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Browsing by Author "Rosa, Eduardo"

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  • Administration of Castanea sativa flowers extract in Wistar rats
    Publication . Nascimento-Gonçalves, Elisabete; Seixas, Fernanda; Fardilha, Margarida; Ferreira, Rita; Neuparth, Maria João; Rocha, Ana Isabel Faustino; Rosa, Eduardo; Bruno Jorge; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, Paula A.
    Castanea sativa Mill. flowers (CF) are reported by ancestral claims as having health benefits like mucolytic, antispasmodic and anti-dysenteric properties and, in vitro studies showed anticancer properties against breast, colon, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas [1]. The aim of this work was to study the effect of chestnut flowers (CF) extract on rat’s physiological parameters. Fifteen male Wistar Unilever rats were randomly divided into two groups: untreated control, n=10, and CF group, n=5. Animals from CF group were exposed to the chestnut flowers extract in drinking water (20 mg/animal/day) for 49 weeks. Body weight, food and drink consumption were measured weekly. At necropsy, all organs were collected, weighed and liver and kidney were processed for histological analysis. Animals from CF group showed a mean final body weight and a food consumption higher than untreated animals (p>0.05). Animals from CF group showed lower consumption of water (p=0.000). Relative mean liver weight from animals treated with CF was higher than untreated animals (p=0.026) and presented more liver degeneration. However, liver inflammatory infiltrate was reduced (p=0.026) in animals exposed to CF extract. There were no significant differences in relative mean kidney weight among groups. Untreated animals developed 50% of discrete proteinuria and CF treated animals developed 20%. Serum levels of albumin, total protein, glucose and alanine aminotransferase did not show significant differences between experimental groups. These results suggest that chestnut flowers extract was well tolerated by the animals, did not cause hepatic and kidney toxicity and had no effect on biochemical profile. Further studies are necessary to evaluate in vivo, the effect of different CF doses and evaluate the respective potential use.
    2019Conference object Open access Show more
  • Antibacterial screening of active ethanolic fractions of Urtia dioica L. against pathogenic bacteria from gastrointestinal and respiratory tract
    Publication . Aires, Alfredo; Dias, Carla; Zenão, S.; Rosa, Eduardo; Fernandes, Conceição; Saavedra, Maria José
    Medicinal plants are largely explored source of drug repository. Although a huge number of antibiotics are available for treatment of microbial infections, development of resistance mechanism against antibiotics is nowadays a major health concern. Therefore the needs of discover new antimicrobial compounds with high safety index is always recurrent and medicinal plants have great potential for providing novel drug leads with novel mechanism of action. Historically, this plants have always been a source of inspiration for new drug compounds. In this context we evaluate the antimicrobial potential of various extracts (produced by a partial purification in a silica gel column) of Urtica dioica L (stinging nettle) (Urticaceae) collected from Vila Real region (Portugal), against 10 different bacteria isolates collected from clinical patients (gastrointestinal segments and respiratory tract), namely 4 Gram positive [2 Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococus aureus (MSSA), Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterococcus faecalis]and 5 Gram negative[Salmonella thyphi, Echerichia coli, Klebsiela pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis]. The current study represents the investigation of antimicrobial activity of U. dioica from four fractions (Hexane, Ethyl-acetate, ethanol and water) that were prepared using sequential fractionating method by column chromatography. The antibacterial activity was assessed by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The phytochemical composition of U. dioica fractions were assessed by HPLC-UV-DAD. Our results showed that only ethanolic fractions had antibacterial activity but only in S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA), S. saprophyticus and E. faecallis isolates. Thus, only the Gram positives were affected by U.doica extracts. The inhibition zone diameter halos ranges from 0 to 23 mm and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were6.25 mg.mL-1 for MRSA isolates and 0.78 mg.mL-1 for S. saprophyticus and E. faecalis. Our results show a direct association between the antibacterial activities and high content of phytochemicals detected in the ethanolic fractions particularly with phenolic acids (chlorogenic and ferulic acids) and flavonols (rutin, isoquercetin and quercetin isomers). Our observations suggest the importance of ethnomedicinal use of U. dioica, which could be used by the pharmaceutical industry as source of a natural antimicrobial agents and antioxidant compounds.
