Bioactive compounds from fungi with antiviral activities: Mechanism of action and biosynthetic pathways

Abstract

Viral infections have affected human health, causing critical pandemics and mortality worldwide. Viruses can also cause enormous economic problems for society globally. Bioactive compounds isolated from fungi (both edible and nonedible) have shown potential activity against viruses. In this review, we describe the fungal natural compounds that have exhibited capability to inhibit some human pathogenic viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, dengue virus, herpes simplex virus, bovine herpes virus, influenza virus, respiratory syndrome virus, hepatitis virus among others. We focused on the biosynthetic pathways of fungal bioactive compounds and addressed the current knowledge about their antiviral mechanisms of action and specific targets. Fungal bioactive compounds are able to inhibit viral reproduction, blocking viral penetration, replication or translation as well as integrase or protease action. Fungal compounds able to inhibit protease such as. ganodermatriol, ergosterol, terpenoids, ganoderic acid GS-2, ganoderiol, sterigmatocystin, emericellin, cordycepin, ergosterol peroxide, myristic acid among others, may have a significant value to society at present, as they may have the potential to treat severe viral respiratory infections. Fungi represent a potential natural source of bioactive molecules that can be exploited for treating viral infections, which represent one of the main causes of disease worldwide. However, extensive investigations on clinical trials are required for the introduction of new antiviral agents into the market.

The Use of the Biomass of a Macromycete Fungus for the Bioremediation of Chromium (VI) in Solution

“…They have a great nutritional value with a high content of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibers, trace elements and low/no calories and cholesterol [8]. Mushrooms have been described as a rich source of different bioactive substances such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, antitumor, cytotoxic, anti-HIV, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic, anticoagulant and hepatoprotective compounds, among other [7,8,9]. Of the approximately 14,000 known species, 2,000 are safe for human consumption and about 650 possess medicinal properties [5].…”