Professor of Pharmacotherapeutic Process and Hospital Pharmacy at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). Permanent Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Pharmacology and Biochemistry, (FARMABIO), Postgraduate Program in Neurosciences and Cell Biology (PPNBC) and Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPGCF), as well as tutoring the Multiprofessional Residency at the Barros Barreto University Hospital, area of concentration in oncology. Co-coordinator of the Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior (LAFICO), at the Institute of Health Sciences at UFPA, where she develops investigations on neurotoxicology of drug abuse, bioactive compounds and its effects on neurological disorders and environmental toxicants.
EDUCATION
I have a Degree in Pharmacy, Specialization in Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Assistance (CESUPA), Master's Degree in Neurosciences and Cell Biology (UFPA), Doctorate in Health Sciences (UnB) and Post-Doctorate from the National Program for Academic Cooperation in the Amazon - PROCAD Amazônia ( UFRGS).
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Behavioral Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Cognitive Neuroscience
115
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Integrative Computational and Experimental Approaches Reveal the Protective Role of Moderate Caffeine Intake Against Apical Periodontitis Induced Bone Loss Matheus Ferreira Lima Rodrigues, Deborah Ribeiro Frazão, Deiweson Souza‐Monteiro, Vinicius Ruan Neves dos Santos, Felipe Oliveira Nunes, et al. International Endodontic Journal, 2026 Aim To investigate whether moderate systemic caffeine intake modulates the progression of apical periodontitis (AP) and associated alveolar bone loss, combining in vivo rat experiments with in silico molecular docking to explore potential mechanisms. Methodology Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups ( n = 8 per group): control, caffeine, AP, AP + caffeine. AP was induced by pulp exposure of mandibular first molars and allowed to develop for 28 days. Animals in caffeine groups received 10 mg/kg/day by orogastric gavage during the experimental period. The antioxidant capacity of caffeine was assessed by DPPH• and ABTS• + assays. Systemic oxidative status was evaluated by blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Histology, Picro‐Sirius red staining for collagen, and micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) analysis of alveolar bone (BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, porosity, lesion volume) were performed. Molecular docking against adenosine A 1 and A 2 A receptors was used to probe caffeine–receptor interactions. Results Caffeine showed relevant radical‐scavenging activity in vitro (DPPH• assay). AP induced systemic redox imbalance, marked inflammatory infiltration, collagen loss and increased lesion volume. Moderate caffeine intake restored redox markers (↑GSH, ↓TBARS), attenuated inflammatory infiltrate, preserved collagen content and reduced lesion volume (AP + caffeine vs. AP; p < 0.05). Micro‐CT demonstrated improved alveolar bone microarchitecture in AP + caffeine group (increased BV/TV and Tb.N; reduced Tb.Sp and porosity). Molecular docking indicated stable hydrophobic and hydrogen‐bond interactions of caffeine within A 1 and A 2 A receptor binding pockets, supporting an antagonistic effect on adenosine signalling consistent with reduced pro‐inflammatory activation. Conclusion Moderate systemic caffeine (10 mg/kg/day) attenuates apical periodontitis progression and preserves alveolar bone quality in rats, associated with antioxidant activity and a probable modulation of adenosine receptor‐mediated inflammatory pathways.
Neuropharmacological targets for schizophrenia treatment: An update Caroline Araujo Costa Lima, Marta Eduarda Oliveira Barbosa, Fábio José Coelho Souza-Junior, Sarah Viana Farias, Eneas Andrade Fontes-Junior, et al. Progress in Neuro Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 2026
1-Nitro-2-Phenylethane as a Multitarget Candidate for Cognitive and Psychiatric Disorders: Insights from In Silico and Behavioral Approaches Emily Christie Maia Fonseca, Lucas Villar Pedrosa da Silva Pantoja, Daniele Luz de Campos, Fábio José Coelho Souza-Junior, Bruno Gonçalves Pinheiro, et al. Pharmaceuticals, 2025 Background/Objectives: Neurological and psychiatric disorders share overlapping mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance. In this context, multitarget natural molecules have gained attention. 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1N2PE), a major constituent of Aniba canelilla essential oil, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinesterase effects, yet its neuropharmacological profile remains poorly understood. Methods: This study integrated in silico predictions and in vivo behavioral assays to characterize 1N2PE. Results: Pharmacokinetic analyses indicated favorable drug-like properties, with high gastrointestinal absorption, blood–brain barrier penetration, and no P-gp substrate profile. Molecular docking and dynamics revealed stable interactions with dopamine transporter (DAT, ΔG = −26.26 kcal/mol), prostaglandin-H synthase-1 (PGHS-1, ΔG = −20.27 kcal/mol), serotonin transporter (SERT, ΔG = −18.20 kcal/mol), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE, ΔG = −16.58 kcal/mol). In vivo, using a scopolamine-induced impairment model, 1N2PE significantly improved spatial memory and cognition in the Morris water maze. Treated animals reduced the distance to the target zone by ~40% compared with scopolamine-only rats (p < 0.01), normalized latency during training, and exhibited 30% less immobility (p < 0.05), indicating antidepressant-like effects. Moreover, 1N2PE attenuated anxiety-like thigmotaxis, restoring exploratory patterns (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Together, these findings highlight 1N2PE as a multitarget candidate for cognitive and psychiatric disorders, combining favorable pharmacokinetic properties with preclinical efficacy, warranting further biochemical and translational investigations.
