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das Neves MA, do Nascimento JR, Maciel-Silva VL, Dos Santos AM, Junior JDJGV, Coelho AJS, Lima MIS, Pereira SRF, da Rocha CQ. Anti-Leishmania activity and molecular docking of unusual flavonoids-rich fraction from Arrabidaea brachypoda (Bignoniaceae). Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111629. [PMID: 38750697 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniases comprise a group of infectious parasitic diseases caused by various species of Leishmania and are considered a significant public health problem worldwide. Only a few medications, including miltefosine, amphotericin B, and meglumine antimonate, are used in current therapy. These medications are associated with severe side effects, low efficacy, high cost, and the need for hospital support. Additionally, there have been occurrences of drug resistance. Additionally, only a limited number of drugs, such as meglumine antimonate, amphotericin B, and miltefosine, are available, all of which are associated with severe side effects. In this context, the need for new effective drugs with fewer adverse effects is evident. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-Leishmania activity of a dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) extracted from Arrabidaea brachypoda roots. This fraction inhibited the viability of L. infantum, L. braziliensis, and L. Mexicana promastigotes, with IC50 values of 10.13, 11.44, and 11.16 µg/mL, respectively, and against L. infantum amastigotes (IC50 = 4.81 µg/mL). Moreover, the DCMF exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 = 25.15) towards RAW264.7 macrophages, with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.2. Notably, the DCMF caused damage to the macrophage genome only at 40 µg/mL, which is greater than the IC50 found for all Leishmania species. The results suggest that DCMF demonstrates similar antileishmanial effectiveness to isolated brachydin B, without causing genotoxic effects on mammalian cells. This finding is crucial because the isolation of the compounds relies on several steps and is very costly while obtaining the DCMF fraction is a simple and cost-effective process. Furthermore, In addition, the potential mechanisms of action of brachydins were also investigated. The computational analysis indicates that brachydin compounds bind to the Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) enzyme via two main mechanisms: destabilizing the interface between the homodimers and interacting with catalytic residues situated at the site of binding. Based on all the results, DCMF exhibits promise as a therapeutic agent for leishmaniasis due to its significantly reduced toxicity in comparison to the adverse effects associated with current reference treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A das Neves
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Jessyane R do Nascimento
- UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Institute of Chemistry, Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Araraquara CEP 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva
- UEMA, Maranhão State University, Center for Education, Exact and Natural Sciences (CECEN), Department of Biology, CEP: 65055-310, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Alberto M Dos Santos
- UNICAMP - University of Campinas, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computer in Engineering and Sciences, Campinas CEP 13084-862, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Jessica S Coelho
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ingrid S Lima
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Silma Regina F Pereira
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Q da Rocha
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil.
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do Nascimento JR, de Matos Monteiro Lira BS, do Nascimento MO, Lopes GLN, Ferreira GM, de Souza Nunes GC, Gonçalves RS, Carvalho ALM, Vilegas W, da Rocha CQ. Innovative Microemulsion Loaded with Unusual Dimeric Flavonoids from Fridericia platyphylla (Cham.) L.G. Lohmann Roots. AAPS PharmSciTech 2023; 24:212. [PMID: 37848719 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-023-02655-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fridericia platyphylla (Cham.) L.G. Lohmann is a species native to the Brazilian cerrado, with promising bioactivity. The organic fraction of the roots is rich in unusual dimeric flavonoids, reported as potential candidates for cancer treatment. The exploration of these flavonoids is very important, considering their diverse biological activities and the need for innovative therapeutic options. This work aimed to develop and characterize a microemulsion loaded with a non-polar fraction (DCM). The constituents were chosen, and the pseudo-ternary diagram was constructed to determine the region of microemulsion formation. The microemulsions blank (ME), with 3% (ME3) and 5% (ME5) of fraction DCM, were characterized in terms of droplet size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index. Both MEs showed particle sizes <100 nm; only ME3 exhibited better values for polydispersity index and zeta potential and was therefore selected for further study. The organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated, revealing limpidity and transparency typical of these microstructures, physiologically acceptable pH, refractive index of 1.42±0.01, and density of 1.017 g/cm3±0.01. The stability tests showed good stability profiles even after exposure to extreme thermal conditions, with minimal changes in pH and the content of the incorporated fraction. The in vitro release study demonstrated that ME3 enabled the controlled release of the fraction, with a cumulative amount released over 60% within 6 h. Furthermore, fraction DCM and ME3 exhibited no toxicity in Tenebrio molitor larvae. The developed microemulsion exhibited excellent properties, so this study represents the first successful attempt to develop a formulation that incorporates the dimeric flavonoid fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Glaucio Monteiro Ferreira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Wagner Vilegas
- Institut of Biosciences, Coastal Campus of São Vicente, Paulista State University-UNESP, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
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Turnaturi R, Piana S, Spoto S, Costanzo G, Reina L, Pasquinucci L, Parenti C. From Plant to Chemistry: Sources of Active Opioid Antinociceptive Principles for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design. Molecules 2023; 28:7089. [PMID: 37894567 PMCID: PMC10609244 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain continues to be an enormous global health challenge, with millions of new untreated or inadequately treated patients reported annually. With respect to current clinical applications, opioids remain the mainstay for the treatment of pain, although they are often associated with serious side effects. To optimize their tolerability profiles, medicinal chemistry continues to study novel ligands and innovative approaches. Among them, natural products are known to be a rich source of lead compounds for drug discovery, and they hold potential for pain management. Traditional medicine has had a long history in clinical practice due to the fact that nature provides a rich source of active principles. For instance, opium had been used for pain management until the 19th century when its individual components, such as morphine, were purified and identified. In this review article, we conducted a literature survey aimed at identifying natural products interacting either directly with opioid receptors or indirectly through other mechanisms controlling opioid receptor signaling, whose structures could be interesting from a drug design perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Lorena Reina
- Postgraduate School of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia n. 97, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.S.); (C.P.)
