Bioactive Compounds From Saudi Arabian Fungi: A Systematic Review of Anticancer Potential

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Fungi are a rich source of bioactive metabolites, some of which exhibit potent anticancer properties. This scoping review evaluates the current research on fungal metabolites with anticancer potential, focusing on species native to Saudi Arabia's unique ecosystem. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Out of approximately 14,000 records, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria (2000– 2024). A total of 16 distinct fungal species were identified, with their metabolites tested against various human cancer cell lines. Compounds derived from Penicillium sp. RO-11, Fusarium venenatum, Chaetomium globosum, Bipolaris sorokiniana , and Aspergillus sydowii demonstrated notable cytotoxic effects. Reported IC 50 values ranged from as low as 0.2 μg/mL to over 600 μg/mL, indicating varying levels of potency. Penicillium sp. RO-11 (emodin, IC 50 = 2 ± 7.6 μM) and Fusarium venenatum (IC 50 = 0.3779 μg/mL against HCT8 cells) emerged as the most potent candidates. These metabolites exerted their effects by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, and disrupting oncogenic signaling pathways. The findings underscore the therapeutic potential of fungal-derived compounds and highlight the importance of further research to isolate and characterize the most effective strains for biomedical applications. Expanding investigations into Saudi Arabia's fungal diversity may yield promising candidates for future cancer treatments.