Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MARIANA ESTEVES FELIX PENHA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARIANA ESTEVES FELIX PENHA
Date: 14/08/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: remota
TITLE:

Behavioral and biochemical evaluation of the effects of Ilex paraguariensis in a zebrafish model of neuroinflammation induced by exposure to chemical and biological compounds

PAGES: 60
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Farmacologia
SUBÁREA: Neuropsicofarmacologia
SUMMARY:

Neuroinflammation is an important process underlying several neurological disorders and mental disorders. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) emerges as a promising therapeutic complement due to its documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential. However, traditional forms of consumption vary in preparation and processing methods, which may alter the concentration of its bioactive compounds. To identify which preparation exhibits the greatest neuroprotective potential, this study conducted a phytochemical and in vitro bioactivity characterization of four types of yerba mate extracts based on popular use: cold extraction, hot extraction, cold roasted, and hot roasted. The selected extract was subsequently evaluated in vivo using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model across two paradigms: lipopolysaccharide-induced embryolarval neuroinflammation and copper-induced neurotoxicity in adults of both sexes. Molecular biology assays were performed ex vivo to quantify enzymes of interest. Phytochemical characterization revealed that extraction conditions and processing methods qualitatively influenced the partitioning of bioactive compounds, although baseline antioxidant capacities remained uniform across preparations. Based on acetylcholinesterase enzymatic assays, the hot roasted preparation was identified as having the highest neuroprotective potential and was selected for subsequent in vivo testing. Following developmental toxicity assays (OECD 236), non-toxic concentrations for both the hot roasted extract and the inflammatory challenge were established. In the embryolarval zebrafish model, exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and yerba mate produced no significant alterations in locomotor activity or touch-evoked startle responses, however, a specific impairment was observed exclusively in the 10 ng/mL LPS group during the optomotor response assay, prevented by concomitant yerba mate treatment. In the zebrafish adult paradigm, copper exposure disrupted locomotor parameters in both sexes and uniquely altered the absolute turn angle in males, deficits that were restored by concomitant exposure to the yerba mate extract. Similarly, in the social preference test, copper exposure reduced general locomotor parameters and significantly decreased the number of entries into the stimulus zone, both of which were counteracted by yerba mate co-treatment. Finally, qPCR analysis revealed distinct, sex-dependent baseline expressions for SOD and CAT mRNA between males and females, though no significant changes were induced by the yerba mate treatment. Further biomolecular analyses for both models are currently underway to comprehensively evaluate downstream inflammatory pathways and enzymatic biomarkers. Nevertheless, hot roasted yerba mate showed safety and acted as a modulator in behavior against LPS and copper challenges.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - Interno ao Programa - 1893240 - RAQUEL VECCHIO FORNARI
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - MATHEUS FELIPE MARCON - UFTM
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - THIAGO BERTI KIRSTEN - USP
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1766041 - MARCELO BUSSOTTI REYES