Vatairea Genus as a Potential Therapeutic Agent—A Comprehensive Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties Sarah Andrade Toledo, Laryssa Danielle da Silva Reis, Brenda Costa da Conceição, Lucas Villar Pedrosa da Silva Pantoja, Fábio José Coelho de Souza-Junior, et al. Pharmaceuticals, 2025 The Vatairea genus (Fabaceae family) is widespread in the Amazon rainforest. Some species of this genus are known for their ethnobotanical significance and biological potential. The present study explores the pharmacological and promising therapeutic activities, ethnobotanical profile, and phytochemical prospection of Vatairea sp., a monophyletic group of flowering plants, which includes economically and culturally important genera due to their diverse uses, including medicinal applications. V. lundellii, V. guianensis, V. erythrocarpa, V. fusca, V. heteroptera, V. paraensis, V. sericea, and V. macrocarpa are included in the Vatairea sp., also recognized for its high wood quality and potential medicinal properties. Studies show significant antibacterial activity in V. guianensis extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whereas V. macrocarpa lectin exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, including modulation of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, V. macrocarpa and V. guianensis have demonstrated antifungal properties, with compounds like Vatacarpan exhibiting potent activity against Candida sp. In vivo studies highlight the neurotoxic effects of V. macrocarpa lectin, suggesting a dual role in the central nervous system. Despite these findings, research on Vatairea’s toxicological aspects is limited, with only a few studies on V. macrocarpa and V. guianensis extracts indicating a need for further exploration of this genus’ pharmacological and therapeutic potential.
Unraveling the Neuropharmacological Properties of Lippia alba: A Scientometric Approach Pedro I. C. Silva, Lucas V. P. S. Pantoja, Brenda C. Conceição, Marta E. O. Barbosa, Luiza F. R. Soares, et al. Pharmaceuticals, 2025 Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) is popularly known as lemon balm or false melissa and is one of the most widely used plants in traditional medicine in the Amazon region. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, with conventional metrics associated with a critical review based on the neuropharmacological activities, to identify potential medical applications and also gaps in knowledge that require further investigation. Fifty-two articles were included according to the eligibility criteria. In the country analysis, Brazil emerged as the main contributor to research with the highest number of publications and citations. Notably, nine of the ten main research institutions are Brazilian, with the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria standing out with 761 citations. The keywords “anesthesia”, “Lippia alba”, and “essential oil” were the most frequent, highlighting their importance in this field. Essential oils are the most common type of extraction, which linalool, citral, geraniol, carvone, and limonene were the main constituents identified. According to the type of study, preclinical studies presented the highest frequency, primarily through fish experimental models. The main neuropharmacological activities identified were sedative–anesthetic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and analgesic, with mechanisms of action via the GABAergic pathway. This bibliometric review provided new evidence reinforcing the potential of L. alba as a promising alternative for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. It also highlighted existing knowledge gaps, mainly related to the comparison of the actions of the different chemotypes of the species and the investigation of the mechanisms underlying their neuropharmacological properties. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge in other emerging areas related to the central nervous system, such as mood and cognitive disorders.
Mercury: What can we learn from the Amazon? Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez, Marcus Augusto-Oliveira, Amanda Lopes-Araújo, Leticia Santos-Sacramento, Priscila Yuki Takeda, et al. Environment International, 2021
Ketamine: Neurotoxicity and Neurobehavioral Disorders S.C. Cartágenes, L.M.P. Fernandes, E. Fontes de Andrade, R.D. Prediger, C.S.F. Maia Addictive Substances and Neurological Disease Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine and Drugs of Abuse in Everyday Lifestyles, 2017
Ethanol Consumption and Cerebellar Disorders A.C.A. de Oliveira, B. Puty, L.K.R. Leão, R.M. Fernandes, C.S.F. Maia, et al. Addictive Substances and Neurological Disease Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine and Drugs of Abuse in Everyday Lifestyles, 2017
Alcoholic Neurological Syndromes B.G. Pinheiro, A.S. Melo, L.M.P. Fernandes, E. Fontes de Andrade, R.D. Prediger, et al. Addictive Substances and Neurological Disease Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine and Drugs of Abuse in Everyday Lifestyles, 2017
Ethanol: Neurotoxicity and Brain Disorders L.M.P. Fernandes, E. Fontes de Andrade, M.C. Monteiro, S.C. Cartágenes, R.R. Lima, et al. Addictive Substances and Neurological Disease Alcohol Tobacco Caffeine and Drugs of Abuse in Everyday Lifestyles, 2017
Masticatory deficiency as a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction Francisco Bruno Teixeira, Luanna de Melo Pereira Fernandes, Patrycy Assis Tavares Noronha, Marcio Antonio Raiol dos Santos, Walace Gomes-Leal, et al. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2014
A geometric and electronic study of dapsone Anna P. S. Mendes, Taysa R. Schalcher, Tainá G. Barros, Eduardo D. Almeida, Cristiane S. F. Maia, et al. Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 2011
An electronic study for metronidazole metabolism Bruna H. S. Silva, Anna P. S. Mendes, Joyce K. L. Vale, Cristiane S. F. Maia, Enéas A. Fontes, et al. Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 2011
