28 documents found, page 1 of 3
Plant-derived bioactive compounds as key players in the modulation of immune-re...
Vieira, Sara F.; Reis, R. L.; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Neves, N. M.The immune system is a complex and fundamental network for organism protection. A minimal unbalance in the host defense system homeostasis can originate severe repercussions in human health. Fundamentally, immune-related diseases can arise from its compromise (immunodeficiency diseases), overactivation against itself (autoimmune diseases) or harmless substances (allergies), and failure of eliminating the harmfu...
Microfluidic-derived docosahexaenoic acid liposomes for targeting glioblastoma ...
Mendanha, Daniel; Casanova, Marta Alexandra Rodrigues; Gimondi, Sara; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Neves, N. M.Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, characterized by limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Its aggressiveness is attributed not only to the uncontrolled proliferation and invasion of tumor cells but also to the complex interplay between these cells and the surrounding microenvironment. Within the tumor microenvironment, an intricate network of immune cells, stromal cel...
Intracellular trafficking of size-tuned nanoparticles for drug delivery
Gimondi, Sara; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Reis, R. L.; Neves, N. M.Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used as drug delivery systems in nanomedicine. Despite their widespread application, a comprehensive understanding of their intracellular trafficking remains elusive. In the present study, we focused on exploring the impact of a 20 nm difference in size on NP performance, including drug delivery capabilities and intracellular trafficking. For that, poly(ethylene glycol) ...
Synthesis and anti-inflammatory evaluation of a library of chiral derivatives o...
Vieira, Sara Filipa Fontoura; Araújo, Joana; Gonçalves, Virgínia M. F.; Fernandes, Carla; Pinto, Madalena; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa MachadoIn recent decades, the relationship between drug chirality and biological activity has been assuming enormous importance in medicinal chemistry. Particularly, chiral derivatives of xanthones (CDXs) have interesting biological activities, including enantioselective anti-inflammatory activity. Herein, the synthesis of a library of CDXs is described, by coupling a carboxyxanthone (1) with both enantiomers of prote...
Microfluidic-derived docosahexaenoic acid liposomes for glioblastoma therapy
Mendanha, D.; Gimondi, S.; Costa, B. M.; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Neves, N. M.Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignant primary brain tumor and currently lacks an effective treatment. In this study, we utilized a microfluidic system to synthesize docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) liposomes for GBM therapy. DHA is an omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acid commonly found in human dietary consumption that has demonstrated potential in mitigating cancer development. The microfluidic devic...
Combination therapy with CD147-targeted nanoparticles carrying phenformin decre...
Pereira-Nunes, Andreia; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Abreu, Sara; Guedes, Marta; Neves, N. M.; Baltazar, Fátima; Granja, SaraLung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide. Resistance to conventional therapies remains a hindrance to patient treatment. Therefore, the development of more effective anti-cancer therapeutic strategies is imperative. Solid tumors exhibit a hyperglycolytic phenotype, leading to enhanced lactate production; and, consequently, its extrusion to the tumor microenvironment. Previous data reveals that inh...
Size-dependent polymeric nanoparticle distribution in a static versus dynamic m...
Gimondi, S.; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Reis, R. L.; Neves, N. M.Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely investigated in the nanomedicine field. One of the main challenges is to accurately predict the NP distribution and fate after administration. Microfluidic platforms acquired huge importance as tools to model the in vivo environment. In this study, we leveraged a microfluidic platform to produce FITC-labeled poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG)...
Microfluidic mixing system for precise PLGA-PEG nanoparticles size control
Gimondi, Sara; Guimarães, Carlos F.; Vieira, Sara Filipa Fontoura; Gonçalves, Virgínia M. F.; Tiritan, M. E.; Reis, R. L.In this study, a microfluidic device was employed to produce polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with well-controlled sizes. The influence of several parameters in the synthesis process, namely, polymer concentration, flow rate and flow rate ratio between the aqueous and organic solutions was investigated. To evaluate the NPs size effect, three diameters were selected (30, 50 and 70 nm). Their cytocompatibility was d...
Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities of fish roe-derived extr...
Guedes, Marta Cristina Alves Moreira; Vieira, Sara Filipa Fontoura; Reis, R. L.; Ferreira, Helena Susana Costa Machado; Neves, N. M.The regular consumption of fish and its products has been associated with decreased incidence of inflammatory conditions. Indeed, fish present several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., high levels of Ï 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids â PUFA). Therefore, this work explored fish roe derived from three different species, namely sardine, horse mackerel and sea bass, to produce new delivery devices. ...
Erythrocyte-derived liposomes for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Olival, Ana Sofia Martins; Vieira, Sara Filipa Fontoura; Gonçalves, V. M. F.; Cunha, C.; Tiritan, M. E.; Carvalho, A.; Reis, R. L.Effective and safe therapies to counteract persistent inflammation are necessary. We developed erythrocyte-derived liposomes (EDLs) with intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity. The EDLs were prepared using lipids extracted from erythrocyte membranes, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids with several health benefits. Diclofenac, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, was incorporated into EDLs in relevant therapeu...