Characterization of graphislactone A as the antioxidant and free radical-scavenging substance from the culture of Cephalosporium sp. IFB-E001, an endophytic fungus in Trachelospermum jasminoides

The extracts derived from cultures of 1626 endophytic strains harbored in Trachelospermum jasminoides were assayed for more potent antioxidant and/or free radical-scavenging agents. The free radical-scavenging assessment was carried out using l,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical assays, and the antioxidant actions on linoleic acid and human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) models. After extensive spectroscopic analyses, graphislactone A was characterized as the most bioactive secondary metabolite of endophytic Cephalosporium sp. IFB-E001 with its free radical-scavenging (in a dose-dependent manner) and antioxidant activities ascertained in vitro to be stronger than those of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid, the two positive references coassayed in the study. From the demonstrated efficacy of graphislactone A in preventing and protecting against oxidative injury, it can be predicted that this metabolite could be a potential agent in the management of oxidative damage-initiated diseases.