Full Professor in the Department of Basic Sciences at the Health Institute of Nova Friburgo ISNF/UFF, responsible for the subjects of Cytological Exams and Basic Pharmacology. Researcher and Coordinator of the Laboratory for Research on Natural Products and Bioactive Molecules (LPPNMB-ISNF/UFF) at Fluminense Federal University, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo. Deputy Coordinator of the Biomedicine course at ISNF-UFF (2021-2023). Head of the Department of Basic Sciences (2018-2020). Graduated in Pharmacy (2005) with a specialization in Drugs and Medications from the Federal University of Alfenas (MG) (2006), master's degree from the State University of Campinas (2012), PhD in Sciences through the Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Bioactive Product Technology (2015) from the State University of Campinas. Specialist in Clinical Cytology from Souza Marques College, Rio de Janeiro.
EDUCATION
Pharmacist graduated from the Federal University of Alfenas - MG, master’s and doctoral degrees in Sciences from the State University of Campinas - SP, specialist in clinical cytology from Souza Marques College - RJ.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Multidisciplinary, Pharmacology, Cancer Research
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Chemical Profiling and Multimodal Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eugenia pyriformis Leaves Essential Oil Larissa Saviani Ribeiro, Vitor Guimarães Lourenço, Kaique Gonçalves de Souza, Yasmin Cometti Sardinha, Kevin Costa Miranda, Francisco Paiva Machado, Rômulo Augusto de Abreu Franchini, Mariana Toledo Martins Pereira, Leandro Rocha, Vinicius D’Avila Bitencourt Pascoal, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal Molecules, 2026 Eugenia pyriformis Cambess., popularly known as uvaia, is a native Brazilian species belonging to the Myrtaceae family that has attracted pharmacological interest due to its richness in bioactive secondary metabolites. Previous studies have reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil obtained from its leaves, reinforcing its therapeutic potential. In this context, the present study aimed to extract and characterize the essential oil from E. pyriformis leaves cultivated in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential through in vitro and in vivo models. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed a predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, mainly γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene, and β-caryophyllene. The oil exhibited significant anti-edematogenic activity in carrageenan-, prostaglandin E2-, and bradykinin-induced paw edema models in adult female Swiss mice, suggesting modulation of inflammatory mediators, possibly through inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. Conversely, no effect was observed in the compound 48/80-induced model, indicating the absence of activity on histamine- and serotonin-mediated processes. In vitro assays demonstrated that the oil reduced TNF-α and IL-1β gene expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages, confirming its ability to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the essential oil of E. pyriformis exerts anti-inflammatory activity through multiple targets.
Eugenia brasiliensis: Analysis of the Chemical Profile and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Potential Giovana G. F. V. de Oliveira, Milena F. Longue, Letícia M. R. Pescinelli, Thiago S. Charret, Thalya S. R. Nogueira, Mariana T. M. Pereira, Ivo J. C. Vieira, Lucas S. Abreu, Vinicius D. B. Pascoal, Aislan C. R. F. Pascoal Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2025 This work evaluated the antiproliferative potential of Eugenia brasiliensis leaf extracts against the HeLa cervical cancer cell line. The extracts were prepared by maceration using hexane (EBH), dichloromethane (EBD), and ethyl acetate (EBAE), and they were evaluated for their antiproliferative potential through a 3‐4,5‐dimethyl‐thiazol‐2‐yl‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay in the cervical cancer cell culture (HeLa cell line) and a non‐cancer cell line (NIH‐3T3). EBH, EBD, and EBAE were cytotoxic in HeLa cells, with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) = 97.59, 31.03, and 57.67 µg/mL, respectively. EBD inhibited migration and altered the cell cycle. Eight compounds were tentatively assigned to E. brasiliensis leaf extracts by interpreting their fragmentation patterns and molecular formulae obtained from mass spectra. The dichloromethane extract of the leaves of E. brasiliensis against the cells of cervical cancer showed potential cytotoxicity activity.
