白花九里明抗菌和抗炎作用研究

目的:研究壮药白花九里明提取物的抗菌和抗炎作用,为开发新药提供实验依据。方法:抗菌采用琼脂扩散法、肉汤稀释法测定壮药白花九里明提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌(SA)、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)、铜绿假单胞菌(PA)、多重耐药铜绿假单胞菌(MDR-PA)、大肠埃希菌(E.coli)、产超广谱β-内酰胺酶大肠埃希菌(E.coli-ESBLs)、肺炎克雷伯菌(K.pne)、产超广谱β-内酰胺酶肺炎克雷伯菌(K.pne-ESBLs)的抑菌圈直径、最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC)。抗炎采用二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀、醋酸致小鼠毛细血管通透性增加、角叉菜致小鼠足肿胀、琼脂致小鼠肉芽肿模型研究。结果:壮药白花九里明提取物对8种细菌具有体外抑菌活性,对SA、MRSA作用最强;水提物、醇提物对8种细菌抑菌圈直径分别是10.03~23.17mm、8.27~19.75mm;水提物对8种细菌MIC:0.020~0.691g/ml,MBC:0.025~0.758g/ml;醇提物对8种细菌MIC:0.025~1.097g/ml,MBC:0.050~1.149g/ml,水提物作用强于醇提物。水提物13.4g/kg,26.8g/kg剂量组有显著的抑制二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀和醋酸致小鼠毛细血管通透性增高的急性炎症作用;并有明显抑制角叉菜致小鼠足肿胀、琼脂致小鼠肉芽肿的急、慢性炎症作用。结论:壮药白花九里明提取物具有广谱体外抑菌活性,对耐药菌也具有抑菌活性,水提物具有良好的抗炎作用。     

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) extracts

Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae), commonly called cinco-folhas or cipó-cinco-folhas in Brazil, is thought to be effective for treating several inflammatory diseases. In order to verify the topical anti-inflammatory effect of Serjania erecta, hydroalcoholic extract and fractions were obtained by extraction in solvents of increasing polarity and were tested in mouse models using croton-oil-induced inflammation. Our findings showed that topical application of Serjania erecta hydroalcoholic extract (0.01-3.0 mg/ear), and the dichloromethane (0.03-1.0 mg/ear), ethyl acetate (0.03-1.0 mg/ear), and hexane (0.003-1.0 mg/ear) fractions revealed significant activity, causing a dose-dependent reduction of croton-oil ear edema (ID(50)=0.14 mg/ear, 0.23 mg/ear, 0.14 mg/ear, 0.04 mg/ear, respectively). The extract and all tested fractions also decreased tissue myeloperoxidase activity (indicative of polymorphonuclear leukocytes influx) in mouse-ears treated with croton oil with a maximum inhibition of 72% at 3.0 mg/ear for the hydroalcoholic extract and 81%, 78%, and 83% at 1.0mg/ear for dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and hexane fractions, respectively. As expected, dexamethasone (0.05 mg/ear) was effective in inhibiting both edema and myeloperoxidase activity (99% and 82%, respectively). In conclusion, our results indicate a topical anti-inflammatory effect for the species of Serjania studied.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extracts of Lychnophora species

Extracts from Lychnophora species are traditionally used in Brazil as anti-inflammatory, and to treat bruise, pain and rheumatism. The ethanolic extract of aerial parts of five species of Lychnophoras and one specie of Lychnophoriopsis were examined for the antinociceptive (hot-plate and writhing tests) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw oedema test) activity in mice, by oral and topical routes, respectively. In the hot-plate test, the Lychnophora pinaster (0.75 g/kg) and Lychnophora ericoides (1.50 g/kg) extracts significantly increased the time for licking of the paws. The species Lychnophora passerina, Lychnophoriopsis candelabrum and Lychnophora pinaster, using the dose of 0.75 g/kg, and Lychnophora ericoides and Lychnophora trichocarpha in both doses evaluated (0.75 and 1.50 g/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid. The administration of Lychnophora pinaster and Lychnophora trichocarpha ointments, in both concentrations evaluated (5 and 10%, w/w), and Lychnophora passerina and Lychnophoriopsis candelabrum, in the concentration of 10%, significantly reduced the paw oedema measured 3 h after carrageenan administration, suggesting, for the first time, an anti-inflammatory activity upon topical administration of these species. The present work comparatively demonstrated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of some Brazilian Lychnophoras.     

