FUNGI IN

MEDICINE
Manjunatha S
I M.Sc.(Botany)
University of Mysore
Contents

1.Introduction
2.Medicinal uses
3.Conclusion
4.Reference
INTRODUCTION

Fungi play a very significant role in our daily life.

They are our greatest friends as well as foes. Some
fungi are prized for their usefulness to mankind &
some are injurious as they are responsible for many
diseases. Humans are using Fungi to treat various
diseases and disorders from thousands of years. It
saved the millions of lives through their Medicinal
properties.
 ERGOT
Source: Claviceps purpurea
1. Contains alkaloids like Ergometrine,
Ergotamine, Ergosterol.
2. To induce Uterine contraction
3. To treat menstrual disorders and to check
Haemorrhages.
3. Used in migraine and as Hallucinogens.
 EPHEDRINE
Source: Sachharomyces cervisiae
1. Synthesized from Benzaldehyde
by the action of Yeasts
2. To treat Asthma and Nasal troubles
 WHAT ARE STEROIDS?
• Organic compounds which have 4
membered ring arranged in a specific
configuration.
• Secreted by Adrenal cortex, ovaries,
Testes and Placenta
• Biologically active as Hormones
FUNGI ARE USED IN STEROID PRODUCTION AND
TRANSFORMATION….!!!!
1.Why….?
2.Discovered by Peterson and Murray(1952) By
producing 11-Hydroxy Progesterone from Rhizopus
spp
3.Belongs to all major groups of Fungi especially
Actinomycetes.
 STEROID PRODUCING FUNGI

Prepared by fermentation of Plant glycosides

1. Cortisone --- Rhizopus nigricans and Aspergillus niger

2. 11α Hydroxy Progesteron --- Rhizopus nigricans

3. 11β hydroxy cortisone --- Stachylidium theobromae

 ANTIBIOTICS

Metabolic substances produced by

some living organisms which are
injurious to other living beings
1.Discovery of Antibiotics made
Revolution in the field of
Medicine
2.In 1944 Alexander fleming for
the first time discovered Wonder
Drug from a Fungus Penicillium
notatum
 PENICILLIN

Source: Penicillium chrysogenum

1. Basically it is 6-amino Penicillic acid

2. Crucial feature of the molecule is β- lactin ring.
3. Penicillase- Enzyme synthesized by Penicillin resistant
bacteria.
Eg: Penicillin G, V Ampicillin, Carbenicillin, Ticarcillin
4. Now Penicillase resistant penicillins are synthesized
 Important Antibiotics are…
1. Cephalosporins: Isolated in 1948 from the Fungus Cephalosporium
There β lactam structure is very similar to that of Penicillin.
2. Tetracyclins: Produced from Actinomycetes fungus Streptomyces
3. Cyclosporin: Produced from Cyllindrocarpon lucidum & Tolypocladium
inflatum
 ANTIFUNGAL ANTIBIOTICS
These under 3 categories
a) Polyenes: Nystatin, Amphotericin B
b) Echinocandins: Capsofungin, Micafungin
c) Heterocyclic benzofuran: Griseofulvin

Eradicates various surface & deep rooted infections

caused by Fungi
S.N Antibiotic Source Range of Action
o
1. Penicillin Penicillium notatum, Gram +ve Bacteria
P. chrysogenum
2. Proliferin Aspergillus proliferans Tuberculosis

3. Isopenicillin N Penicillium chrysogenum Bacteria

4. L-sarcin Aspergillus giganteus Tumour

5. Ramycin Mucor remannianus Bacteria

6. Campestrin Psalliota campestris Bacteria

7. Ustilagic acid Ustilago maydis Fungi

8. Jawaharene Aspergillus niger Bacteria, Tumours

9. Baccatin A Gibberella baccata Bacteria, Fungi

10 Cephalosporin Cephalosporium spp Gram +ve bacteria

S.No Antibiotics Source Range of Action

11. Fumagilin Aspergillus fumigatus Amoeba, Staphylococcal

Bacteriophage

12. Griseofulvin Penicillium nigricans, P. urticae Fungi

P.griseofulvum
13. Trichothecin Trichothecium roseum Virus, fungi

14. Antiamoebin Emericellopsis poonensis Protozoans and helminthes

E. synnematicola
15. Viridin Gliocladium virens Fungi

16. Fusidic acid Fusidium coccidium Bacteria

17. Helenin(e) Penicillium funiculosum Virus

18. Poricin Poria corticola Tumour

19. Wortamannin Talaromyces wortmanii Fungi especially against

Botrytis Cladosporium and
Rhizopus
 VITAMINS
An organic compound required by organisms in minute quantities
for growth and reproduction often serve as enzyme cofactors or
parts of cofactors.

1. Vitamin B complex --- Saccharomyces

2. Vitamin B12 (Riboflavin) --- Eremothemium ashbyi
and Ashbya
gossypii
3. Vitamin A --- Rhodotorula gracilis
4. Vitamin D (Ergosterol) --- Saccharomyces
 STATINS
Source: Aspergillus terreus, A. phoma
• Produces secondary metabolite
Lovastatin & Squalestein.
• Reduces or removes LDL from blood
vessels.
 TAXOL

Source: Taxomyces andreanae

• Fungal Endophyte on Taxus buccata &

Taxus brevifolia – Gymnosperms
• Isolated from the phloem (inner bark)

• Highly effective against Breast & Ovarian cancer.

 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN
CHINA
Source: Ophiocordyceps sinensis

1. Parasitizes the larva of Ghost moths &

produces fruiting body valued as Herbal remedy.
2. It has been used for at least 2000 years by
Chinese
3. Treatment of diseases related to Lungs,
Kidneys & erectile dysfunction.
4. It is not yet cultivated commercially
over-exploitation have led to its classification as
an endangered species in China, where it is still
in great demand.
KING OF MEDICINAL MUSHROOM
Ganoderma lucidum - Basidiomyceteous fungi

• Therapeutic effect on Insulin resistance.

• Reduces the risk of Prostate cancer.
• Able to activate NK cells.
• Reduces the chance of metastasis.
• Has anti-oxidative effects.
• It can cure Respiratory disorders, Hypertension, Arthritis,
Chronic hepatitis.
Several Fungi are useful
1. Spread of Candida albicans is prevented by
the extract of Tricholoma saponaceum.
2. Mushrooms like Lentinus edodes , Flammulina
velutipes, Agaricus bisporus possess Anti-tumour
properties.
3. Many edible Mushrooms have the ability to lower Blood
Cholesterol.
4. Ternatin is a Fungal extract that suppresses
Hyperglycemia.
5. Pleurotus ostreatus is used to neutralize HIV by degrading
Viral genetic material.
 CONCLUSION
Without the Fungi we
would not be living happily and
healthy, We have derived many
health benefits from green
plants, but we have barely
scratched the surface of fungi as
a source of prevention and cure
of diseases.
 REFERENCES
1. Presscot, Harley, Klein, Microbiology, 5th Edition 2002,
Tata McGraw Hill Company
2. John webster and Roland weber, Introduction to fungi,
3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press
3. Singh Pande Jain, Textbook of Botany, Rastogi
Publications,Meerut
4. http://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au
5. https://en.wikipedia.org
6. https://research.archives.gov
7. https://www.haikudeck.com
8. http://hillpost.in
9. http://www.sciencemag.org
THANK
YOU