Orientador: Wilson de Figueiredo Jardim / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T20:31:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bisinoti_MarciaCristina_D.pdf: 1949476 bytes, checksum: a702f967a817c83e250f6e74b334ddd3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

O estresse orgânico decorrente da queimadura é intenso e prolongado. O hipercatabolismo e o hipermetabolismo secundários alteram o sistema de pró e anti-oxidantes. Pela necessidade de reepitelização da área doadora e receptora, a cirurgia reparadora pode desencadear ou perpetuar o estresse oxidativo. Objetivos: Em pacientes vítimas de trauma térmico agudo (Grupo Queimadura) e naqueles em pós-operatório de seqüelas de queimaduras (Grupo Seqüela), comparar o estresse oxidativo e os níveis de anti e pró-oxidantes com os obtidos no pré-operatório de pacientes com seqüelas de queimaduras (Grupo Controle). Casuística e métodos: O estudo foi conduzido na Unidade de Queimados do HCFMRPUSP. O Grupo Queimadura (n=11) incluiu pacientes com 48 horas do trauma térmico agudo, SCQ 10%. Os pacientes que necessitaram de correção cirúrgica das seqüelas do trauma térmico, ocorrido 1ano (n=8), foram avaliados no pré-operatório (Grupo Controle) e após 48 horas da cirurgia (Grupo Seqüela). Todos os voluntários foram submetidos à antropometria e quantificação da ingestão alimentar. Foi realizada a avaliação laboratorial do estado nutricional, dos marcadores da atividade inflamatória e dos anti e pró-oxidantes. Resultados: Em pacientes vítimas de trauma térmico agudo, foi documentado estresse orgânico caracterizado pelo aumento das proteínas de fase aguda como a PCR [8,76 (0,91 34,54) vs 0,40 (0,01 0,97)mg/dL, p=0,0004] e ferritina (254,45 ± 84,25 vs 145,10 ± 88,80ng/mL, p=0,014), além da diminuição da albumina (3,55±0,65 vs 4,16±0,26g/dL, p=0,004), da transferrina (110,67±55,13 vs 238,70±67,99mg/dL, p=0,0003), do colesterol (126,82 ± 32,19 vs 193,75 ± 51,64mg/dL, p=0,002) e triglicérides séricos (95,54 ± 36,84 vs 168,75 ± 54,83mg/dL, p=0,003), ferro [30,00 (6,00-73,00) vs 109,00 (70,00 - 252,00)µg/dL, p=0,0004] e zinco (63,55 ± 23,34 vs 92,72 ± 16,65mg/dL, p=0,014). O estresse oxidativo diminuiu os níveis séricos das vitaminas C [0,45 (0341,30) vs 0,93 (0,48 1,30)mg/dL, p=0,016], A (1,55 ± 0,87 vs 3,35 ± 0,72µmol/L, p=0,0002) e da vitamina E (9,49 ± 3,4 vs 4,96 ± 1,60µmol/g lipídeo, p=0,003). Não houve modificação nos níveis do GSH [40,37 (30,27 87,46 ) vs 49,90 (10,09 54,95)µmol/L, p= 0,48] e do MDA [1,75 (1,15 2,74) vs 1,77 (1,62 6,82nmol/g proteína), p=0,043]. O procedimento cirúrgico para correção das seqüelas de queimaduras determinou aumento da proteína C reativa [0,40 (0,01 0,97) vs 2,53 (0,56 4,70)mg/dL, p=0,01], mas não alterou os níveis de anti e pró-oxidantes, exceto a diminuição dos níveis séricos de vitamina A (3,35 ± 0,72 vs 2,52 ± 0,90µmol/L, p=0,006) Conclusões: O estresse orgânico decorrente do trauma térmico agudo diminuiu as respostas anti-oxidantes. Exceto pela queda nos níveis séricos de vitamina A, a cirurgia reparadora acarretou estresse orgânico, sem modificação na resposta anti e pró-oxidante. / Organic stress due to burns is intense and prolonged, Secondary hypercatabolism and hypermetabolism alter the pro- and anti-oxidant system. Due to the need for reepithelialization of the donor and recipient areas, reparative surgery can trigger or perpetuate the oxidative stress. Objectives: To compare the oxidative stress and the levels of anti- and pro-oxidants in patients victims of acute thermal trauma (Burn Group) and in patients during the postoperative period after surgery for burn sequels (Sequel Group) with those obtained preoperatively in patients with burn sequels (Control Group). Cases and methods: The study was conducted at the Burn Unit of HCFMRPUSP. The Burn Group (n=11) consisted of patients studied 48 hours after acute thermal trauma, SCQ 10%. The patients who required surgical correction of the sequels of thermal trauma suffered 1 year before (n=8) were assessed during the preoperative period (Control Group) and 48 hours after surgery (Sequel Group). All volunteers were submitted to anthropometry and to quantitation of food intake. Laboratory evaluation of nutritional status, of the markers of inflammatory activity and of the anti- and pro-oxidant levels was performed. Results: