Natural product-derived antifungals against Candida albicans: Chemical diversity and mechanisms of action.

Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus responsible for both superficial mucosal infections and life-threatening systemic candidiasis, presenting a substantial challenge to global health. The discovery of novel antifungal agents against C. albicans remains a critical priority in medicinal chemistry. Natural products and their derivatives have historically played a pivotal role in antifungal drug development. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in natural products exhibiting activity against C. albicans from 2020 to the first half of 2025, with an emphasis on their structural diversity including aldehydes, alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, glycosides, peptides, phenylpropanoids, polyketides, tannins, and terpenoids. Furthermore, the antifungal mechanisms of these compounds are discussed, focusing on their interactions with critical targets such as the cell wall, cell membrane, virulence factors, and intracellular targets. By compiling these findings, this review aims to provide valuable insights and lead compounds to guide the design of next-generation antifungals against C. albicans.