Flavia Almeida Santos

Universidade Federal do Ceará | UFC · Faculty of Medicine

Dermatitis is defined as a set of inflammatory diseases that affect the skin, with varied causes. Among the different types of dermatitis, contact dermatitis is the most prevalent. Although the current therapy is often effective, it is associated with adverse effects and the possibility of drug tolerance. N-Methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline...

Methylmercury (MeHg) is highly toxic to the human brain. Although much is known about MeHg neurotoxic effects, less is known about how chronic MeHg affects hippocampal amino acids and other neurochemical markers in adult mice. In this study, we evaluated the MeHg effects on systemic lipids and inflammation, hippocampal oxidative stress, amino acid...

Background and Aims. First-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients are at increased risk of developing gastric cancer. Increased oxidative stress, including lipid peroxidation, has been associated with gastric carcinogenesis. Whether first-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients have increased oxidative stress remains unknown. We aimed to c...

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, especially when methylated, forming methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg affects DNA repair, increases oxidative stress, and predisposes to cancer. MeHg neurotoxicity is well-known, but recently MeHg-associated cardiovascular effects were recognized. This study evaluated circulating lipids, oxid...

This study investigated the acute blockade of endogenous melatonin (MLT) using Luzindole with or without systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and evaluated changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the mouse jejunum. Luzindole is an MT1/MT2 MLT receptor antagonist. Both receptors occur in the small intestine. Swiss mice were tr...

This study investigated the acute blockade of endogenous melatonin (MLT) using Luzindole with or without systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and evaluated changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the mouse jejunum. Luzindole is an MT1/MT2 MLT receptor antagonist. Both receptors occur in the small intestine. Swiss mice were tr...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis, is intrinsically related to obesity. Our previous study reported on the anti-obese activity of a,b-amyrin (AMY), a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Protium heptaphyllum. This study investigated its ability to prevent fatty liver and the underlying me...

Methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication is associated with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. We investigated the efects of MeHg intoxication in atherosclerosis-prone (ApoE-KO) and resistant C57BL/6 mice. Mice were submitted to carotid stenosis surgery (to induce atherosclerosis faster...

Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) due to contaminated fish intake as part of a high-fat (HFD), high-carbohydrate diets is a reality today for many populations. HFD is associated with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, primary cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Some studies suggest that MeHg induces those risk factors. We evaluated the ef...

Background Leishmania braziliensis is prevalent in Latin American countries, including Brazil. It causes cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, leading to high morbidity, and has a low cure rate. Treatment is based on pentavalent antimonials; nonetheless, there are problems related to high toxicity, high cost, and parasitic resistance. Discover...

Inflammation is a physiological process triggered in response to tissue damage, and involves events related to cell recruitment, cytokines release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Failing to control the process duration lead to chronification and may be associated with the development of various pathologies, including autoimmune diseas...

The chemical investigation of the brown alga Dictyota menstrualis provided three previously unreported pre-nylated guaiane diterpenes derivatives named as dictyols K, M and N (1-3), along with five structurally known diterpenoids (4-8). The structures of the new compounds, including their relative stereochemistry, were established by nuclear magnet...

Arthur de Carvalho Drops® (ACD) is a traditional Brazilian herbal medicine used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). ACD is a formulation of herbal extracts from Matricaria recutita (chamomile), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Gentiana lutea L. (gentian). Considering the popular use for FGIDs, the aim of this work was to investig...

Wound healing involves the interaction of blood cells, proteins, proteases, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components. Inflammation is one of the first events occurring during this process. Previously, we showed that the N-Methyl-(2S,4R)-trans-4-Hydroxy-L-Proline (NMP) from Sideroxylon obtusifolium leaves (a Brazilian medicinal species) p...

The gastroprotective property of (−)-myrtenol, a monoterpenoid, has been demonstrated previously against acute gastric ulceration induced by ethanol. However, the healing property of (−)-myrtenol in a chronic gastric ulcer model remains to be verified. This study evaluated its healing efficacy and the mechanism involved using the rat model of chron...

Dietary fiber intake plays an important role in the prevention of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cashew fiber without low molecular weight compounds (CABwc) on obesity prevention and metabolomics in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. Mice were fed a chow diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD) or a high-fat diet supplemented wit...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cashew fiber wheter or not associated with low molecular weight compounds on lipid profile, abdominal adiposity, glycemia and insulinemia and serum concentration of ghrelin and leptin hormones from normal mice. We evaluated the cashew fiber in its integral form (IcF) and the cashew fiber aft...

