Isolation of antibacterial fatty acids from Schotia brachypetala

L J McGaw; A K Jäger; J van Staden

doi:10.1016/s0367-326x(02)00120-x

Isolation of antibacterial fatty acids from Schotia brachypetala

Fitoterapia. 2002 Aug;73(5):431-3. doi: 10.1016/s0367-326x(02)00120-x.

Authors

L J McGaw¹, A K Jäger, J van Staden

Affiliation

¹ Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, 3209, Scottsville, South Africa.

PMID: 12165344
DOI: 10.1016/s0367-326x(02)00120-x

Abstract

In southern Africa, the roots of Schotia brachypetala are used by traditional healers to treat dysentery and diarrhoea. Activity-directed fractionation of the ethanol extract of the dried leaves yielded 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic (linolenic) acid and methyl-5,11,14,17-eicosatetraenoate. These fatty acids displayed antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and to a lesser extent, against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Africa, Southern
Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification*
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Fabaceae / chemistry*
Fatty Acids / isolation & purification
Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
Medicine, Traditional
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Trees

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fatty Acids