Antimicrobial activity of Diospyros anisandra

Fitoterapia. 2007 Jul;78(5):370-2. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2007.03.004. Epub 2007 Apr 11.

Abstract

Leaves, root and stem bark of Diospyros anisandra were screened against two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one resistant and one susceptible to antibiotics, using the microplate Alamar blue assay test. The lypophylic fractions of the root and bark showed significant inhibitory activity against both strains, with the hexane fraction of the bark showing the strongest activity (MIC 6.25 microg/ml) against the resistant strain and a significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The bioassay-guided purification of the bioactive hexane fraction resulted in the isolation and identification of the naphthoquinone plumbagin as one of the metabolites responsible for the biological activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diospyros*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / classification
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Bark
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plant Roots

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Extracts