FCS - Artigos em Revistas Científicas Internacionais com Arbitragem Científica
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- Powdered Calendula officinalis petals incorporated into fresh pasta: nutritional and chemical evaluation before and after processingPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Soares, Thiago F.; Machado, Marlene; Costa, Anabela S. G.; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.The sustainability of the agri-food chain is part of the current agenda through the investigation of alternative sources of ingredients and/or enriched foods. Following the current consumer trends for healthy foods with underlying sustainable principles, this work aimed to develop fortified fresh pasta incorporating powdered calendula petals. A chemical assessment was performed to determine the effect of incorporating calendula petals (5%) on the sensory characteristics (color, flavor, appearance), phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity of fresh and cooked pasta. The incorporation of calendula petals remarkably increased ash (64%), fat (24%), and crude protein (18%). Similarly, there was a considerable increase in total phenolics, total flavonoids, and anthocyanins. As expected, antioxidant activity increased significantly with the addition of calendula in pasta (88%). The sensorial evaluation revealed that pasta with 5% calendula powder was as accepted as the control by the sensory panel. Cooking affected the nutritional and chemical constituents of the pasta. These findings suggest that powdered calendula petals can be employed as a functional food ingredient due to the large increase in protein and minerals, bioactive chemicals, and antioxidant activity, which remains after the integration procedure in typical fresh pasta.
- Cannabis for chronic pain: mechanistic insights and therapeutic challengesPublication . Matos, Carla; Pereira, Ana Teresa; Dias, Maria João; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Carvalho, MárciaChronic pain represents a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, significantly compromising their quality of life. The conventional approach to treating this type of pain often relies on the use of opioid analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. While these agents are effective in the short term, they present several limitations, including the risk of dependence, severe side effects, and, in some cases, ineffectiveness in reducing pain. In this context, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative, given its potential ability to relieve pain effectively with a favorable safety profile. This work aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the existing literature on the effects of medical cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain. Cannabis sativa contains several pharmacologically active compounds, the most prominent of which are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, thereby modulating the pain response. Clinical evidence has shown that cannabinoids can significantly reduce the intensity of chronic pain, particularly in cases of neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other painful conditions that are unresponsive to conventional treatments. However, the full integration of medical cannabis into clinical practice faces significant obstacles, including the need for standardized dosing, long-term safety data, and regulatory frameworks. These issues, alongside concerns over adverse effects and drug interactions, must be addressed to unlock the full therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, particularly for chronic pain patients, who endure both physical suffering and the added burden of stress.
- Potential of portuguese viticulture by-products as natural resources of bioactive compounds—antioxidant and antimicrobial activitiesPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Vilela, Andreia; Ferreira, Joana; Medeiros, R.; Cerqueira, FátimaVitis vinifera is the grape variety used in the production of wine and other products. In the wine production process, many of the vine’s by-products are wasted, namely seeds and stems. Given the proportion of wine production worldwide, the quantity of by-products is beginning to be an environmental problem, making it urgent to take measures for their use to obtain bioactive compounds with health benefits. The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts from the seeds and stems of four Portuguese grape varieties: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Viosinho, and Tinta Roriz. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) contents present in the different extracts were evaluated, as well as the antioxidant activity, by DPPH and FRAP methods. TPC and TFC values of the stem’s extracts are much higher than those of the seeds of the same grape variety in the same solvent. The antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic stem extracts is higher than that obtained for the seeds, showing that antioxidant activity is related to the content of polyphenols. The antimicrobial activity of different stem and seed extracts was determined against yeasts and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and the effect was determined based on the minimal inhibitory concentrations calculated (MIC). In general, the ethanol:water (1:1) extract of the seeds from the different varieties tested inhibited C. albicans ATCC10231 and C. krusei ATCC6258 growth even at 200 μg/mL, and the effect was fungicidal at 200 μg/mL. The same type of extract showed selective antimicrobial activity, inhibiting S. aureus ATCC29213 growth but having no effect against E. coli ATCC25922 even at 200 μg/mL. The effect against S. aureus was bactericidal (at 200 μg/mL) for Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Viosinho. Taking all these results into account, it can be concluded that the by-products of the grape varieties tested are important sources of bioactive products, particularly as antioxidants and antimicrobials.
- High-value compounds in papaya by-products (Carica papaya L. var. Formosa and Aliança): potential sustainable use and exploitationPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; S.G.Costa, Anabela; Espírito Santo, Liliana; Ferreira, Diana Melo; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Pinto, E.; Almeida, Agostinho; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Background: Food waste is a global and growing problem that is gaining traction due to its environmental, ethical, social, and economic repercussions. Between 2022 and 2027, the worldwide papaya market is expected to have a huge increase, meaning a growth in organic waste, including peels and seeds. Thus, this study evaluated the potential use of peels and seeds of two mature papaya fruits as a source of bioactive compounds, converting these by-products into value-added products. Proximate analysis (AOAC methods), mineral content (ICP-MS), free sugars (HPLC-ELSD), fatty acid composition (GC-FID), vitamin E profile (HPLC-DAD-FLD), and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays) were evaluated. Results: Both by-products showed high total protein (20–27%), and dietary fiber (32–38%) contents. Papaya peels presented a high ash content (14–16%), indicating a potential application as a mineral source. 14 fatty acids were detected, with α-linolenic acid (30%) as the most abundant in the peels and oleic acid (74%) in the seeds. Both by-products showed high antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Papaya by-products display great potential for industrial recovery and application, such as formulation of new functional food ingredients.