Larvicidal activity of some Labiatae (Lamiaceae) plant extracts from Turkey

Ethanol extracts of the aerial parts from five Labiatae (Lamiaceae) species, obtained from Antalya, Turkey, were tested for larvicidal activity against the house mosquito Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions. Third and fourth instar mortality from six concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 ppm) of each plant extract were compared against the organophosphorus insecticide, temephos which is currently used for larval control. All plant extracts showed high larvicidal activity in 24 h exposure tests. Teucrium divaricatum Sieber was the most toxic, followed by Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds., Melissa officinalis L., Salvia sclarea L. and Mentha pulegium L. with LC(50) values of 18.6, 26.8, 39.1, 62.7 and 81.0 ppm, respectively. This study is the first to report on the larvicidal activity of ethanol extracts of these five plant species against C. pipiens.     

Triterpene glycosides from the flower petals of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and their anti-inflammatory activity

Two new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, named helianthosides 4 (4) and 5 (5), along with four known triterpene glycosides, helianthosides 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3), and B (6), were isolated from an n-butanol-soluble fraction of a methanol extract of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) petals. The structures of the two new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-6 for inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation (1.7 nmol/ear) in mice, all of the compounds tested exhibited marked anti-inflammatory activity, with ID50 values in the range 65-262 nmol per ear.     

Biological activity of extracts from Catalpa bignonioides Walt. (Bignoniaceae)

Catalpa bignonioides Walt. (Bignoniaceae) is a species that belongs to a tropical family but has been introduced in many countries as ornamental. Although this plant is consumed by indigenous cultures of South America for medical uses, experimental studies of the biological properties of Catalpa bignonioides are lacking. The aim of this work was to study the biological activity of crude extracts from either pods, seeds or leaves of Catalpa bignonioides which were collected in Spain. Ethyl ether, butanolic and aqueous fractions of the pod extract were also prepared and studied. We have examined the antimicrobial activity against five bacteria and one yeast, the cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells and the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in rodents. A preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extracts and fractions was also conducted. Results showed no antimicrobial or antitumoral effects, but prominent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive actions of the extracts. These last activities may be a result of the presence of either of saponins, sterols or phenols, mainly found in the leaves and pods of the plants.     

COX-1 inhibitory activity in extracts from Eucomis L'Herit. species

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds can relieve pain and inflammation associated with elevated levels of prostaglandins in the body and are proposed to be the agents responsible for the action of traditional herbal remedies associated with the reduction of pain, fever and inflammation. Primarily the bulbs and in some instances the leaves and roots, of Eucomis L 'Herit. species are widely utilized in South African traditional medicine for this purpose. A measure of the anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts can be generated using the cyclooxygenase (COX-1) assay. High levels of COX-1 inhibitory activity were detected in crude extracts prepared from the leaves, bulbs and roots of Eucomis species. Of the 11 species tested, 9 species exhibited moderate COX-1 inhibitory activity (40-70%) for the aqueous bulb extracts. All 11 species showed COX-1 inhibitory activity of +/-70% or higher, for the ethanol bulb extracts. The bulb and root extracts (ethanol) showed, in general, the highest levels of COX-1 inhibitory activity, but most species exhibited no significant difference in activity between plant parts. Generally (for 7 of the 11 species), these levels did not differ significantly in specimens harvested in summer and in winter. IC50 values were calculated to be 72 microg ml(-1) for the bulb extract of E. autumnalis autumnalis, and 27 microg ml(-1) for the root extracts. The corresponding IC50 value for the leaf extract was estimated to be 15 microg ml(-1). The COX-1 inhibitors were relatively stable over time, both in solution (ethanol) and in the dried plant material. Extracts tested over a period of three years did not differ significantly in COX-1 inhibitory activity. These experimental results validate the extensive use of this plant in southern African traditional medicine.     