Organic stress was documented in the patients victims of acute thermal trauma, characterized by an increase of acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) [8.76 (0.91 34.54) vs 0.40 (0.01 0.97) mg/dL, p=0.0004] and ferritin (254.45 ± 84.25 vs 145.10 ± 88.80 ng/mL, p=0.014) and by a reduction of serum cholesterol (126.82 ± 32.19 vs 193.75 ± 51.64 mg/dL, p=0.002), triglycerides (95.54 ± 36.84 vs 168.75 ± 54.83 mg/dL. p=0.003), iron [30.00 (6.00 73.00) vs 109.00 (70.00 252.00) µg/dL, p=0.0004], and zinc (63.55 ± 23.34 vs 92.72 ± 16.65 mg/dL, p=0.014). Oxidative stress reduced the serum levels of vitamins C [0.45 (0341.30) vs 0.93 (0.48 1.30) mg/dL, p=0.016] and A (1.55 ± 0.87 vs 3.35 ± 0.72 µmol/L, p=0.0002), and did not modify the levels of vitamin E (9,49 ± 3,4 vs 4,96 ± 1,60µmol/g lipídeo, p=0,003)or of the anti-oxidant substance GSH [40.37 (30.27 87.46 ) vs 49.90 (10.09 54.95) µmol/L, p= 0.48, but caused a fall in MDA levels [1.04 (0.75 1.39) vs 1.26 (1.07 4.30 nmol/L), p=0.007]. The surgical procedure for the correction of burn sequels caused an increase in CRP [0.40 (0.01 0.97) vs 2.53 (0.56 4.70) mg/dL, p=0.01], but did not change the levels of anti- or pro-oxidants, except for a reduction of serum vitamin A levels (3.35 ± 0.72 vs 2.52 ± 0.90 µmol/L, p=0.006) Conclusions: The organic stress due to acute thermal stress reduced the antioxidant responses. Except for the fall in serum vitamin A levels, reparative surgery caused organic stress, with no change in the anti- or pro-oxidant response.

Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause severe damage to cells and organs but they are also important mediators of inflammatory responses and cellular signalling. Due to the significant role of ROS, the cells have evolved a broad antioxidative system to regulate the concentration of these species. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are enzymes that participate in the regulation of the cellular redox-homeostasis by detoxifying hydrogen peroxide. Prxs are not classified as conventional antioxidant enzymes and their physiological role, whether protective or regulatory, is still unclear. The aim of this project was to study the localization and regulation of Prxs in normal human lung and also their role in selected lung disorders (pulmonary sarcoidosis, pleural mesothelioma, lung carcinomas and chronic obstructive disorder, COPD). Additionally the expression of thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) was analysed in the lung of smokers and COPD patients. These enzymes are important reductants in cell and Prxs are one of their targets. Lung is an important organ in the field of ROS and antioxidant research since it is especially vulnerable to exogenous oxidative stress caused by pollutants, cigarette smoke and also by high oxygen pressure. The results showed that all six human Prxs were expressed in healthy human lung but in a cell-specific manner. The most prominent expression was detected in the epithelium and in macrophages, the cells most prone to oxidative stress. There were also differences in subcellular locations of Prxs. The expression of Prxs in non-malignant lung diseases (pulmonary sarcoidosis and COPD) and in smoker's lung was very similar with that in normal lung. Higher expression of Prx V and VI was detected in a subpopulation of macrophages sampled from COPD patients' lung. In contrast, Trx expression was induced in the bronchial epithelium of smoker's lung. Differences in the expression compared to normal lung were seen in lung malignancies (pleural mesothelioma and lung carcinomas). Interestingly, different Prxs were highly expressed in different types of carcinomas. In pleural mesothelioma, all Prxs except Prx IV were highly expressed when compared to normal pleura, in adenocarcinoma Prxs I, II, VI and especially IV, and in squamous cell carcinoma Prxs I, II and IV were upregulated. Tests performed on cultured cells in vitro revealed only a minor increase in the Prx expression after severe oxidant stress in malignant lung cell line originating from alveolar type II pneumocytes (A549) or non-malignant cell line derived from bronchial epithelium. None of the tested growth factors or cytokines affected Prx expression or oxidation state, but severe oxidant stress influenced remarkably the oxidation state of the Prxs.

