Bioactive metabolites from an endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Centella asiatica

Abstract

Endophytes are important sources for the discovery of bioactive compounds. The potential role of the endophyte and its biologically active metabolites in its association with its host has been investigated. In the present study the antioxidant activity of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from medicinal plant Centella asiatica was evaluated by its ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals. Bioactive metabolites present in the ethyl acetate extract from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. were analysed by using GC-MS. The metabolites were investigated for cytotoxic activity. The extract of Penicillium sp. exhibited high antioxidant activity with IC 50 value, 54.72±2.19μg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium sp. has high antioxidant capacity of 325.76±0.14 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid. The ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium sp. demonstrated a promising cytotoxic activity against HeLa, A431 and human breast cancer (MCF7). These results indicate that endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants could be a potential source for bioactive compounds.