Browsing by Author "Rodrigues, F."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Evaluation of isoflavone content and cytotoxic activity of two new mexican alfalfa-based foodstuffsPublication . Soto-Zarazúa, M.G.; Rodrigues, F.; Costa, C.; Pimentel, F.; Teixeira, J.P.; Bah, M.; Barreira, F.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of some diseases, being a source of phytoestrogens (mainly isoflavones), with beneficial properties for humans. Furthermore, this plant is widely consumed, either directly ingested as a fresh food or as in the form of derived foodstuffs. Therefore, the comprehensive chemical characterization and the evaluation of different types of bioactivity is of utmost importance.
- Infusions and decoctions of dehydrated fruits of Actinidia arguta and Actinidia deliciosa: Bioactivity, radical scavenging activity and effects on cells viabilityPublication . Silva, A.M.; Pinto, D.; Fernandes, I.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Costa, H.S.; Freitas, V.; Rodrigues, F.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.Actinidia deliciosa and A. arguta fruits (kiwifruit and kiwiberry, respectively) are an excellent source of bioactive compounds. The aim of this paper is to valorize the fruits that are not commercialized (e.g. due to inadequate size or physical damage) in infusions and decoctions. The antioxidant activity, the scavenging activity against reactive species, the phenolic profile and the intestinal effects of infusions and decoctions of dehydrated fruits were evaluated and compared. Decoctions presented the highest antioxidant activity and a good ability to capture HOCl and NO. The phenolic composition of A. arguta present quinic acid, cis-caftaric acid and its derivatives, caffeoyl hexoside, luteolin glucuronide, quercetin derivatives and myristin, while A. deliciosa extracts were characterized by the presence of quinic acid, caffeic acid and its derivatives and caffeoyl hexoside. No adverse effects were observed on Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells. Kiwiberry decoctions showed to be the best option to keep the fruits benefits.
- Rhipicephalus bursa Sialotranscriptomic Response to Blood Feeding and Babesia ovis Infection: Identification of Candidate Protective AntigensPublication . Antunes, S.; Couto, J.; Ferrolho, J.; Rodrigues, F.; Nobre, J.; Santos, A.S.; Santos-Silva, M.M.; de la Fuente, J.; Domingos, A.Ticks are among the most prevalent blood-feeding arthropods, and they act as vectors and reservoirs for numerous pathogens. Sialotranscriptomic characterizations of tick responses to blood feeding and pathogen infections can offer new insights into the molecular interplay occurring at the tick-host-pathogen interface. In the present study, we aimed to identify and characterize Rhipicephalus bursa salivary gland (SG) genes that were differentially expressed in response to blood feeding and Babesia ovis infection. Our experimental approach consisted of RNA sequencing of SG from three different tick samples, fed-infected, fed-uninfected, and unfed-uninfected, for characterization and inter-comparison. Overall, 7,272 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were constructed from unfed-uninfected, 13,819 ESTs from fed-uninfected, and 15,292 ESTs from fed-infected ticks. Two catalogs of transcripts that were differentially expressed in response to blood feeding and B. ovis infection were produced. Four genes coding for a putative vitellogenin-3, lachesin, a glycine rich protein, and a secreted cement protein were selected for RNA interference functional studies. A reduction of 92, 65, and 51% was observed in vitellogenin-3, secreted cement, and lachesin mRNA levels in SG, respectively. The vitellogenin-3 knockdown led to increased tick mortality, with 77% of ticks dying post-infestation. The reduction of the secreted cement protein-mRNA levels resulted in 46% of ticks being incapable of correctly attaching to the host and significantly lower female weights post-feeding in comparison to the control group. The lachesin knockdown resulted in a 70% reduction of the levels associated with B. ovis infection in R. bursa SG and 70% mortality. These results improved our understanding of the role of tick SG genes in Babesia infection/proliferation and tick feeding. Moreover, lachesin, vitellogenin-3, and secreted cement proteins were validated as candidate protective antigens for the development of novel tick and tick-borne disease control measures.
- The phytochemical and bioactivity profiles of wild Calluna vulgaris L. flowersPublication . Rodrigues, F.; Moreira, T.; Pinto, D.; Pimentel, F.B.; Costa, A.; Nunes, M.A.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Costa, H.S.; Palmeira-de-Oliveira, A.; Oliveira, A.I.; Sut, S.; Dall'Acqua, S.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.The nutritional composition of Calluna vulgaris flowers as well as the phytochemical profile, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP assays), antimicrobial and cytotoxic (in human immortalized non-tumorigenic keratinocyte and fibroblasts) activities of aqueous, hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts were evaluated. A high content of fiber and carbohydrates (75%) and the prevalence of α-tocopherol as vitamer deserves attention. Linolenic (35%), linoleic (27%) and palmitic (21%) acids were the most abundant fatty acids. Qualitative and quantitative analysis by LC-MS and 1NMR indicated high levels of quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin derivatives as well as procyanidins. The hydro-alcoholic extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolics (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC). No adverse effects on cells were observed until a concentration of 100 μg/mL and a good antimicrobial activity was reported against S. epidermidis and S. aureus with the hydro-alcoholic extract. The data obtained demonstrated that wild plants like heather, although not being a common nutritional reference, can be used in an alimentary base as a source of bioactive compounds, namely antioxidants.