GONZÁLEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA

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Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo

CENBIO - Centro de Investigación Biomédica

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ORCID

0000-0002-5630-6645

Scopus Author ID

56516826700

Now showing 1 - 10 of 17

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Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Gleichenella pectinata, a Bioprospecting of Medicinal Ferns
(MDPI AG, 2025-11-12)
Elena Coyago-Cruz
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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Gabriela Méndez
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Mateo Moya Coyago
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Juan A. Puente Pineda
Gleichenella pectinata, known as ‘Star fern’, is a species traditionally used by Amazonian indigenous communities to treat various diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities of G. pectinata leaves. The study included the determination of physicochemical parameters (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, moisture, and ash), phytochemical screening, mineral analysis by atomic absorption and quantification of bioactive compounds (vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenols) by liquid chromatography (RRLC). Antioxidant (ABTS and DPPH), antimicrobial (ATCC bacteria and fungi, and multi-resistant strains), antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. The results showed the presence of acetogenins, high concentrations of malic acid (56,559.7 mg/100 g DW), β-carotene (266.6 mg/100 g DW), chlorophyll b (684.7 mg/100 g DW), ferulic acid (3163.5 mg/100 g DW) and quercetin glucoside (945.9 mg/100 g DW). The freeze-dried ethanolic extracts showed greater efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC (12.0 mg/mL) and multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli (6.6 mg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (6.6 mg/mL). In addition, the extract exhibited moderate antiproliferative activity (IC50: 0.98–1.98 mg/mL) in hepatocellular and cervical carcinoma cell lines. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence of the antitumor and bioactive potential of G. pectinata, supporting its value as a natural source of functional compounds with potential pharmacological applications.
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The E1a Adenoviral Gene Upregulates the Yamanaka Factors to Induce Partial Cellular Reprogramming
(MDPI AG, 2023-05-07)
Gracia Mendoza
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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Juan Miguel Sánchez
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Altamira Arce-Cerezo
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Miguel Quintanilla
<jats:p>The induction of pluripotency by enforced expression of different sets of genes in somatic cells has been achieved with reprogramming technologies first described by Yamanaka’s group. Methodologies for generating induced pluripotent stem cells are as varied as the combinations of genes used. It has previously been reported that the adenoviral E1a gene can induce the expression of two of the Yamanaka factors (c-Myc and Oct-4) and epigenetic changes. Here, we demonstrate that the E1a-12S over-expression is sufficient to induce pluripotent-like characteristics closely to epiblast stem cells in mouse embryonic fibroblasts through the activation of the pluripotency gene regulatory network. These findings provide not only empirical evidence that the expression of one single factor is sufficient for partial reprogramming but also a potential mechanistic explanation for how viral infection could lead to neoplasia if they are surrounded by the appropriate environment or the right medium, as happens with the tumorogenic niche.</jats:p>
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Exploring the Multifaceted Biological Activities of Anthocyanins Isolated from Two Andean Berries
(MDPI AG, 2024-08-21)
Carlos Barba-Ostria
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Saskya E. Carrera-Pacheco
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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ZUÑIGA MIRANDA, JOHANA JANINA
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MAYORGA RAMOS, ARIANNA CAROLINA
Natural pigments extracted from plant species are used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study evaluates the comprehensive biological activities of anthocyanins isolated from Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) and Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth), focusing on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and hemolytic properties. Chemical characterization revealed significant anthocyanin content with complex mass spectrometric profiles indicating diverse glycosylation patterns that may influence their bioactivity. The antimicrobial assays showed that the extracts were particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1 mg/mL for Rubus glaucus, indicating strong potential for therapeutic use. The antioxidant capacity of the berries was substantial, albeit slightly lower than that of ascorbic acid. The extracts also exhibited notable antitumoral activity in various cancer cell lines, showing promise as adjunctive or preventive treatments. The anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed by inhibiting nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, highlighting their potential in managing inflammatory diseases. In terms of hemolytic activity, Rubus glaucus exhibited dose-dependent effects, potentially attributable to anthocyanins and phenolics, while Vaccinium floribundum demonstrated no significant hemolytic activity, underscoring its safety. These findings suggest that anthocyanins from Andean berries possess potent biological activities, which could be leveraged for health benefits in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are needed to isolate specific bioactive compounds and investigate their synergistic effects in clinical and real-world contexts.
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Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Rambutan - Nephelium lappaceum L. - Shell: Encapsulation, Structural Stability, and Multifunctional Activities
(MDPI AG, 2025-11-09)
Carlos Barba Ostria
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Orestes López
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Alexis Debut
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MAYORGA RAMOS, ARIANNA CAROLINA
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ZÚÑIGA MIRANDA, JOHANA JANINA
