Microbial endophytes: an untapped resource with antitumor and anti-microbial properties

Abstract

Endophytes (mostly fungi and bacteria) are the microorganisms living in close symbiotic association with plants. Endophytes growing within medicinal plants in hostile environments are considered to produce novel as well as chemically and structurally diverse secondary metabolites. These metabolites are being used as clinical grade drug targets due to their less toxicity over other conventional drugs for diseases like cancer, microbial infections. Endophytes extracts are also exploited in food, agrichemical and biotechnology industries. Asparaginase of bacterial origin is widely used antitumor drug. The quint essential role of endophytes is their activity against microorganisms which can open gates in the field of biomedical research. This review mainly focuses on endophytes from medicinal plants as a source of antitumor and antimicrobial agents. Also highlights the need to focus on finding alternatives methods of endophytes isolation and production as well as characterization, purification and genetic transformations in order get maximum benefits.