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Dr. Clara Grosso
REQUIMTE–LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal

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0 secondary metabolites
0 Seaweeds
0 bioactivities
0 Green extraction processes
0 Nanotechnology.

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Journal article
Published: 19 May 2021 in Processes
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Mental health and active aging are two of the main concerns in the 21st century. To search for new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Codium tomentosum Stackhouse and Fucus vesiculosus L. were obtained through multi-step (four step) subcritical water extraction using a temperature gradient. The safety assessment of the extracts was performed by screening pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides by UHPLC-MS/MS, and iodine and arsenic levels by ICP-MS. Although the extracts were free of pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides, the presence of arsenic and high iodine contents were found in the first two extraction steps. Thus, the health-benefits were only evaluated for the fractions obtained in steps 3 and 4 from the extraction process. These fractions were tested against five brain enzymes implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and major depression etiology as well as against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, having been observed a strong enzyme inhibition and radical scavenging activities for the step 4 fractions from both seaweed species. Regarding the variation of the chemical composition during the extraction, step 1 fractions were the richest in phenolic compounds. With the increase in temperature, Maillard reaction, caramelization and thermo-oxidation occurred, and the resulting products positively affected the antioxidant capacity and the neuroprotective effects.

ACS Style

Cristina Soares; Paula Paíga; Marta Marques; Tânia Neto; Ana Carvalho; Alexandre Paiva; Pedro Simões; Leonor Costa; Ana Bernardo; Naiara Fernández; Edgar Pinto; Agostinho Almeida; Maria Bronze; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. Multi-Step Subcritical Water Extracts of Fucus vesiculosus L. and Codium tomentosum Stackhouse: Composition, Health-Benefits and Safety. Processes 2021, 9, 893 .

AMA Style

Cristina Soares, Paula Paíga, Marta Marques, Tânia Neto, Ana Carvalho, Alexandre Paiva, Pedro Simões, Leonor Costa, Ana Bernardo, Naiara Fernández, Edgar Pinto, Agostinho Almeida, Maria Bronze, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Clara Grosso. Multi-Step Subcritical Water Extracts of Fucus vesiculosus L. and Codium tomentosum Stackhouse: Composition, Health-Benefits and Safety. Processes. 2021; 9 (5):893.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Soares; Paula Paíga; Marta Marques; Tânia Neto; Ana Carvalho; Alexandre Paiva; Pedro Simões; Leonor Costa; Ana Bernardo; Naiara Fernández; Edgar Pinto; Agostinho Almeida; Maria Bronze; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. 2021. "Multi-Step Subcritical Water Extracts of Fucus vesiculosus L. and Codium tomentosum Stackhouse: Composition, Health-Benefits and Safety." Processes 9, no. 5: 893.

Review
Published: 24 February 2021 in Nanomaterials
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The biggest obstacle to the treatment of diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS) is the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a physical barrier that regulates the entry of substances into the brain and ensures the homeostasis of the CNS. This review summarizes current research on lipid-based nanoparticles for the nanoencapsulation of neuroprotective compounds. A survey of studies on nanoemulsions (NEs), nanoliposomes/nanophytosomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)/nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was carried out and is discussed herein, with particular emphasis upon their unique characteristics, the most important parameters influencing the formulation of each one, and examples of neuroprotective compounds/extracts nanoencapsulated using these nanoparticles. Gastrointestinal absorption is also discussed, as it may pose some obstacles for the absorption of free and nanoencapsulated neuroprotective compounds into the bloodstream, consequently hampering drug concentration in the brain. The transport mechanisms through which compounds or nanoparticles may cross BBB into the brain parenchyma, and the potential to increase drug bioavailability, are also discussed. Additionally, factors contributing to BBB disruption and neurodegeneration are described. Finally, the advantages of, and obstacles to, conventional and unconventional routes of administration to deliver nanoencapsulated neuroprotective drugs to the brain are also discussed, taking into account the avoidance of first-pass metabolism, onset of action, ability to bypass the BBB and concentration of the drug in the brain.

ACS Style

Filipe Fernandes; Mónica Dias-Teixeira; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. Critical Review of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles as Carriers of Neuroprotective Drugs and Extracts. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 563 .

AMA Style

Filipe Fernandes, Mónica Dias-Teixeira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Clara Grosso. Critical Review of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles as Carriers of Neuroprotective Drugs and Extracts. Nanomaterials. 2021; 11 (3):563.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filipe Fernandes; Mónica Dias-Teixeira; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. 2021. "Critical Review of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles as Carriers of Neuroprotective Drugs and Extracts." Nanomaterials 11, no. 3: 563.

