Almeida, Maria das GraçasOliveira, Maria Lúcia de Azevedo2026-02-032026-02-032025-12-03OLIVEIRA, Maria Lúcia de Azevedo. Avaliação toxicológica e efeito terapêutico do extrato hidroalcoólico de Momordica charantia na resposta inflamatória aguda induzida por lipopolissacarídeo (LPS)valiação toxicológica e efeito terapêutico do extrato hidroalcoólico de momordica charantia na resposta inflamatória aguda induzida por LIP. Orientadora: Dra. Maria das Graças Almeida. 2025. 85f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas) - Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, 2025.https://repositorio.ufrn.br/handle/123456789/68076Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) has been widely recognized for its pharmacological potential, although studies on its leaves remain scarce. In this study, the hydroethanolic leaf extract (MCHLE) was chemically characterized by LC–MS/MS, revealing the presence of octopamine, ferulate, vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside, and other bioactive phenolics. Therefore, our work evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of plant extracts from Momordica charantia in in vivo and in vitro models of LPS-induced peritonitis, also assessing the toxicological profile of the aqueous extract of the plant, with the aim of providing more scientific information to be used in clinical practice in the treatment of inflammation. Toxicological evaluation in Wistar rats demonstrated that both acute (2000 mg/kg) and repeated oral administration (up to 400 mg/kg for 28 days) caused no clinical or behavioral signs of toxicity, while maintaining normal hepatic and renal parameters. Notably, treatment significantly reduced glucose and cholesterol levels, in addition to attenuating lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant defenses. In vivo, MCHLE inhibited leukocyte and neutrophil infiltration in the LPS-induced peritonitis model, with efficacy comparable to dexamethasone. It also reduced TNF-α secretion and nitric oxide generation in peritoneal fluids. In vitro assays with LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages confirmed these effects, showing dose-dependent inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO production. Gene expression analysis further demonstrated downregulation of TNF-α and MAPK, with marked suppression of NF-κB transcripts. Collectively, these results provide strong evidence that MCHLE exerts anti-inflammatory activity by targeting both mediator release and upstream signaling pathways, while maintaining a favorable safety profile, supporting its potential as a source of new therapeutic agents.pt-BRAcesso AbertoMomordica charantiaToxicidade agudaModelo de peritoniteCitocinasÓxido nítricoAtividade anti-inflamatóriamasterThesisCIENCIAS DA SAUDE::FARMACIA