Ana Filipa Lenha-Silva

Ana Filipa Lenha-Silva

Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 November 2023 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CFChantal Fernandes
Chantal Fernandes
JSJosé Sousa-Baptista
José Sousa-Baptista
Ana Filipa Lenha-SilvaAna Filipa Lenha-Silva
Ana Filipa Lenha-Silva
DCDaniela Marques Calheiros
Daniela Marques Calheiros
ECEdmilson Emanuel Monteiro Correia
Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro Correia
Teresa GonçalvesTeresa Gonçalves
Teresa Gonçalves
The treatment of dermatophytoses, the most common human fungal infections, requires new alternatives. The aim of this study was to determine the antidermatophytic activity of the aqueous Azorean Black Tea extract (ABT), together with an approach to the mechanisms of action. The phytochemical analysis of ABT extract was performed by HPLC. The dermatophytes susceptibility was assessed using a broth microdilution assay; potential synergies with terbinafine and griseofulvin were evaluated by the checkerboard assay. The mechanism of action was appraised by the quantification of the fungal cell wall chitin and β-1,3-glucan, and by membrane ergosterol. The presence of ultrastructural modifications was studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The ABT extract contained organic and phenolic acids, flavonoids, theaflavins and alkaloids. It showed an antidermatophytic effect, with MIC values of 250 µg/mL for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 125 µg/mL for Trichophyton rubrum and 500 µg/mL for Microsporum canis; at these concentrations, the extract was fungicidal. An additive effect of ABT in association to terbinafine on these three dermatophytes was observed. The ABT extract caused a significant reduction in β-1,3-glucan content, indicating the synthesis of this cell wall component as a possible target. The present study identifies the antidermatophytic activity of the ABT and highlights its potential to improve the effectiveness of conventional topical treatment currently used for the management of skin or mucosal fungal infections.