Marine-derived fungi from the genus Aspergillus (Ascomycota) and their anticancer properties

• Published in: Mycology Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 545 - 592
• Main Authors: Wong Chin, Jessica Mélanie, Jeewon, Rajesh, Fahad Alrefaei, Abdulwahed, Puchooa, Daneshwar, Bahorun, Theeshan, Neergheen, Vidushi S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03.04.2025; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Anticancer properties; Antineoplastic drugs; Apoptosis; Aspergillus; Autophagy; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; biomedical research; Cancer; Cell culture; Clinical trials; culture media; cytotoxic; Cytotoxicity; Fungi; genus; Growth conditions; humans; marine fungi; mechanism of action; medicinal properties; Metabolites; mycology; Natural products; neoplasm cells; Review; species; Tumor cell lines; Aspergillus; marine fungi; metabolites; cytotoxic
• ISSN: 2150-1203; 2150-1211; 2150-1211
• DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2024.2402309

Marine fungi are promising sources of bioactive natural products. The harsh marine conditions favour the production of natural products with unique structures and functions. The different classes of bioactive metabolites produced by these marine fungi can exhibit cytotoxic, apoptotic, anti-proliferative, antiangiogenic, and autophagy inducing effects on a plethora of cancer cell lines. This review, based on research articles that have been published from 2002 to 2023, provides a concise overview of the anticancer properties of metabolites from marine Aspergillus fungal species. A total of 204 papers are reviewed and 208 most active cytotoxic molecules are reported from Aspergillus. The source as well as the growth medium utilised for the production of cytotoxic metabolites are listed. The mechanism of action of some compounds, which could be used as potential drugs, is also reported. These fungi, under optimal growth conditions, have immense potential as anticancer agents, produce novel metabolites with specific structures that can kill a panel of human cancer cells. However, there is a dire need for more clinical trials and understanding of the mechanisms of action of pharmacologically active constituent. Research should also target how to improve culture methods and perform clinical research on human subjects with more scientific reproducibility.