This book explores the antifungal properties of natural products and reviews their antifungal mechanism. An introductory chapter illustrates the various fungal pathogenic species, common fungal diseases, and general mechanisms of action of various antifungal classes, including natural products. The book comprises seven sections and each section contains chapters on the efficacy and antifungal mode of action of plant extracts, essential oils, natural compounds, their derivatives, and plant-based nanoparticles. A section summarizes the antifungal efficacy of compounds derived from sources other than plants, like microbes. Besides compound toxicity, the book explores the antifungal mode of action and efficacy against the virulence and pathogenicity of fungal pathogens like Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, and other pathogenic fungi. Further, the book also describes recent advancements in the discovery of novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies that are non-toxic and more efficacious for combating drug resistance. This book is an invaluable source for researchers working in the field of fungal biochemistry, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial and undergraduate and postgraduate students of microbiology and pharmacology.

Autorentext

Dr. Nikhat Manzoor is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. She has also served as a Visiting Scientist at Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (2009-2010) and Associate Professor in the College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2014-2018). Her research interests include antifungal drug discovery and development, antifungal mode of action of natural compounds and their derivatives, drug resistance, and antifungal drug targets. She has completed five major research projects funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and CCRUM, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. She has delivered several invited talks, both in India and abroad and was awarded the prestigious DST-BOYSCAST Fellowship (2009) and DST-Young Scientist (2001-2004, 2004-2007). She has more than 25 years of teaching experience and has published more than 130 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. She has supervised 16 PhD students, 2 post-doctoral fellows and several post-graduate students. She is a life member of the Association of Microbiologists of India and Society of Biological Chemists.