PJB-2023-504
Pharmacological evaluation and acute toxicity studies of fermented extracts of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae
Umar Farooq Gohar, Aamir Mushtaq, Amjed Hussain, Fatima Riaz, Muhammad Tayyab Akhtar and Hamid Mukhtar
DOI:10.30848/PJB2025-3(36)
Abstract
The objective of the current study was to investigate the pharmacological advantages of fermented extracts derived from soil fungi commonly encountered in the environment. Twenty soil samples were collected from Lahore, Gujranwala, and Wah Cant for isolation of fungal strains. Among the isolated strains, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae were chosen. Subsequently, ethyl acetate extracts were obtained from the fermentation broths of these selected strains. Both the fermented extracts i.e. ethyl acetate extract of A. flavus (EAe.A.f) and ethyl acetate extract of A. oryzae (EAe.A.o) were analyzed for DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Both EAe.A.f and EAe.A.o showed free radical scavenging activity as 72.82 % and 36.47 %, respectively. The extracts were then analyzed for antimicrobial activity by using disc diffusion assay and it was found that both the extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli while no antifungal action was observed against tested fungal strains. The hind paw edema model was used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of EAe.A.f and EAe.A.o. It was observed that both the extracts reduced edema up to 43.5±0.7 and 42.9±1.3 %, respectively. The antidiabetic activity was found against streptozotocin induced hyperglycemic albino mice. EAe.A.f (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced glycemic level from 438.33±19.15 to 359.11±18.16 mg/dL in 21 days while EAe.A.o (400 mg/kg) reduced the same from 422.39±25.28 to 255.33±17.21 mg/dL. The outcomes of acute toxicity study suggested the LD50 values of both the extracts were found to be 1300 and 1100 mg/Kg, respectively for EAe.A.f and EAe.A.o. The findings thus suggested that both A. flavus and A. oryzae are pharmacologically active as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antidiabetic agents. However, the mechanisms underlying these pharmacological activities were not fully elucidated in this study suggesting the necessity for comprehensive investigations to provide detailed insights.
To Cite this article:
Gohar, U.F., A. Mushtaq, A. Hussain, F. Riaz, M.T. Akhtar and H. Mukhtar. 2025. Pharmacological evaluation and acute toxicity studies of fermented extracts of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae. Pak. J. Bot., 57(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-3(36)
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