Surreal illustration of glowing fungal mycelium and crystalline structures.

Unlock Nature's Hidden Potential: How Fungi Could Revolutionize Medicine

Kai Mendoza in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Emericellins A and B, Novel Compounds from Endophytic Fungus, Show Promise in Fighting Fungal and Bacterial Infections"

In the ongoing quest for novel bioactive compounds, researchers are increasingly turning to plant endophytic fungi. These fungi, which reside within plant tissues without causing harm, represent a rich source of structurally unique natural products. They have attracted significant attention as potential sources of new medicines and agricultural treatments.

One of the most promising strategies for unlocking the potential of these fungi is the 'One Strain-Many Compounds' (OSMAC) approach. This method involves manipulating the fungi's environment—such as changing the growth medium, temperature, or even adding specific substances—to stimulate the production of a wider range of compounds. It’s akin to flipping different switches within the fungus's genetic makeup, leading to the creation of previously unseen molecules.

Recently, scientists have isolated two novel compounds, named Emericellins A and B, from an endophytic fungus called Emericella sp. XL029, which was found residing in the leaves of Panax notoginseng, a plant known for its medicinal properties. These compounds exhibit a unique chemical structure and have shown promising antimicrobial activity, opening up new avenues for fighting fungal and bacterial infections.

Emericellins A and B: Unveiling the Structure and Potential

Surreal illustration of glowing fungal mycelium and crystalline structures.

Emericellins A and B belong to a class of compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. They feature an unprecedented tricyclo[4,4,2,1]hendecane scaffold, a complex arrangement of carbon rings that has never been seen before in natural compounds. This unique structure is what gives these molecules their potential for novel biological activities.

Using a combination of advanced spectroscopic techniques, including NMR and mass spectrometry, the researchers were able to determine the precise arrangement of atoms within Emericellins A and B. This structural elucidation is crucial for understanding how these compounds interact with biological targets and for designing new drugs based on their framework.

Unique Structure: Tricyclo[4,4,2,1]hendecane scaffold not previously observed.
Antimicrobial Activity: Shows moderate activity against fungal and bacterial strains.
Source: Isolated from Emericella sp. XL029, an endophytic fungus.
OSMAC Approach: Compounds discovered by manipulating growth conditions.

The researchers tested Emericellins A and B against a panel of fungal and bacterial strains, including common agricultural pathogens and strains known to cause human infections. The compounds exhibited moderate activity against several of these strains, suggesting their potential as leads for developing new antimicrobial agents. Specifically, the compounds showed activity against Verticillium dahliae, Helminthosporium maydis, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli.

The Future of Fungal-Derived Pharmaceuticals

The discovery of Emericellins A and B highlights the vast untapped potential of endophytic fungi as sources of novel bioactive compounds. By employing innovative strategies like the OSMAC approach, researchers can unlock the hidden metabolic pathways of these microorganisms and discover new molecules with therapeutic potential. As drug resistance continues to rise, exploring these natural sources becomes increasingly crucial for developing the next generation of antimicrobial agents.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.fitote.2018.10.022, Alternate LINK

Title: Emericellins A And B: Two Sesquiterpenoids With An Unprecedented Tricyclo[4,4,2,1]Hendecane Scaffold From The Liquid Cultures Of Endophytic Fungus Emericella Sp. Xl 029

Subject: Drug Discovery

Journal: Fitoterapia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Xue-Jiao Pang, Shuai-Bing Zhang, Peng-Jie Xian, Xia Wu, Deng-Feng Yang, Hai-Yan Fu, Xiao-Long Yang

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is unique about the chemical structure of Emericellins A and B, and how was it determined?

Emericellins A and B are novel compounds that belong to the sesquiterpenoid class and feature a unique tricyclo[4,4,2,1]hendecane scaffold. This complex carbon ring arrangement had not been previously observed in natural compounds, giving them the potential for novel biological activities. Their structure was determined using NMR and mass spectrometry.

What is the 'One Strain-Many Compounds' (OSMAC) approach, and how does it help in discovering new compounds like Emericellins A and B?

The 'One Strain-Many Compounds' (OSMAC) approach involves manipulating the environmental conditions in which fungi are grown, such as altering the growth medium, temperature, or adding specific substances, to stimulate the production of a wider array of compounds. This is done to unlock the fungi's hidden metabolic pathways, leading to the creation of previously unseen molecules like Emericellins A and B.

From what source were Emericellins A and B isolated, and why is this source significant?

Emericellins A and B were isolated from Emericella sp. XL029, an endophytic fungus residing within the leaves of Panax notoginseng. This plant is known for its medicinal properties and underscores the idea that the endophytic fungi living within it may also contribute to its therapeutic effects. Other endophytic fungi could also hold the potential for similar discoveries.

Against which types of microorganisms do Emericellins A and B show activity, and what implications does this have?

Emericellins A and B exhibit moderate activity against several fungal and bacterial strains, including Verticillium dahliae, Helminthosporium maydis, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. This suggests that these compounds could be developed into new antimicrobial agents to combat drug-resistant infections. Further research and chemical modifications could improve their antimicrobial activity.

What are endophytic fungi, and why are they considered promising sources for new pharmaceutical discoveries like Emericellins A and B?

Endophytic fungi, like Emericella sp. XL029 which produces Emericellins A and B, reside within plant tissues without causing harm to the host plant. They represent a rich source of structurally unique natural products. Exploring these fungi through methods like the OSMAC approach can lead to the discovery of new medicines and agricultural treatments. This is especially important as the rise of drug resistance highlights the need to explore these natural sources.