Medicinal plants represent an important source of novel pharmaceutical products. More than 25% of current medicines are derived from natural substances, and another 25% are structural changes of major substances from natural sources. It is estimated that only 15% of higher plants have been investigated for potentially useful biological activity. In recent years, the search for new therapies has been directed to endophytes, as these microorganisms have produced several new and interesting bioactive metabolites for a variety of uses. Endophytes are organisms that colonize the internal tissues of plants without apparently damaging the host. Endogenous mushrooms from medicinal plants are potential antioxidant resources. The overall goals of the work proposed in this application evaluating antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents from endophytes isolated from some wild plants in Saudi Arabia.
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