Research
Free Radical Biochemistry Greatly Stimulated the Interest on the Role of Bioactive Compounds
in Preventing Several Human Diseases
- This group aims to study biological/pharmacologiacal activities of bioactive phenolic compounds to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying their associated beneficial health effects.
- The identification of plasma metabolites of the compounds under study, the potential bioactive in vivo forms, and to establish whether effective concentrations are achieved in vivo, is another aim of our studies.
- To evaluate the human patho- and physiological relevance of the XOR/nitrite-dependent NO formation in conditions of normo-, hypo- and anoxia, and to have a glance on the mechanisms of the beneficial and/or detrimental effects of this pathway, is another aim of our studies.
Several on-going projects include:
- In vitro study of anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids, with the purpose of developing new anti-inflammatory drugs bearing flavonoid structures
- In vitro study of gastrointestinal digestion and bioavailability of the compounds present in herbal infusions - effect on the bioactivity (AchE and antioxidant activities)
- Reduction on the absorption of cholesterol by herbal infusion (Functional Foods) (financed project: PTDC/QUI-BIQ/113477/2009)
- Inhibition of microorganisms growth and dental biofilm formation by phenolic compounds.
- Biosynthesis and characterization of Au and Ag nanoparticles using phenolic compounds.
- In situ studies of the XOR and nitrate/nitrite-dependent NO formation to evaluate the protection conferred by nitrate/nitrite to cells submitted to normo-, hypo- and anoxia (financed project: PTDC/QUI-BIQ/100366/2008).
Funded projects:
– Reduction on the absorption of cholesterol by herbal infusion (Functional Foods) (PTDC/QUI-BIQ/113477/2009).
– Generation of NO by enzymes of xanthine oxidase family: New catalytic performances for old enzymes (PTDC/QUI-BIQ/100366/2008)
– 6th FP-EA-Biofilms-NEST 508866/2004 (closed 2008).
– Biocorrosion on dental materials (POCTI/CTM/56029/2004 (closed 2008).
– Microbially influenced corrosion attack on different metals-inhibition and economical aspects (Scientific and Technologic Cooperation between
GRICES and Ministry of Education from Hungary (2004-2006) (closed 2006).
– Sulfenylcarbamates as cystein proteases inhibitors: chemical and biochemical reactivity - POCTI/QUI/55602/2004 (closed 2009).
– Biodegradation of Azo Dyes in a Sequencing Batch Reactor - Projecto 32586/99- FCT/Sapiens 99. Fev2001-2004 (closed 2004).
– Biolactate – Microbiological optimization of lactic acid production (EUREKA-EU1870!, 1998-2001) (closed 2002).
– Electrochemical control of biofilm-forming micro-organisms: screening, identification and design of new Knowledge-based technologies (EUREKA- EU508866, 2004-2008) (closed 2009).
Free Radicals, Health and Nutrition
Centro de Química e Bioquímica
Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
CI | FCUL