Endophytic fungi as a source of antidiabetic metabolites: A review

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most fatal non-communicable illnesses and prevalent among the adult population globally. Endophytic fungi, which are fungi living in the host plant, have been recently recognized as a potential source of secondary metabolite compounds. Interest has expanded in recent years in fungal endophytes as a source of antidiabetic metabolites. Endophytic fungi constitute a rich source of bioactive natural products and have the potential to contribute significantly to the identification of new antidiabetic metabolites. Recent progress in the isolating of active compounds with antidiabetic activities from endophytes has identified a number of novel compounds. Furthermore, the biotechnological applications of antidiabetic metabolites have also been explored. In conclusion, fungal endophytes offer a potential source of antidiabetic metabolites and further research is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of novel antidiabetic compounds derived from endophytic fungi.