Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-08-22T11:23:26Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertação_Eloiza da Silva Nunes.pdf: 2557684 bytes, checksum: 485672a5e5df50e25a70cde5803fbfb4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-22T11:23:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertação_Eloiza da Silva Nunes.pdf: 2557684 bytes, checksum: 485672a5e5df50e25a70cde5803fbfb4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-10 / In this work are described the synthesis and characterization of dinuclear rhodium(II) citrate, adsorption study in maghemite nanoparticles, and preparation of nanoparticles-modified based magnetic fluids. Rhodium(II) citrate has significant antitumor activity being promissory to cancer chemotherapy. Due to the existence of free functional groups in its molecular structure this complex has capacity to functionalize iron oxide nanoparticles to produce drug-particles formulations. The modified nanoparticles show features of biocompatibility suitable to use the system in medical applications. Rhodium(II) citrate was synthesized by an exchange reaction of trifluoroacetate ligands from the precursor rhodium(II) trifluoroacetate by citrate ligands. The products were characterized by C and H elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and infrared, UV/visible and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results are consistent with the formation of dinuclear structure characteristic for rhodium(II) carboxylates. Changing the synthesis conditions were obtained products with stoichiometries [Rh2(H2cit)2(H2O)4] and [Rh2(H2cit)4(H2O)2]. The results and compounds solubility observations suggest that the first one occur as a coordination polymer. The second one showed composition e solubility behavior consistent with the formation of monomeric units. Maghemite nanoparticles with size mean between 5 and 7 nm were obtained through alkaline coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions with further oxidation with oxygen gas. The solids were characterized by X-ray difratometry and the Scherrer relation was use to calculate the crystallite size mean. Adsorption experimental data were adjusted to Langmuir model and linear coefficients obtained, R2, were greater than 0,99. Functionalized nanoparticles were dispersed into water producing a stable colloid. Dispersion s characterization was performed by absorbance, zeta potential, and hydrodynamic diameter measurements. Surface properties and colloidal behavior of functionalized nanoparticles are much affected by adsorbed species. The colloidal stability of the magnetic fluids is dependent on the adsorbed amounts of rhodium(II) citrate and pH. When the adsorbed amount of rhodium(II) citrate is next to saturation, the magnetic fluids are stable in pH over 3 and show hydrodynamic diameter around 60 nm. Fluids colloidal stability is preserved against physiologic saline solution, PBS buffer, and fetal bovine serum over a period of 30 days. / Neste trabalho estão descritos a síntese e a caracterização do complexo dimérico citrato de ródio(II), estudo de sua adsorção em nanopartículas de maghemita e a preparação de fluidos magnéticos á base de nanopartículas modificadas com o complexo. O citrato de ródio (II) apresenta significante atividade antitumor sendo promissor para aplicação na quimioterapia do câncer. Devido à existência de grupos funcionais livres em sua estrutura molecular esse complexo possui capacidade de funcionalizar nanopartículas de óxidos de ferro para produzir formulações droga-partícula. As nanopartículas modificadas apresentam características de biocompatibilidade adequadas para utilização do sistema em aplicações médicas. O citrato de ródio(II) foi sintetizado via reação de troca de ligantes trifluoroacetato do precursor trifluoroacetato de ródio(II) por citrato. Os produtos foram caracterizados por análise elementar de C e H e termogravimétrica, espectrometria de massas e espectroscopia nas regiões do UV/visível e infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear de 13C. Os resultados são consistentes com a formação da estrutura dimérica. Variando-se as condições de síntese pode-se obter produtos com estequiometrias [Rh2(H2cit)2(H2O)4] e [Rh2(H2cit)4(H2O)2]. Os resultados somados às observações sobre a solubilidade dos compostos sugerem que o primeiro ocorre como um polímero de coordenação. O segundo composto apresentou características de composição e solubilidade coerente com a formação de unidades dimetálicas monoméricas. Foram obtidas nanopartículas de maghemita com diâmetros entre 5 e 7 nm através do método de coprecipitação de íons Fe2+ e Fe3+ em meio alcalino com posterior oxidação com oxigênio gasoso. Os sólidos foram caracterizados por difratometria de raios-X e o diâmetro de cristalito calculado pela equação de Scherrer. Os dados experimentais de adsorção de citrato de ródio(II) em maghemita foram ajustados ao modelo de Langmuir sendo obtido coeficiente de regressão linear, R2, maior que 0,99. As nanopartículas funcionalizadas foram dispersas em água obtendo-se um colóide estável. As dispersões foram caracterizadas por medidas de absorvância, potencial zeta e de diâmetro hidrodinâmico. As propriedades de superfície bem como o comportamento coloidal das nanopartículas funcionalizadas são influenciadas pelas espécies adsorvidas. A estabilidade coloidal dos sóis obtidos é dependente das quantidades de citrato de ródio(II) adsorvida e do pH. Quando a quantidade de citrato de ródio adsorvida é próxima da capacidade de adsorção, os fluidos magnéticos obtidos apresentam estáveis em pH acima de 3 com diâmetros hidrodinâmicos próximos de 60 nm. A estabilidade coloidal dos fluidos obtidos é preservada frente a soluções de soro fisiológico, tampão PBS e soro fetal bovino por períodos superiores a 30 dias.

