Leonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang

Mr. Leonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 February 2025 in Antioxidants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VMVictor Mello
Victor Mello
GBGiovanna Oliveira de Brito
Giovanna Oliveira de Brito
MRMarina Arantes Radicchi
Marina Arantes Radicchi
IFIsadora Florêncio
Isadora Florêncio
TPTathyana Benetis Piau
Tathyana Benetis Piau
EGEliana Fortes Gris
Eliana Fortes Gris
This study explores the development and characterization of lipid nanostructures (NLCs) containing natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) derived from taperebá peel extract (Spondias mombin), a by-product rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, including ellagic acid and quercetin. The taperebá extract exhibited a high polyphenol content (2623 mg GAE/L) and notable antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH (258 mM TEAC/100 mL) and ABTS (495 mM TEAC/100 mL) assays. NLCs were developed using NaDESs to enhance the stability and bioavailability of the antioxidant compounds. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the formation of stable, nanometric, and monodispersed formulations with efficient encapsulation. Biological evaluation of the NLC-TAP-NaDES formulation demonstrated its remarkable capacity to mitigate oxidative stress in cells subjected to H2O2-induced ROS generation. Fluorescence imaging revealed a significant reduction in intracellular ROS levels in treated cells compared to untreated controls, confirming the antioxidant efficacy of the formulation. This outcome underscores the synergy between NaDESs and NLC systems in protecting and delivering phenolic compounds. This study highlights the potential of utilizing underexplored by-products, such as taperebá peels, to develop sustainable and effective antioxidant delivery systems. The NLC-TAP-NaDES platform combines nanotechnology with green chemistry principles, presenting significant implications for the treatment of oxidative stress-related conditions and broader applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sciences. These findings contribute to advancing sustainable innovations in antioxidant therapies, leveraging the dual benefits of bioeconomy and high-performance nanomaterials.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLuís Felipe Medeiros Romera
Luís Felipe Medeiros Romera
LSLuísa Schuh
Luísa Schuh
CLCaio Leal
Caio Leal
LCLeonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
Leonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
BSBrenda Martins dos Santos
Brenda Martins dos Santos
VMVictor Mello
Victor Mello
Plant-derived compounds offer immense therapeutic potential, yet many suffer from limited solubility, instability, and poor bioavailability, restricting their clinical application. Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa, is one such molecule, with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To overcome its pharmacokinetic limitations, we developed Jamamina, a sustainable nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) system incorporating curcumin and a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES) phase composed of malic acid and betaine. The bioinspired formulation, based on Amazonian tucumã butter and jambu oil, achieved high encapsulation efficiency (>80%) and curcumin amorphization, enhancing solubility and colloidal stability. In vitro assays with L132 demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (DPPH), a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and upregulation of IL-10. The system also suppressed MMP-2/9 activity and preserved cytoskeletal integrity under oxidative stress. These findings highlight Jamamina as a multifunctional, eco-friendly nanoplatform that enables the pharmacological application of plant-derived curcumin, representing a promising platform for modulating redox balance and investigating inflammation in epithelial-like contexts.

25 September 2026 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TAThalita do Espírito Santo Alves
Thalita do Espírito Santo Alves
LCLeonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
Leonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
TPTathyana Benetis Piau
Tathyana Benetis Piau
IFIsadora Florêncio
Isadora Florêncio
CLCaio Leal
Caio Leal
VMVictor Mello
Victor Mello
Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, urban pollution and depletion of cutaneous antioxidant reserves are interconnected drivers of photoaging, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation, mitochondrial dysfunction and dermal extracellular matrix degradation. Plant polyphenols can counteract these processes, but topical efficacy is limited by chemical instability, polarity-driven partitioning and a hostile stratum corneum delivery interface. Here we report a green nanostructured lipid carrier co-loading a phenolic-rich jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) peel extract and caffeine (NLC-JC), engineered with Amazonian lipids (Astrocaryum murumuru butter and Orbignya phalerata oil) and stabilized by a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES)-like microenvironment. Methods: UPLC profiling was used to determine the polyphenolic composition of the extract. Physicochemical characterization included hydrodynamic diameter and PDI, ζ-potential, lipid matrix organization (XRD) and morphology (TEM), as well as colloidal stability over 30 days. Cytotoxicity was assessed in SH-4 melanocytes (ISO 10993-5) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (96-h IC50, GHS acute hazard threshold). Functional antioxidant and photoprotective activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, and by attenuation of UVC- and H2O2-induced anion superoxide generation, alongside assessment of cellular and nuclear morphology under combined oxidative stress. Results: UPLC profiling revealed a polyphenolic fingerprint dominated by ellagic acid (476.8 ± 19.7 µg g−1), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (90.9 ± 4.6 µg g−1), quercetin (83.7 ± 1.4 µg g−1), cyanidin-3-glucoside (73.0 ± 1.2 µg g−1) and protocatechuic acid (68.2 ± 2.2 µg g−1), bioactives with documented anti-MMP, NF-κB-suppressing and ROS-scavenging activities. Optimized NLC-JC showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 56.1 nm (PDI = 0.131), negative ζ-potential, amorphous lipid matrix (XRD) and spherical morphology (TEM, ≈150–200 nm electron-dense particles), with 30-day colloidal stability. NLC-JC exhibited low cytotoxicity in SH-4 melanocytes (IC50 = 2304 μg mL−1), preserving ≥70% viability across the cosmetically relevant range (ISO 10993-5), and a 96-h LC50 of 2013 μg mL−1 in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, three orders of magnitude above the GHS acute hazard threshold (100 mg L−1). Functionally, NLC-JC produced ≈50% DPPH radical scavenging at concentrations comparable to ascorbic acid, attenuated UVC- and H2O2-induced anion superoxide generation and preserved cellular and nuclear morphology under combined oxidative stress. Conclusion: These data position NLC-JC as a safe-by-design, multifunctional dermocosmetic platform combining agro-industrial valorization with mechanism-anchored photoprotection.

