Work

Fungal melanin as a bioactive biopolymer: structural diversity, oxidative stress modulation, anticancer mechanisms, and therapeutic perspectives

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Fungal melanin is a multifunctional biopolymer platform with significant potential in oxidative stress modulation and cancer therapy. This review presents an integrated structure-property-activity framework to examine how biosynthetic pathways, precursor chemistry, functional group composition, oxidation state, molecular/particle characteristics, and extraction procedures influence the biological performance of fungal melanins. Key biosynthetic routes, including DOPA-eumelanin, DOPA-pheomelanin, DHN-melanin, pyomelanin, and minor pathways, are detailed alongside recent developments in extraction and purification technologies. The review critically evaluates the chemical and cellular mechanisms underlying free radical scavenging, electron transfer, redox buffering, metal-ion chelation, mitochondrial protection, and redox-sensitive signaling pathway regulation. Furthermore, it addresses the context-dependent interplay between antioxidant and anticancer activities, distinguishing established experimental findings from proposed mechanisms. Applications in photothermal therapy, drug delivery, combination approaches, and immunomodulation are highlighted. By addressing key experimental variables, research gaps, and translational challenges, this review provides crucial insights for standardizing fungal melanin production and advancing its clinical development.

Source: RSC Advances

DOI: 10.1039/d6ra08109f

Authors: Asmaa E. Kassab, Ehab M. Gedawy

Institutions: Cairo University, Badr University in Cairo

Language: English

Topic: melanin and skin pigmentation

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,042