Endophytic Mycoflora as a Source of Biotherapeutic Compounds for Disease Treatment

Abstract

Endophytic mycoflora are ubiquitous organisms residing in the internal tissues of the plants, at least for a portion of their lives without causing apparent symptoms of infection. Endophytes serve as rich sources of novel natural compounds with a wide-spectrum of biologically active agents. This review reveals the significance of endophytic mycoflora from plants as sources of bioactive organic compounds. The bioactive compounds produced by endophytic fungi originate by various biosynthetic pathways like PKS/NRPS. These compounds belong to diverse structural groups such as alkaloids, benzopyranones, chinones, cytochalasines, depsipeptides, enniatines, flavonoids, furandiones, isocumarines, peptides, polyketones, phenols, quinols, terpenoids, tetralones and xanthones were characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography etc. Therefore, endophytes, represent a chemical reservoir for array of new compounds which are anti-cancerous, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-parasitical, anti-viral, anti-mycobacterium, anti-insecticidal, antimalarial, anti-biotic, immunosuppressive & immunomodulatory agents, also in addition, other compounds were used in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. This paper mainly focuses on the exploration of novel and useful compounds from endophytic mycoflora, and study of their roles in cure of diseases, the recent scenario of screening approach for novel drugs and their pharmacological interest.

Bioactive molecules from fungal endophytes and their applications in pharmaceutical industries: challenges and future scope

“…The pharmaceutical industry has great potential for using fungal endophytes for manufacturing modern antiparasitic medications. It has been reported that Phomopsis archeri , isolated from Vanilla albindia , synthesized phomoxanthones A–C, an aromatic sesquiterpene with exceptional antiprotozoal effects [53]. Trypanosoma and Leishmania are two genera of parasites that are harmful to humans.…”

Pharmacological Potential of Fungal Endophytes Associated with Medicinal Plants: A Review

“…Fungal endophytes have great potential in the synthesis of new antimalarial drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. The synthesis of bioactive metabolite phomoxanthones A-C, an aromatic sesquiterpene, by Phomopsis archeri isolated from Vanilla albindia with remarkable antimalarial properties has been reported [ 91 ]. The protozoan genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are examples of pathogenic parasites.…”

Potentials of Endophytic Fungi in the Biosynthesis of Versatile Secondary Metabolites and Enzymes

“…The most popular endophytic fungi belong to Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Alternaria genera [40][41][42]. In-depth studies of endophytic fungi enhance the knowledge of their potential for the production of novel effective secondary metabolites, which are also called bioactive compounds and natural products [4]. These microbial substances have diverse chemical structures and properties, which enable them to act in a beneficial way to host plants, the environment and humans in multiple fields [43][44][45].…”

“…These engender multiple issues, especially those caused by massive industrial discharges and the excessive use of pesticides. Recently, scientific researchers have shed light on the importance of re-establishing an eco-friendly lifestyle [3][4][5].…”