10 February 2025 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
VMVictor Mello
Victor Mello
GBGiovanna Oliveira de Brito
Giovanna Oliveira de Brito
MRMarina Arantes Radicchi
Marina Arantes Radicchi
IFIsadora Florêncio
Isadora Florêncio
TPTathyana Benetis Piau
Tathyana Benetis Piau
EGEliana Fortes Gris
Eliana Fortes Gris
This study explores the development and characterization of lipid nanostructures (NLCs) containing natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) derived from taperebá peel extract (Spondias mombin), a by-product rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, including ellagic acid and quercetin. The taperebá extract exhibited a high polyphenol content (2623 mg GAE/L) and notable antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH (258 mM TEAC/100 mL) and ABTS (495 mM TEAC/100 mL) assays. NLCs were developed using NaDES to enhance the stability and bioavailability of the antioxidant compounds. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the formation of stable, nanometric, and monodispersed formulations with efficient encapsulation. Biological evaluation of the NLC-TAP-NaDES formulation demonstrated its remarkable capacity to mitigate oxidative stress in cells subjected to H₂O₂-induced ROS generation. Fluorescence imaging revealed a significant reduction in intracellular ROS levels in treated cells compared to untreated controls, confirming the antioxidant efficacy of the formulation. This outcome underscores the synergy between NaDES and NLC systems in protecting and delivering phenolic compounds. The study highlights the potential of utilizing underexplored by-products, such as taperebá peels, to develop sustainable and effective antioxidant delivery systems. The NLC-TAP-NaDES platform combines nanotechnology with green chemistry principles, presenting significant implications for the treatment of oxidative stress-related conditions and broader applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sciences. These findings contribute to advancing sustainable innovations in antioxidant therapies, leveraging the dual benefits of bioeconomy and high-performance nanomaterials.

29 May 2026 in ACS Omega
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LCLeonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
Leonardo Froes de Azevedo Chang
BSBrenda Martins dos Santos
Brenda Martins dos Santos
LFLívia M. Ferreira
Lívia M. Ferreira
GFGabriel R. Farias
Gabriel R. Farias
MRMarina A. Radicchi
Marina A. Radicchi
SBSônia Báo
Sônia Báo
This study evaluates a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation incorporating taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) peel extract and natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) as a sustainable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory platform for skin health. The peel extract, rich in polyphenols and carotenoids, was combined with NaDES-based lipids to improve stability and biocompatibility. The NLC-TAP-NaDES demonstrated an average particle size of approximately 150 nm. Human keratinocytes (HaCat) and melanocytes (SH-4) were used to assess cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cytokine modulation. NLC-TAP-NaDES showed low toxicity, preserved cell morphology, and significantly reduced superoxide and hydroxyl radicals under hydrogen peroxide stress. The formulation also modulated key cytokines: TNF-α increased under basal conditions, supporting angiogenesis, while IL-6 and IFN-γ were downregulated in keratinocytes, suggesting balanced inflammation and improved barrier function. These findings indicate that NLC-TAP-NaDES provides oxidative protection and modulates inflammatory signaling in skin cells, supporting its potential as a sustainable platform for cosmetic and dermatological applications derived from agricultural byproducts.

15 September 2026 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LSLuísa Schuh
Luísa Schuh
BSBruno Figueiredo de Souza
Bruno Figueiredo de Souza
TVThais Valim
Thais Valim
TAThalita do Espírito Santo Alves
Thalita do Espírito Santo Alves
BSBrenda Martins dos Santos
Brenda Martins dos Santos
SBSônia Báo
Sônia Báo
The transition from predatory extractive economies to high-technology systems centered on the standing forest paradigm represents a defining sustainability challenge for the Global South. This integrative review establishes a novel socio-technical and technological architecture, conceptualized as Amazonian Nanobioeconomy 5.0, by critically synthesizing the convergence of the Amazonian lipid pharmacopeia, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDESs), and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) optimization. We critically evaluate how data-driven green nanomanufacturing can overcome the empirical trial-and-error bottlenecks and severe chemical variability inherent to native biodiversity oils and butters. The integration of predictive algorithms—such as tree-based models and Bayesian optimization—with eco-friendly extraction media enables the rational design of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) while accelerating their translation across the biotechnological “Valley of Death”. Under the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework, this convergence offers a composition-dependent green alternative to harmful petrochemical volatile organic compounds, fosters circular biorefineries, and minimizes the global environmental footprint of advanced nanopharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Finally, we articulate how this digital and green deep-tech infrastructure must be non-negotiably tethered to strict territorial governance, fair benefit-sharing, and epistemic justice to prevent data colonialism and foster a truly just planetary transition.