Journal article
Published: 03 November 2020 in Food Research International
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This study gives new insights to understand the type of interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, two Chinese medicinal plants with well documented neuroprotective effects, on three targets in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholnesterase (BuChE) inhibition and hydrogen peroxide scavenging. Individual samples, binary mixtures with different proportions of both plant species, and also a commercial multicomponent combination containing both plants together with unroasted Coffea arabica L. and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside were used to perform this in vitro evaluation. Sample phenolic profiles were also determined by HPLC-DAD, showing the presence of several flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids and a methylxanthine. In order to investigate the possible synergism/antagonism interaction, data obtained were analyzed by CompuSyn software. The results showed that G. biloba and S. baicalensis alone display better activities than in mixtures, most of the interactions exhibiting different degrees of antagonism. A slight synergism interaction was only observed for the commercial multicomponent mixture tested against H2O2. Further analysis was carried out to understand which compounds could be responsible for the antagonistic interaction. Seventeen single pure compounds present in all extracts were tested against AChE inhibition, most of them displaying weak or no activity. Only caffeine had a remarkable activity. Five different binary and quaternary mixture compositions were design to deepen the interaction between these compounds, revealing mainly phenolic acid-flavonoid, flavonoid-flavonoid and methylxanthine-flavonoid-phenolic acid antagonistic interactions. These results clearly show that, for the targets evaluated, there is no potentiation of the neuroprotective effect by combining S. baicalensis and G. biloba extracts.

ACS Style

Teresa Delerue; M. Fátima Barroso; Mónica Dias-Teixeira; Maria Figueiredo-González; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. Interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in multicomponent mixtures towards cholinesterase inhibition and ROS scavenging. Food Research International 2020, 140, 109857 .

AMA Style

Teresa Delerue, M. Fátima Barroso, Mónica Dias-Teixeira, Maria Figueiredo-González, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Clara Grosso. Interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in multicomponent mixtures towards cholinesterase inhibition and ROS scavenging. Food Research International. 2020; 140 ():109857.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Teresa Delerue; M. Fátima Barroso; Mónica Dias-Teixeira; Maria Figueiredo-González; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. 2020. "Interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in multicomponent mixtures towards cholinesterase inhibition and ROS scavenging." Food Research International 140, no. : 109857.

Review
Published: 17 April 2019 in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
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Given their therapeutic activity, natural products have been used in traditional medicines throughout the centuries. The growing interest of the scientific community in phytopharmaceuticals, and more recently in marine products, has resulted in a significant number of research efforts towards understanding their effect in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson (PD) and Huntington (HD). Several studies have shown that many of the primary and secondary metabolites of plants, marine organisms and others, have high affinities for various brain receptors and may play a crucial role in the treatment of diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) in mammalians. Actually, such compounds may act on the brain receptors either by agonism, antagonism, allosteric modulation or other type of activity aimed at enhancing a certain effect. The current manuscript comprehensively reviews the state of the art on the interactions between natural compounds and brain receptors. This information is of foremost importance when it is intended to investigate and develop cutting-edge drugs, more effective and with alternative mechanisms of action to the conventional drugs presently used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we reviewed the effect of 173 natural products on neurotransmitter receptors, diabetes related receptors, neurotrophic factor related receptors, immune system related receptors, oxidative stress related receptors, transcription factors regulating gene expression related receptors and blood-brain barrier receptors.

ACS Style

Ana R. Silva; Clara Grosso; Cristina Delerue-Matos; João M. Rocha. Comprehensive review on the interaction between natural compounds and brain receptors: Benefits and toxicity. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2019, 174, 87 -115.

AMA Style

Ana R. Silva, Clara Grosso, Cristina Delerue-Matos, João M. Rocha. Comprehensive review on the interaction between natural compounds and brain receptors: Benefits and toxicity. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2019; 174 ():87-115.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana R. Silva; Clara Grosso; Cristina Delerue-Matos; João M. Rocha. 2019. "Comprehensive review on the interaction between natural compounds and brain receptors: Benefits and toxicity." European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 174, no. : 87-115.

Book chapter
Published: 22 February 2019 in Bottled and Packaged Water
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To best meet the consumer’s preferences, the beverages industry has been developing new nonalcoholic drinks. Actually, the drink production business has been focused on providing appealing (i.e., pleasant taste and aroma), high quality, and safe products to satisfy the increasing consumer demand for safety and nutritional excellence. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly clear that some drink components, for example, bioactive compounds, may be protective in some diseases caused by oxidative damage. Thus, there is a need to understand the physiological importance of bioactive compounds and also to know their amount and composition in different types of drinks. Considering this important issue, the purpose of this chapter is to review the characterization of bioactive compounds in flavored waters and fruit juices. Furthermore, it is also intended to describe selective assays for bioactive compounds assessment, such as spectrophotometric, DNA-based sensors, and chromatographic methods.

ACS Style

M. Fátima Barroso; Ana P. Carvalho; Manuela Correia; M.J. Ramalhosa; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Flavored Waters and Fruit Juices. Bottled and Packaged Water 2019, 311 -366.

