(R)-(+)-Lasiodiplodin isolated from the endophytic fungus Sordaria tamaensis exhibits potent antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo: a dual approach for the treatment of severe pulmonary tuberculosis

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate endophytic fungi isolated from Tocoyena bullata and Humiria balsamifera plant species for their antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, focusing on severe pulmonary tuberculosis cases which are often associated with exacerbated inflammation. Methods Mycobacterium suspensions were incubated with the samples for 5 days. RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with LPS were also incubated with them for 24 h to assess the inhibition of inflammatory mediator production and cytotoxicity. C57BL/6 mice were infected with Mtb M299 and treated for 15 days with lasiodiplodin (Lasio). Key findings Endophytic fungus Sordaria tamaensis, obtained from T. bullata, was the most promising. Its ethanolic extract impaired mycobacterial growth with MIC50 (mu g/ml): 1.5 +/- 0.6 (BCG), 66.8 +/- 0.1 (H37Rv) and 80.0 +/- 0.1 (M299). (R)-(+)-Lasio showed MIC50 92.2 +/- 1.8 mu g/ml (M299). In addition, Lasio was able to inhibit NO, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha production and was not cytotoxic for macrophages. M. tuberculosis-infected C57BL/6 animals treated by Lasio reduced the number of acid-fast bacilli, lung pathology, leucocyte influx and proinflammatory cytokine production in the lungs. The class IIa fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase was the predicted hypothetical target of Lasio. Conclusions (R)-(+)-Lasio stood out as a promising anti-TB compound, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antimycobacterial effects, as well as low cytotoxicity.