Endophytic fungi: Carrier of potential antioxidants

Abstract

The asymptomatic association of fungi with plants is termed as endophytes. These plant-associated mycoflora are a promising source of bioactive natural products. Metabolites released by endophytes not only possess many important functions but also supply antioxidant compounds, which are expected to fight disease due to its anti-aging properties. Currently, hectic lifestyle and stressful environment have become the prime cause for the generation of excessive free radicals in the human body. These free radicals create a destructive process in the body cells which leads to various chronic diseases and deleterious effects. Antioxidants are the chemical moieties that engulf free radicals which are followed by delaying cell damages and health disorders. Antioxidant moieties are generally synthesized by both plants and other microorganisms to survive adverse situations such as harmful radiations and abiotic and biotic stress. Hence, they are beneficial to both plants and animals which fed on the plant, thereby decreasing the reactive oxygen species level which are elevated in their normal metabolism process. Collectively, they help us to properly detoxify the body from these harmful molecules. This overview will discuss about antioxidants and highlight the different antioxidant compounds that have been derived from endophytic fungi. Although synthetic antioxidant compounds are being used, but due to their side effects and less bioavailability, they are not widely accepted. Therefore endophytes could prove to be a natural resource for sustainable antioxidant.