Bioactive potential of endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant - Terminalia arjuna

Abstract

Terminalia arjuna is widespread in deciduous region of India. Terminalia arjuna exhibits anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. Endophytic fungi isolated from Terminalia arjuna possess antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant properties.Therefore, the present study investigated the therapeutic effects of endophytic fungi obtained from medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna. A total of 10 endophytic fungi were obtained from Terminalia arjuna. In in vitro alpha amylase inhibition assay TB3 showed significant percentage inhibition. Moreover, TB3 showed anti-diabetic effects in experimental rats. TB3 decreased the blood glucose level which was analogous to reference drug metformin. Fungal extracts TB1, TB3 and AJ showed free radical scavenging activity which was comparable to standard compound Ascorbic acid. All fungal extracts showed significant percentage inhibition against bacteria like P. aeruginosa, S. Aureus and B. subtilis. TB1, TB2, TB3 and TB4 showed amylolytic activities. Fungal cultures AJ, TB1 and TB3 showed the postive results in L-Asparaginase activity. Thus, it can be inferred that endophytic fungi obtained from Terminalia arjuna showed anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, amylolytic and L-Asparaginase activities.