Antifungal Efficacy of Natural Product-Based Chemical Derivatives

The escalating resistance to conventional antimicrobial drugs necessitates urgent exploration of novel agents, particularly in the realm of antifungals. Focusing on fungal infections, which pose a significant burden, the chapter explores the potential of natural products and their derivatives in developing antifungal agents. The structural diversification of natural compounds is proposed as a strategy to enhance their therapeutic use against drug-resistant fungal strains. This comprehensive chapter delves into the significance of natural products and their derivatives in antifungal development. It extensively covers clinically approved antifungal natural products, emphasizing polyenes, and echinocandins, while shedding light on the ongoing clinical trials exploring innovative antifungal agents, and illustrating their mechanisms and targets. The focus then shifts to natural product derivatives, particularly polyene and echinocandin derivatives, along with marine-derived natural product derivatives. This chapter extends to other natural product derivatives, including those inspired by phytoalexins, quinolones, and β-carbolines. The studies presented highlight the potential of these compounds against various fungal strains, providing insights into their mechanisms of action. Overall, the chapter underscores the significance of natural products in the development of novel antifungal agents, showcasing their diverse structures and therapeutic potential.