Abstract

ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI: A NOVEL SOURCE USED AS NATURAL THERAPEUTICS

Vishin Ashish Patil* and Sachin Annasaheb Nitave

Abstract

Endophytes are the microorganisms that exist in internal tissues of all plant species and are proven source of novel organic natural molecules, supposed to emphasizing the frontiers of drug discovery. Many researchers have proven that endophyte is a new and potential source of novel natural products for exploitation in modern medicine, agriculture and industry. Endophyte research has yielded various properties like antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, antialzheimer and immunosuppressant etc. This evidence arises a hope to combat incurable diseases, drug resistance, other challenges related to human health. endophytes belong to diverse structural classes, including: alkaloids, peptides, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, quinones, and flavonoids. The potential of finding new drugs that may be effective candidates for treating newly developing diseases in humans is great. Endophytes, found ubiquitous in all plant species in the world, contribute to their host plants by producing plenty of substances that provide protection and ultimately survival value to the plant. So far, a great number of novel natural products have been isolated from endophytes. These achievements would provide the opportunity to utilize endophytes as a new source for production of secondary metabolites.

Keywords: Endophytes, fungi, antimicrobial, secondary metabolites, endophytic bacteria.