Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies

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Roots and rhizomes of wild Asparagus: nutritional composition, bioactivity and nanoencapsulation of the most potent extract

Publication . Adouni, Khaoula; Júlio, Ana; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; González-Paramás, Ana M.; Filipe, Patrícia; Rijo, Patricia; Costa Lima, Sofia A.; Reis, Salette; Fernandes, Ângela; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Fernández-Ruiz, Virginia; Morales, Patricia; Flamini, Guido; Achour, Lotfi; Fonte, Pedro

The nutritional composition and bioactive properties of roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis were evalu- ated. Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by infusion was evaluated using free radicals scavenging and reducing power methods. Porcine liver primary cell was used to check the hepatotoxicity of infusions. Results revealed that Asparagus samples are likely a source of nutrients, such as dietary fibre and essential fatty acids. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS characterization of infusions allowed the identification and quantitation of 7 phenolic compounds, all hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, with caffeic acid as the most abundant. Roots infusion contained the highest amounts of these compounds. It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all assays, with EC50 values of 0.44 ± 0.01, 0.98 ± 0.03 and 0.64 ± 0.01 mg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively, with no toxicity towards PLP2 primary cell cultures (GI50 > 400 μg/mL). PLGA nanoparticles loaded with root extract were prepared using solvent-evaporation double emulsion method. Nanoparticles size was about 260 nm and a polydispersity index around 0.1, with a zeta potential of about -36 mV, as well as a good encapsulation efficiency of approximately 83%. Their morphology was analysed by SEM and spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a smooth surface were observed. FTIR and DSC were also performed, which allowed corroborating the efficacy of the encapsulation and to confirm the production of a stable and robust system to load Asparagus extracts. The developed nanoparticles are expected to be used as delivery systems for bioactive compounds of A. stipularis and they could be used as an innovative dietary supplement.

2022Journal article

Restricted access

Anthracyclines versus no anthracyclines in the neoadjuvant strategy for HER2+ breast cancer: real-world evidence

Publication . Pinho, Inês Soares de; Luz, Paulo; Alves, Lucy; Brás, Raquel Lopes; Patel, Vanessa; Martins, Miguel Esperança; Gonçalves, Lisa; Freitas, Ritas; Simão, Diana; Roldán Galnares, Maria; Fernandes, Isabel; Criado, Silvia Artacho; Gamez Casado, Salvador; Baena Cañada, Jose; Vega, Isabel M. Saffie; Costa, João G.; Fernandes, Ana S.; Sousa, Rita Teixeira de; Costa, Luís

Deescalation strategies omitting anthracyclines (AC) have been explored in early human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer (HER2+ EBC), showing similar efcacy regarding pathological complete response (pCR) and long-term outcomes as AC-containing regimens. The standard treatment for this tumor subtype is based on chemotherapy and dual HER2 blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, with AC-containing regimens remaining a frequent option for these patients, even in non-high-risk cases. The primary aim of this study was to assess and compare the efectiveness of neoadjuvant regimens with and without AC used in the treatment of HER2+ EBC in the clinical practice according to the pCR achieved with each.

2023-07-21Journal article

Open access