The purpose of this work was to recover uranium from residue originating from the production of molybdenum -99. Carbonate solutions containing hydrogen peroxide or oxygen gas as oxidants were used as leachants. Experimental parameters included: different peroxide and carbonate concentrations, dissolution time and temperature. Results indicate complete dissolution of the residue at 60 oC, after thirty minutes, in ammonium carbonate solution enriched with hydrogen peroxide. Almost two hours were needed to achieve the same extent in the presence of oxygen. The yield and rate of uranium extraction were found to increase as a function of both temperature, in the range of 25-60 oC, and hydrogen peroxide concentration. The leaching kinetics were determined for various leaching conditions and the activation energy was found to be 45.5kJ/mol. The order of reaction with respect to uranium concentration was found to be unity. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

Sesbania drummondii seedlings were grown in a medium to which lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were added singly and in combinations in order to assess the effects of metal interactions on seedling growth, metal accumulation and anti-oxidative system. S. drummondii growth was significantly inhibited with metal treatments. S. drummondii accumulated substantially higher concentrations of metals in the roots than shoots. The uptake of metals followed the order Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni in roots and Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni in shoots. In addition, uptake of a single metal by S. drummondii was affected by the presence of a second metal, suggesting an antagonistic effect or competition between metals at the plant uptake site. A significant increase in both enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR)] and non-enzymatic (glutathione) antioxidant was observed in the S. drummondii seedlings exposed to different metal treatments. The enhancement in enzyme activities followed the order of Cu > Ni > Pb > Zn. However, compared to the effect of individual metal, metals in combination increased the enzyme activities to varying degrees.

Three oxidants have been evaluated for use as alternative chemical pretreatments for Fena Lake, a surface water that supplies the U.S. Navy's Public Water System (PWS) on the volcanic island of Guam. The study consisted of two investigative components. The first and primary component included a bench-scale evaluation to study the effects of different pre-oxidant chemicals on the formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products (DBPs). The second and ancillary component included a series of water treatment and distribution system management studies that analyzed DBP formation within the treatment plant and water distribution system. The goal of this research was to reduce total trihalomethane (TTHM) and the five haloacetic acid (HAA5) formations in the PWS. In the primary component of the research, raw surface water from Fena Lake was collected by U.S. Navy personnel and shipped to University of Central Florida (UCF) laboratories for experimentation. Bench-scale tests that simulated the coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration (CSF) that comprises the Navy Water Treatment Plant (NWTP) were used to evaluate the use of two alternative pre-oxidants, potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in lieu of gaseous chlorine (Cl2). The research assessed DBP formation by comparing several pretreatment scenarios, namely: (1) no pretreatment, (2) chlorine pretreatment, and (3) alternative oxidant pretreatment. KMnO4 pretreatment resulted in the lowest percent reduction of TTHMs and HAA5 relative to chlorine pretreatment, at 5.7% and 22.7%, respectively; however, this amount was still a reduction from the results demonstrated for the chlorine pretreatment condition. Without using a pre-oxidant, TTHM and HAA5 formation were reduced by 22.8% and 37.3%, respectively, relative to chlorine pretreatment. Chlorine dioxide