Eugenia uniflora L.: Analysis of Chemical Profile and Cytotoxic Action on Tumor (HeLa) and Non-Tumor Cells (NIH/3T3) Letícia M. R. Pescinelli, Milena França Longue, Giovana G. F. V. de Oliveira, Júlio C. Thurler-Júnior, Thiago S. Charret, Thalya S. R. Nogueira, Mariana T. M. Pereira, Ivo J. C. Vieira, Lucas S. Abreu, Vinicius D. B. Pascoal, Aislan C. R. F. Pascoal Pharmaceuticals, 2025 Objectives: This study analyzed the antiproliferative potential of Eugenia uniflora L. leaf extracts against cervical cancer and non-cancerous cell lines. Methods: The extracts were prepared by maceration using hexane (EUH), dichloromethane (EUD), and ethyl acetate (EUA). Their cytotoxic potential was evaluated through MTT assays, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry. To identify classes of secondary metabolites, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using spectrophotometric methods, and individual metabolites were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS. Results: EUH, EUD. and EUA exhibited cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, with IC50 values of 63.03 μg/mL, 33.79 μg/mL, and 38.38 μg/mL, respectively. Due to their lower IC50 values, the EUD and EUA fractions were selected for further investigation. EUA and EUD inhibited cell migration at all the time points tested and altered the cell cycle. Twenty-eight compounds were tentatively identified in E. uniflora L. leaf extracts based on the interpretation of their fragmentation patterns and molecular formulas obtained from mass spectrometry. Conclusions: The EUD and EUA extracts appear to modulate the metabolism of cervical cancer cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration. Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds are likely responsible for these observed biological effects.
Antiproliferative Activity of New Bis-Thionaphthoquinones in Cervical Cancer Julio C. Thurler-Júnior, Caroline S. Moreira, Raquel C. Castiglione, Rafael L. Simões, Daniela G. G. Rando, Felipe F. T. R. Martins, Ramon M. Cogo, Ruan C. B. Ribeiro, Vitor F. Ferreira, Vinicius D. B. Pascoal, Aislan C. R. F. Pascoal, David R. da Rocha Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 2025 Over the past decades, natural products have been a primary source of anticancer agents. Naphthoquinones, a large class of secondary metabolites, exhibit known anticancer activity. Thionaphthoquinones, which are naphthoquinones with added thiol groups, have demonstrated similar potential to their precursors. Cervical cancer is the third most common and fourth most lethal type of cancer among women worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative activity of new bis-thionaphthoquinones in cervical cancer cells. Five new molecules (D1-D5) were synthesized via multicomponent reaction and characterized by mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate antiproliferative activity in HeLa and NIH3T3 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. PharmMapper was utilized for target fishing. Among the tested molecules, bis-thionaphthoquinone D4 exhibited the highest potency and selectivity, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 42.7 μM and a selectivity index of 2.05. Additionally, it also induced DNA fragmentation, suggesting its potential to induce cell death. Carbonic anhydrase II was identified as the most likely target for D4. Therefore, bis-thionaphthoquinone D4 demonstrated both potency and selectivity, making it a promising drug candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer.
A NEW ALKALOID ISOLATED FROM Tabernaemontana hystrix Steud. (Apocynaceae) AND THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE POTENTIAL OF THE ROOT BARK AGAINST HUMAN CERVICAL CANCER (HeLa) Thalya S. R. Nogueira, Thiago C. Sardou, Julio Cesar Thurler Júnior, Gabriela Dinis, Vinícius D’avila B. Pascoal, Lucas S. Abreu, Raimundo Braz Filho, Aislan C. R. F. Pascoal, Ivo José C. Vieira Quimica Nova, 2025 Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world and the third most common in Brazilian women. The search for compounds with anticancer potential is important, since cancer is a public health problem, and some drugs may lead to side effects. In addition, cases of multidrug resistance may occur. Tabernaemontana species are considered a promising source of bioactive compounds. The antiproliferative potential of the crude extract and fractions of Tabernaemontana hystrix Steud. (Apocynaceae) root bark were evaluated through MTT assays using HeLa cells and NIH-3T3 cells. It was observed that EtOAc and BuOH fractions were selective against tumor cells, with IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of 3.787 and 8.489 μg mL-1, respectively. The phytochemical investigation of both fractions was carried out, leading to the isolation of six monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs): olivacine (1), affinine (2), the mixture of alkaloids 1, janetine (3) and 3,14-dihydro-olivacine (4), and macusine B (5) from the EtOAc fraction. However, the BuOH fraction also provided compounds 1 and 3, and the new MIA, named as Nb-demethyl-18-formyl-affinine (6). Compounds 3 and 4 are being reported for the first time in the species. Further research is needed to evaluate the antiproliferative potential of these compounds.