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) shell, an agro-industrial by-product, is a rich source of phenolic acids and minor anthocyanins, but its direct use is limited by instability and low bioavailability. We extracted phenolic-rich fractions and produced maltodextrin microcapsules by spray drying, then confirmed chemical entrapment and amorphization by FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The formulation showed high encapsulation efficiency and high antioxidant capacity (DPPH), selective bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia, and strong inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes biofilms, while exhibiting negligible hemolysis (<2%) across tested concentrations. Antitumor effects were moderate with low selectivity in vitro, indicating that phenolic-acid-driven redox modulation may require fractionation or delivery optimization for oncology applications. Overall, spray-dried microcapsules provided structural stability and safety while concentrating multifunctional activities relevant to food and biomedical uses. By valorizing a tropical waste stream into a bioactive, hemocompatible ingredient, this work aligns with societal goals on health and sustainable production (SDG 3 and SDG 12) and offers a scalable route to deploy underutilized phenolic resources.</jats:p>
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Green Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles from Mauritia flexuosa Fruit Extract: Characterization and Bioactivity Assessment
(MDPI AG, 2024-11-22)
ZUÑIGA MIRANDA, JOHANA JANINA
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David Vaca-Vega
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Karla Vizuete
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Saskya E. Carrera-Pacheco
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, persistent biofilms, oxidative stress, and cancerous cell proliferation poses significant challenges in healthcare and environmental settings, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and sustainable therapeutic solutions. The exploration of nanotechnology, particularly the use of green-synthesized nanoparticles, offers a promising avenue to address these complex biological challenges due to their multifunctional properties and biocompatibility. Utilizing a green synthesis approach, Mauritia flexuosa Mf-Ag2ONPs were synthesized and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy coupled with scanning electron microscopy (EDS-SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The Mf-Ag2ONPs exhibited potent antibacterial effects against both non-resistant and MDR bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 11.25 to 45 µg/mL. Mf-Ag2ONPs also demonstrated significant antifungal efficacy, particularly against Candida glabrata, with an MIC of 5.63 µg/mL. Moreover, the nanoparticles showed strong biofilm inhibition capabilities and substantial antioxidant properties, underscoring their potential to combat oxidative stress. Additionally, Mf-Ag2ONPs exhibited pronounced anticancer properties against various cancer cell lines, displaying low IC50 values across various cancer cell lines while maintaining minimal hemolytic activity at therapeutic concentrations. These findings suggest that Mf-Ag2ONPs synthesized via an eco-friendly approach offer a promising alternative for biomedical applications, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer therapies, warranting further in vivo studies to fully exploit their therapeutic potential.
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Phytochemical nanoencapsulation and microfluidics drive gene and tumor microenvironment modulation
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025-09-29)
PEÑAHERRERA PAZMIÑO, ANA BELÉN
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Criollo, Mishell
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
Phytochemicals are plant-derived bioactive compounds with promising anticancer properties, but their clinical use is limited by poor solubility, instability, rapid metabolism, and restricted tumor penetration. Nanoencapsulation strategies address these barriers by enhancing bioavailability, stability, and tissue-specific delivery, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity. This mini-review summarizes recent progress in nanoscale phytochemical delivery systems engineered for gene modulation and tumor microenvironment targeting, including lipid-based, polymeric, hybrid, and biogenic nanocarriers that improve biodistribution and enhance cellular uptake. Notably, the functional performance of nanoscale delivery systems depends on precisely controlled physicochemical characteristics. Consequently, microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool to fine-tune and fabricate phytochemical-based nanocarriers in a reproducible manner. Beyond fabrication, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platforms recreate physiological and tumor-specific microenvironments, providing dynamic, real-time assessment of drug transport, metabolism, and tumor–vascular interactions in biomimetic conditions that surpass conventional static models. These innovations expand mechanistic understanding and support more predictive preclinical evaluations. Remaining challenges include variability of natural sources, limited pharmacokinetic and toxicological data, and hurdles in scale-up and standardization. By integrating nanoscale engineering with microfluidic innovation, phytochemical-based nanomedicine is positioned to advance toward more effective, safer, and clinically translatable cancer therapies.
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Current Landscape of Methods to Evaluate Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Extracts
(MDPI AG, 2023-01-20)
GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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Saskya E. Carrera-Pacheco
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ZUÑIGA MIRANDA, JOHANA JANINA
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Cristina Rodríguez-Pólit
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MAYORGA RAMOS, ARIANNA CAROLINA
