Naamidine A reveals a promising zinc-binding strategy for topical antifungal therapy.

Fungal disease affects over a billion people worldwide. Naamidine A inhibits the growth of diverse fungal pathogens through an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that the supplementation of medium with excess zinc abolishes the antifungal activity of naamidine A. Furthermore, we highlight that naamidine A has in vitro activity against terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton spp. and in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of dermatomycosis caused by T. mentagrophytes, highlighting its therapeutic potential as a topical treatment.