Anti-inflammatory properties of natural pigment chimeras

• Grant number: 23/12240-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Erick Leite Bastos
• Grantee: Lucas Fernando Silva Hess
• Supervisor: Mario Allegra
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA), Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/16606-1 - Molecular hybrids of natural pigments, BP.DD

Abstract

Anthocyanins, betalains, and carotenes are natural pigments that offer color to plant tissues, as well as function as antioxidants and photoprotectors. Carotenes help shield the photosynthetic machinery from photodegradation and are common in plants. In contrast, betalains and anthocyanins don't coexist in the same species in nature. Our team has developed hybrid dyes inspired by the chromophores of these pigments. WineBeet vert and WineBeet rosé are based on flavylium betalains, while Retinylyum is a cationic surfactant that combines the flavylium and carotenoid chromophores. This BEPE project aims to explore the biological attributes of these dyes, with an emphasis on their anti-inflammatory capabilities. Prof. Mario Allegra's host group is at the forefront of researching the biological effects of natural products, including betalains. (AU)