To characterize the protective effects of the triterpenoid mixture alpha, beta-amyrin (AMY, 20 mg/kg, during 15 days) on the reactivity of isolated aorta of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Male Swiss mice were fed with HFD or normal diet (ND) for 15 weeks. Contractions of thoracic aorta in response to KCl or phenylephrine (PHE) and relaxati...

Moringa oleifera has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. However, few studies have been conducted to relate its antidiabetic properties to proteins. In this study, a leaf protein isolate was obtained from M. oleifera leaves, named Mo-LPI, and the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects on alloxan-induced diabetic mice were assessed. M...

Previous studies have reported on the glucose and lipid-lowering effects of ferulic acid (FA) but its anti-obesity potential has not yet been firmly established. This study investigated the possible anti-obesitogenic effects of FA in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. To assess the antiobesity potential of FA, 32 male Swiss mice, weighing...

Objective: To assess the pre and postoperative systemic inflammatory markers of patients undergoing lung cancer resection (LR). Methods: Prospective study conducted with 48 patients submitted to LR. The patients were assessed before and 1 month after surgery through of fibrinogen, C-reative protein (CRP), pulmonary function tests, 6- minute Walk Te...

Obesity remains a global problem. In search of phytochemicals that have antiobesity potential, this study evaluated α,β-amyrin, a triterpenoid mixture from Protium heptaphyllum, on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Groups of mice (n = 8) were fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet, and were orally treated or not treated with either α,β-amyrin (1...

Objectives: (-)-Myrtenol is a natural fragrance monoterpenoid structurally related to α-pinene found in diverse plant essential oils. This study was aimed to assess the anti-ulcerogenic potential of (-)-myrtenol against ethanol-induced gastric lesions and to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Gastroprotective activity of (-)-myrteno...

Our previous study has shown that mangiferin (MGF), a glucosylxanthone from Mangifera indica, exerts gastrointestinal prokinetic action involving a cholinergic mechanism. Postoperative ileus (POI) is a temporary disturbance in gastrointestinal motility following surgery, and intestinal inflammatory response plays a critical role in the pathogenesis...

Herbal compounds rich in triterpenes are well known to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism and to have beneficial effects on metabolic disorders. The present study investigated the antiobesity properties of resin from Protium heptaphyllum (RPH) and the possible mechanisms in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. Mice treated with RPH showe...

This study aimed to assess the possible systemic antinociceptive activity of mangiferin and to clarify the underlying mechanism, using the acute models of chemical (acetic acid, formalin, and capsaicin) and thermal (hot-plate and tail-flick) nociception in mice. Mangiferin at oral doses of 10 to 100 mg/kg evidenced significant antinociception again...

Aims: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition wherein pro-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and NF-κB signaling play a key role. Currently, no specific therapy exists and treatment is mainly supportive and targeted to prevent local pancreatic injury and systemic inflammatory complications. This study was aimed to examine wheth...

Background: Pentacyclic triterpenes in general exert beneficial effects in metabolic disorders. This study investigated the effects of α, β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpene mixture from the resin of Protium heptaphyllum on blood sugar level and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, and in mice fed on a high-fat di...

To investigate the effects of mangiferin on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) in normal and constipated mice, together with the possible mechanism. Intragastrically-administered charcoal meal was used to measure GIT in overnight starved Swiss mice. In the first experiments, mangiferin (3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, po) or tegaserod (1 mg...

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that mangiferin (MGF), a natural xanthone, by virtue of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties is neuroprotective. Here we sought to verify the cytoprotective role of MGF on cultured rat primary mesencephalic cells exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in vitro, and the MGFs anti-inflammatory po...

Byrsonima sericea leaves are extensively used in folk medicine in Brazil against gastric disorders. This study investigated the chemical constituents of B. sericea leaf ethanolic extract (BSLE) and its potential gastroprotective activity, with its possible mechanism of the action using ethanol to induce gastric mucosal damage in mice. The phytochem...

Folhas de Byrsonima sericea são amplamente utilizadas na medicina popular no Brasil no tratamento de distúrbios gástricos. Este estudo investigou os constituintes químicos do extrato etanólico das folhas de B. sericea (BSLE) e sua atividade gastroprotetora com seus possíveis mecanismos de ação utilizando o modelo de lesão gástrica induzida por etan...

Compounds with dual action on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) may be a treatment option for erectile dysfunction, as they not only promote penile erection but also prevent the upregulation of phosphodiesterase-5. In this study, we examined the possible relaxant effect and mechanism of 17-nor-subincana...

Currently, there is renewed interest in plant-based medicines and functional foods for the prevention and cure of obesity and its associated risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. In the search for potential anti-obesity compounds from natural sources, the effects of ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in medi...

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of α,β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid from Protium heptaphyllum, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. Acute pancreatitis was induced in Swiss mice by five intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg), at 1 h intervals. Mice received α,β-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), thalidomide (200 mg/k...