demonstrated the greatest TTHM and HAA5 reduction relative to chlorine pretreatment at 34.4% and 53.3%, respectively. The second component of research consisted of a series of studies that evaluated distribution system operations and management alternatives to identify opportunities that could achieve DBP reduction within the PWS. Three concerns that were addressed were the NWTP's compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's) Stage 2 Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products (D/DBP) Rule, variable hydraulic detention times within a small subdivision in the distribution system, and severe weather. It was determined that: (1) A decision based on in-plant studies to cease prechlorination at the NWTP resulted in a decrease in TTHMs and HAA5s throughout the distribution system by 62% and 75%, respectively; (2) A fluoride tracer study led to the discovery of a valved pipeline responsible for elevated DBPs because of excessive water age that when exercised and managed resolved intermittent DBP spikes in the PWS; and (3) when the NWTP's ballasted floc clarifier (BFC) was operated in-series prior to the conventional CSF process during severe weather conditions the TTHM and HAA5 were below 39 ug/L and 29 ug/L, respectively, proving BFC in-series is a practical option for the plant during severe weather.

This research addresses refractory forms of nitrogen that, even with advanced biological nitrification-denitrification systems are not removed completely from domestic wastewater. TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen), ammonia plus organic nitrogen, is one of the forms to measure the levels of nitrogen present in effluent wastewaters. Ferrate, a strong oxidant, was used for the treatment of these nitrogen forms with the objective of producing nitrogen compounds that can be removed by subsequent biological processes. Bench-scale experiments were performed on effluent samples taken prior to chlorination from an Orlando, FL wastewater treatment facility, using a biological nutrient removal process. The samples were treated with doses of ferrate ranging from 1 to 50 mg/L as FeO4–2 under unbuffered conditions. TKN removal as high as 70% and COD removal greater than 55% was observed. The TSS production after ferrate treatment was in a range of 12 to 200 mg/L for doses between 10 and 50 mg/L FeO4-2. After an optimum dose of ferrate was determined, three bench-scale reactors were operated under anoxic conditions for 10 to 12 days, two as duplicates containing the treated effluent and one as a control with untreated sample. Two different doses of ferrate were used as optimum dose for these experiments, 10 and 25 mg/L as FeO4-2. The purpose of these reactors was to determine the potential for biological removal of remaining nitrogen after ferrate oxidation of refractory nitrogen. Treated and raw samples were analyzed for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) (filtered and unfiltered), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (filtered and unfiltered), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate (NO3-N), nitrite (NO2-N), and heterotrophic plate count (HPC). As a result, more than 70% of the soluble TKN was removed by chemical and biological oxidation for a sample treated with a dose of 25 mg/L FeO4-2, and less than 50% when treated with 10 mg/L FeO4-2. For the control samples run parallel to the ferrate treated samples, a maximum of 48% of soluble TKN and a minimum of 12% was removed. A three-log increase was observed in heterotrophic bacteria numbers for both doses during the operation of the reactors. Sodium ferrate was found to be an effective oxidant that can enhance the biodegradability of recalcitrant TKN present in municipal wastewaters. As mentioned before this research was develop using batch reactor units at bench-scale, therefore it is recommended to follow the investigation of the biodegradability of recalcitrant TKN of a ferrate treated sample under continuous flow conditions so that results can be extrapolated to a full-scale treatment facility.