<jats:p>Natural extracts have been and continue to be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from infectious diseases to cancer, based on their convenience and therapeutic potential. Natural products derived from microbes, plants, and animals offer a broad variety of molecules and chemical compounds. Natural products are not only one of the most important sources for innovative drug development for animal and human health, but they are also an inspiration for synthetic biology and chemistry scientists towards the discovery of new bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals. This is particularly relevant in the current context, where antimicrobial resistance has risen as a global health problem. Thus, efforts are being directed toward studying natural compounds’ chemical composition and bioactive potential to generate drugs with better efficacy and lower toxicity than existing molecules. Currently, a wide range of methodologies are used to analyze the in vitro activity of natural extracts to determine their suitability as antimicrobial agents. Despite traditional technologies being the most employed, technological advances have contributed to the implementation of methods able to circumvent issues related to analysis capacity, time, sensitivity, and reproducibility. This review produces an updated analysis of the conventional and current methods to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of natural compounds.</jats:p>
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Evaluation of Biological Activity of Natural Compounds: Current Trends and Methods
(MDPI AG, 2022-07-13)
Carlos Barba-Ostria
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Saskya E. Carrera-Pacheco
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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Cristina Rodríguez-Pólit
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HEREDIA MOYA, JORGE HUMBERTO
<jats:p>Natural compounds have diverse structures and are present in different forms of life. Metabolites such as tannins, anthocyanins, and alkaloids, among others, serve as a defense mechanism in live organisms and are undoubtedly compounds of interest for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Plants, bacteria, and insects represent sources of biomolecules with diverse activities, which are in many cases poorly studied. To use these molecules for different applications, it is essential to know their structure, concentrations, and biological activity potential. In vitro techniques that evaluate the biological activity of the molecules of interest have been developed since the 1950s. Currently, different methodologies have emerged to overcome some of the limitations of these traditional techniques, mainly via reductions in time and costs. These emerging technologies continue to appear due to the urgent need to expand the analysis capacity of a growing number of reported biomolecules. This review presents an updated summary of the conventional and relevant methods to evaluate the natural compounds’ biological activity in vitro.</jats:p>
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Complexing the Oncolytic Adenoviruses Ad∆∆ and Ad-3∆-A20T with Cationic Nanoparticles Enhances Viral Infection and Spread in Prostate and Pancreatic Cancer Models
(MDPI AG, 2022-08-10)
Yang Kee Stella Man
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Carmen Aguirre-Hernandez
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Adrian Fernandez
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Pilar Martin-Duque
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GONZALEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
<jats:p>Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAd) can be employed to efficiently eliminate cancer cells through multiple mechanisms of action including cell lysis and immune activation. Our OAds, AdΔΔ and Ad-3∆-A20T, selectively infect, replicate in, and kill adenocarcinoma cells with the added benefit of re-sensitising drug-resistant cells in preclinical models. Further modifications are required to enable systemic delivery in patients due to the rapid hepatic elimination and neutralisation by blood factors and antibodies. Here, we show data that support the use of coating OAds with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a possible new method of virus modification to help augment tumour uptake. The pre-incubation of cationic AuNPs with AdΔΔ, Ad-3∆-A20T and wild type adenovirus (Ad5wt) was performed prior to infection of prostate/pancreatic cancer cell lines (22Rv, PC3, Panc04.03, PT45) and a pancreatic stellate cell line (PS1). Levels of viral infection, replication and cell viability were quantified 24–72 h post-infection in the presence and absence of AuNPs. Viral spread was assessed in organotypic cultures. The presence of AuNPs significantly increased the uptake of Ad∆∆, Ad-3∆-A20T and Ad5wt in all the cell lines tested (ranging from 1.5-fold to 40-fold), compared to virus alone, with the greatest uptake observed in PS1, a usually adenovirus-resistant cell line. Pre-coating the AdΔΔ and Ad-3∆-A20T with AuNPs also increased viral replication, leading to enhanced cell killing, with maximal effect in the most virus-insensitive cells (from 1.4-fold to 5-fold). To conclude, the electrostatic association of virus with cationic agents provides a new avenue to increase the dose in tumour lesions and potentially protect the virus from detrimental blood factor binding. Such an approach warrants further investigation for clinical translation.</jats:p>
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Dimerocostus strobilaceus (Caña Agria) as an Emerging Reservoir of Bioactive Metabolites with Potential Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Health Benefits
(MDPI AG, 2025-10-29)
Coyago Cruz Elena Del Rocío
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GONZÁLEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA
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Gabriela Méndez
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Jeico Usinia-Carranza
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JUAN ANDRÉS
The Amazon region is home to a wide variety of plant species that are of interest for their medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, bioactive compound profile, and antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of Dimerocostus strobilaceus leaves, stems, and seeds. Vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were quantified using RPLC. Antioxidant activity was determined using ABTS and DPPH, while antimicrobial activity was assessed against pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Anticancer activity was evaluated in tumour cell lines (HeLa, HCT116, HepG2, and THJ29T), and anti-inflammatory activity was examined in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The seeds stood out for their content of ferulic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, while kaempferol and quercetin predominated in the leaves. The leaves exhibited greater antimicrobial efficacy and antiproliferative activity (IC50 < 0.2 mg/mL), albeit with limited selectivity. These findings suggest that ‘caña agria’ is a promising source of bioactive metabolites with biotechnological and therapeutic applications.

GONZÁLEZ PASTOR, REBECA EUGENIA

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