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| Author(s): |
Paula Araujo Monteiro
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Campinas, SP. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia |
| Defense date: | 2012-02-17 |
| Examining board members: |
João Ernesto de Carvalho;
Cristina Pontes Vicente;
Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
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| Advisor: | Mary Ann Foglio; João Ernesto de Carvalho |
| Abstract | |
Factors such as the rise in life expectancy, smoking, alcoholism and bad diet are increasing the incidence of cancer because the aging body and the action of carcinogens favor its appearance. This disease is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor cells are characterized by ignoring the external and internal signals that regulate cell proliferation, and tend to avoid the processes of apoptosis and differentiation, being considered too invasive. Most chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment today comes from researches developed from natural sources like plants. Results were obtained from Fapesp-Bioprospecta Project (2004/07943-9) developed at CPQBA/UNICAMP. The anticancer activity of extracts and active fractions obtained from Croton campestris were evaluated in cultured human tumor cells and in Ehrlich solid tumor model in mouse paw. Several extraction methods were tested to verify which one would be better for the beginning of the fractionation, considering efficiency and activity. The extracts with a better activity profile in the tumor strains panel used were obtained by extraction with ethyl acetate, both cold (CCEBAtot) and hot extraction (CCEBAtotq). Fractions obtained that presented the best results in the antiproliferative test were refractionated. The most active fractions of the respective fractionations were CFb96-98 and CFqb14. Both were submitted to the evaluation of cell death-related parameters and the results confirm a decrease in cell viability, increased cell population in sub-G1 and necrotic cell death. Fraction CFqb14 tested in Ehrlich solid tumor, a murine adenocarcinoma, showed satisfactory results of tumor inhibition, as well as high potency because the lowest dose of 1mg/kg was effective, compared to the control group. Phytochemical tests indicated the presence of terpenoids in the active fractions and through mass spectrometry, it was possible to detect the presence of two substances described in the literature, velamone and velamolone, which may be responsible or act in synergy with other molecules, contributing to the anticancer activity. Therefore, these results make the Brazilian species Croton campestris an important source of new molecules used in cancer treatment (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 10/02945-4 - Evaluation of anticancer activity of extracts and fractions obtained from plants |
| Grantee: | Paula Araujo Monteiro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |