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- 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.
- Invasive plants and their possible applications - phytochemical profile and biological properties: a reviewPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Moutinho, Carla; Matos, CarlaInvasive species are distinguished by their simplicity in reproductive and ability to adapt to adverse environments. Biological invasion has been identified as the primary driver of global change, responsible for biotic interchange and, as a result, habitat homogenization. It is well recognized that invasive species have been one of the primary causes of native species loss in recent centuries, affecting the natural ecosystem of each geographic area. Furthermore, the number of invasive species is fast increasing in all countries and taxonomic groupings, thus it is critical to implement more effective measures than those that have been used, which may include their phytochemical evaluation and, biological activities for future applications in phytotherapy and pharmacy. This review intends to show the phytochemical potential of three known invasive species, commonly present in the Portuguese maritime coastal zones, specifically, Agave americana, Carpobrotus edulis and Arundo donax. This study can be extended to other similar situations involving invasive species from other countries with the goal to enhance the efficiency of potential future projections for these species, particularly on the phytotherapeutic and pharmaceutical levels. Technological and scientific comprehension of these species' chemical and biological qualities will serve improve the efficiency of the management strategies will be implemented, emphasizing a sustainable economy.
- Biochemical changes in cardiovascular diseasesPublication . Moutinho, Carla; Matos, Carla; Silva, Carla Sousa e
- Suplementos de cálcio: quem e comoPublication . Ribeiro, Afonso; Azevedo, Catarina; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Moutinho, Carla; Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Matos, CarlaO cálcio desempenha um papel fundamental na formação óssea, na regulação da contração muscular, na transmissão de impulsos nervosos e na secreção hormonal. A adequada concentração deste elemento no organismo é fundamental para a homeostasia em todas as fases da vida do ser humano. No metabolismo do cálcio, a vitamina D tem um contributo essencial para a absorção deste mineral e para a sua deposição óssea. De acordo com os valores de Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), a quantidade de cálcio que deve ser ingerida diariamente consegue ser obtida através de uma dieta equilibrada com fontes alimentares ricas em cálcio, como laticínios, hortofrutícolas, leguminosas, peixe e ovos. Contudo, sempre que tal não se possa verificar, a suplementação é uma alternativa a considerar. Este artigo de revisão bibliográfica tem como objetivo principal indicar os grupos que poderão necessitar de suplementação e os riscos que o excesso da ingestão de cálcio poderá trazer. De facto, atualmente a indústria farmacêutica disponibiliza variadas fórmulas farmacêuticas que têm compostos à base de cálcio como substância ativa, podendo ser usados na prevenção e tratamento de diversas patologias, que geralmente estão relacionadas com a carência do mesmo na alimentação diária. Incluem-se aqui suplementos para grupos de risco de insuficiência em cálcio, assim como fármacos para doenças como osteoporose, raquitismo ou osteomalacia. Os suplementos de cálcio mais usados são o carbonato de cálcio e o citrato de cálcio. É de notar que existem interações entre o cálcio e alguns alimentos ou medicamentos.
- A new approach on carotenoids: classification; bioavailability and further industrial applicationsPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Moutinho, Carla; Matos, Carla; Espírito-Santo, Liliana; SG Costa, Anabela; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids that have been related to a number of health benefits. Their presence in foods, dietary intake and circulating levels have been associated with a reduced incidence of obesity, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even lower total mortality. In this review, several considerations for their safe and sustainable use in foods mostly intended for health promotion are provided. Specifically, information about biosynthesis, sources, ingestion, and factors affecting their bioavailability is summarized. Furthermore, their health-promoting actions and their importance in public health regarding their contribution to reduce the risk of several deseases are synthesized. Also, in this review is emphasized carotenoids benefits as potential strategy for nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industrial applications.This study also addressed the significant obstacles as well as the synergistic factors that interfere with the bioavailability and consequent biological functions of carotenoids. Finally, this review enhances the use of carotenoids as functional compounds in different industries.
- Valorization of watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus) byproducts: phytochemical and biofunctional properties with emphasis on recent trends and advancesPublication . Vinhas, Ana S.; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Matos, Carla; Moutinho, Carla; Ferreira da Vinha, AnaWatermelon (Citrullus lanatus) a fruit crop, is an herbaceous creeping plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical plant, mainly propagated by seeds and thrives best in warm areas. While the fruit pulp is consumed, seeds are often discarded. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at 85 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value‐added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio‐economy perspective. Given the ever‐increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio‐refinery approach, that is, zero waste concepts is therefore most important. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts, more specifically in watermelon seeds and their content in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids. Moreover, the bioactivity of the different types of phytochemicals and their possible application as a resource for different sectors (food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences) is discussed. Consequently, this review presents the concepts of tropical fruit byproducts recovery, and the potential applications of the isolated fractions.
- Aspetos nutricionais e propriedades biológicas das sementes de papoila e de quinoaPublication . Ferreira da Vinha, Ana; Silva, Carla Sousa e; Matos, Carla; Moutinho, CarlaA dieta alimentar permite ao indivíduo consumir diariamente substâncias nutritivas fundamentais para o seu desenvolvimento e sobrevivência. Contudo, quando a sua ingestão é nutricionalmente desequilibrada ou escassa, o metabolismo humano poderá atingir um estado de desnutrição e, consequentemente, promover o aparecimento de distúrbios metabólicos e/ou doenças crónicas. Com a consciencialização destes problemas verificou-se, nos últimos anos, uma crescente tendência para o consumo de alimentos funcionais ou substâncias nutracêuticas. Muitos destes alimentos e ingredientes são de origem vegetal, apresentando elevados teores de fibra, vitaminas, minerais, ácidos gordos polinsaturados, proteínas, compostos bioativos, entre outros. Consequentemente, uma maior atenção tem sido dada à utilização de sementes, as quais, na sua maioria, não são utilizadas pela indústria alimentar, nem pela população em geral. O aproveitamento das sementes traz maior valor económico à produção agrícola, além de contribuir para a formulação de novos produtos alimentares e diminuir o desperdício industrial. Neste artigo pretende-se efetuar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o aporte nutricional e as propriedades biológicas de sementes de papoila e de quinoa, as quais têm tido elevada aceitação por parte do consumidor em geral, quer como ingredientes, quer como alimentos.