Endophytic Fungi from Medicinal Plants– At a Glance

Abstract: – Endophytic micro-organisms are hidden companions of plants livingmutually beneficiallife inside the host plant. Though these endophytes are supposedto be associated and evolvedwith land plants, endophytes are recognised in last century. Beneficial effects of endophytes are attaining importance with thepossibility of obtaining novel medicinally important compounds as well as theirrole in increasing crop productivity because they produce a variety of compoundsand interact with other micro-organisms, pathogenic and non-pathogenic. With the development of modern tools and techniques of molecular biology, it has becomepossible to establish correct identity of these micro-organisms and know theinteractions with host and other micro-organisms. In this overview, we present current scenario about endophytes and their use for human welfare. Keywords: – Endophytes, fungi, medicinal plants, Diversity, microbes, endosymbiosis, metabolites