Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Food Biotechnology, Branch for Northwest & West Region, Agricultural Biotechnology Research, Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tabriz, Iran
4
Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
10.66224/ari.2026.372075.4037
Abstract
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant fungal infections, particularly oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), represents a major global health concern, especially among immunocompromised populations. This review critically evaluates the potential of actinomycete-derived secondary metabolites as alternative or adjunct therapeutic agents against antifungal-resistant fungal pathogens, with a primary focus on Candida albicans. Actinomycetes are well recognized for their capacity to produce structurally diverse bioactive compounds, including polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides, many of which exhibit potent antifungal activity and novel mechanisms of action capable of bypassing established resistance pathways.
This review summarizes current knowledge on the antifungal efficacy of actinomycete metabolites, their mechanisms of action, and reported synergistic interactions with conventional antifungal agents. In addition, key limitations hindering clinical translation—such as cultivation challenges, toxicity concerns, formulation barriers, pharmacokinetic constraints, and regulatory considerations—are critically discussed. By integrating microbiological, pharmacological, and translational perspectives, this review highlights both the promise and the remaining gaps in the development of actinomycete-derived antifungal agents. Addressing these challenges through advanced genomic tools, rational screening strategies, and translational research is essential for advancing actinomycetes toward clinical application in OPC and other drug-resistant fungal infections.
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