Evaluation of the biflavonoids agathisflavone and amentoflavone isolated from Anacardium species in Candida sp. biofilms associated with photodynamic therapy.

• Grant number: 25/01242-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Mendonça Pauletti
• Grantee: Bianca Borges de Alencar
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Anacardium occidentale L and Anacardium othonianum Rizz are species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, popularly known as cashew trees. Both are native to Brazil, with a predominant distribution in the Cerrado. These species are highly relevant due to their use in folk medicine, used to treat asthma, toothaches and diabetes, and have anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to their medicinal effects, they stand out for the nutritional purpose of their fruit and nuts. The genus Anacardium is unique in the production of metabolites known as flavonoids, alkaloids and biflavonoids, which have pharmacological and biological actions. Therefore, the project aims to isolate the biflavonoids agathisflavone and amentoflavone from the leaves of A. occidentale and A. othonianum, respectively. The chemical approach will be performed using chromatographic methods such as Column Chromatography (CC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The structural characterization of the isolated compounds will be performed using spectroscopic methods such as one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR and 13C NMR and MS. Additionally, the antifungal potential of agathisflavone and amentoflavone will be evaluated by the microdilution method by determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and the capacity of these compounds to inhibit the formation of biofilms against different strains of Candida will also be evaluated, with and without the association of LED light, using Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). From this perspective, the main objective of the project will be to deepen the evaluation of the antifungal potential of biflavonoids associated with PDT and contribute to the training of human resources in the area of natural products. (AU)