No description available.

Medicinal plants are one of the most important sources of drugs used in the pharmaceutical industry. Among traditional medicinal plants of the Brazilian northeastern, Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae) had been used for several medicinal purposes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil (EO) of L. gracilis, as such to evaluate it in vitro and in vivo anticancer potential. For that, the leaf essential oil (EO) of L. gracilis was prepared using hydrodistillation followed by GC MS analysis. The cytotoxic effects of EO and its components (thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and myrcene) have been assessed in HepG2, K562 and B16-F10 tumor cells as such in non- tumoral (PBMC). The effects of EO on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction were investigated in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, mice bearing Sarcoma 180 tumor cells were used to confirm its in vivo effectiveness. The results showed that the EO composition was characterized by the presence of thymol as major constituent which exhibited promising cytotoxicity against the all tumor cells tested, whereas its investigated components presented low cytotoxic potential. Moreover, EO treatment caused G1 arrest in HepG2 cells accompanied by the induction of DNA fragmentation without affecting cell membrane integrity. Cell morphology consistent with apoptosis and a remarkable activation of caspase-3 were also observed, suggesting induction of caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. In vivo antitumor study showed tumor growth inhibition rates of 38.5 41.9%. In conclusion, the EO, which has thymol as its major constituent, possesses significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. These data suggest that leaf essential oil of L. gracilis is a potential medicinal resource, which may ultimately be used in cancer treatment. / As plantas medicinais são uma das mais importantes fontes de medicamentos para a indústria farmacêutica. Entre as plantas utilizadas na medicina popular no nordeste do Brasil, a Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae) é uma das mais tradicionais e tem sido usada para diversos propósitos. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo geral avaliar o potencial anticâncer do óleo essencial (OE) das folhas de L. gracilis em modelos experimentais in vitro e in vivo. O OE foi extraído por hidrodestilação e a análise química foi feita por CG/EM. Os efeitos citotóxicos do OE e dos seus componentes, timol, p-cimeno, γ-terpineno e mirceno, foram avaliados em células tumorais das linhagens HepG2, B16-F10 e K562, bem como em células não-tumorais (PBMCs). O efeito do OE na proliferação celular e na indução de apoptose foram investigados nas células HepG2. Além disso, camundongos transplantados com células do tumor Sarcoma 180 foram usados para confirmar sua eficácia in vivo. Os resultados mostraram que o OE apresentou o timol como composto químico majoritário e demonstrou promissora citotoxidade contra todas as células tumorais testadas. Por outro lado, os seus componentes investigados, apresentaram efeito citotóxico pouco potente. Além disso, o tratamento com o OE acarretou parada do ciclo celular das células HepG2 na fase G1, acompanhada por indução de fragmentação do DNA, sem afetar a integridade da membrana. Morfologia celular consistente com apoptose e uma notável ativação de caspase-3, também foram observadas, sugerindo indução de morte celular por apoptose dependente de caspase. O estudo da atividade antitumoral in vivo mostrou inibição do crescimento tumoral com taxas de 38,5% 41,9%. Assim, o OE apresentou o timol como principal constituinte e demonstrou significativa atividade antitumoral in vitro e in vivo. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o OE das folhas de L. gracilis é um potencial recurso medicinal, que pode vir a ser empregado no tratamento do câncer.

The immunoproteasome, known to play an important role in MHC class I antigen processing and presentation, have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and hematological cancers. However, the pathophysiological functions of the immunoproteasome in these diseases are still not very well established. This can be attributed mainly to the lack of appropriate molecular probes that selectively target the immunoproteasome catalytic subunits. Herein, we report the development of a small molecular inhibitor (AM) that selectively targets the major catalytic subunit, LMP2, of the immunoproteasome. We show that the compound covalently modifies the LMP2 subunit with high specificity in human prostate cancer cell. AM was also shown to selectively inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of LMP2 subunit. More importantly, the anti-proliferative activity of AM is more pronounced in prostate cancer cells that highly express LMP2 without inducing toxicity in normal cells. These results implicate an important role of LMP2 in regulating cell growth of malignant tumors that highly express LMP2. Subsequently, the modes of action of AM were investigated. Prostate cancer cells that highly express LMP were shown to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via PARP cleavage when treated with the compound. Similar to epoxomicin, the treatment of AM induced the accumulation of poly-ubiquitination in prostate cancer cells, which indicates the inhibition of proteolysis. However, unlike epoxomicin, the treatment of AM did not appear to inhibit the activation of inflammation. In conclusion, these results suggest that the LMP2 inhibitor, AM, may induce cytotoxicity prostate cancer cells that highly express LMP2 catalytic subunit in similar modes of action as epoxomicin but it does not involve the inflammatory pathway.

Dans la recherche de thérapie antitumorale de plus en plus innovante, nous avons évalué un traitement local basé sur l’utilisation de plasma froid. Le plasma froid (dans ce cas, <40°C) est un gaz ionisé par un apport d’énergie. Il contient des charges (électrons, ions), des radicaux libres et des molécules excitées. Il peut être généré à l’extrémité de cathéter permettant un traitement locorégional comme le traitement de dysplasie ou encore de tumeurs non résécables. Une activité antitumorale importante du plasma a été mise en évidence in vitro sur diverses lignées tumorales (colorectale, pulmonaire, pancréatique et cérébrale). Par ailleurs les cellules tumorales sont plus sensibles au plasma que les cellules normales. Les ROS générés sont à l’origine des principaux mécanismes d’action du plasma. Ils induisent de nombreux dommages à l’ADN, suivi d’un arrêt du cycle cellulaire conduisant à l’apoptose des cellules. Les études de tolérance ont mis en évidence l’innocuité de faibles doses de plasma sur le tissu traité permettant de définir les doses de plasmas utilisable dans le cadre de traitements antitumoraux. En utilisant des tumeurs xénogreffées en sous cutané et l’imagerie de bioluminescence, une activité antitumorale du plasma froid a été mise en évidence pour la première fois in vivo avec une augmentation de la survie des souris traitées d’environ 60%. Le traitement induit un arrêt de la prolifération tumoral avec une induction d’apoptose dans l’ensemble de la tumeur sans augmenter la surface de nécrose. L’effet antitumoral a également été démontré en utilisant le plasma gun sur un modèle de tumeurs colique et pancréatique en situation orthotopique chez la souris avec une augmentation de la survie (115%) accompagné d’une diminution de la métastasie. Ces résultats obtenues dans une démarche de recherche translationnelle montrent l’intérêt potentiel du plasma comme nouvel agent antitumoral. / In the context of new innovated antitumor treatment discovery, we evaluated the efficacy of a new local treatment based on non-thermal plasma (NTP). NTP is a cold (in this case, <40°C) ionized gas (a ir or noble gas) thanks to an electric discharge. It contains free charges (electrons, ions), free radicals and excited molecules. It can be generated at the end of a catheter allowing a local treatment that is compatible with usual endoscopes for dysplasia or non resecable tumors. We showed that NTP has a significant antitumor effect in vitro on various cell lines including colorectal, pancreatic, lung and brain tumor cells. The major action mechanisms of NTP was linked to a