AMA Style

M. Fátima Barroso, Ana P. Carvalho, Manuela Correia, M.J. Ramalhosa, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Clara Grosso. Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Flavored Waters and Fruit Juices. Bottled and Packaged Water. 2019; ():311-366.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Fátima Barroso; Ana P. Carvalho; Manuela Correia; M.J. Ramalhosa; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Clara Grosso. 2019. "Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Flavored Waters and Fruit Juices." Bottled and Packaged Water , no. : 311-366.

Book chapter
Published: 16 October 2018 in Progress in Food Biotechnology
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ACS Style

Ana Clara Grosso; Patricia Valentao; Paula B. Andrade. Designing Bioactive Nanoparticles: The Era of Nutraceuticals. Progress in Food Biotechnology 2018, 277 -340.

AMA Style

Ana Clara Grosso, Patricia Valentao, Paula B. Andrade. Designing Bioactive Nanoparticles: The Era of Nutraceuticals. Progress in Food Biotechnology. 2018; ():277-340.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Clara Grosso; Patricia Valentao; Paula B. Andrade. 2018. "Designing Bioactive Nanoparticles: The Era of Nutraceuticals." Progress in Food Biotechnology , no. : 277-340.

Chapter
Published: 12 June 2018 in Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants
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The management of crop-pests relies largely on conventional insecticides. Farmers around the world use pesticides as an insurance policy against the possibility of a devastating crop loss from pests and diseases. Conversely, the use of insecticides has several drawbacks for agriculture, such as decrease in pollinator population and terrestrial pollution as they are frequently detected in the environment. Several tests are used to assess phytotoxicity regarding several mechanisms affecting plants, namely, (a) inhibition of biological processes such as photosynthesis, cell division, enzyme function, and root, shoot, and leaf development; (b) interference with the synthesis of pigments, proteins, or DNA; (c) cell membrane instability; and (d) the promotion of uncontrolled growth. Germination tests are extensively used to assess the toxicity induced by pollutants. In these types of tests, the germination indexes and the seedling’s growth and development are evaluated in a dose-response manner. This review evaluates the application of insecticides leading to alteration on germination, in biochemical, physiological, and different enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels that may affect the crop yield and insecticide residues in plants. As such, this chapter represents a systematic and integrated picture of insecticide toxicological effects on plants, highlighting germination.

ACS Style

Idalina Bragança; Clara Grosso; Diana Rede; Susana R. Sousa; Paulo C. Lemos; Valentina Domingues; Cristina Delerue-Matos. Ecotoxicological Effects of Insecticides in Plants Assessed by Germination and Other Phytotoxicity Tools. Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants 2018, 47 -76.

AMA Style

Idalina Bragança, Clara Grosso, Diana Rede, Susana R. Sousa, Paulo C. Lemos, Valentina Domingues, Cristina Delerue-Matos. Ecotoxicological Effects of Insecticides in Plants Assessed by Germination and Other Phytotoxicity Tools. Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants. 2018; ():47-76.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Idalina Bragança; Clara Grosso; Diana Rede; Susana R. Sousa; Paulo C. Lemos; Valentina Domingues; Cristina Delerue-Matos. 2018. "Ecotoxicological Effects of Insecticides in Plants Assessed by Germination and Other Phytotoxicity Tools." Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants , no. : 47-76.

Journal article
Published: 19 March 2018 in Phytomedicine
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Multi-target drugs have gained significant recognition for the treatment of multifactorial diseases such as depression. Under a screening study of multi-potent medicinal plants with claimed antidepressant-like activity, the phenolic-rich Annona muricata aqueous extract (AE) emerged as a moderate monoamine oxidase A (hMAO-A) inhibitor and a strong hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenger. In order to protect this extract from gastrointestinal biotransformation and to improve its permeability across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), four phospholipid nanoformulations of liposomes and phytosomes functionalized with a peptide ligand promoting BBB crossing were produced. AE and nanoformulations were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, HPLC-DAD, spectrophotometric, fluorescence and dynamic light scattering methods. Cytotoxicity and permeability studies were carried out using an in vitro transwell model of the BBB, composed of immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), and in vitro hMAO-A inhibition and H2O2 scavenging activities were performed with all samples. The encapsulation/binding of AE was more efficient with phytosomes, while liposomes were more stable, displaying a slower extract release over time. In general, phytosomes were less toxic than liposomes in hCMEC/D3 cells and, when present, cholesterol improved the permeability across the cell monolayer of all tested nanoformulations. All nanoformulations conserved the antioxidant potential of AE, while phosphatidylcholine interfered with MAO-A inhibition assay. Overall, phytosome formulations registered the best performance in terms of binding efficiency, enzyme inhibition and scavenging activity, thus representing a promising multipotent phenolic-rich nanoshuttle for future in vivo depression treatment.

