The Role of Endophytic Fungi in the Anticancer Activity ofMorinda citrifoliaLinn. (Noni)

Abstract

We hypothesize that the fungal endophytes of noni may possibly play a role in its overall pharmacological repertoire, especially since the perceived efficacy of the fruit in ethnomedicinal use is associated with the fermented juice. The foremost goal of this study is to explore the role of endophyte-derived secondary metabolites in the purported anticancer properties of noni. To that end, culturable endophytic fungi resident within the healthy leaves and fruit of the plant were isolated and identified by molecular sequence analysis of the 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacers (ITS). Purified organisms were subjected to in vitro fermentation in malt extract broth for 8 weeks under anaerobic conditions at room temperature (25°C), in order to simulate the conditions under which traditional fermented noni juice is prepared. The cytotoxic potential of organic extracts derived from the fermented broths of individual endophytes was then tested against three major cancers that afflict humans. Twelve distinct endophytic fungal species were obtained from the leaves and 3 from the fruit. Three of the leaf endophytes inhibited the growth of human carcinoma cell lines LU-1 (lung), PC-3 (prostate), and MCF-7 (breast) with IC50 values of ≤10 μg/mL.

Antiproliferative and Antioxidative Bioactive Compounds in Extracts of Marine-Derived Endophytic Fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus

“…OSMAC approach (One Stain Many Compounds) can be utilized to observe maximum yield of a variety of secondary metabolites by manipulating the culture conditions and media optimization (Wu et al, 2015 ; Hemphill et al, 2017 ). A change in culture media can completely be reflected in metabolite profiling of the endophytes.…”

“…Among the nine different media tested in the study, maximum biomass and antioxidative activity were obtained with MEB while cytotoxic activity was found highest with endophyte grown in PDB (Figure 3 ). Because of difference in nitrogen and carbon sources, MEB yielded maximum biomass and showed high antioxidative activity (Wu et al, 2015 ). Wu et al ( 2015 ) have also found higher cytotoxic activity endophytic fungi Morinda citrifolia in MEB broth.…”

“…Because of difference in nitrogen and carbon sources, MEB yielded maximum biomass and showed high antioxidative activity (Wu et al, 2015 ). Wu et al ( 2015 ) have also found higher cytotoxic activity endophytic fungi Morinda citrifolia in MEB broth. For growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites, in marine sources, salinity plays an important role (Arumugam et al, 2014 ).…”

One Plant, Many Uses: A Review of the Pharmacological Applications of Morinda citrifolia

“…The role of the fungi found in noni leaves and fruit in inhibiting tumor cells in vitro was studied by Wu et al (), who demonstrated that the endophytes present in M. citrifolia leaves inhibited the growth of human cancer cell lines.…”

Effect of Morinda citrifolia in growth, production and immunomodulatory properties in livestock and poultry: a review

“…Reports also suggests the role of M. citrifolia as anticancer and antitumor properties (Liu et al, 2001;Wong, 2004;Issell et al, 2009;Brown, 2012;Saminathan et al, 2013a;Wu et al, 2015). Later, a lot of studies were carried out to find out the compounds responsible for the antitumor and anticancer activities directly or indirectly (Hiramatsu et al, 1993;Hisawa et al, 1999;Hirazumi & Furusawa, 1999;Mathivanan et al, 2005).…”