- Bioactive compounds and scavenging capacity of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab fruit) pulp extracts against ROS and RNS of physiological relevancePublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Costa, Anabela S.G.; Pimentel, Filipa B.; Santo, Liliana Espírito; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Freitas, Marisa; Fernandes, Eduarda; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Background: Baobab fruit is valued for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Although it is acknowledged that baobab pulp is beneficial for health, studies that link its nutraceutical properties to the ability to eliminate reactive species (ROS and RNS) are scarce. Methods: The nutritional profile and the antioxidant properties of baobab pulp extracts from Angola were evaluated. Thus, for the first time, the evaluation of in vitro scavenging capacity against the most physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were the focus of inves tigation. Results: Angolan fruit pulp presented high contents of ash (8.0%) and total dietary fiber (52%). Vitamin E content was reported for the first time in fruit pulp. Green solvents were used to quantify bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited the high est contents of phenolics (1573.0 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (768.7 mg/100 g). Thus, hydroalcoholic extracts showed higher antioxidant activity, and higher scavenging capacity for ROS (O2•−, H2O2, HOCl, ROO•) and RNS (•NO, ONOO−), being most active for •NO and ONOO−. Conclusion: For the first time, Angolan baobab fruit was described in respect to its nutritional contribution as well as its positive antioxidant effects, both as a functional food and as a nutraceutical ingredient.
- Invasive plants as a sustainable source of biomolecules against neurodegenerative diseasesPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Soares, Marta De OliveiraThe development of neurodegenerative diseases is strongly related to oxidative stress, due to an imbalance in cellular metabolism. There are currently different therapies available to treat these diseases, although they are often not curative and/or have adverse effects. In view of the above, it is necessary to find complementary and/or alternative medicines that replace current treatments, showing fewer side effects. Secondarymetabolites synthesized by invasive plants, specifically phenolic compounds, have a great capacity to suppress oxidative stress, neutralizing free radicals. Thus, these compounds can be used as alternative pharmacological treatments for pathological conditions associated with increased oxidative stress. Currently, invasive species are considered one of the greatest threats to the preservation of biodiversity in the world, causing negativeimpacts at both an environmental and socioeconomic level. Therefore, it is imperative that measures are implemented to control and manage them, ensuring a balanced ecosystem and, at the same time, promoting a sustainable economy. The use of extraction of bioactive compounds from these plants and possible applications in the field of medicine are a futuristic strategy, aiming to implement the 2030 Agenda and some of the sustainable development objectives.
- Berries of shrimp (Corema album): biological properties and future functionalitiesPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Soares, Marta De OliveiraEdible wild plants are part of the ethnobotanical and gastronomic heritage of different geographical areas, often recognized as a local gastronomic tradition. Corema album L. is an endemic species of the dune systems of the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. This plant, especially the fruit, has aroused growing interest, not only for its nutritional value and organoleptic characteristics but also as a way of diversifying eating habits and promoting biodiversity and ecological sustainability. Like other fruits with similar morphology, the Corema album berry is rich in polyphenols, which have recognized biological activities. The use of natural products for the development of new compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity is becoming increasingly imperative,both for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. In view of the above, this article aims to report the importance of shrimp berries as a sustainable food alternative and/or a plant with extractable active ingredients for future incorporation into pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
- Editorial on special issue “Lipid nanosystems for local drug delivery”Publication . Catita, José; Lopes, Carla Martins
- Personalised esomeprazole and ondansetron 3D printing formulations in Hospital Paediatric Environment: I-pre-formulation studiesPublication . Ferreira, Mariana; Lopes, Carla Martins; Gonçalves, Hugo; Pinto, João F.; Catita, JoséIndividualised medicine demands the formulation of pharmacotherapy in accordance with the characteristics of each patient’s health condition, and paediatrics is one of the areas that needs this approach. The 3D printing of oral doses is one method for achieving customised medicine in paediatrics. In this work, pre-formulation studies were conducted to evaluate the viability of using specific raw materials to produce 3D printed dosage forms based on two active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), ondansetron and esomeprazole, which are important for therapeutic customisation in paediatrics. Pre-formulation studies were carried out by characterising the physical and chemical properties of selected raw materials, selected APIs and their mixtures, using analytical methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (X-RPD), simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The flowability of powders, compatibility and stability studies were also performed. Among all the ingredients selected, the PVPs (K17, K25 and K90) had the best characteristics to incorporate both forms of Esomeprazole Mg in a formulation to produce extrudates. The results obtained validated the use of some selected raw materials for tablet manufacture by the 3D printing approach.
- Surface-modified lipid nanocarriers for crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB): a current overview of active targeting in brain diseasesPublication . Teixeira, Maria Inês; Lopes, Carla Martins; Amaral, Maria Helena; Costa, Paulo C.The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts the access of therapeutic agents to the brain, complicating the treatment of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), glioma, etc. To overcome this limitation and improve drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), the potential of nanocarriers, including lipid-based nanosystems, has been explored. Through active targeting, the surface of the nanocarriers can be modified with ligands that interact with the BBB, enhancing their uptake and penetration across the brain endothelium by different physiological mechanisms, such as receptor- or transporter-mediated transcytosis. This review seeks to provide an overview of active targeting in brain delivery, while highlighting the potential of functionalized lipid nanocarriers to treat brain diseases. Therefore, in the first sections, we discuss the importance of active targeting in CNS drug delivery, present the different ligands commonly used for functionalization, as well as summarize the state of the art of the most recent and relevant studies of surface-modified lipid nanosystems developed for neurological disorders. Lastly, challenges hindering clinical translation are discussed, and critical insights and future perspectives outlined. Although some limitations have been identified, it is expected that in the upcoming years these nanosystems will be an established approach.