Anti-cervical cancer activity of secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from Ginkgo biloba.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to isolate the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from Ginkgo biloba (SMEFGB) and investigate their anti-cervical cancer activity. METHODS: SMEFGB were cultured. The secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi was extracted, purified and identified. The effects of secondary metabolites on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human cervical cancer HeLa cells were determined. In addition, the effects of SMEFGB on growth of Hela implanted tumor in mice were investigated. RESULTS: In 9 stains of endophytic fungi successfully isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, the stain J-1, J-2 and J-3 could produce podophyllotoxin. These 3 stains were identified by molecular biology. The secondary metabolites of stain J-1, J-2 and J-3 markedly inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, promoted their apoptosis and blocked their migration. In addition, the secondary metabolites of stain J-1, J-2 and J-3 significantly attenuated the growth of HeLa implanted tumor in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that SMEFGB had obvious anti-cervical cancer activity in vitro and in vivo.