Endophytic fungi: a reservoir of antibacterials

Abstract

Multidrug drug resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly problematic particularly in the under developed countries of the world. The most important microorganisms that have seen a geometric rise in numbers are Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium, Penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumonia and multiple drug resistant tubercule bacteria to name a just few. New drug scaffolds are essential to tackle this every increasing problem. These scaffolds can be sourced from nature itself. Endophytic fungi are an important reservoir of therapeutically active compounds. This review attempts to present some data relevant to the problem. New, very specific and effective antibiotics are needed but also at an affordable price! A Herculean task for researchers all over the world! In the Asian subcontinent indigenous therapeutics that has been practiced over the centuries such as Ayurveda have been effective as “handed down data” in family generations. May need a second, third and more “in-depth investigations?”

Molecular Approaches to Screen Bioactive Compounds from Endophytic Fungi

“…These bioactive metabolites have pharmacological activity with wide-ranging applications such as antibacterials, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulators, antiparasitics, antioxidants, and anticancer agents (Wang et al, 2011; Zhao et al, 2011; Deshmukh et al, 2015; Vasundhara et al, 2016). Traditionally, various tools have been used for the screening of endophytic fungi starting from the testing of biological activities through bioassays leading to the purification, identification, and characterization of the bioactive molecules.…”

“…Endophytic fungi have been considered as a source for novel natural bioactive compounds with potential application in medicine, agriculture, and food industry (Strobel et al, 1993; Suryanarayanan et al, 2009; Kharwar et al, 2011). Many endophytic fungi are capable of synthesizing various bioactive compounds that are used as therapeutic agents against numerous diseases (Suryanarayanan et al, 2009; Deshmukh et al, 2015). …”

Induction of Cryptic and Bioactive Metabolites through Natural Dietary Components in an Endophytic Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc.

“…Endophytic fungi are also well known producer of other potential natural compounds of agricultural, industrial and pharmaceutical interest. Some recent reviews have thoroughly discussed the considerable numbers of antibacterial compounds isolated from endophytic microbes and their efficacy and probable usages (Mishra et al, 2012, 2016; Deshmukh et al, 2015; Rao et al, 2017). More than 100 anticancer compounds have been reported alone from fungal endophytes between the period of 1990–2010 (Kharwar et al, 2011).…”

Antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Croton lechleri (Euphorbiaceae)

“…Fungi of the genus Phomopsis have often been isolated as endophytic and have demonstrated antibacterial activity (Kamei, 2008;Siqueira, 2008;Garcia et al, 2012;Deshmukh et al, 2015). Similar to that observed for the endophytic fungi C. lechleri, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Xylaria stood out in secondary metabolite production, being among the genera frequently isolated as endophytic from tissues of several plants and the most frequently selected in bioprospecting studies (Elias, 2015).…”