Exploration of Endophytic Fungal Communities in Three <i>Hypericum</i> Species: Molecular Identification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity Against Clinically Relevant Pathogens
| Author | Fahimeh Nabi | en |
| Author | Ahmad Asgharzadeh | en |
| Author | Javad Asili | en |
| Author | Abolfazl Shakeri | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-12-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Endophytic fungi, which inhabit internal plant tissues without causing apparent disease, have emerged as rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. Hypericum species are well-known medicinal plants with diverse pharmacological properties; however, the endophytic fungi associated with these species remain largely unexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and molecularly identify endophytic fungi associated with Hypericum helianthemoides, H. scabrum, and H. perforatum, and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of their extracts against selected pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Endophytic fungi were isolated from the root and stem tissues of three Hypericum species. Molecular identification was performed by amplifying and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of the rRNA gene. The antibacterial activity of the fungal extracts was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Results: A total of 20 fungal isolates were obtained, mainly belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, with one isolate (Absidia sp.) belonging to Zygomycota. H. perforatum harbored the highest number of isolates (40%). Most isolates were newly reported endophytes of Hypericum species. The dominant genera were Fusarium and Alternaria. More than half of the isolates exhibited antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas only three species were active against Gram-negative strains. Cladosporium subglobosum demonstrated the most potent antibacterial effect, with MIC and MBC values of 3.125 μg/mL. Conclusions: This study highlights the diversity and antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi associated with Hypericum species. These findings suggest that such endophytes may represent promising sources of novel bioactive metabolites with potential pharmaceutical applications. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpr-167951 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/ijpr/articles/167951 | en |
| Keyword | Hypericum | en |
| Keyword | Endophytic Fungi | en |
| Keyword | Secondary Metabolites | en |
| Keyword | Antimicrobial Activity | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Exploration of Endophytic Fungal Communities in Three <i>Hypericum</i> Species: Molecular Identification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity Against Clinically Relevant Pathogens | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |