Abstract

BIOACTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANT POTENTILLA FULGENS

Archana Nath and SR Joshi*

Abstract

Potentilla fulgens L. is an ethno-medicinal plant used for the cure of various ailments by the ethnic tribes of Northeast India. Considering its excessive exploitation for medicinal usage, the present investigation was aimed at screening the plant for associated endophytic fungi to assess their bioactivity like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The isolates were also screened for presence of phytochemicals. A total of six fungi namely, Bulgaria sp., Paraconiothyrium sp., Penicillium sp., Chaetomium elatum, Aspergillus sp., Sirococcus conigenus were characterized using molecular approaches. The antioxidant activity was measured using the scavenging activity of DPPH radical and reducing power assay. The ethanol extract of Aspergillus sp. and Sirococcus conigenus possessed strong scavenging activity of DPPH and high reducing potential. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using membrane stabilization assay i.e human red blood cell membrane stabilisation (HRBC) method. The isolates having high antioxidant potential also showed a potent anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols and saponins. The findings indicated that the endophytic fungi offer scope for bioactive properties which otherwise is being done using the host plant.

Keywords: