Endophytic Paenibacillus lactis PEL6 from Mitrephora heyneana as a Source of Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Metabolites: In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation

Abstract

Endophytic bacteria from medicinal plants are increasingly recognised as sources of antimicrobial metabolites. However, the endophytic bacterial community of Mitrephora heyneana remains poorly explored. In the present study, endophytic bacteria were isolated from the leaves of M. heyneana, collected from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Among seven isolates, the plant endophyte strain from leaf 6th strain (PEL6) was identified as Paenibacillus lactis through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The ethyl acetate extract of PEL6 (EAE-PEL6) was subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, which putatively identified 32 metabolites based on GC-MS library matching, including pyrrolo [1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione derivatives and triazole compounds as major constituents. The EAE-PEL6 demonstrated significant in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. In silico ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), profiling predicted drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of selected candidate compounds. Molecular docking suggested favourable binding of selected metabolites to S. aureus target proteins; however, these interactions require experimental validation. Density Functional Theory calculations indicated that CID 70504 had the lowest Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO)–Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy gap, reflecting higher electronic reactivity. Molecular electrostatic potential mapping further supported its enhanced binding propensity. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested structural stability, with Root Mean Square Deviation, Solvent Accessible Surface Area, radius of gyration, and hydrogen-bond analyses indicating stable interactions throughout the 100 ns trajectory. Overall, this study identifies P. lactis PEL6 as a promising endophytic source of anti-S. aureus metabolites and provides candidates for future purification, structural confirmation, and biological validation.