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.
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.
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.
Candida albicans is a common fungus that causes serious infections in people with weakened immune systems. The fungus produces a molecule called farnesol that prevents it from growing in long filaments, which are associated with virulence. Researchers discovered that an enzyme called Cwh8 is absolutely essential for making farnesol, and when this enzyme is missing, the fungus becomes highly sensitive to the antifungal drug fluconazole, suggesting a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance.
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.
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.
This study reveals how a split-gill mushroom called Schizophyllum commune controls its sexual reproduction and fruiting body development through specific protein interactions. Scientists identified four key proteins at a genetic locus that work together in pairs to enable sexual compatibility between different mushroom strains. Understanding these genetic mechanisms helps create improved varieties of this edible and medicinal mushroom with better nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.
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.
Baicalein, a natural compound from a traditional medicinal plant, is significantly more effective at fighting Candida albicans infections than its parent compound baicalin. When combined with the common antifungal drug fluconazole, baicalein creates a powerful synergistic effect that is especially useful against drug-resistant fungal strains. Scientists discovered that a beneficial probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, can efficiently convert the abundant baicalin into baicalein, providing a sustainable and safe way to produce this potent antifungal compound at scale.
Researchers used mushroom extracts to create tiny zinc oxide particles in an environmentally friendly way. These nanoparticles were tested in mice with liver damage and showed significant protective effects. The particles also demonstrated strong abilities to fight bacteria and fungal infections while acting as powerful antioxidants, suggesting potential use in future medical treatments.