Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Paulo J."
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- Chemical Characterization and Differential Lipid-Modulating Effects of Selected Plant Extracts from Côa Valley (Portugal) in a Cell Model for Liver SteatosisPublication . Amorim, Ricardo; Marques, Mário Pedro; Melim, Catarina; Varela, Carla; Sardão, Vilma A.; Teixeira, José; Dias, Maria Inês; Barros, Lillian; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Cabral, CéliaCôa Valley, located in the northeast of Portugal, harbors more than 500 medicinal plant species. Among them, four species stand out due to their traditional uses: Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (hemorrhages, urethritis, hepatitis), Rumex scutatus L. subsp. induratus (Boiss. and Reut.) Malag. (inflammation, constipation), Geranium purpureum Vill., and Geranium lucidum L. (pain relief, gastric issues). Given their rich ethnomedicinal history, we evaluated their protective effects on an in vitro model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods: Decoction (D) and hydroalcoholic (EtOH80%) extracts were prepared and chemically characterized. Their safety profile and effects on lipid accumulation were assessed in palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells using resazurin, sulforhodamine B, and Nile Red assays. Results: Chemical analysis revealed diverse phenolic compounds, particularly kaempferol derivatives in E. ramosissimum. All extracts showed minimal cytotoxicity at 25–50 µg/mL. At 100 µg/mL, only E. ramosissimum extracts maintained high cell viability. In the lipotoxicity model, E. ramosissimum decoction demonstrated the most potent effect, significantly reducing PA-induced neutral lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner, while other extracts showed varying degrees of activity. Conclusions: These findings highlight E. ramosissimum’s decoction, rich in kaempferol derivatives, as particularly effective in reducing lipid accumulation in this MASLD cell model while also providing a comprehensive characterization of traditionally used plants from the Côa Valley region.
- Côa Valley’s medicinal plants as potential cosmetic ingredients: cytotoxic and antioxidant assessmentPublication . Marques, Mário Pedro; Landim, Euclides; Varela, Carla; Marques, Joana; Costa, Ricardo M.F. da; Carvalho, Luís A.E. Batista de; Carvalho, Aida; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Cabral, CéliaWhere is located and what is the importance of river Côa Valley? • The river Côa Valley is part of the Guarda District, in the Northeast of Portugal. The Valley comprises an Archeological Park, which is considered “the most important open-air Paleolithic rock art site” in the world, being classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. What are the natural resources’ relevance of this region? • The flora of the Archeologic Park in river Côa Valley comprises approximately 500 to 600 different plant species, some Portuguese and/or Iberian endemic species, according to a botanical survey recently carried out by us. Even though, so far, little is known about the natural endogenous resources of this territory, namely concerning medicinal plants. What is the aim of this investigation? • The main aim is to assess the cytotoxicity in skin fibroblasts (NHDF cell line) and the antioxidant activity through cell-free methods, of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from selected plant species (Figure 1). These extracts are meant to be incorporated into scientific-validated plantbased cosmetic formulations, hence creating an exclusive cosmetic brand for Côa Valley.
- 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.
- Potential noxious effect of mentha aquatica L. 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 (up to 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 or 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 highly daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous.
- Potential noxious effect of mentha aquatica L. 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 (up to 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 or 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 highly daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous.