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Nicolucci C, Rodrigues FDC, Marson FAL, Sciani JM. Potential use of quercetin in the reduction of craving in cocaine-dependent patients-A pilot clinical trial. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1310-1312. [PMID: 38191148 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Nicolucci
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade São Francisco, São Paulo, Brazil
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Nicolucci C, Padovani M, Rodrigues FDC, Fritsch LN, Santos AC, Priolli DG, Sciani JM. Flavonoids: the use in mental health and related diseases. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37948603 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2275275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Given the current increase in mental and neurological disorders, there is an urgent need to develop alternative treatments for patients. Flavonoids exhibit diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective, and has been considered potential therapies for central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and stroke. Studies have shown that flavonoids protect neurons from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, improve brain blood flow and enhance cognitive function. Moreover, its modulation of neurotransmission, such as GABAergic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and noradrenergic, has been studied for the treatment of mental disorders that require sedative effects, antidepressants, sleep inducers and anxiety reduction. Although more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential benefits of these compounds, the use of flavonoids for neurological diseases is a promising avenue for future research and development. This review focuses on major flavonoid subclasses and their applications in central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Nicolucci
- Medical School, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Milena Padovani
- Medical School, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Nagy Fritsch
- Psychiatry Medical Residency Program, São Francisco University Hospital, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Santos
- Institute of Biophysics of University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR/Cibb), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Denise Gonçalves Priolli
- Department of Coloproctology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Medical School from Pitágoras Faculty, Codó, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Sciani
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
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Nicolucci C, Pais ML, Santos AC, Ribeiro FM, Encarnação PMCC, Silva ALM, Castro IF, Correia PMM, Veloso JFCA, Reis J, Lopes MZ, Botelho MF, Pereira FC, Priolli DG. Single Low Dose of Cocaine-Structural Brain Injury Without Metabolic and Behavioral Changes. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:589897. [PMID: 33584173 PMCID: PMC7874143 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.589897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic cocaine use has been shown to lead to neurotoxicity in rodents and humans, being associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, recreational use, which may lead to addictive behavior, is often neglected. This occurs, in part, due to the belief that exposure to low doses of cocaine comes with no brain damage risk. Cocaine addicts have shown glucose metabolism changes related to dopamine brain activity and reduced volume of striatal gray matter. This work aims to evaluate the morphological brain changes underlying metabolic and locomotor behavioral outcome, in response to a single low dose of cocaine in a pre-clinical study. In this context, a Balb-c mouse model has been chosen, and animals were injected with a single dose of cocaine (0.5 mg/kg). Control animals were injected with saline. A behavioral test, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and anatomopathological studies were conducted with this low dose of cocaine, to study functional, metabolic, and morphological brain changes, respectively. Animals exposed to this cocaine dose showed similar open field activity and brain metabolic activity as compared with controls. However, histological analysis showed alterations in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice exposed to cocaine. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that a single low dose of cocaine, which can cause no locomotor behavioral and brain metabolic changes, can induce structural damage. These brain changes must always be considered regardless of the dosage used. It is essential to alert the population even against the consumption of low doses of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Nicolucci
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Post-graduation Stricto Sensu Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lapo Pais
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabiana M Ribeiro
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro M C C Encarnação
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana L M Silva
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - I F Castro
- Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - Pedro M M Correia
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - João F C A Veloso
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Julie Reis
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marina Z Lopes
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Scientific Initiation Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Maria F Botelho
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Frederico C Pereira
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Denise G Priolli
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Post-graduation Stricto Sensu Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
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Dallio M, Masarone M, Errico S, Gravina AG, Nicolucci C, Di Sarno R, Gionti L, Tuccillo C, Persico M, Stiuso P, Diano N, Loguercio C, Federico A. Role of bisphenol A as environmental factor in the promotion of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: in vitro and clinical study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018; 47:826-837. [PMID: 29322544 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisphenol A is an endocrine disrupting chemical associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and liver enzyme abnormalities. AIM To evaluate bisphenol A plasma and urine levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, we evaluated, in human HepG2 cells, the effects of exposure to different concentrations of bisphenol A on both oxidative stress induction and cell proliferation. METHODS We enrolled 60 patients with histological diagnosis of NAFLD with or without T2DM and sixty healthy subjects. In vitro, the proliferation of bisphenol A-exposed HepG2 cells at two different concentrations (0.025 and 0.05 μM) was evaluated, both at high (H-HepG2) and at low (L-HepG2) glucose concentrations for 48 h. Lipoperoxidation was assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. RESULTS Bisphenol A levels were significantly higher in 60 NAFLD subjects, both in urine and in plasma (P < 0.0001) when compared to controls and, in this group, it appeared to be higher in 30 non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients compared to 30 simple steatosis subjects (P < 0.05), independently from the presence of T2DM. After a bisphenol A-free diet for 1 month, NAFLD patients showed a significant reduction in bisphenol A circulating levels (P < 0.05), without a significant reduction in urine levels. H-HepG2 cells treated with bisphenol A (0.05 μM) increased proliferation compared to controls at 48 h (P < 0.0001). Bisphenol A increased TBARS levels at 48 h versus controls. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a possible role of bisphenol A as an environmental factor involved in the promotion of NAFLD, particularly in T2DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dallio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - M Masarone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - S Errico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - A G Gravina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - C Nicolucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - R Di Sarno
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - L Gionti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - C Tuccillo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - M Persico
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - P Stiuso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - N Diano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - C Loguercio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - A Federico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Pisapia L, Del Pozzo G, Barba P, Caputo L, Mita L, Viggiano E, Russo GL, Nicolucci C, Rossi S, Bencivenga U, Mita DG, Diano N. Effects of some endocrine disruptors on cell cycle progression and murine dendritic cell differentiation. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2012; 178:54-63. [PMID: 22531466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs), which are predominantly present in the environment, are able to mimic or antagonise the biological activity of hormones primarily through the interaction with specific receptors. The main consequences are adverse effects on the growth and development of reproductive organs, the induction of cancer and effects on neuronal differentiation. In this study, we investigated the ability of certain EDCs, Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol F (BPF), 4-n Nonylphenol (NP) and Octylphenol (OP), belonging to a homogeneous group of phenol origin, to interfere with specific cellular processes, namely, proliferation, by using MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells, and differentiation, by using murine bone marrow dendritic cells. We correlated the data on cell growth with the stimulation of cell cycle progression, which could become a step in the development of cancer, and we established a proliferation ranking between the tested EDCs: NP>BPA>OP>BPB>BPF. In addition, we investigated the ability of NP, BPA and OP to induce the differentiation of dendritic cells, the powerful antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. The differentiation and activation of these cells could affect a well-regulated immune response and determine an allergic sensitisation. We found that BPA and NP were active in determining differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pisapia
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics of CNR, Naples, Italy
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Menale C, Nicolucci C, Catapane M, Rossi S, Bencivenga U, Mita D, Diano N. Optimization of operational conditions for biodegradation of chlorophenols by laccase-polyacrilonitrile beads system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2012.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Mita L, Baldi A, Diano N, Viggiano E, Portaccio M, Nicolucci C, Grumiro L, Menale C, Mita DG, Spugnini EP, Viceconte R, Citro G, Pierantoni R, Sica V, Marino M, Signorile PG, Bianco M. Differential accumulation of BPA in some tissues of offspring of Balb-C mice exposed to different BPA doses. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 33:9-15. [PMID: 22047638 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant adult Balb-C mice were exposed daily to two different doses of Bisphenol A (BPA) by subcutaneous injection beginning on gestational day 1 through the seventh day after delivery. The mothers were sacrificed on postpartum day 21, and the offspring were sacrificed at 3 months of age. Control mice were subjected to the same experimental protocol but received saline injections. The liver, muscles, hindbrain and forebrain of the offspring were dissected and processed using HPLC to assess the level of BPA in the tissues and to determine its dependence on the exposure dose and gender. For comparison, the same tissues were dissected from the mothers and analysed. We report the following results: (1) the level of BPA that accumulated in a given tissue was dependent on the exposure dose; (2) the rank order of BPA accumulation in the various tissues was dependent on the gender of the offspring; (3) the average BPA concentrations in the liver and muscle of the female offspring were higher than in the males; and (4) the average BPA concentration in the central nervous system (i.e., the hindbrain and forebrain) of the male offspring was higher than in the females.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mita
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Viale Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136 Rome, Italy
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Georgieva S, Godjevargova T, Mita D, Diano N, Menale C, Nicolucci C, Carratelli CR, Mita L, Golovinsky E. Non-isothermal bioremediation of waters polluted by phenol and some of its derivatives by laccase covalently immobilized on polypropylene membranes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2010.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ignatova M, Stoilova O, Manolova N, Mita D, Diano N, Nicolucci C, Rashkov I. Electrospun microfibrous poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)/poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) mats tailored for enzymatic remediation of waters polluted by endocrine disruptors. Eur Polym J 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2009.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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