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RSC advances2025; 15(31); 25441-25449; doi: 10.1039/d5ra04180e

Pigments with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities from the coprophilous fungus Fusarium solani isolated from horse dung.

Abstract: Four previously undescribed phenazine-derived pigments (1-4), along with seventeen known compounds, were isolated from a strain cultured on solid rice medium. Structural elucidation of the new compounds was achieved through extensive spectroscopic analysis, while known compounds were identified by comparison with literature data. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were assessed. Compounds 2, 5, and 11 exhibited weak antifungal activity against at 200 μM, while compounds 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, and 20 demonstrated moderate antibacterial effects against at the same concentration. Notably, compound 4 showed significant cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7, IC = 6.8 μM), and moderate cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells (HeLa, IC = 25.0 μM). Moreover, the known quinone-derived pigments 10, 12, and 13 displayed potent cytotoxic activities against the three tested cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC3, and HeLa). These results highlight the potential of these compounds as promising bioactive agents for cancer treatment.
Publication Date: 2025-07-17 PubMed ID: 40677953PubMed Central: PMC12269820DOI: 10.1039/d5ra04180eGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study explores newly discovered pigments derived from the fungus Fusarium solani, which were found to have antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties that could potentially be used for cancer treatment.

Research Methodology and Findings

  • The research team isolated four previously unknown phenazine-derived pigments, referred to as 1-4, from a strain of the Fusarium solani fungus grown on solid rice medium. Seventeen other compounds, already known to science, were also isolated.
  • Identification of the compounds was accomplished using extensive spectroscopic analysis for the new compounds, and cross-referencing with existing literature for the known compounds.
  • The researchers tested the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the compounds. Notably:
    • Compounds 2, 5, and 11 showed weak antifungal activity against a certain type of fungi at a concentration of 200 μM.
    • Compounds 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, and 20 displayed moderate antibacterial effects against a specific bacteria at the same concentration.
  • The cytotoxicity, or toxic effect on cells, was analyzed with particular consideration to cancer cells. Some significant results were:
    • Compound 4 had considerable cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7, IC = 6.8 μM), as well as moderate toxicity against cervical cancer cells (HeLa, IC = 25.0 μM).
    • The well-known quinone-derived pigments 10, 12, and 13 showed strong cytotoxic activities against three tested cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC3, and HeLa).

Significance and Implications

  • The research provides evidence of the potential use of these compounds as promising bioactive agents for treating cancer.
  • Although some compounds exhibited only weak or moderate antimicrobial effects, others showed substantial cytotoxicity against specific types of cancer cells.
  • The study sheds light on the potential of natural sources, particularly fungi, as producers of bioactive compounds that may be harnessed in the fight against various diseases, including cancer.

Cite This Article

APA
Mountessou BYG, Mouafon IL, Maharjan R, Tchamgoue J, Tiani GLM, Dibouloul P, Choudhary MI, Kouam SF. (2025). Pigments with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities from the coprophilous fungus Fusarium solani isolated from horse dung. RSC Adv, 15(31), 25441-25449. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra04180e

Publication

ISSN: 2046-2069
NlmUniqueID: 101581657
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 31
Pages: 25441-25449

Researcher Affiliations

Mountessou, Bel Youssouf G
  • Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaoundé I P. O. Box 47 Yaoundé Cameroon kfogue@yahoo.com.
Mouafon, Iliassou L
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology P. O. Box 0083 Pretoria South Africa.
Maharjan, Rukesh
  • H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi Karachi-75270 Pakistan.
Tchamgoue, Joseph
  • Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I P. O. Box 812 Yaoundé Cameroon.
Tiani, Gesquiere Laure M
  • Division of Wood Chemistry, University Institute of Wood Technology Mbalmayo P. O. Box 306 Mbalmayo Cameroon.
Dibouloul, Patrick
  • Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaoundé I P. O. Box 47 Yaoundé Cameroon kfogue@yahoo.com.
Choudhary, Muhammad I
  • H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi Karachi-75270 Pakistan.
Kouam, Simeon F
  • Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaoundé I P. O. Box 47 Yaoundé Cameroon kfogue@yahoo.com.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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