Composition and antimicrobial activity of Achillea clavennae L. essential oil

The volatile constituents of Achillea clavennae L. (Asteraceae), rare plant of Europe, have been analysed using GC/MS. Twenty- five components making up 81.6% of the oil were characterized with camphor (29.5%), myrcene (5.5%), 1,8-cineole (5.3%), beta-caryophyllene (5.1%) and linalool (4.9%) being the major constituents. The essential oil was evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The screening of the antimicrobial activity of essential oil was conducted by a disc diffusion test against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis) and fungal organisms (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans). The activity was more pronounced against Gram-negative and fungal organisms than against Gram-positive bacteria. A. clavennae oil was found to possess antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and all fungal organisms.     

Antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Artemisia asiatica Nakai

The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia asiatica Nakai, its main constituents: 1,8-cineole and selin-11-en-4alpha-ol and monoterpene alcohols fraction were determined against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Rhodotorula rubra and Aspergillus fumigatus. The oil exhibited a good inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi. The monoterpene alcohols fraction showed the highest antibacterial activity.     

Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential oil from Hedychium coronarium

The essential oil from fresh and dried rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium on GC-MS analysis resulted in the identification of 44 and 38 constituents representing 93.91% and 95.41%, respectively. The major components of the essential oil from fresh and dried Hedychium coronarium rhizome were 1,8-cineole (41.42%, 37.44%), beta-pinene (10.39%, 17.4%) and alpha-terpineol (8.8%, 6.7%). The aromatic oil has antifungal as well as antibacterial effects. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oil were individually evaluated against four microorganisms, including two bacteria and two fungi. It was found that the antimicrobial activity was higher in the fresh sample than the dried. Both samples showed a better activity against Trichoderma sp. and Candida albicans than against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Equisetum arvense L. essential oil

The volatile constituents of the sterile stems of Equisetum arvense L. (Equisetaceae) were investigated for the first time using GC, GC/MS and (13)C-NMR. Twenty-five compounds were identified. Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (18.34%), cis-geranyl acetone (13.74%), thymol (12.09%) and trans-phytol (10.06%) were the major constituents. A disk diffusion method was used for the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of this oil against a panel of microorganisms (bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis; fungi: Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans). The 1:10 dilution of the essential oil of Equisetum arvense L. was shown to possess a broad spectrum of a very strong antimicrobial activity against all tested strains.     

Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Australian native plants

To date, of the Australian essential oils, only tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Eucalyptus spp. have undergone extensive investigation. In this study a range of Australian essential oils, including those from Anethole anisata, Callistris glaucophyllia, Melaleuca spp. and Thyptomine calycina, were assayed for in vitro antibacterial activity. M. alternifolia was also included for comparison purposes. Activity was determined using standard disc diffusion assays with each oil assayed at 100%, 10% and 1% against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes faecalis) and the yeast, Candida albicans. All bacteria, with the exception of Ps. aeruginosa, were susceptible to one or more of the essential oils at 100%, with only Eremophilia mitchelli inhibiting the growth of any bacteria at 1% (inhibition of Sal. typhimurium). Where multiple samples of a single oil variety were tested variability in activity profiles were noted. This suggests that different methods of preparation of essential oils, together with variability in plant chemical profiles has an impact on whether or not the essential oil is of use as an antimicrobial agent. These results show that essential oils from Australian plants may be valuable antimicrobial agents for use alone or incorporated into cosmetics, cleaning agents and pharmaceutical products.     

Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil from the leaves of Sesuvium portulacastrum

Sesuvium portulacastrum has long been used as a remedy for fever and scurvy. Hydrodistillation was used to extract the essential oil from the fresh leaves of Sesuvium portulacastrum. The essential oil yield obtained was 0.15%. Using GC-MS analysis, alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, alpha-terpinene, O-cymene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpinene, bornyl acetate, tridecane, trans-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene were identified. The hole plate diffusion method was used for antibacterial testing. The essential oil exhibited antibacterial activity against Acetobacter calcoacetica, Bacillus subtillis, Clostridium sporogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica. The mycelium growth inhibition method was used for the antifungal testing. The oil exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium notatum. Using the beta-carotene, acetone and linoleic acid method for the antioxidant testing, the essential oil showed antioxidant activity threshold of 15.9 mm mean zone of color retention.     

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of two Satureja species essential oils

The phytochemical GC[sol ]MS analysis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of the aerial parts of Satureja montana L. and Satureja cuneifolia Ten., collected in Croatia were performed. The major compound of S. montana oil was the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol (45.7%). Other important compounds were the monoterpenic hydrocarbons p-cymene (12.6%), gamma-terpinene (8.1%) and the oxygen-containing compounds carvacrol methyl ether, borneol, thymol and thymol methyl ether. The volatile oil of S. cuneifolia was characterized as beta-cubebene (8.7%), limonene (8.3%), alpha-pinene (6.9%), spathulenol and beta-caryophyllene. The antimicrobial effects of S. montana and S. cuneifolia oils were found to have a broad spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens by the broth microdilution method. These oils were active against all the test strains, with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compared with S. cuneifolia, savory oil exhibited greater antimicrobial activity. The maximum activity of savory oil was observed against Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and against the yeast (Candida albicans). The essential oil of S. cuneifolia was also found to inhibit the growth of medically important pathogens such as S. aureus and E. coli. Fungicidal activity for both oils against C. albicans and S. cerevisiae was also observed.     

Screening of medicinal plants of Rwanda (Central Africa) for antimicrobial activity

A series of 100 medicinal plants of Rwanda (282 plant samples) has been screened for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella gallinarum and Staphylococcus aureus. Thirty percent of the plants tested showed activity against one or more microorganisms.     

Composition and bioactivity of the leaf essential oil of Heteropyxis dehniae from Zimbabwe

The leaf oil of Heteropyxis dehniae Suess. (Heteropyxidaceae) was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The most abundant essential oil components are linalool (58.3%), 4-terpineol (9.8%), alpha-terpineol (3.6%), and caryophyllene oxide (3.1%). The antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger, and the in vitro cytotoxicity of the oil on PC-3, MDA-MB-231, Hs 578T, MCF7, SK-MEL-28, and 5637 human tumor cells were also examined. Caryophyllene oxide shows notable cytotoxic activity with LC50 values of 147-351 microM.     

石榴皮中鞣质和黄酮类化合物抑菌作用的实验研究

目的探讨石榴皮中鞣质和黄酮类化合物的体外抑菌活性效果并确认其有效部位。方法提取两种化合物,采用试管两倍稀释法对金黄色葡萄球菌、福氏痢疾杆菌、沙门氏菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌和白色念珠菌进行体外抑菌实验。结果石榴皮中鞣质类化合物对金黄色葡萄球菌、福氏痢疾杆菌、沙门氏菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌和白色念珠菌均有不同程度的抑菌作用,而黄酮类化合物对绿脓杆菌和白色念珠菌抑菌效果不强。结论石榴皮中鞣质和黄酮类化合物有一定的抑菌作用,且鞣质类化合物呈现广谱抗菌特性,并具有抗耐药菌作用。     

药用植物刺五加内生真菌的分离及其抑菌活性研究

 目的研究药用植物刺五加内生真菌及其次生代谢产物的抑菌活性,旨在获得有良好抑菌活性的菌株,以寻找新型抗菌物质。方法以枯草芽孢杆菌、短小芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、粪肠球菌、屎肠球菌、单增李斯特菌、酿脓链球菌、大肠杆菌、铜绿假单孢菌、鲍曼不动杆菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和白假丝酵母为实验菌株,用菌饼法及纸片法对分离的真菌及其次生代谢产物进行了抑菌实验。结果从药用植物刺五加中分离到42株内生真菌,其中有37株真菌对至少1种实验菌株有抑菌活性,占总分离菌株的88.10%;有12株内生真菌次生代谢产物对至少1种指示菌有抑菌活性,占总分离菌株的28.57%。结论药用植物刺五加的内生真菌及其次生代谢产物中存在着丰富的抑菌天然活性物质,这可为寻找新型抗菌物质提供资源。     

Screening of some Siberian medicinal plants for antimicrobial activity

The antimicrobial activity of crude ethanolic extracts of 16 Siberian medicinal plants was tested against five species of microorganisms: Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Of the 16 plants tested, 12 showed antimicrobial activity against one or more species of microorganisms. The most active antimicrobial plants were Bergenia crassifolia, Chelidonium majus, Rhaponticum carthamoides, Sanguisorba officinalis, and Tussilago farfara.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of propolis collected by three different races of honeybees in the same region

The chemical analysis and antibacterial activity of three types of propolis collected three different races of Apis mellifera bee in the same apiary were investigated. Propolis samples were investigated by GC/MS, 48 compounds were identified 32 being new for propolis. The compounds identified indicated that the main plant sources of propolis were Populus alba, Populus tremuloides and Salix alba. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans was evaluated. Ethanolic extracts of propolis samples showed high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus), but had a weak activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast (Candida albicans). Propolis sample collected by Apis mellifera caucasica showed a higher antibacterial activity than collected by Apis mellifera anatolica and Apis mellifera carnica.     