ACS Style

Simona Mancini; Luca Nardo; Maria Gregori; Inês Ribeiro; Francesco Mantegazza; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Massimo Masserini; Clara Grosso. Functionalized liposomes and phytosomes loading Annona muricata L. aqueous extract: Potential nanoshuttles for brain-delivery of phenolic compounds. Phytomedicine 2018, 42, 233 -244.

AMA Style

Simona Mancini, Luca Nardo, Maria Gregori, Inês Ribeiro, Francesco Mantegazza, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Massimo Masserini, Clara Grosso. Functionalized liposomes and phytosomes loading Annona muricata L. aqueous extract: Potential nanoshuttles for brain-delivery of phenolic compounds. Phytomedicine. 2018; 42 ():233-244.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simona Mancini; Luca Nardo; Maria Gregori; Inês Ribeiro; Francesco Mantegazza; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Massimo Masserini; Clara Grosso. 2018. "Functionalized liposomes and phytosomes loading Annona muricata L. aqueous extract: Potential nanoshuttles for brain-delivery of phenolic compounds." Phytomedicine 42, no. : 233-244.

Original article
Published: 23 January 2018 in 3 Biotech
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In this work we evaluated methanolic extracts from different parts (leaves, seeds, fruit peel and pulp) of Chamaerops humilis L. for antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit enzymes linked with neurodegenerative diseases: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and tyrosinase (TYR). The total content of phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins was also determined. The antioxidant and inhibitory activities of the extracts varied significantly according to the tissue. Seed extracts showed the greatest ability to scavenge DPPH (IC50 = 81.28 µg mL−1) and ABTS (1440.42 µmolTE\( {{\text{g}}^{-1}}_{\text{extract}} \)) and to reduce iron (1142.46 µmolAAE\( {{\text{g}}^{-1}}_{\text{extract}} \)). Seed and peel extracts strongly inhibited AChE (IC50 = 660.16 and 653.68 µg mL−1, respectively) and BChE (IC50 = 304.86 and 701.54 µg mL−1, respectively). The strongest inhibition of TYR was achieved by the seed and pulp extracts (268.97 and 279.99 µg mL−1, respectively). The highest levels of phenolics and condensed tannins were found in the seed extract (1564.88 µmolGAE\( {{\text{g}}^{-1}}_{\text{extract}} \) and 170.00 µmolcE\( {{\text{g}}^{-1}}_{\text{extract}} \), respectively) whereas the leaf extract was the richest in flavonoids (139.88 µmolQE\( {{\text{g}}^{-1}}_{\text{extract}} \)). HPLC-DAD analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids (hydroxycinnamic acids) in the leaf and pulp extracts. A high correlation was found between the total condensed tannins content and the antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities, suggesting these compounds are responsible for the biological activity of the extracts. Overall, our results indicate that C. humilis extracts may provide a new and alternative source of agents for medical and industrial applications.

ACS Style

Sandra Gonçalves; Joana Medronho; Elsa Moreira; Ana Clara Grosso; Paula B. Andrade; Patrícia Valentão; Anabela Romano. Bioactive properties of Chamaerops humilis L.: antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting activities of extracts from leaves, seeds, pulp and peel. 3 Biotech 2018, 8, 88 .

AMA Style

Sandra Gonçalves, Joana Medronho, Elsa Moreira, Ana Clara Grosso, Paula B. Andrade, Patrícia Valentão, Anabela Romano. Bioactive properties of Chamaerops humilis L.: antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting activities of extracts from leaves, seeds, pulp and peel. 3 Biotech. 2018; 8 (2):88.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sandra Gonçalves; Joana Medronho; Elsa Moreira; Ana Clara Grosso; Paula B. Andrade; Patrícia Valentão; Anabela Romano. 2018. "Bioactive properties of Chamaerops humilis L.: antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting activities of extracts from leaves, seeds, pulp and peel." 3 Biotech 8, no. 2: 88.

Journal article
Published: 09 May 2017 in Food Chemistry
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Despite the wide use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to combat several diseases, the antidiabetic and anti-cholinesterase activity of Spanish EVOO have not been assessed. In order to evaluate which compounds are responsible for these activities of five Spanish EVOOs, in addition to flavonoids, we investigated for the first time the effect of the contents of carotenoids, fatty acids (FAs), and phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) on four enzymes: α-glucosidase, α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase. The extracts of these five Spanish EVOOs were found to contain three flavones, three carotenoids, six FAs, and seven classes of PhytoPs. The samples exhibited no in vitro anti-cholinesterase activity but presented strong antidiabetic activity, in the order: ‘Arbequina’ ≈ ‘Picual’ ≈ ‘Cuquillo’ > ‘Hojiblanca’ > ‘Cornicabra’. The samples showed a higher in vitro hypoglycemic effect than individual or mixed standards, possibly due to interaction between multiple identified compounds and/or a very complex multivariate interaction between other factors.

