POEM-Bleo protocol

P. bleo (Kunth) DC., also known as “Seven Star Needle,” is a plant from the familyCactaceae and the order Caryophyllales (Er et al. 2007). It is a spiny shrub of 2–8 min height (Wahab et al. 2009) with orange-red flowers that bloom late in the afternoonand last only for 1 day (Sim et al. 2010). P. bleo originated from South America butis cultivated in many tropical countries (Wahab et al. 2009). P. bleo is usuallyconsumed by eating the fresh leaves or drinking the soup boiled from the leaves (Eret al. 2007). The leaves of the plant are also used as remedy for the relief of headache,gastric pain, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and atopic dermatitis and the treatment of diabetes,hypertension, and also cancer (Tan et al. 2005). The pounded leaves of P. bleo pastecould also be applied to wounds or cuts for pain relief (Sim et al. 2010). Endophyticcommunities in P. bleo are not widely understood. Chow and Ting (2015) conducteda simple study, which revealed 16 fungal endophytes detected in P. bleo, mainlyColletotrichum gloeosporioides, Penicillium simplicissimum, and Fusariumproliferatum. These endophytes were positive for L-asparaginase production,suggesting potential of endophytes from anticancer plant P. bleo in producinganticancer compounds (L-asparaginase).