Endophytic fungi represent a compelling assemblage of microorganisms that inhabit plant tissues without inflicting any discernible detriment to the host organism. They foster a symbiotic association with their host plants, frequently conferring advantages such as augmented growth, enhanced resilience to stressors, and safeguarding against pathogens. Dillenia indica is a medicinal tree of Dilleniaceae. This study aims to isolate and identify the fungi growing as a contaminant in leaf callus. For the identification, both morphological observation and molecular methods were used. The presence of secondary metabolites in different fungal extracts were observed by FTIR and High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy (HRAMS) methods. Different biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor) of fungal extracts were assessed. For callus initiation, leaf tissues of Dillenia indica were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (1mgl-1) and NAA (1mgl-1) plant growth regulators. To raise pure cultures of endophyte, fungal hyphae were isolated from the contaminated cultures and were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. For molecular identification, genomic DNA (gDNA) was isolated from fungal mycelia. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4) were used to amplify the conserved ITS region of the fungal gDNA. Previously deposited sequences in the Gene bank were used for the identification and making of phylogenetic tree. Antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer potential of fungal extracts were studied. The endophyte was identified as Aspergillus flavus. FTIR study showed the presence of diverse types of secondary metabolites in fungal extract. A significant presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, etc. was observed by High-resolution accurate mass spectroscopy analysis (HRAMS) of fungal extract. Endophyte extract prepared in chloroform showed both antioxidant (IC₅₀ 430.23) and antibacterial (maximum inhibition of E. coli:15 ± 0.62 mm) potential compared to other solvents. Cell viability decreased at high concentrations of endophyte extract prepared in chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Fungal extract prepared in ethyl acetate showed considerable cytotoxicity and growth inhibition of DL tumor cells. In the present study, isolated endophyte of Dillenia indica showed high occurrence of secondary metabolites. Fungal extracts showed antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor activities. As, endophytes are remarkable source of active constituents, there is a great need to explore such endophytes. Their extensive studies are required to develop an alternative of plant less production of valuable compounds.

In this study, we describe the cytotoxic and antibacterial capabilities of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) synthesized from Dillenia indica leaves. Here, we used an environmentally friendly method to synthesize GNPs and then characterized them using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Surface Plasmon Resonance of GNPs was identified by an absorption peak at 533 nm in the UV-visible spectroscopic studies. The biosynthesized GNPs had an average size of 83 nm and were spherical in shape, according to TEM examination. It’s interesting to note that the biosynthesized GNPs exhibited antibacterial action against a variety of bacterial isolates, both Gram-positive and negative. By using an MTT assay, growth inhibition and the cytotoxic effect of the synthesized GNPs against Dalton’s lymphoma cell lines were also evaluated.

Acalypha indica is a medicinal plant of Euphorbiaceae family. In present work, metabolomics of Acalypha indica inflorescence extract (AIIE) and its antioxidant potential was studied. HRMS (High resolution mass spectrometry) of AIIE showed the presence of 17 major compounds of pharmaceutical importance. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis showed the presence of characteristic functional groups of different metabolites. Antioxidant potential of the extract was checked by using different solvents and different assays: DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging, ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) scavenging and Phosphomolybdenum method. Extract prepared in butanol showed maximum antioxidant activity (IC50: 545.13 µg/ml) in DPPH ((2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Butanolic extract also showed maximum antioxidant potential (IC50: 306.04 µmol/AAE/g) in ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. In Phosphomolybdenum method, a concentration dependent increase in antioxidant activity was observed and ethanolic extract showed maximum antioxidant activity (137.12 ± 0.50 mgAAE/g). Butanolic extract showed maximum presence of phenolics (117.08 ± 0.61 mgGAE/g) and flavonoids (79.57 ± 0.22 mgRUE/g). In silico studies of compounds showed 11 compounds following Lipinski’s rule. Bioavailability radar showed Embelin and Ergocalciferol with good oral availability (0.85), Rutin with poor oral availability (0.17) and other compounds with optimum oral availability (0.55). High gastrointestinal absorption was observed for the compounds such as Carvone, Citral, Embelin, Ergocalciferol, Genistein, Isorhamnetin, Luteolin, Mequinol and Quercetin. Compounds showing BBB (blood brain barrier) permeability were Carvone, Citral, Embelin, Ergocalciferol, Mequinol, p-Cymene. No toxicity was observed in Citral. Thus, Acalypha indica inflorescence extract showed significant antioxidant potential, good bioavailability and drug likeness.