Honey and Aloe vera Solution Increases Survival and Modulates the Tumor Size In Vivo Rebeka Tomasin, Ianca Carneiro Ferreira, Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland Sawaya, Paulo Mazzafera, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal, Marcos Jose Salvador, Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes‐Marcondes Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 2024 ScopeThe combination of honey and Aloe vera is used as a popular complementary treatment for cancer due to their nutraceutical properties. This study aims to investigate the anticancer activity of honey and A. vera solution and its ethanolic extraction through in vitro and in vivo approaches.Methods and resultsAfter comparisons of honey and A. vera (HA) solution and its ethanolic extraction solution (E) samples by UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS, the study verifies HA‐treatment affected only Walker tumor cells viability at the highest dose, and E‐treatment has a more cytotoxic/antiproliferative effect in MCF‐7 and Walker‐256 cells. The in vivo results show a higher survival rate in Walker‐256 tumor‐bearing rats (WHA), with higher NK cell infiltration in tumor tissue and a tendency in the WE group. These results are possible due to decreased mannose‐based immunomodulatory polysaccharides and aloin‐A contents in the ethanolic extract solution compared to HA solution.ConclusionThe current study provides compelling evidence of selectively cytotoxic against tumor cells under honey and A. vera solution and ethanolic extraction solution treatment, due to the cytotoxic/antiproliferative compounds. Therefore, the use of honey and A. vera solution could be used as a basis for coadjuvant therapy in cancer treatment.
Identification of microRNAs expressed in an animal model of periodontal disease and their impact on pathological processes Kelly de Almeida, Priscilla Câmara, Gabriela Camargo, Tiago Pereira, André Vieira, Iscia Lopes-Cendes, Patrícia Severino, Eliana B. Souto, Aislan Pascoal, Vinicius Pascoal Tissue and Cell, 2024 MicroRNAs represent a class of small RNAs that act to silence genes post-transcriptionally by inhibiting the translation of target messenger RNAs, and this study aimed to understand how miRNAs influence the set-up of periodontal disease. Periodontitis was induced by inserting a ligature into the left first mandibular molar in a rat model, which was kept for the entire 56 days-time of experiment. After 56 days post-periodontitis induction, the histopathological analysis showed an apical extension of the junctional epithelium, with areas of hyperplasia, exocytosis, and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with a predominance of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eventual plasma cells in the deeper layers. The cement surface showed areas of irregularity, covered by cementoblasts and irregular surfaces, confirming the set-up of periodontitis. In the sequencing analysis, 26,404 genes were identified, with 132 reaching statistical significance. Among genes with a statistical difference, 18 were found to encode for microRNAs. The identified microRNAs are primarily involved in bone remodeling by acting on fibroblast growth factors, and collagen production. These outcomes demonstrate a signaling role in bone resorption, which is consistent with the histopathological observations that show the installation of inflammation with epithelial migration and the beginning of the repair process, with cementum resorption. The disclosure of how miRNAs may influence the maintaining of periodontal disease will help the development of new dental materials for the prophylaxis and treatment of alveolar bone resorption.
New Chalcogen-Functionalized Naphthoquinones: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation, In Vitro and In Silico, against Squamous Cell Carcinoma Luana da Silva Gomes, Érica de Oliveira Costa, Thuany G. Duarte, Thiago S. Charret, Raquel C. Castiglione, Rafael L. Simões, Vinicius D. B. Pascoal, Thiago H. Döring, Fernando de C. da Silva, Vitor F. Ferreira, Aldo S. de Oliveira, Aislan C. R. F. Pascoal, André L. S. Cruz, Vanessa Nascimento ACS Omega, 2024 Due to the growth in the number of patients and the complexity involved in anticancer therapies, new therapeutic approaches are urgent and necessary. In this context, compounds containing the selenium atom can be employed in developing new medicines due to their potential therapeutic efficacy and unique modes of action. Furthermore, tellurium, a previously unknown element, has emerged as a promising possibility in chalcogen-containing compounds. In this study, 13 target compounds (9a–i, 10a–c, and 11) were effectively synthesized as potential anticancer agents, employing a CuI-catalyzed Csp-chalcogen bond formation procedure. The developed methodology yielded excellent results, ranging from 30 to 85%, and the compounds were carefully characterized. Eight of these compounds showed promise as potential therapeutic drugs due to their high yields and remarkable selectivity against SCC-9 cells (squamous cell carcinoma). Compound 10a, in particular, demonstrated exceptional selectivity, making it an excellent choice for cancer cell targeting while sparing healthy cells. Furthermore, complementing in silico and molecular docking studies shed light on their physical features and putative modes of action. This research highlights the potential of these compounds in anticancer treatments and lays the way for future drug development efforts.