high rate generation of ROS in the vicinity of tumors cells and others plasma components have a minor implications. These ROS induce lethal DNA damages leading to a multiphase cell cycle arrest and finally to apoptosis. In vivo, a good tolerance of plasma treatment was highlighted and NTP treatment parameter was defined. Using subcutaneous xenografts and bioluminescence imaging, we showed a major antitumor effect of plasma in vivo with a 60% increase of mice life span. NTP treatments of tumor induce a tumor cell cycle arrest with a significant apoptosis induction in the whole tumor without increase of necrotic area. This in vivo antitumor effect was also observed with an in situ treatment using plasma gun of colorectal and pancreatic orthotopic tumor xenografts. A significant increase of mice lifespan (115%) was obtained together with a metastasis decrease. These results obtained in translational research showed the potential antitumor activity of NTP as a new type of treatment for cancer treatment.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Stefan H. Bossmann / Recent development of a variety of superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic iron/iron oxide (Fe/Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with different surface chemistry have been widely studied for numerous biological applications such as drug delivery, as diagnostics, hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. The wide applications of Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are possible since they exhibit favorable properties as high magnetization ability, are smaller than 100 nm in size, they can be coated with several ligands which allow drug delivery at a specific site and are biocompatible. By using Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as drug delivery agents treatment costs and side effects can be reduced, however treatment efficacy can be increased. We have demonstrated that Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can be utilized in different methods depending on their properties, to be used as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. In one method we have taken advantage of the Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles magnetic ability to produce hyperthermia (heat) in cancer cells when subjected to an alternative magnetic field. Here we use the cell based delivery system since the size of the nanoparticles are small they can be taken up by monocyte/ macrophage like cells for systemic transportation to the inflamed cancer cite. The hyperthermia study was conducted in mice with pancreatic cancer. This study demonstrated that the life expectancy of the mice increased by 31%. In the next method we took the advantage of the surface chemistry of the Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and changed it with dopamine-peptide and dopamine-thiosemicarbazone ligands. The advantage of the peptide is to deliver the nanoparticle to its target site and the thiosemicarbazone analogue is used as an iron chelator that would initiate apoptosis in cancer cells. This nanoplatform was tested in 4T1 breast cancer cell line and normal fibroblast cell line and demonstrated that it was effective towards the cancer cell line than the normal cell line at a ratio of 5:1 of thiosemicarbazone analogue : dopamine on the nanoparticle. However further studies are needed to be done to clarify the effectiveness of this nanosystem.

Neste trabalho foram sintetizados complexos de cobre(II) com derivados imínicos da isatina, incluindo isatinas bromadas semelhantes a compostos encontrados em gastrópodes, a fim de compará-los com o composto já produzido e investigado [Cu(isaepy)], complexo de cobre(II) com base de Schiff feita a partir da isatina e 2-aminoetilpiridina. A isatina é um oxindol produzido em algumas plantas, também encontrado no tecido de mamíferos, com propriedades antitumorais naturais. Isatinas bromadas foram previamente constatadas como mais citotóxicas frente a células tumorais do que a isatina sem substituições. O objetivo principal foi verificar se a presença de bromo nos compostos análogos ao [Cu(isaepy)] levaria a um aumento da atividade antitumoral, assim como maior interação com DNA, alvo usual de metalofármacos. Depois de sintetizados, os compostos foram caracterizados por análise elementar (CHN), espectroscopia no infravermelho, espectroscopia UV/Vis e EPR. Foram feitos testes de citotoxicidade