*4.2. Animals*

Swiss mice (Mus musculus) of both sexes, weighing 20–30 g, were randomly assigned into groups and maintained in polypropylene cages at 22 ± 3 ◦C, under a 12 h light/dark cycle and with free access to water and food (Labina, Purina®, Euskirchen, Germany). The research was carried out in accordance with the guidelines animal testing (Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, from NIH—National Institute of Health—USA, 1996; Federal Law No. 11,794/2008 and National Experiment Control Council—CONCEA). The protocols used in this study were approved by the local institutional review board for animal experimentation (CEUA, Regional University of Cariri, protocol number 100/2019.2).
