Production of colchicine and other metabolites from endophytic fungi of Gloriosa superba

Abstract

Microorganisms seem to occupy virtually every living and nonliving place on earth (Amna et al., 2006). The remnant records indicate that plants also have been associated with microorganisms, residing within the tissues of host plant (Krings et al., 2007). Microbes that inhabit plant tissues at some stages in their life cycle without causing apparent harm to their host are called Endophytes . These microorganisms have been proven to mimic their host plant in production of bioactive molecules which can be of immense pharmaceutical use. A huge number of anticancer drugs (like Taxol, Podophyllotoxin, Camptothecin), antimicrobials, immunomodulators (Cytogenin, Cytoblastinm and Conagenin) and many other medicinally useful molecules have been isolated from these residents of plants. From the increasing reports pertaining to the isolation of biomolecules from endophytes it can be concluded that these microbes can be a suitable alternate for the plant species which are on verge of extinction and can help in conservation of such endangered plant species. Gloriosa superba L. is a perennial climber and is used as an ayurvedic medicinal herb to cure diseases in various parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. The plant was under threatened category due to its imprudent harvesting from wild as it is extensively used by medicinal industries for its colchicine content. It also faces a low seed set problem, but due to its industrial demand it is now under cultivation (Jana and Shekhawat, 2011). The medicinal importance of Gloriosa superba is due to the presence of alkaloids (mainly Colchicine) in all parts of the plant. Several Colchicine-related alkaloids have been isolated from tubers and seeds. The alkaloids from plants (Colchicine and Gloriosine) are used in treatment of gout (The wealth of India, 1956) and rheumatism (Nadkarni KM, 1996). Colchicine is used in the treatment of cancer (Chopra et. al., 1956). This glorious herb was found in abundance in Patalkot valley in the southern central part of Madhya Pradesh (India).