Antioxidant Activity of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) Leaves

Abstract

An alternative natural antioxidant is required since the usage of synthetic antioxidants to stop free radical damage can have severe side effects. 15,16 Natural antioxidant compounds can be obtained from the cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale L). Cashew tree parts can be utilized to combat free radicals and cure infectious diseases brought on by bacteria and fungus. [17][18][19] The compounds contained in cashew leaf extract have been reported to contain ascorbic acid, quercetin, quercetin 3-o-rutinoside, quercetin 3-o-rhamnoside, zoapatanolida A, agathisflavone, anacardisin, pentagalloylglucose, methyl gallate, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, saponins, alkaloids. These ingredients have been proven as antioxidants and anticancer. [20][21][22][23] It is difficult to extract traditional medicines from plants due to the poor yields of bioactive chemicals caused by the complexity of the metabolites found in medicinal plants. Therefore, endophytic fungi can be used as an alternative source to produce bioactive compounds. History demonstrates that endophytic fungi's bioactive metabolite molecules can aid in the development of novel therapeutics. The "frontline" antibiotic penicillin, which is made by Penicillium chrysogenum, was discovered; this discovery marked a significant turning point in the development of antibiotics and saved millions of lives. 24 The endophytic fungus Taxomyces andreanae from the Taxus brevifolia plant, which is capable of producing the taxol molecule, is the source of another bioactive substance. The medication taxol is authorized for the management of advanced ovarian, lung, and breast cancers. First obtained from Taxus brevifolia and other uncommon and