Motor car exhaust catalysts are some of the most important users of platinum, and much attention is given to the recycling of scrap platinum from spent exhaust systems. The dissolution of platinum from waste exhausts was previously only possible by pyrometallurgical processes or by the use of aggressive chemicals, such as aqua regia and cyanide, all of which, however, cause pollution problems. Recently the potential for the development of hydrometallurgical processes was identified. These processes are more efficient and more environmentally friendly than traditional processes. It was the aim of this study to investigate the oxidation of platinum with ozone as oxidizing agent in the presence of chloride as complexing agent. The influence of various factors, such as chloride ion concentration, pH and temperature were studied thermodynamically and electrochemically in order to achieve efficient leaching. The thermodynamic investigation, leading to the construction of Pourbaix diagrams of platinum in the presence of chloride, confirmed the possibility of the formation of stable aqueous complexes, as well as platinum oxides. From the electrochemical results obtained it can be concluded that ozone may be useful as an oxidizing agent, but according to the leaching results obtained, ozone holds few benefits compared to aqua regia and cyanide, although they still present some environmental challenges. The relatively low percentages of recovery obtained with leaching may be attributed to the rapid decomposition of ozone, which is affected by several factors, such as temperature, pH, initial concentration of ozone, ionic strength and stirring rate. Further optimisation of these factors can possibly prove ozone to be a useful oxidizing agent for the recovery of platinum. / Thesis (MSc (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Motor car exhaust catalysts are some of the most important users of platinum, and much attention is given to the recycling of scrap platinum from spent exhaust systems. The dissolution of platinum from waste exhausts was previously only possible by pyrometallurgical processes or by the use of aggressive chemicals, such as aqua regia and cyanide, all of which, however, cause pollution problems. Recently the potential for the development of hydrometallurgical processes was identified. These processes are more efficient and more environmentally friendly than traditional processes. It was the aim of this study to investigate the oxidation of platinum with ozone as oxidizing agent in the presence of chloride as complexing agent. The influence of various factors, such as chloride ion concentration, pH and temperature were studied thermodynamically and electrochemically in order to achieve efficient leaching. The thermodynamic investigation, leading to the construction of Pourbaix diagrams of platinum in the presence of chloride, confirmed the possibility of the formation of stable aqueous complexes, as well as platinum oxides. From the electrochemical results obtained it can be concluded that ozone may be useful as an oxidizing agent, but according to the leaching results obtained, ozone holds few benefits compared to aqua regia and cyanide, although they still present some environmental challenges. The relatively low percentages of recovery obtained with leaching may be attributed to the rapid decomposition of ozone, which is affected by several factors, such as temperature, pH, initial concentration of ozone, ionic strength and stirring rate. Further optimisation of these factors can possibly prove ozone to be a useful oxidizing agent for the recovery of platinum. / Thesis (MSc (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Plantas medicinais apresentam efeitos benéficos contra a patofisiologia de várias doenças induzida pelo estresse oxidativo incluindo isquemia-reperfusão (I/R). Trichilia catigua, popularmente conhecida no Brasil como “catuaba”, é amplamente utilizada como um neuroestimulante e afrodisíaco. Infusões da casca são popularmente utilizadas na medicina popular contra debilidade sexual, cansaço, insônia, estresse e deficiências relacionadas à memória e sistema nervoso central. Porém, o envolvimento da atividade antioxidante de T. catigua em suas propriedades farmacológicas especialmente em relação ao sistema nervoso ainda é escasso na literatura. Sendo assim, a primeira parte deste estudo investigou o pontencial antioxidante de T. catigua usando modelos químicos e biológicos. Como resultado, foi demonstrado que o extrato etanólico e diferentes frações da casca de T. catigua eliminaram o radical 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazila (DPPH), e inibiram a geração de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) causadas pelo Fe2+ em homogenatos dos cérebros de rato. O extrato etanólico apresentou a maior atividade antioxidante. Além disso, o extrato etanólico inibiu a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio/nitrogênio (EROS/ERNS) induzidas pelo Ca2+ e diminuiu o potencial de membrana (ΔΨm) mitocondrial nas maiores concentrações. Com base nos resultados acima, nós hipotetizamos que o extrato etanólico de T. catigua pode, pelo menos, reduzir consideravelmente os danos oxidativos induzidos pela isquemia reperfusão (I/R) em fatias de hipocampo