Abstract
Endophytes are important sources for the discovery of bioactive compounds. The potential
role of the endophyte and its biologically active metabolites in its association with its host has been
investigated. In the present study the antioxidant activity of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp.
isolated from medicinal plant Centella asiatica was evaluated by its ability to scavenge DPPH free
radicals. Bioactive metabolites present in the ethyl acetate extract from the endophytic fungus
Penicillium sp. were analysed by using GC-MS. The metabolites were investigated for cytotoxic
activity. The extract of Penicillium sp. exhibited high antioxidant activity with IC50 value,
54.72±2.19μg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium sp. has high antioxidant capacity of
325.76±0.14 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid. The ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium sp.
demonstrated a promising cytotoxic activity against HeLa, A431 and human breast cancer (MCF7).
These results indicate that endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants could be a potential
source for bioactive compounds.