EVALUATION OF α-AMYLASE, α-GLUCOSIDASE AND ALDOSE REDUCTASE INHIBITORS IN ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACTS OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICINAL PLANTS

Twenty two endophytic fungi were isolated from anti-diabetic plants Momordica charantia and Trigonella foenum-graceum. Ethyl acetate extracts of all fungal isolates were tested for inhibition of aldose reductase and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. Ethyl acetate extracts of nine endophytic fungi were found to be positive for α- amylase and α- glucosidase inhibitors. Crude extracts of fungal isolates PTFL005 and PTFL006 showed promising inhibition activity on α- amylase with an IC ₅₀ value of 15.48 and 13.48μg/mL respectively. Whereas, the control acarbose had 22.38 μg/mL of IC ₅₀ value for α- amylase at similar experimental condition.  Fungal isolates PTFL006 and PTFL011 were found to have potent α- glucosidase inhibitors with an IC ₅₀ value of 17.37 and 10.71μg/mL which was close to the standard acarbose (6.53μg/mL). The only one fungal isolate PMCF003 showed reasonably better inhibition for aldose reductase with an IC₅₀ value of 40μg/mL as compared to standard control quercetin (15μg/mL). All the active endophytic fungal isolates were identified by DNA sequencing method. The most active isolates identified asTrichoderma atroviride (PMCF003) and Stemphylium globuliferum (PTFL005, PTFL006 and PTFL011) were reported for the first time as endophytes in these plants from India.