de rato através da atenuação da produção de EROS/ERNS. Baseado nisso, a segunda parte deste estudo investigou o efeito protetor do extrato etanólico de T. catigua contra os danos oxidativos induzidos por I/R em fatias de hipocampo de ratos. Como resultado foi demonstrado que T. catigua previniu os efeitos deletérios causados por I/R nas fatias de hipocampo, através do aumento da viabilidade mitocondrial, o qual foi associado com o decréscimo na liberação de lactato desidrogenase (LDH) no meio de incubação; pelo decréscimo da oxidação de DCFH no meio; e aumento do conteúdo de tióis não proteicos (NPSH) em fatias homogeneizadas. No entanto, T. catigua não foi capaz de proteger as fatias da I/R quando adicionadas ao meio após da injúria isquêmica, sendo assim, sugerindo que ela possa ser usada somente como preventiva e não como agente curativo frente ao dano cerebral. Uma vez que alterações de aprendizado e memória são consequências comuns a uma variedade de doenças e agressões tóxicas, a terceira parte deste estudo concentrou-se em determinar se T. catigua ofereceria neuroproteção contra o estresse oxidativo induzido por diferentes pro-oxidantes. Os resultados indicaram que a exposição de fatias de hipocampo de rato por 1h ao peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), nitroprussiato de sódio (NPS) e ácido 3-nitropropiônico (3-ANP) diminui a atividade mitocondrial; aumentou a geração de ROS/RNS no meio de incubação e causou a formação de TBARS nas fatias homogeneizadas. A diminuição destes efeitos deletérios foi significativa quando as fatias foram pré-tratadas com o extrato etanólico de T. catigua. Em conclusão, nossos resultados demonstraram que o uso do extrato de T. catigua pode ser benéfico na prevenção de desordens neurológicas associadas ao estresse oxidativo, e que seus efeitos benéficos parecem estar associados, pelo menos em parte, a sua atividade antioxidante, que, por sua vez, podem ser atribuídas ao conteúdo polifenólico da planta. / Medicinal plants have been shown to have beneficial effects against oxidative stress-induced pathophysiology of various diseases including brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Trichilia catigua, popularly known in Brazil as “catuaba”, is widely used as a neurostimulant and aphrodisiac. Infusions of the bark are popularly used in folk medicine against sexual weakness, exhaustion, insomnia, stress, memory and central nervous systems disabilities. However, the involvement of antioxidant ability of T. catigua in its pharmacological properties especially in the management of neurological-related diseases is scanty in the literature. In this context, the first part of this study investigated the potential antioxidant activity of T. catigua using chemical and biological models. As a result, we have demonstrated that ethanolic extract and different fractions from the stem bark of T. catigua scavenged the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and inhibited the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) caused by Fe2+ in rat’s brain homogenates. However, ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. In addition, ethanolic extract inhibited Ca2+-induced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generation and caused a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) only at high concentrations. On the basis of the aforementioned results, we hypothesized that ethanolic extract from T. catigua may at least, markedly reduce oxidative damage induced by in vitro I/R in rat hippocampal slices through attenuation of ROS/RNS production. Thus, the second part of this study investigated the protective effects of ethanolic extract of T. catigua against oxidative damage induced by I/R in rat hippocampal slices. T. catigua prevents hippocampal slices from the deleterious effects caused by I/R, by increasing mitochondrial viability, which was associated with decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage in the incubation medium; by decreasing DCFH oxidation in the medium, and increasing non-protein thiols (NPSH) content in slices homogenates. In contrast, T. catigua could not protect slices from I/R when it was added to the medium after ischemic insult, suggesting that it can only be used as preventive and not as curative agent against brain damage. Taking that alteration in learning and memory function are common consequences of a wide variety of toxic insults and disease states, the third part of this study was undertaken to determine whether T. catigua offered neuroprotection against oxidative stress induced by different pro-oxidants. Exposure of rat hippocampal slices for 1 h to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) decreased mitochondrial activity, increased ROS/RNS in the incubation medium and caused TBARS formation in rat hippocampal slices homogenates. These deleterious effects were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment of slices with ethanolic extract of T. catigua. Overall, our data showed that the use of T. catigua extract may be beneficial in preventing neurological disorders associated with oxidative stress, and that its beneficial effects seems to be related at least, in part, to its antioxidant activity, which can be attributed to its polyphenolic content.