pelo método MTT com células de sarcoma uterino (MES-SA e MES-AS/Dx5, esta última resistente a doxorrubicina), adenocarcinoma cervical (HeLa) e células não cancerosas de fibroblasto humano P4. Adicionalmente, foram feitos testes de interação com DNA por UV/Vis e dicroísmo circular, além de testes de clivagem de DNA plasmidial. De modo geral, foi demonstrado que a simetria tetragonal em torno do cobre, determinada pelo EPR, é importante para a citotoxicidade dos complexos, que dessa forma podem se intercalar ao DNA e impedir sua replicação, por acabar distorcendo a hélice, e pela habilidade de realizarem clivagem oxidativa das fitas. [Cu(isaepy)] e seus análogos bromados demonstraram uma atividade citotóxica muito parecida, assim como grau de interação e clivagem com DNA. Conclui-se que, embora a presença de bromo nos análogos de [Cu(isaepy)] não levem a um aumento de atividade antitumoral, como observado em ligantes correlatos livres, nossos estudos apontam para diferentes fontes naturais (animal ou vegetal) para obtenção de precursores de novos compostos antitumorais. / In the present work, copper(II) complexes were synthesized with isatin derived imine ligands, including brominated oxindoles similar to compounds found in gastropods, in order to compare their reactivity with that of [Cu(isaepy)], a Schiff base-copper(II) complex already investigated, obtained with the precursors isatin and 2-aminoethylpyridine. Isatin is a natural oxindole extracted from plants, and also found in mammal tissue, with antitumor properties. Brominated isatins were previously described as much more cytotoxic, towards tumor cells, than unsubstituted isatin. The aim of this work was to verify if the presence of brome in analogue [Cu(isaepy)] compounds would increase their antitumor activity, along with higher DNA interaction, an usual target for metallodrugs. The copper(II) complexes were synthesized and then characterized through elemental analyses (CHN), infrared, UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopies. Cytotoxicity tests were carried out using MTT assay with cells lines MES-SA e MES-SA/Dx5 (uterine sarcome, sensitive and resistent to doxorubicin), HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma) and non-tumor cells, human fibroblast P4. Additionally, DNA interaction experiments were carried out through UV/Vis spectroscopy and circular dichroism, and at last, DNA cleavage experiments with the studied complexes. In general, it was shown that a tetragonal symmetry around copper, shown by EPR, is very important to the complexes toxicity, since in that way they are able to intercalate DNA, and prevent its replication, as a consequence of double helix distortion, and eventual oxidative cleavage. [Cu(isaepy)] and its brominated analogues demonstrated a very similar cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, as well as quite same level of DNA interaction and cleavage. Although the presence of brome did not increase significantly their antitumor activity, as verified with the free isatin derivatives, our studies pointed to different natural sources to obtain precursors for such new antitumor compounds.

A cisplatina (Cis-diamino-dicloro-platina II) é um dos mais efetivos quimioterápicos, porém seu uso clínico é altamente limitado devido à sua nefrotoxicidade. Estudos sugerem que o diabetes atua como fator protetor contra a nefrotoxicidade da cisplatina, entretanto, os mecanismos envolvidos ainda não foram elucidados. Esta nefroproteção tem sido associada ao menor acúmulo de cisplatina nos rins, o que poderia ser atribuído a problemas no transporte ativo das células do túbulo proximal ou ainda a alterações farmacocinéticas provocadas pelo diabetes. Entretanto, não se sabe ainda se os mecanismos envolvidos na nefroproteção do diabetes interferem na atividade antitumoral da cisplatina. No presente estudo foram avaliados os efeitos do diabetes na nefrotoxicidade e na atividade antitumoral da cisplatina em camundongos portadores de sarcoma 180, divididos em 4 grupos (n=8): (i) C, grupo controle (sem tratamento); (ii) CIS, grupo tratado com cisplatina; (iii) DB, grupo diabético (estreptozotocina) e (iv) DB+CIS grupo diabético tratado com cisplatina. