Luana Beatriz Silva

Ms. Luana Beatriz Silva


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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24 October 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
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JFJosé Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
AFAna Rita de Sousa França
Ana Rita de Sousa França
LSLuana Beatriz Silva
Luana Beatriz Silva
PSPedrita Alves Sampaio
Pedrita Alves Sampaio
EPEmanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
LRLarissa Rolim
Larissa Rolim
Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a prevalent condition that causes severe uterine cramps in women worldwide. The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize a novel immediate-release system using vitexin and ZIF-8, and to evaluate its pharmacological action in a model of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: A 22 full factorial design guided the synthesis of the system. Physicochemical characterization was performed by FT-IR, TG, DSC, SEM, XRD, and in vitro release tests. Pharmacological activity was assessed in an oxytocin-induced dysmenorrhea model in mice. In addition, in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to explore the potential mechanism of action of vitexin. Results: Optimal yield and loading capacity were achieved at the high levels of the factorial design. Characterization analyses confirmed the successful formation of the vitexin@ZIF-8 (VIT@ZIF-8) system. The release study demonstrated a markedly enhanced dissolution rate of vitexin. Both isolated vitexin and VIT@ZIF-8 reduced abdominal writhing when administered orally at 3 and 30 mg/kg, while intraperitoneal activity was observed only at 30 mg/kg. Computational analyses revealed favorable interactions of vitexin with aldose reductase (AKR1C3), suggesting this enzyme as a potential molecular target in dysmenorrhea. Conclusions: The VIT@ZIF-8 system represents a promising strategy to improve the dissolution profile of vitexin, although pharmacological activity in this model was not superior to the isolated compound. The combined in vivo and in silico evidence supports vitexin as a potential antidysmenorrheic agent, possibly through modulation of AKR1C3. These findings open avenues for future studies addressing the molecular pathways of vitexin and for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for primary dysmenorrhea.

31 August 2025 in Journal of Molecular Structure
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
EFEdilson Alencar Filho
Edilson Alencar Filho
VSVanessa Costa Santos
Vanessa Costa Santos
LSLuana Beatriz Silva
Luana Beatriz Silva
LNLuana Nunes Novaes
Luana Nunes Novaes
EAEdigênia Araújo
Edigênia Araújo
MSMariane Teles Santos
Mariane Teles Santos