Medicinal Plant Derived Natural Compounds against Human Pathogenic Fungi: A Study, Challenges, and Future Scenarios

Plants are highly rich in essential bioactive medicinal components. Synthetic medications can have side effects compared to antifungal drugs derived from medicinal plant sources. This study was aimed to seek plant-based drugs that are nontoxic in nature and have a competent role in reducing pathogenic fungal infections in humans. In the current study, a literature search was carried out using different databases and searching techniques along with inclusion and exclusion of research articles, theses, and book chapters. The study revealed the use of phytochemicals and minimum doses required to antagonize pathogenic fungal growth. The antioxidant potency of medicinal plants is directly linked with their antifungal activity. The study exploited that the bioactive compounds found in medicinal herbs have various therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antinausea, anti-emetic, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. With regard to antifungal mechanism delivered by these metabolites, they showed reduction of pathogenic fungal growth and can disrupt plasma membrane permeability, prevent toxin/hyphal accumulation, and cause cell wall lysis. Thus, the report provides comprehensive information on medicinal plant derived metabolites and their use in antifungal drug preparation that has much consequence for researchers, herbal medicators, pharmacists, and clinicians.