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: marcadores de função renal e de estresse oxidativo, histopatologia do tecido renal, desenvolvimento do tumor, sobrevida dos animais, genotoxicidade da cisplatina, concentração de platina nos órgãos e no tumor e marcadores de apoptose. Os resultados indicam que: (i) o diabetes protege contra o dano renal induzido pela cisplatina (ii) o diabetes altera a biodistribuição da cisplatina no tumor, nos rins e em vários órgãos; (iii) o diabetes diminui a atividade antitumoral da cisplatina. Os dados obtidos são relevantes, dada a prevalência de certos tipos de tumores em pacientes diabéticos e a importância da cisplatina na quimioterapia e, portanto, podem indicar a necessidade de uma maior atenção no tratamento anticâncer de pacientes diabéticos. / Cisplatin (cis-diamine-dichloro-platinum ll) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs; however, its clinical use is highly restricted due to its nephrotoxicity. Studies suggest that diabetes is a protective factor against cisplatin nephrotoxicity, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. This nephroprotection has been associated with decreased cisplatin accumulation in the kidneys, which could be attributed to impaired active transport in proximal tubular cells or even to pharmacokinetic changes induced by diabetes. However, it is not clear if the mechanisms involved in the renal protection of diabetes interfere in the antitumor activity of cisplatin. In the present study we evaluated the effects of diabetes on the nephrotoxicity and antitumor activity of cisplatin in tumor-bearing mice, divided in four groups (n=8): (i) C, control group (without treatment); (ii) CIS, cisplatin group; (iii) DB, diabetic group (streptozotocin) and (iv) DB+CIS, diabetic group treated with cisplatin. The following parameters were evaluated: markers of renal function and oxidative stress, renal histopathology, tumor development, animals survival, cisplatin genotoxicity, platinum concentration in organs and tumor and markers of apoptosis. Our results indicate that: (i) diabetes protects against the renal damage induced by cisplatin (ii) diabetes alters the biodistribution of cisplatin in tumor, kidneys and many other organs (iii) diabetes decreases the antitumor activity of cisplatin. These data are relevant due to the prevalence of certain tumors in diabetic patients and the importance of cisplatin in chemotherapy; therefore they may indicate the need of more attention in cancer treatment in diabetic patients

O câncer corresponde a um conjunto de doenças que vem aumentando sua incidência durantes os anos e atualmente é considerado um problema mundial. Os tratamentos tradicionais em sua grande maioria agem no maquinário genético e causam citotoxicidade, debilitando o paciente. Desta forma, a busca por novos fármacos é de fundamental importância para se encontrar moléculas mais seletivas e menos tóxicas para o paciente. A classe dos alquilfosfolipídeos tem se destacado por apresentar vários análogos com atividade antitumoral atuando na membrana celular, sendo a miltefosina o protótipo estrutural. A miltefosina exibe potente atividade antitumoral in vitro e frente a alguns modelos tumorais, sendo aprovada clinicamente para o uso tópico em metástases cutâneas de câncer de mama. No entanto, este fármaco apresenta toxicidade gastrointestinal e ação hemolítica. A partir desse protótipo, novos análogos foram sintetizados chegando à estrutura da erufosina, análogo homocolínico da miltefosina, com atividade antitumoral e com administração via intravenosa, por ser menos hemolítica. Outros estudos evidenciam que grupos volumosos na parte apolar também reduzem a atividade hemolítica. Portanto, nesse trabalho estudamos a síntese de análogos benzil alquil éter da miltefosina e da erufosina. Tentativas de síntese foram realizadas por meio da síntese de intermediários éteres &#969;-hidroxibenzilalquílicos, sendo a obtenção desses intermediários otimizada por meio de planejamento fatorial e mudança do reagente haleto de benzila. A melhor condição reacional foi definida a temperatura ambiente por 6h, com rendimento reacional de 38% e 43% para 10-(benziloxi)decan-1-ol e 12-(benziloxi)dodecan-1-ol, respectivamente. Para a formação dos análogos benzil alquil éter da miltefosina e da erufosina, diversas condições foram testadas empregando-se a reação dos éteres &#969;-hidroxibenzilalquílicos com oxicloreto de fósforo e, subsequentemente, com N-metiletanolamina ou N-metilpropanolamina, para análogos da miltefosina e da erufosina, respectivamente. Na sequência, a N-metilação com iodeto de metila foi realizada para os análogos da