Integrative Biology Journals

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2026, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (5): 71-71.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-026-00633-z

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Novel bioactive compounds from marine-derived endosymbiotic Penicillium fungi reported during 2020-2025

Sarah A. Omran1, Mohamed S. Elnaggar2, Fadia S. Youssef2, Safaa A. El-Moghazy1   

  1. 1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Egypt;
    2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
  • Received:2026-01-23 Accepted:2026-04-09 Online:2026-10-08
  • Supported by:
    Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB). Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB).

Novel bioactive compounds from marine-derived endosymbiotic Penicillium fungi reported during 2020-2025

Sarah A. Omran1, Mohamed S. Elnaggar2, Fadia S. Youssef2, Safaa A. El-Moghazy1   

  1. 1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Egypt;
    2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
  • 通讯作者: Fadia S. Youssef,E-mail:fadiayoussef@pharma.asu.edu.eg
  • 基金资助:
    Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB). Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB).

Abstract: Marine-derived Penicillium fungus gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential as a valuable source of unique natural compounds with a wide range of chemical structures and bioactive capabilities. The primary origins of marine-derived Penicillium fungi are mangroves, sediments, marine shrimps, corals, starfish, algae, and sponges. A total of 390 unique natural compounds were extracted from Penicillium fungi which were found in marine environments. These compounds primarily consist of polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids, chromone derivatives, anthraquinones, citrinins, steroids, azaphilones, and macrolides. Biological studies demonstrated that these compounds exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, pesticide development, neuroprotective, anti-glioma, anti-proliferative, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, anti-allergic, photo-protective, anti-angiogenic effect, larvicidal activity, antiviral, anti-diabetic activity, and other activities that could be useful in the development of new drugs. This study shed the light on the recent discovery of bioactive MNPs (marine-derived Penicillium; natural products) derived from Penicillium fungi found in marine environments in the last five years from 2020 to 2025, classified the MNPs based on the sources of the fungi and their specific biological activities. Besides, the results of molecular docking studies recently performed on Penicillium metabolites referring to various biological activities were also compiled in this review. Thus, this review highlighted that Penicillium species obtained from marine organisms act as an everlasting mine of bioactive novel metabolites combating various ailments.

Key words: Marine-derived Penicillium, Natural products, MNPs, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Anti-inflammatory

摘要: Marine-derived Penicillium fungus gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential as a valuable source of unique natural compounds with a wide range of chemical structures and bioactive capabilities. The primary origins of marine-derived Penicillium fungi are mangroves, sediments, marine shrimps, corals, starfish, algae, and sponges. A total of 390 unique natural compounds were extracted from Penicillium fungi which were found in marine environments. These compounds primarily consist of polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids, chromone derivatives, anthraquinones, citrinins, steroids, azaphilones, and macrolides. Biological studies demonstrated that these compounds exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, pesticide development, neuroprotective, anti-glioma, anti-proliferative, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, anti-allergic, photo-protective, anti-angiogenic effect, larvicidal activity, antiviral, anti-diabetic activity, and other activities that could be useful in the development of new drugs. This study shed the light on the recent discovery of bioactive MNPs (marine-derived Penicillium; natural products) derived from Penicillium fungi found in marine environments in the last five years from 2020 to 2025, classified the MNPs based on the sources of the fungi and their specific biological activities. Besides, the results of molecular docking studies recently performed on Penicillium metabolites referring to various biological activities were also compiled in this review. Thus, this review highlighted that Penicillium species obtained from marine organisms act as an everlasting mine of bioactive novel metabolites combating various ailments.

关键词: Marine-derived Penicillium, Natural products, MNPs, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Anti-inflammatory