Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: NADJA MARIA DA COSTA MELO

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : NADJA MARIA DA COSTA MELO
DATE: 30/04/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência
TITLE:

AVALIAÇÃO DA TOXICIDADE E DA ATIVIDADE BIOLÓGICA IN VITRO E IN VIVO DO CLADÓDIO DE Cereus jamacaru DC. (MANDACARU) EM MODELOS DE INFLAMAÇÃO INTESTINAL E CÂNCER COLORRETAL

KEY WORDS:

Colorectal cancer associated with colitis; Cereus; Colitis; Flavonoids; Immunomodulation;

PAGES: 161
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Farmácia
SUMMARY:

Cereus jamacaru DC. (mandacaru) is a cactus species native to the Brazilian Caatinga

biome, traditionally used to treat inflammatory and gastrointestinal disorders, and whose

biological potential has increasingly attracted scientific interest. This study aimed to

evaluate the toxicity and biological activity, both in vitro and in vivo, of the C. jamacaru

extract in experimental models of intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated

colorectal cancer (CAC). Chemical characterization by LC-MSⁿ identified 17 flavonoids

in the extract, predominantly glycosylated derivatives of quercetin and kaempferol.

Toxicological assays demonstrated an adequate safety profile, with no relevant

behavioral, biochemical, or histopathological alterations. In dextran sulfate sodium

(DSS)-induced acute colitis and DNBS-induced relapsing chronic colitis models,

treatment with C. jamacaru exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as

evidenced by reduced myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels, along with

increased reduced glutathione. In DSS-induced acute colitis, flow cytometry analyses

revealed modulation of inflammatory cell populations, with reductions in proinflammatory lymphocytes and circulating monocytes, accompanied by decreased

expression of inflammatory cytokines and restoration of genes associated with epithelial

barrier integrity, resulting in improved colonic histology. In the CAC model, the extract

reduced tumor number and volume, decreased cellular proliferation, and preserved tissue

architecture, effects associated with modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, and COX-

2 signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings indicate that C. jamacaru exhibits a

favorable safety profile and attenuates chronic intestinal inflammation while modulating

key molecular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis, supporting its potential as a

promising therapeutic candidate for chronic intestinal diseases.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa ao Programa - 2323511 - ADRIANA AUGUSTO DE REZENDE - nullExterno ao Programa - 2511670 - ALISSON MACARIO DE OLIVEIRA - nullExterna ao Programa - ***.483.458-** - FABIANE FERREIRA MARTINS - UERJ
Presidente - 1490222 - SILVANA MARIA ZUCOLOTTO LANGASSNER