POTENT BIOACTIVE METABOLITES OF CASUARINA JUNGHUHNIANA MIQ. ROOTS–A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Objective: Casuarina junghuhniana Miq. is a multipurpose tree, belongs to the family Casuarinaceae. It has a symbiotic association with actinomycete Frankia which makes the tree to grow vigorously on varied environmental conditions. Not much work has been documented on secondary metabolites and therapeutic approach of this species in India. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to explore the potential phytochemicals in the root extracts and its therapeutic values.Methods: Casuarina junghuhniana root samples were collected from the State Forest Research Institute, Kolappakam, Chennai. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals screening were carried out using standard procedures. Antibacterial assay was tested against different pathogens using well diffusion method. Antioxidant activity was carried out using reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging methods. The anti-inflammatory assay was tested using protein denaturation method. Further, the phytochemicals in the root extract were evaluated using GC-MS studies. The functional role of the phytoconstituent was confirmed by docking against the target using mcule software.Results: The qualitative screening revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents. The quantitative analysis revealed the presence of maximum phenols (68.95±0.46 mg/g), flavonoids (34.15±0.33 mg/g) and terpenoids (3.9%) in methanolic root extract with respective standards. Antibacterial activity showed a maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (19±0.2 mm) followed by Staphylococcus sp (14±0.3 mm). The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity was compared with standard ascorbic acid and the extract showed activities in a dose-dependent manner. Several peaks were obtained in the GC-MS analysis which indicates the presence of different secondary metabolites. The specific phytocompound showed prominent binding affinity against the target enzyme in docking studies.Conclusion: The presence of potent phytochemicals in the Casuarina junghuhniana root with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities could be used as a promising source for developing novel plant-based therapeutic agents.Â

ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM MEDICINAL PLANT-A PROMISING SOURCE OF POTENTIAL BIOACTIVE METABOLITES.

Objective: Medicinal plants are gaining worldwide attention owing to the fact that the herbal drugs are cost effective, easily available and with negligible side effects. Medicinal plants harbour endophytic microflora and they are valuable source of Bioprospecting endophytes. Endophytes are the microorganisms that inhabit interior of plant tissues that shows no apparent harm to host. Endophytic fungi from medicinal plants are known as Promising Source†of bioactive novel metabolites which has significant role in pharmacology, agriculture and in industries. Methods: In our present research work, endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum. The frequency of the presence of endophytic fungi was studied based on seasonal variation. Seven endophytic fungi were isolated, of which two isolates were sporulating and identified based on colony morphology, sporulating structures and taken for further studies. The ethyl acetate extract of the isolates were screened for phytochemical studies and also assayed for invitro antibacterial activity. Further, the fungal isolates were checked for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes by qualitative assay and were used to study the presence of chitosan on their cell wall. Results: The isolates were also screened for extracellular biosynthesis of Silver nanoparticles for which UV-VIS absorption was recorded. FT-IR analysis was also performed to confirm the presence of various functional groups. Conclusion: The endophytes from Cardiospermum halicacabum can be a potent natural source of bioactive compounds which can be considered to be prolific resource for drugs and as Bioprotectants. Further investigation will focus on the strain improvement and genomic variation among these isolates