Biotransformation of vinblastine into vincristine using a fungal endophyte <i>Fusarium equiseti</i> along with the assessment of its antiangiogenic properties

This study focuses on the microbial biotransformation of vinblastine to vincristine, a compound with enhanced anticancer efficacy compared to vinblastine utilizing a fungal endophyte <i>Fusarium equiseti</i>, isolated from <i>Catharanthus roseus</i>. Additionally, the antiangiogenic properties of the resulting vincristine were evaluated <i>in vivo</i> using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. The biotransformation was conducted in liquid medium containing vinblastine (0.6-2.4 mM), and <i>F. equiseti</i> spore suspension (50-150 µL) by incubating at 30 °C, pH 5.6, and 200 rpm for eight days. After the reaction was over, products were extracted using methanol and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The results confirmed the production of vincristine from vinblastine in different sets of biotransformation reactions. In biotransformation reaction-1, which comprised of vinblastine (0.6 mM) and fungal inoculum 150 µL (82 × 10⁴ spores/mL), 92 % of vinblastine was converted into vincristine on 8th day of incubation. The vincristine produced demonstrated significant antiangiogenetic properties in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay in a dose-dependent manner. The antiangiogenic properties of vincristine produced was comparable to standard vincristine. Hence, the study revealed that <i>F. equiseti</i> present a viable alternative to produce vincristine from vinblastine. To our knowledge, this is the first report on <i>F. equiseti</i> highlighting its vinblastine biotransformation potential.