erufosina. No caso da miltefosina, estudou-se a síntese de um análogo N-metilfosfoetanolamínico. A confirmação dos respectivos produtos de interesse e o grau de pureza foram inferidos por análises de RMN. Devido à complexidade das rotas e, principalmente, à dificuldade de purificação pelo caráter anfifílico das moléculas sintetizadas, os compostos ainda não foram obtidos em quantidade e grau de pureza suficientes para testes biológicos in vitro. Entretanto, esse estudo aponta para a possibilidade da utilização da rota proposta para obter os compostos planejados, com necessidade de se aprimorar a etapa final de purificação dos compostos obtidos. / Cancer corresponds to a group of diseases with increasing incidence over the years, and is currently considered a global problem. Traditional treatments mostly act on the genetic machinery causing cytotoxicity and debilitating patients. Therefore, the search for new drugs is of paramount importance to find more selective and less toxic drugs. The class of alkylphospholipids deserves attention for presenting several analogs with antitumor activity by acting on the cell membrane. This class has miltefosine as a structural prototype. Miltefosine exhibits potent antitumor activity in vitro and against some tumor models, and has been clinically approved for topical use in cutaneous metastases of breast cancer. However, this drug is associated with gastrointestinal toxicity and hemolytic activity. From this prototype, new analogs were synthesized resulting in erufosine, which besides antitumor activity is capable of stimulating the production of human bone marrow cells and can be administered intravenously, since it is less hemolytic. Other studies show that the presence of bulky groups in the nonpolar moiety of alkylphospholipids also reduces the hemolytic activity. In this work, we designed benzyl alkyl ether analogs of miltefosine and erufosine. We studied the synthesis of &#969;-hydroxibenzylalkyl ethers intermediates by means of a factorial design and studying the alkyl halide to be employed. Best reaction condition was defined as room temperature and reaction time of 6h, with yields of 38% and 43% for 10-(benzyloxy)decane-1-ol and 12-(benzyloxy)dodecane-1-ol, respectively. For the benzyl alkyl ether analogs, several reaction conditions were investigated by reacting the &#969;-hydroxibenzylalkyl ethers with phosphorus oxychloride and subsequently with N-methyl propanolamine (for erufosine analogs) or N-methyl ethanolamine (for miltefosine analog). In the sequence, N-methylation with methyl iodide was carried out for erufosine analogs. For mitefosine, the analog obtained was an N-methylphosphoethanolamine. Structures confirmation was based on NMR analysis. Owing to the complexity of the synthetic routes and mainly difficulty in purification of amphiphilic molecules, the analogs panned were not obtained in adequate quantities and degree of purity to be submitted to in vitro biological test. Nonetheless, this study already points to the possibility of the synthetic routes investigated to obtain the compounds designed, with need to improve final purification steps.

A fosfoetanolamina sintética (FO-S), um fosfomonoéster, apresenta relevante atividade antitumoral. Contudo, a utilização de um carreador para encapsular a FO-S em lipossomas poderia favorecer a sua disponibilidade no microambiente tumoral, possibilitando o aumento da sua eficácia. Desta forma, o presente estudo avaliou a eficiência de encapsulamento da FO-S em lipossomas de DODAC e o seu potencial antitumoral. Os lipossomas foram preparados por ultrasonicação e caracterizados físicoquimicamente. A citotoxidade foi avaliada nas linhagens tumorais B16F10 (melanoma murino), Hepa1c1c7 (hepatocarcinoma murino) e Skmel-28 (melanoma humano) e nas células normais HUVEC, após o tratamento com diferentes concentrações dos lipossomas DODAC/FO-S, no tempo de 24 horas. A internalização dos lipossomas e o potencial elétrico mitocondrial foram analisados por microscopia confocal a laser. Adicionalmente, a expressão das proteínas caspases 3 e 8 ativas, receptor DR4, citocromo c, p53, p21, Bax, p27, CD44, CD90, Bcl-2 e ciclina D1 foi quantificada por citometria de fluxo. Para os estudos in vivo, os camundongos C57BL/6J portadores de hepatocarcinoma foram tratados com FO-S, DODAC/FO-S e DODAC, pelas vias intraperitoneal (IP) e intrahepática (IH), durante 20 dias. Os resultados demonstraram que os lipossomas