Natural products as antifungals

Abstract The isolation and identification of natural compounds as well as the assessment of their biological activity are in the focus of interest of many scientists. Studies on many different sources of natural origin revealed presence of chemically diverse natural substances with significant medicinal potential and pharmaceutical applications. In the forthcoming chapter are introduced the antifungal properties of a variety of natural products that belong to plants, fungi, sponges, insects, and other natural sources. Extracts of plants, fungi, sponges, but also pure isolated compounds like flavonoids, lactones, essential oils, and their constituents are presented as promising antifungal agents. The ultimate goal discussed in this chapter is the development of safer, more effective, and low-cost formulations of natural origin, with different modes of action compared to existing drugs, in order to address the serious health issue of fungal diseases in humans.