Antimicrobial activity of sesquiterpenes from the essential oil of Juniperus thurifera

Planta Med. 2005 Jan;71(1):67-71. doi: 10.1055/s-2005-837753.

Abstract

Chemical analysis of the essential oil of Juniperus thurifera wood led to the identification of fifty-eight sesquiterpene compounds, of which twenty-eight have been isolated, two of them being new natural cedrane derivatives (1 and 2). Their structures were established on the basis of 1D NMR and 2D NMR spectra. The antimicrobial activities of different pure compounds of this oil were tested against nine microorganisms (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts). Seven of the tested compounds exhibited a relevant activity, with the known alpha- and beta-cedrenes and sesquithuriferol showing minimum inhibitory concentrations of 3.06 microg/mL against Bacillus subtilis and Proteus sp.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Juniperus*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use
  • Sesquiterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes / therapeutic use
  • Yeasts / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Plant Oils
  • Sesquiterpenes