ACS Style

Jacinta Collado; Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Federico Ferreres; Thierry Durand; Alexandre Guy; Jean-Marie Galano; Arturo Torrecillas; Ángel Gil-Izquierdo. Inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase by Spanish extra virgin olive oils: The involvement of bioactive compounds other than oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Food Chemistry 2017, 235, 298 -307.

AMA Style

Jacinta Collado, Ana Clara Grosso, Patrícia Valentão, Paula B. Andrade, Federico Ferreres, Thierry Durand, Alexandre Guy, Jean-Marie Galano, Arturo Torrecillas, Ángel Gil-Izquierdo. Inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase by Spanish extra virgin olive oils: The involvement of bioactive compounds other than oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Food Chemistry. 2017; 235 ():298-307.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jacinta Collado; Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Federico Ferreres; Thierry Durand; Alexandre Guy; Jean-Marie Galano; Arturo Torrecillas; Ángel Gil-Izquierdo. 2017. "Inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase by Spanish extra virgin olive oils: The involvement of bioactive compounds other than oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol." Food Chemistry 235, no. : 298-307.

Journal article
Published: 29 April 2017 in Open Chemistry
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Plants belonging to the genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) are known to have a wide range of biological properties. In this work, extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Salvia sclareoides Brot. were evaluated to investigate their chemical composition, toxicity, bioactivity, and stability under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. The composition of the supercritical fluid extract was determined by GC and GC-MS, while the identification of the infusion constituents was performed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS. The in vitro cytotoxicity of both extracts (0-2 mg/mL) was evaluated in Caco-2 cell lines by the MTT assay. The anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activities were determined through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, while β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching test and the DPPH assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The infusion inhibited cyclooxygenase-1 (IC50 = 271.0 μg/mL), and acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 487.7 μg/ mL) enzymes, also demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, as evaluated by the DPPH (IC50 = 10.4 μg/mL) and β-carotene/linoleic acid (IC50 = 30.0 μg/mL) assays. No remarkable alterations in the composition or in the bioactivities of the infusion were observed after in vitro digestion, which supports the potential of S. sclareoides as a source of bioactive ingredients with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

ACS Style

Daniela Batista; Pedro L. Falé; Maria Luisa Serralheiro; Maria-Eduarda Araújo; Catarina Dias; Isabel Branco; Ana Clara Grosso; Jose Coelho; António Palavra; Paulo J. A. Madeira; Alice Martins; Amelia Rauter. Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of the Aqueous and Supercritical Fluid Extracts from Salvia sclareoides Brot. Open Chemistry 2017, 15, 82 -91.

AMA Style

Daniela Batista, Pedro L. Falé, Maria Luisa Serralheiro, Maria-Eduarda Araújo, Catarina Dias, Isabel Branco, Ana Clara Grosso, Jose Coelho, António Palavra, Paulo J. A. Madeira, Alice Martins, Amelia Rauter. Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of the Aqueous and Supercritical Fluid Extracts from Salvia sclareoides Brot. Open Chemistry. 2017; 15 (1):82-91.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniela Batista; Pedro L. Falé; Maria Luisa Serralheiro; Maria-Eduarda Araújo; Catarina Dias; Isabel Branco; Ana Clara Grosso; Jose Coelho; António Palavra; Paulo J. A. Madeira; Alice Martins; Amelia Rauter. 2017. "Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of the Aqueous and Supercritical Fluid Extracts from Salvia sclareoides Brot." Open Chemistry 15, no. 1: 82-91.

Journal article
Published: 14 March 2017 in Food Chemistry
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A green microwave-assisted extraction of high value-added compounds from exotic fruits’ peels was optimized by Box-Behnken design using 3 factors: solid/solvent ratio, X1, temperature, X2, and extraction time, X3. By using Derringer’s desirability function, optimum extraction yields are obtained with X1 = 1/149.95 g/mL, X2 = 72.27 °C and X3 = 39.39 min (white-fleshed red pitaya) and X1 = 1/148.96 g/mL, X2 = 72.56 °C and X3 = 5.02 min (yellow pitaya) and a maximum betacyanin content is achieved with X1 = 1/150 g/mL, X2 = 49.33 °C and X3 = 5 min. None of the factors influenced the extraction of phenolic compounds. Eighteen cinnamoyl derivatives, 17 flavonoid derivatives and 4 betacyanins were identified by HPLC–DAD–ESI/MSn, 23 and 15 new compounds being described in yellow and white-fleshed red pitayas, respectively. These results indicate that it is possible to reuse these by-products to recover compounds for food and pharmaceutical industries.

ACS Style

Federico Ferreres; Ana Clara Grosso; Angel Gil-Izquierdo; Patrícia Valentão; Ana T. Mota; Paula B. Andrade. Optimization of the recovery of high-value compounds from pitaya fruit by-products using microwave-assisted extraction. Food Chemistry 2017, 230, 463 -474.