The diterpene kaurenoic acid (KA) isolated from the oleoresin of Amazonas traditional medicinal plant Copaifera langsdorffii demonstrates interesting biological properties such as the anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hypoglycemic and diuretic effects in vivo and the antimicrobial, smooth muscle relaxant, and cytotoxic actions in vitro. In COX-enzyme...

To study the beneficial effects of triterpene alpha,beta-amyrin and the underlying mechanisms in an experimental pancreatitis model. Acute pancreatitis was induced in five groups of rats (n = 8) by L-arginine (2 x 2.5 g/kg, intraperitoneal, 1 h apart) and 1 h later, they received a single oral dose of alpha,beta-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), methy...

Many plant-derived flavonoids including quercetin exhibit antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress play an important role in acute pancreatitis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. Animal groups were pretreated with quercetin (25, 50,...

trans-Dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN), the diterpenoid from Croton cajucara Bentham, exhibits hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities, but in high doses is associated with a discrete hepatotoxicity. In the search for measures to mitigate this, pretreatment with the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E has been examined. Mice that received a high...

The anti-inflammatory effect of physalin E, a seco-steroid isolated from Physalis angulata L. was evaluated on acute and chronic models of dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and oxazolone, respectively, in mouse ear. The changes in ear edema/thickness, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma)...

Excess visceral adiposity may predispose to chronic diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes with a high risk for coronary artery disease. Adipose tissue secreted cytokines and oxidative stress play an important role in chronic disease progression. To combat adiposity, plant-derived triterpenes are currently receiving much attention as they p...

Validate the popular use of Plectranthus grandis in gastric disorders through the active components. Isolation of barbatusin (BB) and 3beta-hydroxy-3-deoxibarbatusin (BBOH), diterpenes from Plectranthus grandis, and evaluation of their gastroprotective effect and possible mechanisms of action. Isolation and chemical characterization of diterpenes f...

Cashew nut-shell liquid and the contained anacardic acids (AAs) have been shown to possess antioxidant, lipoxygenase inhibitory, anti-Helicobacter pylori and antitumor properties. Despite these known effects, hitherto there were no published reports on their likely gastroprotective effects. The present study was designed to verify whether AAs affor...

In the search for potential antiobese agents from natural sources, this study investigated the effects of betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene from Clusia nemorosa L. (Clusiaceae), in mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Adult male Swiss mice (n = 8) treated or not with BA (50 mg/L, in drinking water) were fed a HFD during 15 weeks. Mice treated...

The effect of lupeol, a natural pentacyclic triterpene on ethanol-induced gastric damage in mice was evaluated. The gastroprotection was assessed by determination of changes in mean gastric lesion area, quantification of mucosal non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH), and characterized using drugs that influence the endogenous prostaglandins, alpha(2)-adr...

Avaliou-se a qualidade microbiologica de cinquenta e seis amostras de queijo tipo "coalho" provenientes de diferentes pontos comerciais de Fortaleza Ceara. Foram quantificadas as bacterias mesofilas, Staphylococcus aureus , coliformes totais e fecais, bolores e leveduras. Verificou-se que em relacao as contagens de coliformes fecais e Staphylococcu...

The diterpene compounds, centipedic acid (CA) and 12-acetoxyhawtriwaic acid lactone (AHAL, tanabalin) isolated from the flower buds of Egletes viscosa LESS. (Asteraceae) were evaluated on acute and chronic models of mouse ear dermatitis. A single topical application of CA (0.125; 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ear) or AHAL (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mg/ear) immediately be...

The effects of alpha,beta-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Protium heptaphylum was investigated on rat model of orofacial pain induced by formalin or capsaicin. Rats were pretreated with alpha,beta-amyrin (10, 30, and 100mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (5mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (3% Tween 80), before formalin (20 microl, 1.5%) or capsaicin (20...

This study was aimed to clarify the mechanisms of gastroprotection by centipedic acid (CPA), a natural diterpene from Egletes viscosa LESS. (Asteraceae) using ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in mice and gastric secretion in 4-h pylorus-ligated rats as model systems. In mice, intragastrically administered CPA (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) greatly reduc...

The effect of Quebrachitol (2-O-methyl-L-inositol), a bioactive component from Magonia glabrata fruit extract was investigated against gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol (96%, 0.2 ml/animal) and indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.), in mice. Quebrachitol at oral doses of 12.5, 25, and 50mg/kg markedly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by etha...

