iBET member, Sandra Silva AWARDED by the Order of Pharmacists

Sandra Silva, member of the Analytical Services Unit (ASU, iBET) and PhD student at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Lisbon, was awarded an innovation grant for the scientific project entitled "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of refined olive oil supplemented with hydroxytyrosol in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model”. This award, given by the Order of Pharmacists, was to distinguish research and professional projects in different areas of pharmaceutical activity carried out by pharmacists in Portugal. The project authored by Sandra Silva, Maria Rosário Bronze, João Rocha, Bruno Sepodes and Maria Eduardo Figueira describes the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of hydroxytyrosol, a typical phenolic compound present in virgin olive oils, in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model. The preliminary results demonstrate the preventive effects of hydroxytyrosol in the evolution of rheumatoid arthritis, and add potential health benefits of virgin olive oil consumption. An event will be held on the beginning of 2014 for the award attribution.