respiratory chain (as reflected by uncoupled respiration) shows hindrance of mitochondrial respiratory maximal capacity. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of M. aquatica leaves ethanolic extract should be regarded as hazardous, specially concerning high daily dosages.
- Mentha aquatica L. extract affects mitochondrial bioenergeticsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Moreno, António J.M.Mentha aquatica extracts are commonly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present work, we evaluated the possible effects of Mentha aquatica L. (water mint) ethanolic extract on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics. Rat liver mitochondria were isolated using conventional protocols. M. aquatica extracts were evaluated on mitochondrial membrane electric potential by using a tetraphenylphosphonium cation (TPP+)-selective electrode, while mitochondrial respiratory activity was evaluated using a Clark-type oxygen electrode, either in the presence of glutamate + malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. Mitochondrial osmotic volume changes were measured by the pseudo-absorbance changes at 520 nm with a suitable spectrophotometer- recorder set up. Incubation of M. aquatica extracts with isolated liver mitochondria resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative phsophorylation, reflected both by a decrease in respiratory parameters (state 3, respiratory control ratio -RCR, uncoupled respiration) and in membrane electric potential. This decrease can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin-7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid), that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane characteristics. Nevertheless, for the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 ug mg protein _1) no significant increase in the inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed. Although decreasing the RCR, the M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the P/O ratio. Nevertheless, for highest concentrations (25 ug mg protein _1 or higher) the inhibitory effect over mitochondrial respiratory chain (as reflected by uncoupled respiration) shows hindrance of mitochondrial respiratory maximal capacity. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of M. aquatica leaves ethanolic extract should be regarded as hazardous, specially concerning high daily dosages.
- Mentha aquatica L. extract effects on mitochondrial bioenergeticsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Moreno, António J.M.Mentha aquatica (water mint) extracts are regularly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present study, the possible effects of an ethanolic extract from leaves of M. aquatica L. on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics were evaluated. The plant extract (25 μg•mg protein− 1) but not the vehicle, inhibited the mitochondrial oxidative system, as seen by a depression of respiration (state 3, respiratory control ratio (RCR), FCCP-stimulated respiration) and lower generation of the transmembrane electric potential using glutamate + malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. The depressing effects in oxidative phosphorylation can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin-7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid) that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane lipidic moiety. Despite decreasing the RCR, the presence of M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the ADP/O ratio. No significant increase in inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed and induction of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was not altered in the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 μg•mg protein− 1) either. For the highest concentrations tested (25 μg•mg protein− 1 or higher) the inhibition observed on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, as reflected by FCCP-stimulated respiration, revealed that M. aquatica ethanolic extract is toxic for mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, the present study suggests that a high daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous.
- Mentha aquatica L. extract effects on mitochondrial bioenergeticsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Moreno, António J.M.Mentha aquatica (water mint) extracts are regularly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present study, the possible effects of an ethanolic extract from leaves of M. aquatica L. on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics were evaluated. The plant extract (25 μg·mg protein−1) but not the vehicle, inhibited the mitochondrial oxidative system, as seen by a depression of respiration (state 3, respiratory control ratio (RCR), FCCP stimulated respiration) and lower generation of the transmembrane electric potential using glutamate+malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. The depressing effects in oxidative phosphorylation can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin- 7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid) that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane lipidic moiety. Despite decreasing the RCR, the presence of M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the ADP/O ratio. No significant increase in inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed and induction of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was not altered in the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 μg·mg protein−1) either. For the highest concentrations tested (25 μg·mg protein−1 or higher) the inhibition observed on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, as reflected by FCCP-stimulated respiration, revealed that M. aquatica ethanolic extract is toxic for mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, the presente study suggests that a high daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous.
- Polyphenols characterization and toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum leaf extractsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Dinis, Lia Tânia; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Cardoso, Susana M.Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals. Leaves are also used as a condiment in fresh salads and, despite of its traditional use, no toxicological evaluation has been performed. P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract ESI-MS spectrum revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Still, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 µg plant extract.mg-1 protein) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Respiratory control ratio was decreased, indicating a dysfunction in respiratory activity induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract and, in good agreement with the previous results, cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay (50 and 125 µg plant extract.10-6 cells) showed a decrease on HepG2 cell viability. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of P. tridentatum leaves in high amounts or continuously should be regarded as noxious.
- Polyphenols characterization and toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum leaf extractsPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda M.; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Dinis, Lia Tânia; Domingues, Maria R.M.; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Cardoso, Susana M.Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals. Leaves are also used as a condiment in fresh salads and, despite of its traditional use, no toxicological evaluation has been performed. P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract ESI-MS spectrum revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Still, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 µg plant extract.mg-1 protein) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Respiratory control ratio was decreased, indicating a dysfunction in respiratory activity induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract and, in good agreement with the previous results, cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay (50 and 125 µg plant extract.10-6 cells) showed a decrease on HepG2 cell viability. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of P. tridentatum leaves in high amounts or continuously should be regarded as noxious.