Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant potency of exopolysaccharide from endophytic Fusarium solani SD5

A potent endophytic fungus, Fusarium solani SD5 was used for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. The isolated EPS were purified and major EPS fraction (PS-I); rhamno galactan was used to evaluate anti oxidant activities in vitro. EPS (PS-I) showed significant free radical scavenging effect on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and scavenging potency is indicated by IC50 value 578.541 ± 33.256 μg/ml. EPS (PS-I) significantly induced antioxidant parameters of peritoneal macrophage cells at a concentration dependent manner and at 500 μg/ml it showed maximum protective effect against free radicals [malondialdehyde (MDA) 0.178 ± 0.015; super oxide dismutase (SOD) 41.287 ± 1.051; glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 30.182 ± 1.237; reduced glutathione (GSH) 56.892 ± 1.272; oxidized glutathione (GSSG) 8.458 ± 0.768]. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cytotoxicity assay indicated that EPS (PS-I) had no significant cytotoxic effect (concentration up to 500 μg/ml) on macrophage cells. Present findings suggested that the EPS (PS-I) may become a potential nontoxic exogenous antioxidant.