Abstract
In the present investigation, we have carried out the isolation of fungal endophytes from Centella asiatica Linn leaves followed by fermentation and extraction of fungal endophytes with non-polar solvents such as chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of endophytic crude fractions of leaves were also determined to detect the presence of primary and secondary metabolites followed by invitro free radical scavenging activity by reducing power, DPPH and hydroxyl radical assay. The chloroform fungal endophytic fractions were subjected to column chromatography by gradient elution technique for isolation of possible secondary metabolite. Reducing power of endophytic extracts of C. asiatica Leaf (CAL-1) (50-450μg/ml) increased with increase in concentration. Reaction with DPPH radicals of CAL-1 showed good scavenging activity. The IC 50 values for Ascorbic acid, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract and n- butanol extract were found to be 30.33 μg /ml, 66.58 μg/ml, 79.33 μg /ml and 96.39 μg/ml respectively. In hydroxyl radical assay, The IC 50 values for mannitol, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract and n- butanol extract were found to be 121.06 μg / ml, 141.21 μg/ml, 181.80 μg/ml and 189.90 μg/ml respectively. The endophytic crude fractions of ethyl acetate exhibited potent antioxidant activity as compared to other fractions. Hence, ethyl acetate fungal endophytic fractions of Centella asiatica Linn leaves can be employed as a potential antioxidant in the prevention of oxidative stress caused by the free radicals.
Highlights
IntroductionEndophytes are the micro-organisms (fungi/bacteria) that live in the host tissue of plants, without causing harmful effects
Endophytes are the micro-organisms that live in the host tissue of plants, without causing harmful effects
The entire plant of Centella asiatica was washed thoroughly with distilled water and they were surface sterilized with 90% ethanol followed by treatment with 4% sodium hypochlorite solution for 30 seconds to 1 minute and only the leaves were used for the study
Summary
Endophytes are the micro-organisms (fungi/bacteria) that live in the host tissue of plants, without causing harmful effects. Endophytes are capable of producing novel metabolites which may/may not be present in the parent plants[1]. The internal plant tissue is a biologically complex and distinct microhabitat within the terrestrial microsystem because of its varying content of alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids and aromatic compounds. Healthy plant tissues represent an untapped reservoir of novel endophytic microorganisms producing bioactive metabolites. Because they are relatively unstudied, much attention is being paid to endophytic biodiversity for their chemistry and bioactivity. Endophytic habitat appears to provide a protective environment that helps potentially exploitable bacteria/ fungi with reduced competition from the indigenous
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