Antioxidant activity in endophytic fungi isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino

Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino is a well known edible and medicinal plant in oriental countries, its dominant active constituents are mainly Gypenosides(GP). Endophytic fungi with antioxidant activity were screened and identified from gynostemma pentaphyllum, and gynostemma pentaphyllum saponin (GP) was used as host. A total of 10 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the root of healthy, living, and symptomless tissues of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino. The extract from a strain (G4) showed antioxidant activity and had the same RF value in TLC, because the retention time of real gynostemma pentaphyllum saponin (GP) and its extract was the same as that of natural gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) in HPLC. So the strain G4 of endophytic fungus appears to produce the same components as its host.