Banca de DEFESA: MARIA LUCIA DE AZEVEDO OLIVEIRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARIA LUCIA DE AZEVEDO OLIVEIRA
DATE: 03/12/2025
TIME: 15:00
LOCAL: Videconferência via Google Meet
TITLE:

TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF THE HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF Momordica charantia ON THE ACUTE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE INDUCED BY LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (LPS)

KEY WORDS:

Momordica charantia; cytokines; nitric oxide; acute toxicity; peritonitis model; RAW 264.7 macrophages; anti-inflammatory activity.

PAGES: 83
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Farmácia
SUMMARY:

Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) has been widely recognized for its pharmacological potential, although studies on its leaves remain scarce. In this study, the hydroethanolic leaf extract (MCHLE) was chemically characterized by LC–MS/MS, revealing the presence of octopamine, ferulate, vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside, and other bioactive phenolics. Toxicological evaluation in Wistar rats demonstrated that both acute (2000 mg/kg) and repeated oral administration (up to 400 mg/kg for 28 days) caused no clinical or behavioral signs of toxicity, while maintaining normal hepatic and renal parameters. Notably, treatment significantly reduced glucose and cholesterol levels, in addition to attenuating lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant defenses. In vivo, MCHLE inhibited leukocyte and neutrophil infiltration in the LPS-induced peritonitis model, with efficacy comparable to dexamethasone. It also reduced TNF-α secretion and nitric oxide generation in peritoneal fluids. In vitro assays with LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages confirmed these effects, showing dose-dependent inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO production. Gene expression analysis further demonstrated downregulation of TNF-α and MAPK, with marked suppression of NF-κB transcripts. Collectively, these results provide strong evidence that MCHLE exerts anti-inflammatory activity by targeting both mediator release and upstream signaling pathways, while maintaining a favorable safety profile, supporting its potential as a source of new therapeutic agents.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - ELIZABETH CRISTINA GOMES DOS SANTOS - SMS
Externa à Instituição - GISELE CUSTODIO DE SOUZA - UEAP
Externo à Instituição - JEFFERSON ROMÁRYO DUARTE DA LUZ - UNIFAP
Presidente - 346847 - MARIA DAS GRACAS ALMEIDA THORNTON