Thulasi G. Pillai
Kerala Forest Research Institute, Kerala
Title: Anticancer activity of the true endophytic fungi isolated from Aerva lanata occurring in Western Ghats
Biography
Biography: Thulasi G. Pillai
Abstract
True endophytic fungi was isolated from Aerva lanata, a perennial herb in the Amaranthaceae family of the genus Aerva, native to Asia, Africa, and Australia for the period 2012-2014. A total of 38 cultures were obtained from leaves, stem and root. Out of the 38 cultures we identified the true endophytes associated with the plant. The organism was identified to be Fusarium equiseti by molecular methods. Secondary metabolites were isolated by culturing the organism in potato dextrose broth. Compounds were isolated, purified and characterised using standard methods by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The compounds were characterised to be terpenoids. The therapeutic potentials of the compounds were investigated by cytotoxicity, cell cycle analysis and anticancer activity in human cervical cancer cell lines. The results of the study indicates that the compound isolated from F.equiseti possess significant cytotoxic and anticancer activity in human cervical cancer cell lines. Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi belonging to class sordariomycetes which are distributed in soil and in association with plants, mostly symptomless. True endophytes have been evolving with the host for millions of years. This organism can have an important role in the survival and protection of the plant against harsh environment and adverse conditions.