Total Synthesis of Biologically Active Novel Triterpenes from Thai - / Kenyan Basidiomycota
Total Synthesis of Biologically Active Novel Triterpenes from Thai- / Kenyan Basidiomycota
Natural products: The best source of molecular scaffolds for drug discovery
The interest in some types of mushrooms and in particular the Basidiomycetes is because they represent an enormous unexploited resource of potentially active natural products, therefore the study of them could have an important role in the production of new molecules with antibacterial activity. In fact, the development of new antibiotics able to act on resistant bacteria is of considerable importance, because recently the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance has become an increasing problem.
The widespread use of antibiotics is the factor that mainly contributed to the emergence of antibiotic resistance with very serious consequences for the treatment of even the most common infectious diseases, previously treated without difficulty, but that in many situations no longer respond to the available drugs.For example, Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium, is already creating significant costs and problems in the treatment of patients.These developments have aroused the interest of pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions for the development of new active drugs.
Therefore, the discovery of lead compounds for development of novel antibiotics is needed to counteract the increasing of multi-drug-resistent human pathogens.
New Secondary Metabolites from Thai Basidiomycota
Significant antimicrobial activities were detected in cultures of interesting strains of Basidiomycota from Northeastern Thailand, which has a rich biodiversity due to its geographical location consisting of various kinds of tropical rain forests and other complex ecosystems. These habitats harbor a great species diversity of Basidiomycota (including strains of the genera Resupinatus, Polyporus, Marasmius and Marasmiellus); these fungi can produce a variety of novel biologically active molecules and the active principles were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation and tested for antimicrobial, cytotoxic and nematicidal activity.
