Anti-leishmanial and Anti-inflammatory Agents from Endophytes: A Review

Abstract

Leishmaniases and chronic inflammatory diseases are the cause of millions of deaths in the world each year. The treatment of leishmaniasis is facing serious drawbacks particularly due to the limited number of effective medicines, the resistance, and the toxicity of available drugs. On the other hand, many drugs are used for the management of inflammatory disorders. However, the most commonly prescribed although efficient is highly toxic with multiples side effects. New leads compounds for the development of new anti-leishmanial and anti-inflammatory drugs are needed. Over the past decade, several studies on the potential of endophytes to produce bioactive metabolites have been reported. We are presenting in the present review the status of research from 2000 to 2019 on the anti-leishmanial and anti-inflammatory metabolites isolated from endophytes from diverse habitats. An emphasis was put on existing gaps in the literature to inspire and guide future investigations. We hope that this review will help accelerate the drug discovery against leishmaniases and inflammation-associated disorders.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Anti-leishmanial; Bioactive metabolites; Endophytes.

Fig. 1

Metabolites active against Leishmania spp. isolated from endophytic fungi

Fig. 2

Plant anti-inflammatory metabolites also produced by endophytic fungi

Fig. 3

Anti-inflammatory compounds isolated from endophytic fungi of terrestrial plants

Fig. 3

Anti-inflammatory compounds isolated from endophytic fungi of terrestrial plants

Fig. 4

Selected active metabolites produced by endophytic fungi from marine plants

Fig. 4

Selected active metabolites produced by endophytic fungi from marine plants

Fig. 5

Anti-inflammatory compounds isolated from endophytic bacteria