Fungal endophytes from medicinal plants acting as natural therapeutic reservoir

Abstract

Fungal endophytes are reservoirs of bioactive molecules that impart therapeutic potential to indigenous medicinal plants. Since new strains of microbial pathogens are evolving with their ability towards drug resistance, herbal phytometabolites are a new lead for exploiting their potential in the field of medicine. The ethnobotanical literature and scientific potential of medicinal plants in traditional medicine have always developed interest in the piqued for new bioactive compounds produced by endophytic bacteria and fungi. The endophytic association of medicinal plants imparts therapeutic attributes to the plant metabolites. Endophytes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but as per the literature, fungal endophytes are more promising for exploring the potential compounds, they synthesize in host plants. The occurrence of endophytic associations is found in almost all plant species, and their roles are well established. This association is present in roots, stems, and leaves, these microbial endophytes enhance growth, yield, stress tolerance, control plant pathogens, and manage diseases naturally. In the present review, the potential benefits of endophytes such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidepressants, immunosuppressant, etc. are discussed.

Keywords

• Phytomedicine
• Medicinal plants
• Fungal endophytes
• Secondary metabolites
• Herbal biotechnology