    2013Conference poster Open access Show more
  • Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA): bioactive compounds potencial
    Publication . Ballem, Andressa; Fernandes, Conceição; Zenão, S.; Gaspar, João; Carvalho, E.; Carvalho, J.A.; Aires, Alfredo; Rosa, Eduardo; Saavedra, Maria José
    Hospital infections in diabetic patients are associated with Staphylococcus aureus, including S. aureus resistant to methicillin (MRSA). Besides their increase incidence, MRSA is considered one of the main pathogens causing nosocomial infections and, furthermore, many of these MRSA isolates are becoming multidrug resistant, constituting a public health problem. As a consequence, there is an increase for the search of alternatives to antibiotics, either by synthesis of new compounds or by the research for natural products with antibacterial properties. In this context, this work investigated the antibacterial effect of natural compounds present in plants (Urtica dioica L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill) in several Gram-positive isolates, collected from diabetic foot ulcers, namely Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Different plant extracts (extraction in ethanol, acetone and water) were tested and the antibacterial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion assay method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs), minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) and growth rate (µ). Spectrophotometry methods were used to assess the total phenolic content and HPLC-DAD/VIS method was used to identify and quantify the phytochemicals present in the plant extracts. Best antibacterial activity against both MRSA and MSSA was observed with the ethanolic extracts, reaching an effectiveness of 100%, in relation to the antibiotic gentamicin. For both plant extracts, the effect on bacterial growth rate was predominantly bacteriostatic. These findings indicate a potential of these plant extracts as a natural product with antimicrobial activity. Their use in formulations, alone or with synergistic effect with conventional antibiotics could be an alternative to limit the infections of these bacteria.
    2017Conference object Open access Show more
  • Avaliação in vivo dos efeitos fisiológicos resultantes da exposição à tília
    Publication . Macedo, Sara; Borges, Inês; Nogueira, António José M.; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Neuparth, Maria João; Pires, Maria João; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Medeiros, Rui; Costa, Rui Miguel Gil; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.
    O Papiloma Vírus Humano (HPV) é responsável pelo desenvolvimento do carcinoma do colo do útero, estando ainda associado a outros carcinomas. Para compreender melhor os mecanismos associados às infeções causadas por este vírus e estudar novas terapias foi desenvolvido um modelo transgénico de murganho: K14HPV16. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da administração oral do extrato hidroetanólico (80:20, v/v) de tília (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) em murganhos machos e fêmeas K14HPV16 e wild type. Utilizaram-se 43 animais divididos em grupos de machos e fêmeas. Cada um destes grupos foi ainda dividido em dois grupos de animais K14HPV16 com e sem exposição oral à tília (4,5 mg/animal, calculado com base em trabalhos prévios feitos in vitro) e dois grupos de animais wild type com e sem tratamento. O extrato hidroetanólico foi caracterizado por HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS quanto ao perfil em compostos fenólicos e a sua estabilidade foi estudada ao longo de 5 dias consecutivos. (-)-Epicatequina, quercetina-3-O-glucósido e ácido protocatéquico, foram os compostos fenólicos maioritários identificados no extrato, estáveis durante 5 dias. Durante o ensaio experimental, com duração de 33 dias, foi registado o consumo de água, e as massas corporais individuais e consumo de comida. No final do ensaio todos os animais foram sacrificados, tendo sido recolhido sangue, para estudo bioquímico e danos oxidativos pelo ensaio dos cometas. Observou-se que o extrato de tília não provocou alterações no aspeto dos animais nem na média da massa corporal. O consumo médio de alimento foi idêntico entre grupos, os murganhos K14HPV16 consumiram mais água. Os parâmetros bioquímicos avaliados (creatinina, ureia, alanina aminotransferase e aspartato aminotransferase) não apresentaram diferenças entre grupos. Através do ensaio dos cometas não foram registados danos oxidativos entre grupos. No geral, conclui-se que a concentração de tília utilizada não apresentou efeitos adversos neste modelo animal.
    2019Conference object Open access Show more
  • Bioactive properties of Sanguisorba minor L. cultivated in central Greece under different fertilization regimes
    Publication . Finimundy, Tiane C.; Karkanis, Anestis; Fernandes, Ângela; Petropoulos, Spyridon Α.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Petrović, Jovana; Soković, Marina; Rosa, Eduardo; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.
    In this study, the chemical characterization and bioactive properties of S. minor cultivated under different fertilization rates (control, half rate and full rate) were evaluated. Twenty-two phenolic compounds were identified, including five phenolic acids, seven flavonoids and ten tannins. Hydrolysable tannins were prevalent, namely Sanguiin H-10, especially in leaves without fertilization (control). Roots of full-rate fertilizer (660 Kg/ha) presented the highest flavonoid content, mainly catechin and its isomers, whereas half-rate fertilizer (330 Kg/ha), presented the highest content of total phenolic compounds, due to the higher amount of ellagitannins (lambertianin C: 84 ± 1 mg/g of dry extract). Antimicrobial activities were also promising, especially against Salmonella typhimurium (MBC = 0.44 mg/mL). Moreover, root samples revealed activity against all tested cell lines regardless of fertilization rate, whereas leaves were effective only against HeLa cell line. In conclusion, S. minor could be a source of natural bioactive compounds, while fertilization could increase phenolic compounds content.
