Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of Malaysian marine endophytic fungi

Abstract

Endophytes from marine plants have not been widely explored, and their bioactive compounds are not well-documented. In the present study, 64 endophytic fungi were isolated from Malaysian marine plants and seaweeds. The endophyte extracts were tested for cytotoxic (seven cancer cell lines) and antimicrobial (against four bacteria and two fungi) activities. Out of 64 extracts tested, 49 (77%) were able to inhibit cancer cell lines. Eight of the endophyte extracts that were potent (IC₅₀≤0.1 μg ml^-1) against colon and lung cancer cell lines were further compared for their effects on a normal human fibroblast cell line. The marine endophytic fungal extracts showed stronger antimicrobial activity against bacteria (72%) than fungi (16%). The bioactivity of a few selected marine endophytic fungal extracts was comparable to a number of current commercial anticancer, antibacterial and antifungal agents. Results from the present study indicate marine endophytic fungi are a promising source for anticancer and antimicrobial agents.