Evaluation of the Antiproliferative Potential of Yellow Jaboticaba (Myrciaria glazioviana) Extracts Against Human Cervical Cancer (HeLa cells line) and the Analysis of Their Chemical Composition by HPLC-HRESIMS Mariana Toledo Martins Pereira, Thiago Sardou Charret, Guilherme Freimann Wermelinger, Thalya Soares Ribeiro Nogueira, Bruno Kaufmann Robbs, Raquel Carvalho Castiglione, Rafael Loureiro Simões, Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado, Ivo José Curcino Vieira, Lucas Silva Abreu, Vinicius D'Avila Bitencourt Pascoal, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2024 Cervical cancer is a specific type of cancer that affects women around the world, with an incidence of 604 thousand new cases per year and 341 thousand deaths. There is a high demand for new effective antineoplastic drugs with few side effects. In this sense, recent research highlights the potential of compounds of natural origin in treating and preventing different types of cancer. Myrciaria glazioviana is a Brazilian native species belonging to the Myrtaceae family, which has previously described biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer activity of the dichloromethane extract (MGD) and ethyl acetate extract (MGA) of M. glazioviana leaves against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), as well as to identify their bioactive compounds. Using HPLC‐HRESIMS technique, ten compounds were characterized in both samples: quinic acid, ellagic acid, Tri‐O‐methyl ellagic acid, two derivatives of Tetra‐O‐methyl flavellagic acid, quercetrin, Di‐O‐methyl ellagic acid, and three derivatives of pentamethyl coruleoellagic acid. Through MTT assays using HeLa cells and NIH/3T3 cells, it was observed that MGD and MGA were selective against tumor cells, with IC50 values of 24.31 and 12.62 μg/mL, respectively. The samples induced the tumor cell death by apoptosis, as evidenced by the activation of caspases 3/7, cell shrinkage, and pyknotic nuclei. Both samples were also able to inhibit the migration of HeLa cells after 24 hours of treatment, indicating a potential antimetastatic effect. Therefore, the present research highlights the antiproliferative and antimigratory potential of this species against HeLa cells.
Evaluation of the Antiproliferative Potential of Eugenia pyriformis Leaves in Cervical Cancer Cells Thiago De Paula Alves, Mariana Toledo Martins Pereira, Thiago Sardou Charret, Júlio César Thurler Júnior, Guilherme Freimann Wermelinger, Andrea Regina Baptista, Bruno Kaufmann Robbs, Alexandra C. H. F. Sawaya, Vinicius D'Ávila Bitencourt Pascoal, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2022
Biological evaluation of selected 1,2,3-triazole derivatives as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents Lialyz Soares Pereira André, Renata Freire Alves Pereira, Felipe Ramos Pinheiro, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Fernando de Carvalho da Silva, Daniel Tadeu Gomes Gonzaga, Dora Cristina Silva Costa, Tainara Ribeiro, Daniela Sachs, Fábio Aguiar-Alves Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2020
Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of solidago microglossa (Arnica-brasileira) in vivo and its effects on pparγ activity RITYELLO S. VOGAS, MARIANA T.M. PEREIRA, LUIZA S. DUARTE, MARA J. CARNEIRO, ANDREW F. FARSURA, JOÃO AUGUSTO M.M. MACHADO, INGRID F. COSTA, MAYARA R.N. TOMÉ, FLORA A. MILTON, FRANCISCO A.R. NEVES, MARCIO ADRIANO ANDREO, BEGOÑA GIMENEZ-CASSINA LOPEZ, ALEXANDRA CHRISTINE HELENA F. SAWAYA, VINICIUS D’ÁVILA BITENCOURT PASCOAL, AISLAN CRISTINA R.F. PASCOAL Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias, 2020
Bioactivity and chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria australis A.St.-Hil Carlos Alberto Theodoro Siqueira, Alessandra Freitas Serain, Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal, Nathalia Luiza Andreazza, Caroline Caramano de Lourenço, Ana Lúcia T. Góis Ruiz, João Ernesto de Carvalho, Ana Cláudia Oliveira de Souza, Juliana Tonini Mesquita, Andre Gustavo Tempone, Marcos José Salvador Natural Product Research, 2015
