Antioxidant and chemoprotective potential of Streptomyces levis strain isolated from human gut

In the current study, Streptomyces levis strain HFM-2 has been isolated from healthy human gut. Streptomyces sp. HFM-2 was identified based on the polyphasic approach that included cultural, morphological, chemotaxonomical, phylogenetic, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain HFM-2 exhibited 100% similarity with Streptomyces levis strain 15423 (T). The EtOAc extract of Streptomyces levis strain HFM-2 showed potential antioxidant activity, along with 69.53 ± 0.19%, 64.76 ± 0.13%, and 84.82 ± 0.21% of scavenging activity for ABTS, DPPH, and superoxide radicals, respectively at 600 µg/mL. The IC(50) values i.e. 50% scavenging activity for DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radicals were achieved at 497.19, 388.13, and 268.79 (µg/mL), respectively. The extract's reducing power and total antioxidant capacity were determined to be 856.83 ± 0.76 and 860.06 ± 0.01 µg AAE/mg of dry extract, respectively. In addition, the EtOAc extract showed protection against DNA damage from oxidative stress caused by Fenton’s reagent, and cytotoxic activity against HeLa cervical cancer, Skin (431) cancer, Ehrlich-Lettre Ascites-E (EAC) carcinoma, and L929 normal cell lines. The IC(50) values against HeLa, 431 skin, and EAC carcinoma cell lines were found to be 50.69, 84.07, and 164.91 µg/mL, respectively. The EtOAc extract showed no toxicity towards L929 normal cells. In addition, flow cytometric analysis exhibited reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and enhanced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The EtOAc extract was chemically analyzed using GCMS to determine the components executing its bioactivities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13568-023-01570-7.