Comparative evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of Turkish Eryngium species

Extracts obtained from the root and aerial parts of various Eryngium (Apiaceae) species are used as folk remedy worldwide for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from either aerial parts or roots of eight Eryngium species growing in Turkey, i.e., were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Eryngium campestre, Eryngium creticum, Eryngium davisii, Eryngium falcatum, Eryngium isauricum, Eryngium kotschyi, Eryngium maritimum, and Eryngium trisectum. For the antinociceptive activity assessment p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test, and for anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and TPA-induced ear oedema tests were employed in mice. According to the results of investigations, except Eryngium falcatum extracts, ethanol extracts either from the aerial parts or roots of Eryngium species showed apparent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. In spite of potent activity of the ethanol extract from Eryngium isauricum aerial parts was induced gastric damage. Aerial parts and roots of Eryngium maritimum and Eryngium kotschyi were found to possess most promising activities without including any apparent gastric damage.     

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts and compounds from Vismia laurentii De Wild (Guttiferae)

Methanolic extracts prepared from the leaves, twigs and the roots of Vismia laurentii De Wild as well as nine compounds isolated from these crude extracts, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and two Candida species using disc diffusion and well micro-dilution methods. The disc diffusion assay indicated that the crude extract was active against all the pathogens tested, whereas isolated compounds showed selective activities. The degree of sensitivity of the test organisms to purified compounds varied from 25 to 90%. Fridelin (8) was found to be the most active compound, while Bivismiaquinone (3) was the least active. The lowest minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values as obtained by the micro-dilution assays were 19.53 and 1.22 microg/ml for the crude extracts and purified compounds, respectively. The lowest value for the purified compounds (1.22 microg/ml) was obtained with O(1)-demethyl-3',4'-deoxypsorospermin-3',4'-diol (6) on Candida gabrata and Bacillus subtilis; 1,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylanthraquinone (5) on Bacillus subtilis and 6-deoxyisojacareubin (7) on Bacillus stearothermophilus. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extracts as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.     

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts and compounds from Treculia obovoidea (Moraceae)

The crude extract from Treculia obovoidea was subjected to purification by repeated chromatography. Eight compounds were isolated from Treculia obovoidea and identified as Psoralen (1), Bergapten (2), 7-methoxycoumarin (3), 7-hydroxycoumarin (4), 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (5), 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-3-prenylchalcone (6), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (7) and O-[3-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-2H-furan-5-yl) butyl] bergaptol (8). These compounds together with the extract were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and three Candida species using micro-dilution methods for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC). The MIC values obtained with the crude extracts varied from 78.12 to 156.25 μg/ml against 17 (80.95%) of the 21 tested microorganisms. All the isolated compounds showed selective activity. The antimicrobial activity of this plant as well as that of compounds 6 and 8 is being reported for the first time. The obtained results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extract as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.     

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts and fractions from Polygonum capitatum

Aim of the study

This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts and the structure-based fractions from P. capitatum so as to provide the evidence for the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of urinary tract infections and to clarify the structural types that were responsible for the clinical use of the plant.

Materials and methods

The dry whole plant of P. capitatum was extracted with water and 70% aqueous ethanol and then separated, respectively, into a fraction enriched in polysaccharides and proteins (PP) and four other fractions enriched in gallic acid and its analogues (GAA), flavonoids (FV), tannins (TN), and triterpenoids and steroids (TS). UV spectral or chemical methods were used for the confirmation of the five fractions. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the aqueous (AE) and 70% aqueous ethanol (70EE) extracts as well as the fractions against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were initially evaluated by a disc diffusion test. The anti-bacterial potencies of the active extracts or fractions were then assessed in vitro by determining the MICs and MBCs. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated employing the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model.

Results

Except for fraction PP, AE, 70EE, and the four fractions (GAA, FV, TN, and TS) exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The results of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) indicated that the crude extracts or fractions FV and TN all possess bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties. Fractions FV and TS showed significantly anti-inflammatory activity (P < 0.01) with the inhibition rates of 86.15 and 73.71% at 0.6 g/kg, respectively, as compared to 76.93% of the positive control dexamethasone.

Conclusions

The overall results suggested that the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of urinary tract infections were attributed to the presence of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. The results also provided evidence that the studied plant extracts, as well as some of the fractions obtained from this plant might be potential sources for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug development.     

