Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial and in vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Endophytic Extracts from Loranthus sp.

Four different endophytes were isolated from different parts of Loranthus sp. Methanol and water extracts of all the endophytes was assessed for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity and phytochemical screening. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenols and saponins. The antimicrobial efficacy was determined using paper disc diffusion method against different fungi and bacteria. Sensitivity in terms of zones of inhibition and phytochemical composition of the all endophytic extracts were also determined. The results show that, A. niger, Penicillium sp., Alternaria alternata extracts effective against all the bacteria and fungi tested, whereas A. flavus extract was failure in inhibiting the growth of all bacteria and bacteria. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation, membrane stabilization assay and proteinase inhibitory assay. Aspirin was used as a standard drug for the study of anti-inflammatory activity. A. niger, Penicillium sp. and Alternaria alternata methanol fractions showed in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the heat induced albumin denaturation (87.88, 86.89, 87.03 g/ml) and red blood cells membrane stabilization with 78.42, 77.61, 77.98 g/ml respectively. Proteinase activity was also significantly inhibited by the A. niger (85.21 g/ml), Alternaria alternata (84.09 g/ml) and Penicillium sp. (79.17 g/ml). BSA anti-denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization assay indicated that the methanol extracts of A. niger, Penicillium sp., Alternaria alternata possess constituents with anti-inflammatory properties. From the result, it is concluded that phytochemicals (tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, steroids, alkaloids and saponins) present in the A. niger, Penicillium sp., Alternaria alternata extract may be responsible for the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.