Antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi isolated from <it>Ophiopogon japonicus</it> (Liliaceae)

• Main Authors: Liang Hanqiao (Author), Xing Yongmei (Author), Chen Juan (Author), Zhang Dawei (Author), Guo Shunxing (Author), Wang Chunlan (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-238; 1472-6882
• Keywords: <it>Ophiopogon japonicus</it>; Endophytic fungi; Peptide deformylase; Antimicrobial activity; Other systems of medicine; RZ201-999
• Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 238 (2012)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Drug resistance in bacteria has become a global concern and the search for new antibacterial agents is urgent and ongoing. Endophytes provide an abundant reservoir of bioactive metabolites for medicinal exploitation, and an increasing number of novel compounds are being isolated from endophytic fungi. <it>Ophiopogon japonicus</it>, containing compounds with antibacterial activity, is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used for eliminating phlegm, relieving coughs, latent heat in the lungs, and alleviating diabetes mellitus. We investigated the antimicrobial activities of 30 strains of <it>O. japonicus</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fungal endophytes were isolated from roots and stems of <it>O. japonicus</it> collected from Chongqing City, southwestern China. Mycelial extracts (MC) and fermentation broth (FB) were tested for antimicrobial activity using peptide deformylase (PDF) inhibition fluorescence assays and MTT cell proliferation assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 30 endophytic strains were isolated from <it>O. japonicus</it>; 22 from roots and eight from stems. 53.33% of the mycelial extracts (MC) and 33.33% of the fermentation broths (FB) displayed potent inhibition of PDF. 80% of MC and 33.33% of FB significantly inhibited <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>. 70% of MC and 36.67% of FB showed strong activities against <it>Cryptococcus neoformans</it>. None showed influence on <it>Escherichia coli</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from <it>O. japonicus</it> are potential antimicrobial agents.</p>