CNS depressant effects,anti-inflammatory activity and anti-cholinergic actions of Santolina chamaecyparissus extracts

The pharmacological activity of several extracts together with the lyophilized infusion of S. chamaecyparissus ssp. squarrosa were investigated. The lethal dose 50% (LD₅₀), effect on animal metabolism, mechanical and thermic analgesia and spontaneous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer activity have been determined. Studies on isolated organs (rat duodenum and rat uterus) were also carried out. The hexanic and chloroformic extracts were potent antagonists of the thermic analgesia test; the former extract was also active in the mechanical analgesia test. The chloroformic extract and, to a lesser extent, the ethyl acetate extract and lyophilized infusion demonstrated noteworthy activity as anti-inflammatory agents. No extract produced an ulcerogenic effect. The hexanic extract had the highest inhibitory effect on ACh induced contraction of rat duodenum and the ethyl acetate extract of oxytocin induced contraction of rat uterus.     

Antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts and compounds from Ficus chlamydocarpa and Ficus cordata (Moraceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extracts from Ficus chlamydocarpa (FCR), Ficus cordata (FCB), mixture of the two plants (FCM), as well as that of the isolated flavonoids Alpinumisoflavone (2), Genistein (3), Laburnetin (4), Luteolin (5) (isolated from FCR), Catechin (7) and Epiafzelechin (8) (isolated from FCB). Mycobacteria, fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species were tested for their susceptibility to the above samples. The microplate dilution and radiometric respiratory methods were used to determine the susceptibility testing of the samples against Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. The disc diffusion assay was used to determine the sensitivity of the samples, whilst the micro-dilution method was used for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) against fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. All the samples except compound 7 were found to be active to Mycobacterium smegmatis and the MIC ranged from 0.61 to 312.50microg/ml. Compound 4 showed the best activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis exhibiting an MIC of 4.88microg/ml. The results of the diffusion test indicated that the crude extract from FCB, FCM as well as compounds 5 and 8 were able to prevent the growth of all tested (fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) organisms. The inhibition effect of the crude extract from Ficus chlamydocarpa was observed on 10 (62.5%) of the 16 tested microorganisms (excluding mycobacteria) whereas that of compounds 4, 2 and 3 was respectively noted on 14 (87.5%), 8 (50.0%) and 7 (39.9%) of the tested microbial species. FCB was found to be more active than FCR on most of the tested organisms. The results provided evidence that the studied plants extract, as well as some of the isolated compounds might be potential sources of new antimicrobial drug.     

Antiinflammatory activity and effects on isolated smooth muscle of extracts from different Teucrium species

The present study analyses the antiinflammatory effects and the action on in vitro motility of methanol and dichloromethanol extracts and stems of four Teucrium species (T. flavum, T. cartaginenses, T. buxifolium and T. pumillum). The antiinflammatory activity was tested in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. T. flavum methanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and dichloromethanol (138 mg/kg, i.p.) extracts showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect through the 24 h experimental period and reduced the E_max induced by histamine and serotonin in vitro on guinea-pig ileum and rat uterus respectively. These extracts did not modify the contractile effects induced by acetylcholine on rat duodenum and noradrenaline on rat vas deferens. The methanol extracts of T. pumillum (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and T. buxifolium (26 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited significant antiinflammatory effects only in the acute phase of the oedema (2 h) without affecting the chronic phase (24 h). In guinea-pig ileum, rat uterus and rat vas deferens, the methanol extract of T. pumillum reduced the maximal effect induced by histamine, serotonin and noradrenaline, respectively, whereas the methanol extract of T. buxifolium lacked any effect on the contractile activity induced by various agonists in vitro. When tested for antiinflammatory activity the methanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and dichloromethanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) extracts of T. cartaginenses did not modify the oedematous response induced by carrageenan administration.     

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts and quassinoids isolated from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae)

Extracts and isolated compounds from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima, were assessed for antiplasmodial activity in vitro. Two quassinoids, ailanthone and 6alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone, isolated from the active extracts showed activity against both chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Only ailanthone demonstrated low toxicity against the Vero cell line (kidney cells from the African green monkey). This is the first report of the isolation and antiplasmodial activity of 6alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone from this species.     

Antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts and five flavonoids from the twigs of Dorstenia barteri (Moraceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of the twigs of Dorstenia barteri (DBT) as well as that of four of the five flavonoids isolated from this extract. Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and fungi (four species) were used. The agar disc diffusion test was used to determine the sensitivity of the tested samples while the well micro-dilution was used to determine the minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of the active samples. The results of the disc diffusion assay showed that DBT, isobavachalcone (1), and kanzonol C (4) prevented the growth of all the 22 tested microbial species. Other compounds showed selective activity. The inhibitory activity of the most active compounds namely compounds 1 and 4 was noted on 86.4% of the tested microorganisms and that of 4-hydroxylonchocarpin (3) was observed on 72.7%. This lowest MIC value of 19.06microg/ml was observed with the crude extract on seven microorganisms namely Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogens, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus and Candida albicans. For the tested compounds, the lowest MIC value of 0.3microg/ml (on six of the 22 organisms tested) was obtained only with compound 1, which appeared as the most active compound. This lowest MIC value (0.3microg/ml) is about 4-fold lower than that of the RA, indicating the powerful and very interesting antimicrobial potential of isobavachalcone (1). The antimicrobial activities of DBT, as well as that of compounds 1, 3, 4, amentoflavone (5) are being reported for the first time. The overall results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the crude extracts from DBT as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.     

管花肉苁蓉提取物的抗氧化活性研究

目的研究管花肉苁蓉甲醇提取物和乙醇提取物的抗氧化活性,并对这两种提取物进行比较以确定能获得更高药效的提取剂。方法采用测定总酚含量、总黄酮含量、清除DPPH自由基能力及其总抗氧化能力一氧自由基吸收量（ORAC）和抗氧化当量（TEAC）来研究管花肉苁蓉的抗氧化活性。结果甲醇和乙醇提取物中含有一定量的总酚[（32．65±6．22）mgGA／g和（31．45±3．54）mgGA／g],总黄酮含量较高[（65．33±6．71）mgRE／g和（62．70±8．56）mgRE／g];两种提取物均可以有效清除DPPH自由基,半数清除浓度分别为（141．50±3．50）μg/ml和（174．82±31．85）μg／ml;乙醇提取物的ORAC和TEAC值分别为（438．59±24．14）仙molTE／g和（137．18±2．47）μmol TE／g,均高于甲醇提取物[（368．34±25．64）μmolTE／g和（114．42±1．42）μmol TE／g],其中TEAC值的差异显著（P〈0．05）。结论两种提取物均有较高的抗氧化活性,建议选择70％的乙醇作为提取剂可以获得具有较高抗氧化活性的管花肉苁蓉提取物。     

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of four known and one new triterpenoid from Combretum imberbe (Combretaceae)

Combretum imberbe is used widely in Africa inter alia for treating bacterial infections. In addition to four known triterpenoids, 1alpha,3beta-dihydroxy-12-oleanen-29-oic (1), 1-hydroxy-12-olean-30-oic acid (2), 3,30-dihydroxyl-12-oleanen-22-one (3), and 1,3,24-trihydroxyl-12-olean-29-oic acid (4), a new pentacyclic triterpenoid (1alpha,23-dihydroxy-12-oleanen-29-oic acid-3beta-O-2,4-di-acetyl-L-rhamnopyranoside) 5 has been isolated through a bioassay-guided procedure from the leaves of Combretum imberbe. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as mass spectrometric data. All compounds isolated had moderate (62 microg/ml) to strong (16 microg/ml) antibacterial activity (MIC values) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with 1 and 5 being most active. Compounds 1 and 5 also showed very strong inhibition of 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with an IC(50) of 0.3 microg/ml. Compound 5 indicated a moderate anti-proliferative (GI(50)=16.5 and 13.2 microg/ml) and cytotoxic activity (CC(50)=17.6 micro/ml) against K-562, L-929 and HeLa cell lines, respectively. The results of this study give credence to the ethnomedicinal use of Combretum imberbe and expand our knowledge on the biological activity of its metabolites.     

Antibacterial activity of plant extracts from azuki beans (Vigna angularis) in vitro

This study was undertaken to examine the antimicrobial property of azuki beans (Vigna angularis). The water extracts of green, black and red colored azuki beans showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In contrast, the extract of white azuki beans showed no inhibition towards any of the microorganisms examined. The extracts of colored azuki beans contained larger amounts of polyphenols including proanthocyanidins than the extracts of white azuki beans. The counts of S. aureus cells, inoculated in the medium containing the extracts of colored azuki beans, were significantly reduced in comparison with those of control and white azuki beans after 24 h (p < 0.05). These results suggest that polyphenols including proanthocyanidins in colored azuki beans may be responsible for their antibacterial activity.