http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/186 2026-09-12T14:45:33Z 2026-09-12T14:45:33Z Camilo, Karen Leonor Angel http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/87000 2026-07-03T18:26:35Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Desenvolvimento de antiveneno piloto contra os venenos de serpentes Bothrops ayerbei, Bothrops rhombeatus, Bothrops asper e Lachesis acrochorda, usando nanopartículas de quitosana como imuno adjuvante Autor(es): Camilo, Karen Leonor Angel Abstract: Snake bite poisoning is a neglected tropical disease, and one of the main factors aggravating this problem is the scarcity of effective antivenoms in sufficient quantities to treat victims. In such circumstances, it is essential to research new strategies for the production and improvement of snake antivenoms, using substances capable of stimulating the immune response, as has been repeatedly reported for chitosan. Thus, the objective of this research was to develop a prototype antivenom against the venoms of Lachesis acrochorda (SVLa), Bothrops ayerbei (SVBay), Bothrops rhombeatus (SVBr), and Bothrops asper (SVBas), using chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) as immunoadjuvants. The nanoparticles were obtained by ionic gelation, loaded with viper venoms (SVLa, SVBay, SVBr, and SVBas), and characterized in terms of their physical-chemical properties and loading efficiency. Next, a process of immunization in rabbits was carried out, followed by immunorecognition tests. The NPs exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 77.5%, an average size of 85.1 nm, a zeta potential of approximately +7.4 mV, and a polydispersity index ≤ 0.5, indicating NPs with stable physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, antibodies produced by rabbits immunized with chitosan NPs loaded with venoms demonstrated a protein recognition immune response equal to or greater than that observed in control rabbits and commercial antivenoms tested, both in Western blot and ELISA assays, indicating greater antigenic recognition capacity compared to conventional antivenoms. Regarding in vivo neutralization tests, a good response was observed, inhibiting deaths equally or more than the control rabbit antivenom without nanoparticles. The immunization model in rabbits demonstrated greater efficacy of chitosan NPs with poisons (SVLa, SVBay, SVBr, and SVBas) compared to conventional immunoadjuvants, such as aluminum hydroxide and Freund's adjuvant. Thus, chitosan nanoparticles loaded with venoms represent a promising biotechnological approach for the development of antivenom immunotherapies. Tipo: Tese

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Nobre, Micael Pereira http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86959 2026-06-30T17:45:32Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Interculturalidade e farmácias vivas: plantas medicinais nas práticas da saúde indígena Autor(es): Nobre, Micael Pereira Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Medicinal Plants as those that produce a pharmacological action. Based on this premise, interculturality within the Unified Health System (SUS) involves the recognition and articulation between traditional indigenous knowledge and scientific insights regarding these plants. This thesis analyzed the inclusion of the Indigenous Cultivation Agent within the SUS, evaluated the impact of an intercultural training program on medicinal plants for indigenous agents and leaders in Ceará, and analyzed the applicability of an educational product (booklet). The research was developed within the scope of the project "Interculturality and Living Pharmacies in SUS Ceará", coordinated among SESA-CE, UFC, and DSEI-CE. Methodologically, it was organized into three axes: i) a qualitative study based on document analysis and an integrative review regarding the Indigenous Cultivation Agent in pharmaceutical assistance; ii) a quantitativequalitative action research with pre- and post-tests before and after an intercultural training workshop involving 18 agents and leaders from the Tremembé, Tabajara, Kalabaça, Tapeba, and Pitaguary peoples; and iii) a document and content analysis on the applicability of the booklet. Results from the first axis showed that institutionalizing the Indigenous Cultivation Agent expands access to herbal medicines, strengthens community autonomy, and contributes to culturally sensitive care models. The second axis demonstrated significant progress in participants' confidence to guide the population and in the internalization of concepts such as detoxification, exact dosage, and preparation. The results of the third axis demonstrated that the Primary Processing Booklet has high applicability and operational viability within the SUS, aligning quality protocols with unrestricted respect for traditional indigenous healing systems. In conclusion, the articulation among the Cultivation Agent, the intercultural training, and the booklet constitutes a powerful strategy for the qualification and empowerment of leaders, promoting dialogue between pharmaceutical science and ancestral knowledge within the SUS. Ethics Committee Approval: No. 8.327.008 (FACERES/CONEP). Tipo: Tese

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Moura, Gabriel Acácio de http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86408 2026-06-02T19:10:18Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Avaliação da atividade de peptídeos derivados do veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus sobre a criopreservação espermática Autor(es): Moura, Gabriel Acácio de Tipo: Tese

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Rocha, Yasmim Mendes http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86238 2026-05-12T19:04:13Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Avaliação da atividade in vitro dos derivados sintéticos de N-ciclohexil 3-(3-metilfenil)1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amina sobre a cepa y de Trypanosoma cruzi e um estudo de toxicidade in vivo Autor(es): Rocha, Yasmim Mendes Abstract: Chagas disease remains a significant public health problem in Latin America, primarily treated with Nifurtimox and Benznidazole. Despite initial proactive strategies, these medications have limitations, such as low efficacy in the chronic phase and adverse effects. In this context, heterocyclic compounds, such as 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives, have been investigated as potential therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity and toxicity of molecules 2a, 2f, and 2i against the Trypanosoma cruzi strain using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo assays. The results showed a concentration-dependent effect on epimastigote forms, with IC50 values of 31.4 µM, 44.4 µM, and 7.0 µM for 2a, 2f, and 2i, respectively. In trypomastigotes, LC50 values of 14.2 µM, 2.4 µM, and 2.6 µM were observed for these same molecules, in addition to a significant reduction in the amastigote load in infected cells. The selectivity index was 15, 5.8, 9.8, and 4.7 for molecules 2a, 2f, 2i, and benznidazole, respectively. Flow cytometry analyses indicated compromised cell integrity, induction of oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, altering different targets of action of the molecules under study. Using free radical neutralization assays in solution, through antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, the molecules under study showed a high capacity for scavenging free radicals. These findings suggest that such compounds may interfere with the redox balance of the parasite, contributing to oxidative stress and, consequently, to the observed antiparasitic effects. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy revealed membrane alterations, cell rounding, or flagellar absence. Among the compositions evaluated, molecule 2a stood out for presenting a better balance between efficacy and selectivity in vitro, in addition to interactions developed with the cruzipain enzyme in in silico analyses. In in vivo assays with zebrafish, molecule 2a showed dose-dependent embryonic toxicity (LC50~15 µM); similar to bzn at higher concentrations, decreasing a specific cytotoxic potential. Taken together, these findings reinforce the potential of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives as promising candidates for the development of new therapeutic strategies against Chagas disease, highlighting molecule 2a as a priority target for future studies. Tipo: Tese

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z