Biological Synthesis of Nanoparticles from Fungal Endophytes and Their Application in Pharmaceutical Industries

Metal-based nanoparticles have extensive applications in pharmaceutical sector like antimicrobial, cancer theranostics, wound healing, etc. However, there is always ever-growing need for development of sustainable, clean, eco-friendly, and nontoxic synthetic approaches. Owing to the bioaccumulation, tolerance, and ability to reduce metal ions, an endophytic fungus has emerged as potential candidate for mycosynthesis of nanoparticles. Endophytes isolated from different parts have been extensively used for synthesis of plethora of metal nanoparticles like silver, zinc, gold, copper, iron, cobalt, etc. Both intracellular (using fungal mycelia) and extracellular (using enzymes in cell-free filtrate) have been employed for this purpose. The nanoparticles thus fabricated exhibited excellent pharmaceutical properties like broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal (even for multidrug-resistant strains), antioxidant, anticancer, and wound healing properties, both in vitro and in vivo. In this chapter, we have attempted to summarize the recent advances in endophytic synthesis of metal nanoparticles with focus on their properties obtained and potential application in pharmaceutics. We have also tried to identify the limitations and scope for further improvement in the aforementioned area.