Andreia Silva Fernandes

Dr. Andreia Silva Fernandes

Portuguese Catholic University, Porto, Portugal
+1
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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18 April 2023 in Phytomedicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AFAndreia Silva Fernandes
Andreia Silva Fernandes
Pedro Miguel RodriguesPedro Miguel Rodrigues
Pedro Miguel Rodrigues
MPM. Pintado
M. Pintado
FTFreni Kekhasharú Tavaria
Freni Kekhasharú Tavaria
Every day the skin is constantly exposed to several harmful factors that induce oxidative stress. When the cells are incapable to maintain the balance between antioxidant defenses and reactive oxygen species, the skin no longer can keep its integrity and homeostasis. Chronic inflammation, premature skin aging, tissue damage, and immunosuppression are possible consequences induced by sustained exposure to environmental and endogenous reactive oxygen species. Skin immune and non-immune cells together with the microbiome are essential to efficiently trigger skin immune responses to stress. For this reason, an ever-increasing demand for novel molecules capable of modulating immune functions in the skin has risen the level of their development, particularly in the field of natural product-derived molecules. In this review, we explore different classes of molecules that showed evidence in modulate skin immune responses, as well as their target receptors and signaling pathways. Moreover, we describe the role of polyphenols, polysaccharides, fatty acids, peptides, and probiotics as possible treatments for skin conditions, including wound healing, infection, inflammation, allergies, and premature skin aging. Literature was searched, analyzed, and collected using databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The search terms used included "Skin", "wound healing", "natural products", "skin microbiome", "immunomodulation", "anti-inflammatory", "antioxidant", "infection", "UV radiation", "polyphenols", "polysaccharides", "fatty acids", "plant oils", "peptides", "antimicrobial peptides", "probiotics", "atopic dermatitis", "psoriasis", "auto-immunity", "dry skin", "aging", etc., and several combinations of these keywords. Natural products offer different solutions as possible treatments for several skin conditions. Significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were reported, followed by the ability to modulate immune functions in the skin. Several membrane-bound immune receptors in the skin recognize diverse types of natural-derived molecules, promoting different immune responses that can improve skin conditions. Despite the increasing progress in drug discovery, several limiting factors need future clarification. Understanding the safety, biological activities, and precise mechanisms of action is a priority as well as the characterization of the active compounds responsible for that. This review provides directions for future studies in the development of new molecules with important pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical value.

1 November 2022 in Marine Drugs
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AFAndreia Silva Fernandes
Andreia Silva Fernandes
COCatarina Oliveira
Catarina Oliveira
RRRui M. Reis
Rui M. Reis
Albino MartinsAlbino Martins
Albino Martins
Tiago H. SilvaTiago H. Silva
Tiago H. Silva
Despite its low prevalence, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest, typically characterised as silent in early stages and with a dramatically poor prognosis when in its advanced stages, commonly associated with a high degree of metastasis. Many efforts have been made in pursuing innovative therapeutical approaches, from the search for new cytotoxic drugs and other bioactive compounds, to the development of more targeted approaches, including improved drug delivery devices. Marine biotechnology has been contributing to this quest by providing new chemical leads and materials originating from different organisms. In this review, marine biodiscovery for PC is addressed, particularly regarding marine invertebrates (namely sponges, molluscs, and bryozoans), seaweeds, fungi, and bacteria. In addition, the development of biomaterials based on marine-originating compounds, particularly chitosan, fucoidan, and alginate, for the production of advanced cancer therapies, is also discussed. The key role that drug delivery can play in new cancer treatments is highlighted, as therapeutical outcomes need to be improved to give further hope to patients.


14 October 2026 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Cláudia S. OliveiraCláudia S. Oliveira
Cláudia S. Oliveira
AFAndreia Silva Fernandes
Andreia Silva Fernandes
AMAdma Nadja Ferreira Melo
Adma Nadja Ferreira Melo
TATiago Barros Afonso
Tiago Barros Afonso
FCFilipa Costa
Filipa Costa
FTFreni Kekhasharú Tavaria
Freni Kekhasharú Tavaria
Background/Objectives: Skin dysbiosis is associated with several dermatological disorders and is often accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation. Bioactive textiles offer a promising strategy for localized skin health management; however, many currently available materials rely on synthetic or metal-based agents. This study aimed to develop sustainable cotton-based bioactive textiles functionalized with acorn shell (AS) extract, an agri-food by-product rich in phenolic compounds, and evaluate their biological performance potential for skin-contact applications in the management of skin dysbiosis conditions. Methods: Cotton fabrics were pre-treated with chitosan, a commercial cationic agent, or potassium alum and functionalized with AS extract using exhaustion or padding techniques. The resulting materials were assessed for antimicrobial activity against skin-associated bacteria, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages, cytocompatibility with keratinocytes and macrophages, and phenolic compound release under skin-mimicking conditions. Results: AS-functionalized cotton exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, together with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. All functionalized textiles maintained keratinocyte viability above established cytocompatibility thresholds, supporting their suitability for direct skin contact. Exhaustion-treated samples showed higher phenolic incorporation and release, resulting in enhanced biological performance, whereas padding-treated fabrics exhibited lower phenolic loading, more sustained release profiles, and comparatively reduced bioactivity. Conclusions: AS extract can be successfully incorporated into cotton textiles using industrially relevant finishing methods, generating multifunctional materials with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties while maintaining cytocompatibility. These findings support the potential of AS-functionalized cotton as a sustainable, plant-based skin-contact textile platform for localized management of skin-dysbiosis-associated conditions, with great relevance for dermatological and healthcare applications.