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Projeto de investigação
Institute for Health and Bioeconomy
Financiador
Autores
Publicações
Application of curcuminoids in inflammatory, neurodegenerative and aging conditions - Pharmacological potential and bioengineering approaches to improve efficiency
Publication . Lagoa, Ricardo; Rajan, Logesh; Violante, Cristiana; Babiaka, Smith B.; Marques da Silva, Dorinda; Kapoor, Bhupinder; Reis, Flávio; Atanasov, Atanas G.
Curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, has shown promise in treating brain-related diseases and conditions associated with aging. Curcumin has shown multiple anti-inflammatory and brain-protective effects, but its clinical use is limited by challenges like poor absorption, specificity and delivery to the right tissues.
A range of contemporary approaches at the intersection with bioengineering and systems biology are being explored to address these challenges. Data from preclinical and human studies highlight various neuroprotective actions of curcumin, including the inhibition of neuroinflammation, modulation of critical cellular signaling pathways, promotion of neurogenesis, and regulation of dopamine levels. However, curcumin’s multifaceted
effects - such as its impact on microRNAs and senescence markers - suggest novel therapeutic targets in neurodegeneration. Tetrahydrocurcumin, a primary metabolite of curcumin, also shows potential due to its presence in circulation and its anti-inflammatory properties, although further research is needed to elucidate its neuroprotective mechanisms.
Recent advancements in delivery systems, particularly brain-targeting nanocarriers like polymersomes, micelles,
and liposomes, have shown promise in enhancing curcumin’s bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, the exploration of drug-laden scaffolds and dermal delivery may extend the pharmacological applications of curcumin. Studies reviewed here indicate that engineered dermal formulations and devices could serve as viable alternatives for neuroprotective treatments and to manage skin or musculoskeletal inflammation. This work highlights the need for carefully designed, long-term studies to better understand how curcumin and its bioactive metabolites work, their safety, and their effectiveness.
Use of Lipid Vesicles for Revealing the Potential Contribution of Cytochrome C in the Metabolism of Environmental Toxicants
Publication . Lopes, João M.; Marques-da-Silva, Dorinda; Videira, Paula A.; Lagoa, Ricardo
Cytochrome c (Cc) is well-known as an electron carrier at mitochondria but can also catalyze peroxidase-like reactions. Although the reported catalytic abilities are low, the role of Cc in transforming environmental toxicants requires additional studies. We employed cardiolipin vesicles to stimulate the enzymatic activity of Cc and tested the catalytic system towards the dye methyl orange and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. The results showed that cardiolipin-containing vesicles promoted dye decolorization and the oxidation of both PAHs by Cc, indicating that lipid membranes can be useful to further investigate Cc–mediated metabolism of toxicants.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response of Skin Fibroblasts Exposed to Chlorpyrifos
Publication . Silva, Zélia; Almeida, Danielle; Marques-da-Silva, Dorinda; Lagoa, Ricardo; Videira, Paula A.
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used insecticide. The aim of this work was to study the effect of CPF in skin fibroblasts exposed to concentrations detected in human skin and unleash underlying cellular mechanisms. Fibroblasts were exposed to different concentrations (0.36–250 µM) of CPF pure alone or in a commercial CPF mixture (Lethal 20) for 6 days. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to 250 µM of CPF pure and 125 µM of Lethal 20 caused a significant loss of the fibroblast´s viability. Moreover, the toxicity of this pesticide in fibroblasts is evidenced by the induction of oxidative stress and stimulation of the production of interleukin (IL)-6.
Unidades organizacionais
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Innovative Diagnostics, Therapies and Devices,Tools for Drug Discovery & Development Pipeline,Human Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance,Bioprocesses & Circular Economy, Exact and natural sciences
Contribuidores
Financiadores
Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Concurso para Atribuição do Estatuto e Financiamento de Laboratórios Associados (LA)
Concurso para Atribuição do Estatuto e Financiamento de Laboratórios Associados (LA)
Número da atribuição
LA/P/0140/2020