Advances in the study of endophytic microorganisms in medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites

AIMS: Medicinal plants represent a vital source of bioactive compounds-including flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids-that are instrumental in disease prevention and therapy. However, environmental stresses and unsustainable overharvesting have compromised both the quality and yield of these plants, rendering them insufficient to meet escalating market demands. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endophytes, defined as non-pathogenic fungi and bacteria that colonize internal plant tissues, enhance host stress resistance and are capable of synthesizing secondary metabolites analogous to those produced by their hosts. Recent investigations have confirmed that these microbial metabolites exhibit diverse pharmacological potentials, including antibacterial, antitumor, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review systematically examines the diversity of endophytes inhabiting medicinal plants, highlights the therapeutic potential of their secondary metabolites, and provides a foundation for future research endeavors. CONCLUSIONS: Furthermore, it proposes endophyte-based strategies as sustainable alternatives to traditional plant harvesting, thereby alleviating environmental pressures and mitigating shortages in the supply of natural bioactive compounds.