Bioactive Compounds of Filamentous Fungi with Biological Activity: a Systematic Review
Authors: De Matos Rigoberto Moreira , Pereira Bruna Vanessa Nunes , Converti Attilio , Duarte Carolina de Albuquerque Lima , Marques Daniela de Araújo Viana 
Published: July 2023

Filamentous fungi are a rich source of bioactive compounds, which make them a promising resource for the discovery of new drugs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically review research data on bioactive compounds of filamentous fungi with biological activity.

Theoretical Frame: This study used, as a theoretical basis, the literature published in the Medline, Web of Science and Science Direct databases in the period from 2012 to 2021, with the main citations: Main Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (MASTARI).

Method: A systematic electronic search was conducted in the Medline (PubMed), Web of Science (WoS) and Science Direct databases, using the descriptors “Filamentous fungi” AND “Bioactive compounds”, in order to identify articles related to the selected topic. The articles were selected by three independent reviewers among those published in English in the last 10 years.

Results and Conclusions: The search resulted in 151 articles, of which 8 met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for bias risk assessment using six quality criteria. Filamentous fungi are a large and promising source of bioactive compounds due to various biological activities such as strong inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4B, cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. In view of the results, further efforts are hoped to discover new drugs from filamentous fungi. Currently, several studies are being developed with different strains of filamentous fungi collected in different environments, such as forests, sea, icy regions and soil. Aspergillus and Penicillium are among the most studied genera. These fungi produce several bioactive compounds, some already reported and others recently discovered. In vitro and in silico studies are being used to test the different biological activities provided by bioactive compounds; therefore, the results of these researches are very promising for the discovery of new drugs. Additionally, further studies are needed to test these activities in in vivo models. The results obtained are of great relevance for medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, as they bring an update of the main bioactive compounds and their biological activities from biodiversity, which can be used in the development of new drugs capable of fighting different diseases. Still, they can help the academic and scientific community about what has been studied and what remains to be researched. In the future, other species and strains of fungi can be studied, aiming to discover new bioactive compounds with biological activity; for this, fungi can be collected from different environments, such as forests, sea and soil microbiota, or isolated from plants, extreme and remote environments. In this way, it would be possible to make better use of the world's biodiversity, use molecular-based approaches and tools and produce resources capable of improving the quality of human life.

Implications of the research: This study is highly relevant for the purposes of the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental da Universidade de Pernambuco, Campus Garanhuns, as well as for the entire academic, scientific and pharmaceutical community interested in discovering new bioactive compounds with biological activity.

Originality and value: The study sought to present to the academic, scientific and pharmaceutical community what is currently being researched on bioactive compounds of filamentous fungi with biological activity, providing current information and main researchers, indicating what remains to be investigated and collaborating for the environmental and social management of the sector of health.