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Serpeloni JM, Ribeiro DL, Weiss GF, de Oliveira LCB, Fujiike AY, Nunes HL, da Rocha CQ, Guembarovski RL, Cólus IMDS. Flavonoid brachydin B decreases viability, proliferation, and migration in human metastatic prostate (DU145) cells grown in 2D and 3D culture models. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:321-331. [PMID: 37125333 PMCID: PMC10141769 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brachydin B (BrB) is a unique dimeric flavonoid extracted from Fridericia platyphylla (Cham.) LG Lohmann with different biological activities. However, the antitumoral potential of this flavonoid is unclear. In our study, we evaluated the effects of the BrB flavonoid on cell viability (MTT, resazurin, and lactate dehydrogenase assays), proliferation (protein dosage and clonogenic assay), and migration/invasion (3D ECM gel, wound-healing, and transwell assays) of metastatic prostate (DU145) cells cultured both as traditional 2D monolayers and 3D tumor spheroids in vitro. The results showed that the BrB flavonoid promotes cytotoxic effects from ≥1.50 μM after 24 h of treatment in DU145 cells in monolayers. In 3D prostate tumor spheroids, BrB also induced cytotoxic effects at higher concentrations after longer treatment (48, 72, and 168 h). Furthermore, BrB treatment is associated with reduced DU145 clonogenicity in 2D cultures, as well as decreased area/volume of 3D tumor spheroids. Finally, BrB (6 μM) reduced cell migration/invasion in 2D monolayers and promoted antimigratory effects in DU145 tumor spheroids (≥30 μM). In conclusion, the antitumoral and antimigratory effects observed in DU145 cells cultured in 2D and 3D models are promising results for future studies with BrB using in vivo models and confirm this molecule as a candidate for metastatic prostate cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Mara Serpeloni
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Diego Luis Ribeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Fátima Weiss
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | | | - Andressa Yuri Fujiike
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Higor Lopes Nunes
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Claudia Quintino da Rocha
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Roberta Losi Guembarovski
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Ilce Mara de Syllos Cólus
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
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Maciel-Silva VL, da Rocha CQ, Alencar LMR, Castelo-Branco PV, Sousa IHD, Azevedo-Santos AP, Vale AAM, Monteiro SG, Soares REP, Guimarães SJA, Nascimento JRD, Pereira SRF. Unusual dimeric flavonoids (brachydins) induce ultrastructural membrane alterations associated with antitumor activity in cancer cell lines. Drug Chem Toxicol 2022:1-12. [PMID: 35635136 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2022.2080217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Notwithstanding the advances in molecular target-based drugs, chemotherapy remains the most common cancer treatment, despite its high toxicity. Consequently, effective anticancer therapies with fewer adverse effects are needed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the anticancer activity of the dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) isolated from Arrabidae brachypoda roots, whose components are three unusual dimeric flavonoids. The toxicity of DCMF was investigated in breast (MCF-7), prostate (DU145), and cervical (HeLa) tumor cells, as well as non-tumor cells (PNT2), using sulforhodamine B (cell viability), Comet (genotoxicity), clonogenicity (reproductive capacity) and wound healing (cell migration) assays, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for ultrastructural cell membrane alterations. Molecular docking revealed affinity between albumin and each rare flavonoid, supporting the impact of fetal bovine serum in DCMF antitumor activity. The IC50 values for MCF7, HeLa, and DU145 were 2.77, 2.46, and 2.51 µg/mL, respectively, and 4.08 µg/mL for PNT2. DCFM was not genotoxic to tumor or normal cells when exposed to twice the IC50 for up to 24 h, but it inhibited tumor cell migration and reproduction compared to normal cells. Additionally, AFM revealed alterations in the ultrastructure of tumor nuclear membrane surfaces, with a positive correlation between DCMF concentration and tumor cell roughness. Finally, we found a negative correlation between roughness and the ability of DCMF-treated tumor cells to migrate and form colonies with more than 50 cells. These findings suggest that DCFM acts by causing ultrastructural changes in tumor cell membranes while having fewer toxicological effects on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology-Bionorte, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil.,Department of Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - Claudia Quintino da Rocha
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | | | - Israel Higino de Sousa
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Azevedo-Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Cancer, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - André Alvares Marques Vale
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Cancer, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Silvio Gomes Monteiro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - Rossy-Eric Pereira Soares
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - Sulayne Janayna Araujo Guimarães
- Laboratory of Immunology Applied to Cancer, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - Silma Regina Ferreira Pereira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
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A Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of the Genus Arrabidaea. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060658. [PMID: 35745577 PMCID: PMC9227117 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Arrabidaea, consisting of ~170 species, belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, distributed around the Neotropics and temperate zone. The center of diversity of the family is in Brazil, where 56 genera and about 340 species exist. Most species of the genus Arrabidaea are traditionally utilized as diuretics and antiseptics, as well as for treating intestinal colic, diarrhea, kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, wounds, and enterocolitis. The genus is chemically diverse with different substance classes; most of them are triterpenes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, and they exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, antioxidant, leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. This review presents information on the chemical constituents isolated from seven Arrabidaea species, and the pharmacological activities of the extracts, fractions and pure substances isolated since 1994, obtained from electronic databases. The various constituents present in the different species of this genus demonstrate a wide pharmacological potential for the development of new therapeutic agents, however its potential has been underestimated.
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Nanoforming Hyaluronan-Based Thermoresponsive Hydrogels: Optimized and Tunable Functionality in Osteoarthritis Management. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030659. [PMID: 35336034 PMCID: PMC8955188 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) constitutes a versatile chemical framework for the development of osteoarthritis pain treatment by means of injection in the joints, so-called viscosupplementation. Without appropriate physico-chemical tuning, such preparations are inherently hindered by prompt in vivo degradation, mediated by hyaluronidases and oxidative stress. To prolong hydrogel residence time and confer optimized product functionality, novel thermoresponsive nanoforming HA derivatives were proposed and characterized. Combined use of sulfo-dibenzocyclooctyne-PEG4-amine linkers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in green chemistry process enabled the synthesis of HA-based polymers, with in situ obtention of appropriate viscoelastic properties. Spontaneous and reversible thermoformation of nanoparticles above 30 °C was experimentally confirmed. Lead formulations were compared to a commercially available HA-based product and shown significantly better in vitro resistance to enzymatic and oxidative degradation, required half the injection force with optimal viscoelastic hydrogel properties in equine synovial fluids. Results highlighted the vast potential of appropriately engineered HA-based systems as next-generation long-acting viscosupplementation products for osteoarthritic patients.
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de Oliveira LCB, Nunes HL, Ribeiro DL, do Nascimento JR, da Rocha CQ, de Syllos Cólus IM, Serpeloni JM. Aglycone flavonoid brachydin A shows selective cytotoxicity and antitumoral activity in human metastatic prostate (DU145) cancer cells. Cytotechnology 2021; 73:761-774. [PMID: 34776627 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-021-00495-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In prostate cancer, flavonoids possess a wide variety of anticancer effects, focused on the antioxidant/pro-oxidant activity, inactivation of the androgen receptor, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, metastasis inhibition, among others. This current research investigated the antitumoral in vitro activity of Brachydin A (BrA), a dimeric flavonoid isolated from Fridericia platyphylla, in human castration-resistant prostate cancer DU145. It was compared BrA selective effects in tumor prostate DU145 cells with non-tumor prostate epithelial PNT2 cells. Cell viability experiments (resazurin, neutral red, MTT, and LDH release assays) showed that BrA was sevenfold more cytotoxic to tumor cells than non-tumor prostate cells, with IC50 values of 77.7 µM and 10.7 µM for PNT2 and DU145 cells, respectively. Furthermore, BrA induced necrosis and apoptosis (triple fluorescence staining assay) without interfering with oxidative stress (CM-H2DCFDA) in DU145 cells. Also, BrA (15.36 µM) reduced cell proliferation on clonogenic assay (DU145 cells) but no change in cell number and protein content was observed when cell growth curve assay was used. Wound healing and transwell assays were used for checking the effects of BrA on cell migration and invasion, and BrA impaired these processes in PNT2 (wound healing) and DU145 cells (transwell). Our results inspire further studies to test BrA as a novel chemotherapeutic drug and to evaluate its effects on drug-resistant metastatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Higor Lopes Nunes
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, 86057-970 Brazil
| | - Diego Luis Ribeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-903 Brazil
| | | | - Cláudia Quintino da Rocha
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, 65080-805 Brazil
| | - Ilce Mara de Syllos Cólus
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, 86057-970 Brazil
| | - Juliana Mara Serpeloni
- Department of General Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, 86057-970 Brazil.,Laboratório de Mutagênese e Oncogenética, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid - PR 445 Km 380 Cx. Postal 10.011 - Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR CEP: 86057-970 Brazil
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