African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

ISSN 2756-3367

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities from extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove plants in Zhuhai, China

Cai Xiaoling1*, Liang Xiaoli1, Zhou Shining2, Gao Junping1, Wu Shuiping1, Lai Xiaoming3, She Zhigang1 and Lin Yongcheng1

1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

2School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

3Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

Accepted 21 January, 2019

Abstract

To isolate endophytic fungi from mangrove plants in Zhuhai, China and examine their DNA topoisomerase I inhibitory and antitumor activity. Endophytic fungi were isolated using surface-sterilization methods and were identified by morphological or molecular evidence. DNA topoisomerase I inhibitory activities were measured by topoisomerase I-mediated DNA plasmid relaxation assay. Antitumor activity in vitro was measured by MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide) method. A total of 209 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from surface sterilized leaves and branches of eight mangrove plants collected in Qi’ao island of Zhuhai, China. Crude ethyl acetate extracts of fermentation broths from 54 fungal cultures were tested for antitumor activities. Extracts of 19 isolates inhibited the activity of DNA topoisomerase I and extracts of 16 isolates displayed strong cytotoxicity against KB and KBv200 cells (IC50 < 11 µg ml-1). Among them, nine isolates of fungi showed both cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities, which are potential producers of antitumor compounds targeting at topoisomerase I. Endophytic fungal strains were successfully isolated and identified and nine strains showed both cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities. Endophytic fungal strains displaying both topoisomerase I inhibitory and antitumor activity together may indicate their potential ability of producing antitumor compounds targeting at topoisomerase I.

Key words: Mangrove endophytic fungi, antitumor activity, molecular characteristic.