Antiproliferative effect of extract from endophytic fungus Curvularia trifolii isolated from the "Veracruz Reef System" in Mexico.

CONTEXT: It is well known that marine fungi are an excellent source of biologically active secondary metabolites, and by 2011, it was reported that over 400 bioactive metabolites were derived from marine fungi.

OBJECTIVE: This study establishes the basis for future research on antiproliferative compounds of marine endophytes inhabited in the Veracruz Reef System.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolation of the 34 fungal strains was carried out by microbiological method from samples of sponges, corals, and other biological material from the Veracruz Reef System. The fungal biomass and broth were separated and extracted with a mixture of solvents MeOH:CHCl3. Characterization and molecular identification of the fungal strains were performed through microbiological methods and the analysis of the ITS-rDNA regions. Antiproliferative activity was tested at a dose of 250 μg/mL on human solid tumor cell lines HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D, and WiDr by the SRB assay after 48 h-exposure to the fungal extracts.

RESULTS: The extracts from five isolates showed an antiproliferative effect against one or more of the tested cell lines (percentage growth < 50%). The mycelial extract from the isolate LAEE 03 manifested the highest activity against the five cell lines (% PG of 17 HBL-100, 19 HeLa, 23 SW1573, -6 T-47D, and 10 WiDr) and the strain was identified as Curvularia trifolii (Kauffman) Boedijn (Pleosporaceae).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that the extract from a marine derived C. trifolii has the antiproliferative effect, thus suggesting that this organism is a good candidate for further analysis of its metabolites.