Phytochemical Profiling and Evaluation of Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anti‐inflammatory, and Wound‐Healing Activities of Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Atalantia racemosa

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are recognized as prolific sources of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with significant pharmaceutical potential. In the present study, endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy tissues of Atalantia racemosa (Rutaceae), an ethnomedicinal plant traditionally used for respiratory disorders and blood purification. A total of three fungal isolates were obtained and identified as Aspergillus flavus, Pleosporales sp., and Endothia sp. based on morphological and molecular (ITS sequencing) analyses. Crude extracts of the isolates were subjected to phytochemical characterization using GC–MS, FTIR, and LC–MS techniques. GC–MS profiling revealed the presence of fatty acids, sterols, phenolics, and terpenoids, while FTIR analysis confirmed key functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aromatic moieties. Importantly, LC–MS analysis provided high‐resolution metabolite profiling, identifying diverse bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, quinic acid derivatives, xanthones (mangostin derivatives), phenolic amides (N‐feruloyl‐octopamine), diterpenoids, chalcones, macrolides, and terpene lactones in both positive and negative ionization modes. Biological evaluation demonstrated notable antioxidant, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, and wound healing activities, with Endothia sp. showing superior anticancer activity (IC50: 19.37 µg/mL) and significant wound healing potential. The integration of LC–MS data highlights the metabolic diversity and pharmacological relevance of these fungal isolates. Overall, the study confirms that endophytic fungi associated with A. racemosa are promising sources of bioactive metabolites with potential applications in drug discovery.