AMA Style

Federico Ferreres, Ana Clara Grosso, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Patrícia Valentão, Ana T. Mota, Paula B. Andrade. Optimization of the recovery of high-value compounds from pitaya fruit by-products using microwave-assisted extraction. Food Chemistry. 2017; 230 ():463-474.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Federico Ferreres; Ana Clara Grosso; Angel Gil-Izquierdo; Patrícia Valentão; Ana T. Mota; Paula B. Andrade. 2017. "Optimization of the recovery of high-value compounds from pitaya fruit by-products using microwave-assisted extraction." Food Chemistry 230, no. : 463-474.

Original article
Published: 26 December 2016 in Journal of Food Science and Technology
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The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of methanolic extracts from four aromatic plants used in traditional medicine and food [Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi subsp. nepeta, Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii Franco, Mentha spicata L. and Origanum vulgare subsp. virens (Hoffmanns. & Link) Bonnier & Layens] were evaluated. The extract from O. vulgare exhibited the strongest DPPH (IC50 of 4.65 ± 0.12 µg/ml) and ABTS (1479.56 ± 12.29 µmolTE/gextract) scavenging capacities, as well as the largest ferric reducing ability (1746.76 ± 45.11 µmolAAE/gextract). This extract also showed the highest total phenolic content (1597.20 ± 24.10 µmolGAE/gextract) and although HPLC–DAD analysis revealed rosmarinic acid as the main compound of the extract, other compounds seem to be involved in the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the extract from H. italicum, which was found to be rich in caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acids and in pinocembrin, showed the highest inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and α-glucosidase. Overall, the results obtained validate the usefulness of the studied plants as valuable sources of natural agents beneficial for human health.

ACS Style

Sandra Gonçalves; Elsa Moreira; Ana Clara Grosso; Paula B. Andrade; Patrícia Valentão; Anabela Romano. Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities of extracts from aromatic plants used in Mediterranean diet. Journal of Food Science and Technology 2016, 54, 219 -227.

AMA Style

Sandra Gonçalves, Elsa Moreira, Ana Clara Grosso, Paula B. Andrade, Patrícia Valentão, Anabela Romano. Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities of extracts from aromatic plants used in Mediterranean diet. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2016; 54 (1):219-227.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sandra Gonçalves; Elsa Moreira; Ana Clara Grosso; Paula B. Andrade; Patrícia Valentão; Anabela Romano. 2016. "Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities of extracts from aromatic plants used in Mediterranean diet." Journal of Food Science and Technology 54, no. 1: 219-227.

Abstracts
Published: 14 December 2016 in Planta Medica
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A compelling body of literature suggests a revivalism of Traditional Medicine. In Western societies severally affected by brain disorders, the research for new “natural” pharmacological strategies is increasingly desired. The reverse-pharmacology not only tries to bridge the gap between science and popular knowledge, but also attempts to provide the urgent needed explanations behind the claimed benefits. Moreover, new applications can be found for species with other traditional uses, providing important contributions to the field of natural products. Herbal teas were prepared from medicinal plants with or without claim for brain disorders treatment (Cochlospermum angolensis Welw., Jacaranda caroba (Vell.) A. DC., Jasminum grandiflorum L., Grindelia robusta Nutt., Annona muricata L., Hyssopus officinalis L., Trichilia catigua A. Juss, Acorus calamus L., Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. and Pilocarpus pennatifolius Lem.). The enzymatic inhibitory potential was assessed for enzymes known to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders: acetyl- and butyryl- cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE) and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). While the extracts showed to be weak AChE and BuChE inhibitors (IC50 values above 1020 µg/mL), their effect against MAO-A was stronger, with IC50 values in the range of 130 – 660 µg/mL. As reactive oxygen species have a role in neurodegeneration, the scavenging activity against H2O2 was tested. Most of the extracts displayed IC50 values < 130 µg/mL. The effect of these extracts on the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction. J. grandiflorum extract was the least toxic to the cells (LD50= 3659 µg/mL), followed by those of H. officinalis (LD50= 1776 µg/mL) and C. angolensis (LD50= 1563 µg/mL). Based in all bioassays, A. muricata, H. officinalis, C. angolensis, J. caroba and T. diffusa are the most promising species. Acknowledgements: This work was financed through project UID/QUI/50006/2013, receiving financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds, and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. C. Grosso thanks FCT for the FCT Investigator (IF/01332/2014). Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase A, polyphenols, brain disorders.

ACS Style

C Grosso; J Bernardo; P Correia; C Andrade; P Valentão; Pb Andrade. In vitro neuroprotection by medicinal plant extracts. Planta Medica 2016, 81, S1 -S381.

AMA Style

C Grosso, J Bernardo, P Correia, C Andrade, P Valentão, Pb Andrade. In vitro neuroprotection by medicinal plant extracts. Planta Medica. 2016; 81 (S 01):S1-S381.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C Grosso; J Bernardo; P Correia; C Andrade; P Valentão; Pb Andrade. 2016. "In vitro neuroprotection by medicinal plant extracts." Planta Medica 81, no. S 01: S1-S381.

