Fungi naturally produce many compounds that kill harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review explores how these fungal compounds could replace antibiotics that no longer work due to drug resistance. These natural substances could be used not only as medicines but also in cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth and improve skin health.
Scientists have developed methods to trap bacteria and fungi inside gel structures, similar to tiny capsules. These immobilized microorganisms can produce antibiotics and other useful medicines more efficiently and continuously than free-floating cells. The gel structures protect the cells, allow them to be reused multiple times, and reduce production costs, making medicine manufacturing faster and cheaper.
This review explores how fungi produce remarkable chemical compounds that have been transformed into important medicines for over a century. Starting with penicillin in the 1940s, scientists have discovered dozens of fungal-derived drugs used to treat infections, prevent organ rejection, lower cholesterol, and fight cancer. Modern technology now allows researchers to discover and analyze these compounds much faster and with smaller samples than ever before.
Sulphur shelf fungus, known as ‘chicken of the woods,’ is a bright yellow mushroom that grows on tree trunks and has remarkable health benefits. Research shows it contains compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties, making it valuable for both food and medicine. The fungus can be cultivated relatively quickly and easily, and some countries already recognize it as safe for food use, potentially opening new applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are spreading through our environment and creating a dangerous partnership with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When these plastics accumulate in soil, water, and even food, they carry bacteria with genes that resist antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. This combined threat to human health can spread through wind, water, and the food chain, requiring urgent action to reduce plastic pollution and antibiotic overuse.
This research examined how Lion’s Mane mushroom extracts made with different liquids can fight infections and oxidative damage. The water-based extract was best at preventing viruses and free radical damage, while the ethyl acetate extract worked best against bacteria and fungi. The study identified 16 beneficial compounds in the mushroom and suggests it could be used as a daily supplement to protect against infections and oxidative stress.
Scientists have developed a greener way to coat medical devices like wound dressings and catheters with antibacterial materials using electrospun fibers. These tiny fibers are made from natural, renewable materials and release antimicrobial agents slowly and effectively to prevent infections. Unlike traditional antibiotics that can create resistance, these coatings use multiple attack methods against bacteria, making them harder for microbes to develop resistance against.
Researchers discovered that a type of fungus called Coriolopsis gallica can break down the antibiotic levofloxacin, which persists in the environment and contributes to antibiotic resistance. They tested both free enzymes from the fungus and enzymes trapped in alginate beads to see which worked better. The study found that free enzymes degraded more of the antibiotic when a chemical helper molecule called HBT was added, while immobilized enzymes were more stable and could be reused multiple times.
Scientists are searching for new treatments for COVID-19 by studying indole-containing compounds, which are found in many plants and can be made in laboratories. Some approved drugs with indole structures, like the antiviral drug Arbidol, have been repurposed to fight COVID-19. Researchers are also designing new indole compounds and using computer simulations to predict which ones might work best against the virus’s key proteins.
This comprehensive review explains how the structure of plant polysaccharides from Chinese herbs determines their healing properties. The authors discuss various laboratory methods to identify polysaccharide structures and explain how chemical modifications can enhance their beneficial effects like boosting immunity and fighting tumors. The review provides guidance for researchers developing new polysaccharide-based medicines and shows that finding the right molecular size and chemical composition is key to maximizing therapeutic benefits.