    2020Journal article Open access Show more
  • Caracterização fenólica e nutricional das infusões de cinco plantas aromáticas e suas propriedades bioativas
    Publication . Caleja, Cristina; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Pereira, Carla; Barros, Lillian; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Soković, Marina; Ivanov, Marija; Carvalho, Ana Maria; Rosa, Eduardo; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.
    As infusões de plantas são aplicadas há séculos na medicina popular para fins medicinais e nutricionais [1]. Devido à sua importância económica e elevado consumo, tem-se verificado um crescente interesse não só pela sua composição química como também pelas suas diversas propriedades bioativas [2]. Neste estudo, foram selecionadas cinco espécies de plantas aromáticas: Erica australis L., Genista tridentata L., Melissa officinalis, L., Mentha spicata L. e Prunella vulgaris L. Foram preparadas infusões de cada planta e analisadas quanto à sua composição fenólica (HPLC/DAD-ESI/MS) e propriedades bioativas. Para a atividade antioxidante foram utilizados métodos que avaliam a inibição da pero xidação lipídica (TBARS) e da hemólise oxidativa (OxHLIA). A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pelo método de microdiluição em placa utilizando bactérias Gram + (Bacillus cereus e Listeria monocytogenes) e Gram - (Escherichia coli e Salmonela typhimurium) e fungos (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium funiculosum e Penicillium verrucosum). A atividade citotóxica foi testada usando o método colorimétrico da sulforrodamina B em diferentes linhas celulares tumorais MCF-7 (adenocarcinoma da mama), NCI-H460 (carcinoma de pulmão), HeLa (carcinoma cervical), HepG2 (carcinoma hepatocelular) e numa cultura primária de células não tumorais (PLP2); para a atividade anti-inflamatória utilizou-se a linha de macrófagos RAW 246.7. Foram identificados 52 compostos fenólicos, sendo que o composto maioritário nas infusões de M. officinalis, M. spicata e P. vulgaris foi o ácido rosmarínico, enquanto na de E. australis os mais abundantes foram os derivados de flavonoides identificados como quercetina e genisteína. As infusões de P. vulgaris e M. officinalis apresentaram os melhores resultados nos ensaios TBARS (IC50 de 4,2±0,04 μg/mL) e OxHLIA (IC50 de 24,8±0,3 μg/mL), respetivamente. Nenhuma das infusões mostrou hepatotoxicidade em células não-tumorais (GI50>400 μg/mL). A infusão de M. spicata apresentou os melhores resultados de citotoxicidade contra a linha celular MCF-7 (GI50 de 283±10 μg/mL) e de atividade antimicrobiana, em especial contra a Salmonela typhimurium (MIC de 0,25 mg/mL) e os fungos Aspergillus versicolor (MIC de 0,25 mg/mL) e Penicillium verrucosum (MIC de 0,25 mg/mL), sendo a única planta a apresentar atividade anti-inflamatória (GI50 de 324±5 μg/mL). Este trabalho demonstrou o potencial das infusões destas plantas, ricas em compostos fenólicos com propriedades bioativas, para futura aplicação em diferentes sectores industriais.
    2019Conference object Open access Show more
  • Challenges of traditional herbal teas: Plant infusions and their mixtures with bioactive properties
    Publication . Caleja, Cristina; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Pereira, Carla; Barros, Lillian; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Soković, Marina; Ivanov, Marija; Carvalho, Ana Maria; Rosa, Eduardo; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.
    In order to characterize and study the bioactivities of individual plant species and to determine how these characteristics are modified when preparing blends, five different plant species were selected: Erica australis L., Genista tridentata L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha spicata L., and Prunella vulgaris L. Infusions prepared from each plant species and from three selected mixtures were analyzed in terms of nutritional values, phenolic compositions, and bioactive properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities). The major compound detected in M. officinalis, M. spicata, and P. vulgaris infusions was rosmarinic acid, whilst in E. australis and G. tridentata flavonoid derivatives such as quercetin and genistein were identified. P. vulgaris and M. officinalis presented the best results in TBARS and OxHLIA assays, respectively. M. spicata and all mixtures presented anti-inflammatory activity. M. spicata showed the best cytotoxic properties and antimicrobial activity, and none of the infusions showed hepatotoxicity for non-tumour cells.