Journal article
Published: 30 November 2016 in Current Medicinal Chemistry
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ACS Style

Paula Branquinho Andrade; Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; João Bernardo. Flavonoids in Neurodegeneration: Limitations and Strategies to Cross CNS Barriers. Current Medicinal Chemistry 2016, 23, 4151 -4174.

AMA Style

Paula Branquinho Andrade, Ana Clara Grosso, Patrícia Valentão, João Bernardo. Flavonoids in Neurodegeneration: Limitations and Strategies to Cross CNS Barriers. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2016; 23 (36):4151-4174.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paula Branquinho Andrade; Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; João Bernardo. 2016. "Flavonoids in Neurodegeneration: Limitations and Strategies to Cross CNS Barriers." Current Medicinal Chemistry 23, no. 36: 4151-4174.

Full paper
Published: 01 September 2016 in Chemistry & Biodiversity
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Quercus species have a plethora of applications, either in wine and wood industries, in human and animal nutrition or in human health. In order to improve the knowledge on this genus, the aim of the present study was to correlate, for the first time, the phenolic composition of different Quercus ilex L. plant tissues (leaves in two maturation stages, acorns, teguments and cotyledons) and different extraction procedures with scavenging and anticholinesterase activities. The hydromethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained showed strong radical scavenging activity against DPPH, superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide radical, leaves exhibiting higher total phenolic content and revealing the best antioxidant properties, followed by tegument and acorns. Concerning the phenolic profile, fifteen compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC‐DAD, ranging from 1568.43 to 45,803.16 mg/kg dried extract. The results indicate that Q. ilex can be a source of strong antioxidant phenolic compounds with possible interest for food and pharmaceutical industries.

ACS Style

Lila Hadidi; Louiza Babou; Farid Zaidi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Ana Clara Grosso. Quercus ilex L.: How season, Plant Organ and Extraction Procedure Can Influence Chemistry and Bioactivities. Chemistry & Biodiversity 2016, 14, e1600187 .

AMA Style

Lila Hadidi, Louiza Babou, Farid Zaidi, Patrícia Valentão, Paula B. Andrade, Ana Clara Grosso. Quercus ilex L.: How season, Plant Organ and Extraction Procedure Can Influence Chemistry and Bioactivities. Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2016; 14 (1):e1600187.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lila Hadidi; Louiza Babou; Farid Zaidi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Ana Clara Grosso. 2016. "Quercus ilex L.: How season, Plant Organ and Extraction Procedure Can Influence Chemistry and Bioactivities." Chemistry & Biodiversity 14, no. 1: e1600187.

Journal article
Published: 12 August 2016 in Chemistry & Biodiversity
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Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. has a wide geographic distribution and was employed in traditional medicine as astringent, anti‐rheumatic and to treat fever. T. aphylla leaves and stems extracts were studied from both chemical and biological points of view to assess the antidiabetic, anticholinesterase and antioxidant potential of this species. The HPLC/Diode Array Detector (DAD) analysis showed the presence of 14 phenolic compounds (gallic, caffeic, p‐coumaric, ferulic and ellagic acids, kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin 3‐O‐galactoside and six flavonol derivatives). This is the first study reporting a comparative study of the biological activities of different extracts from T. aphylla. High activities were obtained against DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical () and nitric oxide radical (•NO) in a concentration‐dependent manner, the most active extracts being the polar ones. T. aphylla also showed moderate protective effects against acetylcholinesterase, but no effects were observed against butyrylcholinesterase. Against α‐glucosidase the MeOH extracts displayed IC50 values from 8.41 to 24.81 μg/ml.

ACS Style

Adel Mahfoudhi; Ana Clara Grosso; Rui F. Gonçalves; Eltaief Khelifi; Saoussen Hammami; Sami Achour; Malika Trabelsi Ayadi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Zine Mighri. Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antidiabetic Potential of Dry Leaves and Stems in Tamarix aphylla Growing Wild in Tunisia. Chemistry & Biodiversity 2016, 13, 1747 -1755.

AMA Style

Adel Mahfoudhi, Ana Clara Grosso, Rui F. Gonçalves, Eltaief Khelifi, Saoussen Hammami, Sami Achour, Malika Trabelsi Ayadi, Patrícia Valentão, Paula B. Andrade, Zine Mighri. Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antidiabetic Potential of Dry Leaves and Stems in Tamarix aphylla Growing Wild in Tunisia. Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2016; 13 (12):1747-1755.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adel Mahfoudhi; Ana Clara Grosso; Rui F. Gonçalves; Eltaief Khelifi; Saoussen Hammami; Sami Achour; Malika Trabelsi Ayadi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade; Zine Mighri. 2016. "Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antidiabetic Potential of Dry Leaves and Stems in Tamarix aphylla Growing Wild in Tunisia." Chemistry & Biodiversity 13, no. 12: 1747-1755.

