Unveiling the Hidden Allies in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance—Medicinal Plant Endophytes
Adeoye J. Kayode,
Aboi Igwaran,
Folasade Banji-Onisile,
Nneka A. Akwu,
John O. Unuofin,
Ayodeji C. Osunla,
Samson O. Egbewale,
Hery Purnobasuki
Affiliations
Adeoye J. Kayode
Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
Aboi Igwaran
School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Orebro, Sweden
Folasade Banji-Onisile
Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Nneka A. Akwu
Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, PMB X2046, Mmabatho 2790, South Africa
John O. Unuofin
Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Florida Park Science Campus, University of South Africa, Private Bag X392, Florida 1710, South Africa
Ayodeji C. Osunla
Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University, PMB 001, Akunagba Akoko 342111, Nigeria
Samson O. Egbewale
Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Hery Purnobasuki
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
Medicinal plants have long been a vital source of various natural products in the form of pure compounds or standardized extracts. The World Health Organization estimated that 80% of populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America rely on traditional medicine for primary health care. In recent decades, endophytic microorganisms living within plants have gained attention for their ability to produce bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential. This review explores the diversity of medicinal plant endophytes, focusing on their pharmacological significance, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, we discuss the application of nanotechnology and computational tools in enhancing the potency and screening of endophyte-derived metabolites. Despite the promising potential, challenges such as scalability, safety, and commercial viability remain. Future research should prioritize optimizing production, elucidating biosynthetic pathways, and integrating advanced technologies to effectively harness these bioactive compounds for novel drug development.