    2019Journal article Open access Show more
  • Dietary supplementation with chestnut (Castanea sativa) reduces abdominal adiposity in FVB/n mice: a preliminary study
    Publication . Rodrigues, Pedro M.; Ferreira, Tiago; Nascimento-Gonçalves, Elisabete; Seixas, Fernanda; Costa, Rui Miguel Gil; Martins, Tânia; Neuparth, Maria João; Pires, Maria João; Lanzarin, Germano; Félix, Luís; Venâncio, Carlos; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Medeiros, Rui; Gaivão, Isabel; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.
    The production of chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) is mostly concentrated in Europe. Chestnut is recognized by its high content of antioxidants and phytosterols. This work aimed to evaluate the e ects of dietary chestnut consumption over physiological variables of FVB/n mice. Eighteen FVB/n male 7-month-old mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 6): 1 (control group) fed a standard diet; 2 fed a diet supplemented with 0.55% (w/w) chestnut; and 3 supplemented with 1.1% (w/w) chestnut. Body weight, water, and food intake were recorded weekly. Following 35 days of supplementation, the mice were sacrificed for the collection of biological samples. Chestnut supplementation at 1.1% reduced abdominal adipose tissue. Lower serum cholesterol was also observed in animals supplemented with chestnut. There were no significant di erences concerning the incidence of histological lesions nor in biochemical markers of hepatic damage and oxidative stress. These results suggest that chestnut supplementation may contribute to regulate adipose tissue deposition.
    2020Journal article Open access Show more
  • Ganoderma Lucidum effects in an animal model of obesity
    Publication . Castro-Ribeiro, Catarina; Silva-Reis, Rita; Mendes-Gonçalves, Mariana; Ferreira, Tiago; Taofiq, Oludemi; Barros, Lillian; Martins, Tânia; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Pires, Maria João; Pinto, M.L.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Venâncio, Carlos; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.
    Obesity is a pandemic disease, and its evolution can be influenced by regular consumption of natural bioactive compounds. Mushrooms, such as Ganoderma lucidum (GL), include a wide variety of biomolecules with potential anti-obesity effects. This work aimed to study the influence of GL in an animal model of obesity. Forty-eight male mice (C57BL/6J) were divided into 5 groups: Group (G)-1-Western Control Diet; G-2-Western Diet 0.2% Cholesterol (WDC); G-3-WDC+0.7g/kg of GL; G-4-WDC+1.4g/ kg of GL; G-5 WDC+2.8g/kg of GL. Water and food consumption were recorded weekly. Animals were weighed individually, and their temperature was measured on the back and abdomen (thermographic camera FLIRE6390). Thirteen weeks later, animals were sacrificed, and organs collected. A liver portion was used for histopathology analysis (ethical approval nº 8776). Chemical characterization of the GL extract was profiled by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Ganoderic acid H and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main triterpenic and phenolic acids in the extract, respectively. Food and water consumption were no different among groups. All animals showed weight gain (11-16%): animals without GL supplementation showed the highest weight gain (G2 and G1, respectively); the groups with GL showed the lowest weight gain, which decreased as the mushroom concentration increased. Basal and final body temperatures remained constant. Liver weight was different among groups (p<0.05). Microvesicular (39/47; 83%) and macrovesicular fatty changes (steatosis) were the most frequent morphological changes in the liver. Hyperlipidemic diets consumption promoted weight gain and obesity. The higher weight gain in the groups not supplemented with GL suggested its anti-obesity properties. In this study, animals developed steatosis, which was not modified by GL supplementation. However, it should be noticed that the changes in lipid metabolism are reversible, and the differences observed in the liver relative weights, lower in the groups supplemented with GL, suggested an ongoing process of restoring to normal hepatocyte’s phenotype.
    2021Conference object Open access Show more
  • Ganoderma lucidum in an animal model of obesity: preliminary results
    Publication . Martins, Tiago; Castro-Ribeiro, Catarina; Silva-Reis, Rita; Mendes-Gonçalves, Mariana; Taofiq, Oludemi; Barros, Lillian; Pires, Maria João; Pinto, M.L.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Venâncio, Carlos; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.
    Obesity is an emerging health problem worldwide. Hypercaloric or hyperlipidemic diets have been used as models of obesity induction in laboratory animals. Obesity can be influenced by regular consumption of natural bioactive compounds. Mushrooms, such as Ganoderma lucidum (GL), have been used in the human diet since ancient times and include a wide variety of biomolecules with medicinal properties. The main objective of this work was to study the effects of G. lucidum in an animal model of obesity.
    2021Conference object Open access Show more