Investigation of bioactivities of endophytes of Ficus carica L. Fam Moraceae

Abstract

Background: The medicinal plant Ficus carica L., inhabiting southwest regions of Asia, is known for its wide ethnop-harmacological applications. In traditional medicine, it has been applied as a treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, among others. Recent studies confirmed antimicrobial and anticancer activities for the plant extract. To find out whether endophytes of F. carica contribute to its biological activities, endophytes of the aerial parts of the plant were isolated and examined for anticancer and antimicrobial effects. Results: The isolated species were identified as Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium oxalicum, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium proliferatum and Aspergillus neoniger. An anticancer assay was carried out on the extracts of fungal strains against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human immortalized myelogenous leukemia cell line (K-562) and human immortal cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). Results revealed antiproliferative effects for all endophytic strains against HUVEC and K-562 with GI 50 values ranging from 4.75 to 13.75 µg mL −1 as well as cytotoxicity against HeLa with CC 50 ranging from 8.25 to 18.75 µg mL −1. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against several test strains in agar diffusion assay, and MIC values were determined by the broth microdilution method. All strain extracts exerted antibacterial and antifungal activities with highest antifungal effect observed for A. neoniger extract (MIC = 3.75 µg mL −1). Conclusions: These results support the assumption that endophytes of F. carica contribute to the plant's reported antimicrobial and anticancer activities and its corresponding applications in traditional medicine.