apresentaram aspecto esférico e alta eficiência de encapsulação da FO-S, como também promoveram maior citotoxicidade nas linhagens tumorais estudadas, em comparação com FO-S. Além disto, nas células B16F10 e Hepa1c1c7, ocasionou parada nas fases S e G2/M do ciclo celular. A linhagem Hepa1c1c7 foi a mais sensível ao tratamento com os lipossomas DODAC/FO-S, os quais foram internalizados em até 6 horas e promoveram a diminuição de CD90, CD44, ciclina D1 e Bcl-2, o aumento de p53, p21, p27, Bax e caspases 8 e 3 ativas e a liberação do citocromo c. O aumento significativo das caspases 8 e 3 ativas, expressão do receptor DR4 e a liberação do citocromo c também ocorreu nas linhagens B16F10 e Skmel-28. Os resultados in vivo mostraram que os lipossomas DODAC/FO-S e a FO-S não induziram hepatotoxicidade, nefrotoxicidade e caquexia. Os lipossomas DODAC/FO-S não ocasionaram mielossupressão e hemólise, apresentando menor toxicidade em relação a FO-S, administrada pelas vias IP e IH. Além disto, os tratamentos com DODAC/FO-S (IH) e FO-S (IH e IP) foram efetivos em diminuir o número de células na fase S. Contudo, apenas os lipossomas DODAC/FO-S (IH) reduziram significamente os focos tumorais, aumentando as áreas de necrose, promovendo também o aumento da expressão gênica da p53, ciclina B1 e caspases 8 e 3. O conjunto dos resultados in vivo e in vitro demonstraram que a formulação lipossomal DODAC/FO-S foi capaz de maximizar os efeitos antitumorais da FO-S, ativando as vias intrínsecas e extrínsecas da apoptose / Synthetic phosphoethanolamine (PHO-S) - a phosphomonoester - has shown relevant anticancer effects. However, the utilization of a carrier to encapsulate the PHOS in liposomes can maximize its availability in the tumor microenvironment, allowing an increase in its effectiveness. Thus, the present study has evaluated efficiency of PHO-S encapsulation in DODAC liposomes and its antitumor potential. The liposomes were prepared by ultrasonication and physico-chemically characterized. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated on B16F10 cells (murine melanoma), Hepa1c1c7 cells (murine hepatocellular carcinoma), Skmel-28 (human melanoma) and in endothelial cells HUVEC, after treatment with DODAC/PHO-S liposomes at different concentrations for 24 hours. The internalization of the liposomes and mitochondrial electrical potential were analyzed by confocal laser microscopy. Additionally, the expression of active caspases 3 and 8, receptor DR4, cytochrome c, p53 p53, p21, Bax, p27, CD44, CD90, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 proteins was quantified by flow cytometry. For in vivo studies, C57BL/6J mice with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with PHO-S, DODAC/PHO-S and DODAC, by intraperitoneal (IP) and intratumoral (IT) routes for 20 days. The results demonstrated that liposomes presented spherical aspect and high PHO-S encapsulation efficiency, as also promoted high cytotoxic effect - compared with PHO-S. Furthermore, in B16F10 and Hepa1c1c7 cells, the liposomes induced S and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Hepa1c1c7 cells showed greater sensitivity to the DODAC/PHO-S formulation, which were internalized until 6 hours and promoted a decrease in the expression of CD90, CD44, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2, an increase of de p53, p21, p27, Bax and active caspases 8 and 3 and the liberation of cytochrome c. The significant increase in the expression of active caspases 3 and 8, DR4 receptor and liberation of cytochrome c also occurred in B16F10 and Skmel-28 cells. In vivo results showed that DODAC/PHO-S liposomes and PHO-S did not induce nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and cachexia. DODAC/PHO-S liposomes did not cause myelosuppression and hemolysis, presenting lower toxicity in relation to PHO-S - when administered by IP and IT routes. Moreover, treatment with DODAC/PHO-S (IT) and PHO-S (IT and IP) effectively decreased the number of cells in S phase. However, only DODAC/PHO-S liposomes significantly reduced the number of tumor foci, increasing area of necrosis, and also promoting an increase in gene expression of p53, cyclin B1 and caspases 8 and 3. The set of in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that DODAC/PHO-S liposomal formulation was capable of maximizing the PHO-S antitumor effects, activating the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the apoptosis