Endophytic Fungi as Alternative and Reliable Sources for Potent Anticancer Agents

Abstract

In comparison with other natural sources like plants, highly diverse microorganisms are narrowly explored, especially with respect to their limitless potentials as repositories of exceptionally bioactive natural products. Of these organisms, fungi inhabiting tissues of plant in a noninvasive relationship (endophytic fungi) have proven undeniably useful and unmatchable as sources of potent bioactive molecules against several diseases such as cancer and related ailments. In general terms, endophytic fungi are highly prevalent organisms found in the tissue (intracellular or intercellular) of plants and at least for reasonable portion of their lives. It has been proven that virtually every plant, irrespective of habitat and climate, plays host to wide varieties of endophytes. Endophytic fungi produce metabolites produced by diferent biosynthetic pathways to that of the host plant, and this robustness equips them to synthesize unlimited structural entities and scafolds of diverse classes. Interestingly too, the cohabitation/culture of these fungi with certain bacteria ofers even stronger hopes for anticancer drug discovery. The endless need for potent drugs has necessitated the search of bioactive molecules from several sources, and endophytic fungi appear to be a recipe. This chapter is an atempt to present the current trend of research with these very promising organisms.

A Review on Medicinal Plants Having Anticancer Properties of Northeast India and Associated Endophytic Microbes and their Future in Medicinal Science

“…24 Till date, many endophytes had been already reported that can produce bioactive compounds which are effective in anticancer assays. 25 The first and famous anticancer drug, Taxol, was produced from the endophytic fungus Taxomyces andreanae isolated from Taxus brevifolia Nutt that produce good anticancer activity against the cancer cell lines 26 . Figure 1 shows the recovering of fungal endophytes from plants and microscopic view of potent fungal endophyte.…”

Endophytic fungi from an overlooked plant species: A case study in Kelissa brasiliensis (Baker) Ravenna

“…Endemic species and plants at risk of extinction are among the most important hosts for revealing endophytes and their biotechnological potential (Omeje et al 2017). Thus, the identification of endophytic fungi from the Iridaceae species, K. brasiliensis, which is endemic to the Pampa biome, presents a promising option for uncovering fungi with the potential to produce antibacterial agents for further biotechnological applications.…”

Isolation and Identification of Isocoumarin Derivatives With Specific Inhibitory Activity Against Wnt Pathway and Metabolome Characterization of Lasiodiplodia venezuelensis

“…According to Tan et al, they possess a resistance mechanism to overcome pathogenic invasion and are considered unmatchable "chemical synthesizers" acting as producers of a wide range of pharmacologically active substances (Tan and Zou, 2001). Their residency in the host plant for a substantial period prompts a constant chemical innovation with potentially reduced toxicity towards the host cells, notably eukaryotic cells, making them a unique resource notably for discovering anticancer molecules (Omeje et al, 2017). Following the discovery that the Food and Drug Administration approved anticancer agent Taxol, originally isolated from Taxus brevifolia, was also produced by endophytic fungi such as Taxomyces andreanae, numerous endophytes have been found to be producers of potent anticancer agents (Stierle et al, 1995;Kusari et al, 2009).…”