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- Evaluation of the potential of marine cyanobacteria towards Alzheimer’s diseasePublication . Moreira, Ana Rita; Silva, Ana Margarida; Vieira, Mónica; Martins, RosárioAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and the major cause of dementia. Despite the constant efforts to achieve cure, no treatment is currently effective and new approaches are urgently needed. Marine biotechnology has been at the frontline for the bioprospection of natural sources to treat ND. Several marine compounds have already provided evidence for anti-AD drugs by acting in mechanisms such as the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Among marine organisms, cyanobacteria have been recognized as a major source of bioactive compounds and the potential towards AD has been highlighted, namely AChE inhibitors. This project is included in a screening program that aims to evaluate the potential of cyanobacteria from the Culture Collection of CIIMAR -LEGE-CC against AD. In this work, 80 fractions of marine cyanobacteria were screened for the potential to inhibit AChE since this is a proven enzyme target to ameliorate the loss of cholinergic signal and to induce cytotoxicity in the neuroblastoma cell line SHY5Y, in the normal fibroblasts cell line 3T3L1, and in the endothelial cells from central nervous system capillaries hCMEC/D3. Results considering the enzymatic assays and cytotoxic assays revealed that the fractions are not toxic or with low toxicity. The strains Phormidium sp; an unidentified filamentous Synechococcales and Nodosilinea nodulosa revealed moderate toxicity towards AChE.
- Anticancer potential of spores of the soil fungus Pisolithus tinctoriusPublication . Oliveira, Rui S.; Alves, Ricardo; Preto, Marco; Martins, RosárioCancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide being the search for new anticancer drugs essential for the treatment of this disease. The sporocarps of the soil fungus Pisolithus tinctorius contain pisosterol, a triterpene that has been shown to have antitumor activity against some cancer cell lines. Nevertheless, no studies have focused on the anticancer potential of other structures such as spores, and so the anticancer potential of P. tinctorius, remains largely unknown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of P. tinctorius spores as a source of anticancer compounds.
- Phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against keratinocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells of picoplanktonic marine cyanobacteriaPublication . Morone, Janaína; Lopes, Graciliana; Preto, Marco; Vasconcelos, Vítor; Martins, RosárioCombining the increase demand for natural products in skin care formulations, and the bioactive arsenal of cyanobacteria, we aimed with this study to evaluate the potential of a 70% ethanolic extract of picocyanobacteria strains of the genera Cyanobium and Synechocystis for skin care applications.