Chapter
Published: 31 May 2016 in Herbal Medicine in Depression
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The estimated global cost of mental health conditions, including depressive disorders, was US$2.5 trillion in 2010. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression, 10–40 % of them not improving their condition with the current drug therapies, thus contributing to the increased burden of mental disorders. Indeed, prognostics are not encouraging since it is predicted that unipolar depressive disorders will be the first cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by the year 2030. For these reasons, it is urgent to find new antidepressant drugs that act on other targets rather than the conventional one (monoamine transmission). Having this in mind, this chapter provides a critical review of the theories available to explain the pathogenesis of depressive disorders, namely, those focusing on disturbances of monoamine, glutamate and GABA transmission, changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors, glial pathology, epigenetic mechanisms, and disturbance of the circadian rhythm.

ACS Style

Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade. Depressive Disorders: Prevalence, Costs, and Theories. Herbal Medicine in Depression 2016, 1 -41.

AMA Style

Ana Clara Grosso, Patrícia Valentão, Paula B. Andrade. Depressive Disorders: Prevalence, Costs, and Theories. Herbal Medicine in Depression. 2016; ():1-41.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Clara Grosso; Patrícia Valentão; Paula B. Andrade. 2016. "Depressive Disorders: Prevalence, Costs, and Theories." Herbal Medicine in Depression , no. : 1-41.

Book chapter
Published: 31 May 2016 in Herbal Medicine in Depression
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Despite almost 60 years of intensive research, depression still constitutes a huge economic and social burden worldwide. The reasons which led to this scenario as well as the strategies to overcome it are pointed out by several researchers from different fields of neuroscience and psychiatry: (1) low bioavailability and inefficacy of the current antidepressant drugs and the need for effective drug delivery systems, (2) the lack of appropriate biomarkers and the lack of a comprehensive knowledge of the genetic factors involved in the predisposition of depression, (3) the lack of suitable animal models to study treatment-resistant depression, and (4) the urgent need for a personalized medicine to treat depression patients. This chapter aims, thus, at thinking about what we have learned from the past, what failed, and what has been achieved, in order to rethink the treatment of depression for the future.

ACS Style

Clara Grosso. Future Strategies for the Treatment of Depression. Herbal Medicine in Depression 2016, 557 -571.

AMA Style

Clara Grosso. Future Strategies for the Treatment of Depression. Herbal Medicine in Depression. 2016; ():557-571.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Clara Grosso. 2016. "Future Strategies for the Treatment of Depression." Herbal Medicine in Depression , no. : 557-571.

Journal article
Published: 22 February 2016 in European Food Research and Technology
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This is the first study about the influence of the maturation stage and of extraction processes on the phenolic content, radical scavenging properties and inhibition of cholinesterases by leaves and fruits (whole fruit, seeds and pericarp) of Myrtus communis. Ten phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC–DAD in six different plant materials, namely gallic acid, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, malvidin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin, ellagic acid, quercetin and kaempferol. All extracts exhibited a dose-dependent effect against DPPH, superoxide anion (O 2●−) and nitric oxide (●NO) radicals. Leaves collected in September and December, ripe berries harvested in December and seeds from ripe berries were the most active ones, displaying IC50 values between 3.89 and 19.02, 24.19 and 34.69 and 13.69 and 76.01 μg/mL against DPPH, O 2●− and ●NO, respectively. All plant parts were more active than ascorbic acid as radical scavengers against O 2●− (IC50 = 372.85 μg/mL) and ●NO (IC50 = 248.25 μg/mL). Ripe berries and pericarps were the only parts containing anthocyanins, had the lowest amount of phenolic compounds (6.00–15.44 g/kg of dry extract) and were the least active ones. PCA analysis was performed to select the extracts with strong antiradical activity and possessing the highest amount of phenolic compounds (c.a. 50 g/kg of dry extract), to be further tested against cholinesterases; however, the selected seed extracts displayed weak inhibitory activity. This study demonstrates that the development stage of M. communis is a key factor to obtain and optimize a desired composition of phenolic antioxidants to be applied, for instance, as additives for the development of functional foods.

ACS Style

Louiza Babou; Lila Hadidi; Clara Grosso; Farid Zaidi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula Andrade. Study of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of myrtle leaves and fruits as a function of maturation. European Food Research and Technology 2016, 242, 1447 -1457.

AMA Style

Louiza Babou, Lila Hadidi, Clara Grosso, Farid Zaidi, Patrícia Valentão, Paula Andrade. Study of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of myrtle leaves and fruits as a function of maturation. European Food Research and Technology. 2016; 242 (9):1447-1457.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Louiza Babou; Lila Hadidi; Clara Grosso; Farid Zaidi; Patrícia Valentão; Paula Andrade. 2016. "Study of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of myrtle leaves and fruits as a function of maturation." European Food Research and Technology 242, no. 9: 1447-1457.