Exploration of Potent Cytotoxic Molecules from Fungi in Recent Past to Discover Plausible Anticancer Scaffolds

Fungi are known to produce diverse scaffolds possessing unique biological activities, however, to date, no molecule discovered from a fungal source has reached the market as an anti-cancer drug. Every year number of cytotoxic molecules of fungal origin are getting published and critical analysis of those compounds is necessary to identify the potent ones. A review mentioning the best cytotoxic fungal metabolites and their status in the drug development was published in 2014. In this report, we have included 176 cytotoxic molecules isolated from fungi after 2014 and categorized them according to their potencies such as IC50 values below 1 mu M, 1-5 mu M, and 5-10 mu M. The emphasis was given to those 42 molecules which have shown IC50 less than 1 mu M and discussed to a great extent. This review shall provide potent scaffolds of fungal origin which can be given priority in the development as a drug candidate for cancer therapeutics.

Automated summary

Fungi can produce various scaffolds with unique biological activities, but so far, no molecule derived from fungi has become an anti-cancer drug on the market. Every year, numerous cytotoxic molecules of fungal origin are published, making it necessary to critically analyze these compounds to identify the potent ones. A review published in 2014 mentioned the best cytotoxic fungal metabolites and their status in drug development. In this report, we included 176 cytotoxic molecules isolated from fungi after 2014 and categorized them based on their potencies. Emphasis was given to discuss the 42 molecules that showed IC50 values below 1 mu M. This review provides potent fungal scaffolds that can be prioritized as drug candidates for cancer therapeutics.