We described earlier that an alkaloid-rich fraction (F(3-5)) from Aspidosperma ulei (Markgr) induces penile erection-like behavioral responses in mice. This study verified a possible relaxant effect of this fraction on isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum (RbCC) strips precontracted by phenylephrine (1 microM) or K+ 60 mM. F(3-5) (1-300 microg ml(-1))...

The gastroprotective effect of DDF (3,6-dimethoxy-6'', 6''-dimethyl-[2'', 3'' : 7,8]-chromeneflavone) from Lonchocarpus araripensis Benth. (Leguminosae) on gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol (96%, 0.2 mL/mouse) and indometacin (30 mg kg(-1), p.o.) in mice was investigated. Intraperitoneally administered DDF at dose levels of 50, 100 and 200...

This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of triterpene alpha, beta-amyrin in rats on acute phase periodontitis. Periodontitis was induced by ligature placement around the maxillary right second molar tooth. Rats (n = 8/group) were pretreated with alpha, beta-amyrin (5 and 10 mg/kg, p. o.), two hours before the induction of p...

We previously described the visceral antinociceptive property of alpha, beta-amyrin in a mouse model of cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide (CPM). This study examined the contribution of vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), peripheral NK1 receptors to CPM-evoked nociceptive behaviors and bladder edema, and its possible modulation by alpha, beta-amyrin. The effect...

The chemical composition of the essential oil from Protium heptaphyllum resin was analyzed by GC/MS and the oil examined for antinociceptive activity in chemical and thermal tests. Fourteen compounds were characterized, representing 95.8% of the total essential oil, with the monoterpenes α-phellandrene (10.4%), α-terpinene (13.7%) and 1,8-cineole (...

Buy Article Permissions and Reprints Correction to Gastroprotective Effect of Mangiferin, a Xanthonoid from Mangifera indica, against Gastric Injury Induced by Ethanol and Indomethacin in RodentsPlanta Med 2007; 73(13): 1372-1376 DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990231 Carvalho ACS et al. Gastroprotective effect of mangiferin, a xanthonoid from Mangifera indi...

In search of novel gastroprotective agents, mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone from Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), was evaluated in mice on gastric injury induced by ethanol and indomethacin. The effects of mangiferin on gastric mucosal damage were assessed by determination of changes in mean gastric lesion area or ulcer score...

Dragon's blood, the red sap from Croton urucurana Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) has a profound history of traditional use in conditions such as inflammation, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal distress. Previous studies established its anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal and analgesic properties and in this study we verified its potential to suppress visceral p...

The anti-inflammatory pentacyclic triterpene, oleanolic acid (OA) was examined on acute nociception induced by intraplantar injection of capsaicin in mice. OA administered orally to mice at 10, 30 and 100 mgkg(-1), significantly attenuated the paw-licking response to capsaicin (1.6 microg/paw) by 53%, 68.5% and 36.6%, respectively. Ruthenium red (3...

The diterpene, 12-acetoxyhawtriwaic acid lactone (AHAL, tanabalin) isolated from the flower buds of Egletes viscosa Less. (Asteraceae) was evaluated on capsaicin-induced ear edema and hindpaw nociception in mice. AHAL (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, P. O.) significantly attenuated the ear edema response to topically applied capsaicin (250 microg), in a dos...

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the search for novel natural substances active against erectile dysfunction. Plants that belong to the genus Aspidosperma (Apocyanaceae) are known to be very rich in indole alkaloids and have an ethnomedical history of use as traditional remedies for erectile dysfunction. This study examined whe...

In the search for novel natural compounds effective against visceral nociception, the triterpenoid mixture alpha- and beta-amyrin, isolated from Protium heptaphyllum resin, was assessed in two established mouse models of visceral nociception. Mice were pretreated orally with alpha- and beta-amyrin (3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle, and the pain...

Many natural terpenoid compounds from plants exhibit antinociceptive property but very few studies have addressed their efficacy in visceral models of nociception. The present study evaluated the antinociceptive potential of oleanolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene in the mouse model of colonic nociception induced by mustard oil. We further examine...

Ketamine is known to improve opioid efficacy, reduce postoperative opioid requirement and oppose opioid associated pain hypersensitivity and tolerance. However, the mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects are not clear. This study investigated the effects of ketamine at a non-analgesic dose (30 mg/kg, i.p.) on analgesia induced by morphine (...

The leaf essential oil from Croton sonderianus (EOCS) was evaluated for antinociceptive activity in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception. Given orally, the essential oil at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin or capsai...

The triterpene mixture, alpha- and beta-amyrin, isolated from Protium heptaphyllum resin was evaluated on capsaicin-evoked nociception in mice. Orally administered alpha- and beta-amyrin (3 to 100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the nociceptive behaviors--evoked by either subplantar (1.6 microg) or intracolonic (149 microg) application of capsaicin...