https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/545 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:41:09 GMT 2026-04-08T14:41:09Z https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6706 Título: ESTUDO DO POTENCIAL LEISHMANICIDA DO EXTRATO DAS FOLHAS DE Lafoensia pacari A.St.-Hil Autor: MAIA, Ellen Julli da Silva Passos Primeiro orientador: SILVA, Lucilene Amorim Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease of major public health importance, especially in endemic regions such as Maranhäo, Brazil. Conventional therapies face serious limitations, including high toxicity, elevated costs, and parasite resistance, highlighting the need for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. In this context, Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil., a Cerrado native species widely used in traditional medicine, has attracted scientific interest due to its bioactive compounds and potential pharmacological applications.This work was structured in two chapters. The first presents an integrative review of the pharmacological activities reported for L. pacari in studies published between 2000 and 2024. A total of 138 studies were identified, of which 55 met the inclusion criteria. The results revealed a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, wound-healing, antitumor, and antiparasitic effects, mainly attributed to the presence of ellagitannins, flavonoids, and saponins.The second chapter describes in vitro assays evaluating the leishmanicidal activity of the hydroalcoholic leaf extract and its fractions against Leishmania amazonensis, as well as cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophages and nitric oxide production. The results showed that L. pacari exhibits activity against L. amazonensis, particularly through the crude extract and the ethyl acetate fraction, which were more effective against amastigote forms. Low cytotoxicity in macrophages indicates a favorable safety profile. Increased nitric oxide production was also observed, suggesting that part of the effect may be related to its microbicidal action. Overall, the findings reinforce the potential of J. pacari as a bioactive resource from the Cerrado and higblight the need for further studies on the isolation of active compounds, toxicological evaluations, and clinical trials, aiming at its possible therapeutic application against leishmaniasis. Instituição: Universidade Federal do Maranhão Tipo do documento: Dissertação; Trabalho sob sigilo. Motivo: Trabalho em preparo para publicação. Data Provável de Liberação: 5 anos. Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6706 2025-10-23T00:00:00Z https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6489 Título: AVALIAÇÃO DA OSTEOARTRITE: Análise Radiológica e Comportamental em Modelo Experimental Autor: SILVA, Armando Reinaldo Marques Primeiro orientador: CARVALHO, Rafael Cardoso Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative osteoarticular disease that causes pain, stiffness, and limited joint function, being one of the leading causes of disability in the elderly. The aim of the study was to radiologically characterize experimental OA in rats and correlate these findings with behavioral analyses. The interest in this study arose from the need to deepen knowledge about the experimental model, especially in the comparison between male and female animals. This model is widely used in pre-clinical research due to its low cost, reliable pain response, predisposition to disease, and rapid induction. Additionally, genetic stability ensures the consistency of results, which underscores the importance of this research. A total of 29 rats were used, divided into six groups, including healthy males and females, and groups subjected to the experimental OA protocol, with and without treatment with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). On experimental days 0, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28, behavioral and motor tests (weight bearing, rotarod, and Von Frey) as well as radiological exams were conducted. The results showed that after 28 days, there was an improvement in forced ambulation capacity and nociceptive threshold between the groups, with no statistically significant difference between treated and untreated groups, nor between males and females. The main radiological findings included reduced joint space, bone sclerosis, and marginal osteophytes. It was concluded that radiographic findings may have little correlation with the symptoms presented by the animals, especially when related to behavioral motor tests. Instituição: Universidade Federal do Maranhão Tipo do documento: Dissertação Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6489 2025-04-10T00:00:00Z https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6420 Título: Avaliação da qualidade do DNA extraído de biópsias renais preservadas em diferentes soluções e investigação de variantes de risco do gene APOL1 em pacientes com glomerulopatias Autor: CARVALHO, João Victor Primeiro orientador: SILVA, Gyl Eanes Barros Abstract: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a serious public health issue, often associated with progressive glomerulopathies. The identification of genetic variants, such as those in the APOL1 gene, has been fundamental in understanding susceptibility and the progression of these diseases, particularly in populations of African ancestry. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and integrity of genomic DNA extracted from kidney biopsies preserved in different media (Michel, Bouin, and formalin) and to investigate the presence of the G1 and G2 APOL1 gene variants in patients treated at the Nephrology Service of LIME-HUUFMA. Paraffin-embedded, fresh, and frozen samples were used, with DNA extraction performed using protocols specific to each preservation method. DNA quality was assessed by spectrophotometry (A260/A280), agarose gel electrophoresis, and PCR amplification tests. The results clearly demonstrated the influence of the preservation medium on the yield and purity of the extracted genetic material. Samples stored in Michel’s solution showed the best purification parameters, with concentrations ranging from 3.3 ng/μL to 200.7 ng/μL and A260/A280 ratios between 1.8 and 1.9 ideal values for pure DNA. These samples also showed a higher success rate in PCR amplification, with visible and well-defined bands. Larger fragments derived from the renal cortex significantly contributed to obtaining higher quality DNA due to the greater cellular density. On the other hand, samples fixed in Bouin's solution were found to be highly degraded, with low concentrations, absence of bands in electrophoresis, and purity ratios outside the ideal range. The presence of picric acid and the prolonged action of the fixative resulted in chemical modifications to the DNA, compromising the extraction and purification steps. The data reinforce that the choice of preservation medium and the fragment's origin area are determining factors for the recovery of viable DNA. Standardizing collection and preservation protocols, with preference for Michel-embedded samples, can optimize molecular studies especially those focused on genotyping variants such as those of the APOL1 gene with relevant diagnostic and prognostic implications. Instituição: Universidade Federal do Maranhão Tipo do documento: Dissertação Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6420 2025-05-14T00:00:00Z https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6402 Título: Ocorrência de Aedes aegypti (LINNAEUS) e Aedes albopictus (SKUSE) em São Luís, Maranhão: impactos das variáveis ambientais e climáticas em áreas urbanas e florestais Autor: PINHEIRO, Laricia Cirqueira Primeiro orientador: REBÊLO, José Manuel Macário Abstract: This study evaluated the occurrence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in urban and forest ecotopes in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, considering the variations between the dry and rainy seasons. Ovitraps were installed in metropolitan and urban forest areas, and the collected data were analyzed using entomological indices (OPI and EDI), sex ratio, and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), with Gower's distance as the dissimilarity index. A total of 9,428 eggs were collected, and 5,444 adult individuals were identified, of which 3,626 were Ae. aegypti and 1,815 were Ae. albopictus. It was observed that Ae. aegypti predominated in urban areas, while Ae. albopictus was found in both ecotopes. The PCoA analysis revealed that precipitation, wind speed, and average monthly temperature were the main variables associated with the spatial distribution of the mosquitoes. For Ae. aegypti, precipitation particularly influenced urban environments. In contrast, the average temperature was a determining factor for both urban and forest areas for Ae. albopictus. The results highlight the importance of considering the role of Ae. albopictus as a reservoir in forest fragments, as it may reintroduce diseases into urban areas, representing an additional challenge for vector control. Instituição: Universidade Federal do Maranhão Tipo do documento: Dissertação Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://tedebc.ufma.br/jspui/handle/tede/6402 2025-02-27T00:00:00Z