Antimicrobial properties of some West African medicinal plants iv. Antimicrobial activity of xylopic acid and other constituente of the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae)

Xylopic acid and four other isolates from the fresh ripe fruits of Xylopia aethiopica a common ingredient in several Ghanaian folklore medicines and foods, have been examined for antimicrobial activity against five micro-organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Xylopic acid and two other diterpene isolates were found to have antimicrobial properties.     

牛至油及其主要成分的体外抑菌实验

目的：比较牛至油、香芹酚、百里香酚和对伞花烃对6株标准菌的抑菌效果。方法：采用滤纸片法以及试管二倍稀释法,以头孢曲松钠和氟康唑作为阳性对照,分别采用牛至油、香芹酚、百里香素、对伞花烃对金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、葡萄牙念珠菌进行体外抑菌实验,测定抑菌圈的大小,最小抑菌浓度（MIC）以及最小杀菌浓度（MBC）。评价各试药的抑菌效果。结果：牛至油、香芹酚、百里香酚对不同标准菌株均有明显抑菌效果;滤纸片法显示牛至油、香芹酚、百里香酚对选定的6株菌株皆高度敏感,对伞花烃对其菌株耐药。试管二倍稀释法结果表明,牛至油、香芹酚抑菌效果稍强于百里香酚,但这3种植物挥发油对铜绿假单胞菌的抑菌效果与其他菌株相比较弱。结论：牛至油、香芹酚和百里香酚对金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、葡萄牙念珠菌具有显著体外抑菌作用。     

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Syzygium jambolanum seeds

The water and methanolic extracts of Syzygium jambolanum seeds were examined for antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro using the disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration. Activity against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), gram negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp., Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum) is discussed.     

Antimicrobial activity of selected Peruvian medicinal plants

The antimicrobial activity of 36 ethanol extracts from 24 plants, all of them currently used in the Peruvian traditional medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders, was tested by means of the agar-well diffusion assay against four bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and four fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Sporothrix schenckii). Twenty-five (69%) extracts showed some degree of antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism. The plants with the greatest antimicrobial activity were Cestrum auriculatum L. Heritier (Solanaceae), Iryanthera lancifolia Ducke Suesseng (Myristicaceae), Lepechinia meyenii (Walp.) Epling (Lamiaceae) and Ophryosporus peruvianus (Gmelin) King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae).     

Antimicrobial activities of the stembark of Kigelia pinnata.

Chemical investigation showed that the aqueous extracts of the stembark of Kigelia pinnata contain iridoids as major components. In the light of the traditional uses of this plant, antimicrobial activities of the aqueous extracts and two major iridoids were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The crude aqueous extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity which could be partially explained by the activity of the iridoids present.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Chrysanthemum indicum

Three essential oils from three samples: fresh, air-dried and processed flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum, obtained by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by GC-MS. The results show that major constituents of the three oils were 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol and bornyl acetate, but the percentage of these compounds varied greatly because of the processing of flowers. The antimicrobial activity of essential oils from air-dried and processed flowers was evaluated against 15 microorganisms including three yeasts and seven clinical isolated strains using disc paper and broth microdilution methods. Our results show that both essential oils possessed significant antimicrobial effect, however, some difference in antimicrobial activity between two oils was observed for several microorganisms, which was attributed to the variation in percentage of the components. With higher percentage of camphor, the oil of the processed flowers exhibited, in many cases, greater bacteriostatic activity than that of the air-dried ones.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of plants used in Cambodian traditional medicine

The purpose of the present study was to screen 27 plant species used in the traditional medicine of Cambodia for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Thirty-three methanolic extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Candida albicans. Screened by disk diffusion assay, the extracts showed antimicrobial activity especially on Gram-positive bacteria. None of the crude methanolic extracts showed activity against P. aeruginosa. Twenty-five selected extracts were evaluated using a micro-dilution test. Harrisonia perforata (roots) and Hymenodictyon excelsum (bark) exhibited a bactericidal effect against S. aureus at a concentration of 500 microg/ml. Azadirachta indica (bark), Harrisonia perforata (roots and stem) and Shorea obtusa (roots) exhibited a bactericidal effect against M. smegmatis at 250 microg/ml.