An antimicrobial compound isolated from Cinnamomum iners leaves with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Molecules. 2011 Apr 8;16(4):3037-47. doi: 10.3390/molecules16043037.

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Cinnamomum iners standardized leave methanolic extract (CSLE), its fractions and isolated compounds. CSLE and fractions were subjected to disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests using different Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and yeast. Within the series of fractions tested, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most active, particularly against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, with MIC values of 100 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. The active compound in this fraction was isolated and identified as xanthorrhizol [5-(1, 5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-2-methylphenol] by various spectroscopic techniques. The overall results of this study provide evidence that Cinnamomum iners leaves extract as well as the isolated compound xanthorrhizol exhibit antimicrobial activity for both Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens, especially against MRSA strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cinnamomum / chemistry*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Plant Extracts