title: Antimicrobial properties of alkaloids from Xanthorhiza simplicissima.
abstract: The organic extract of the whole plant Xanthorhiza simplicissima was found to exhibit good activity against the AIDS-related opportunistic pathogens Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Mycobacterium intracellularae. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of the known alkaloid berberine as the major active component. A second alkaloid of the isohomoprotoberberine family, puntarenine, was isolated from this plant family for the first time. Puntarenine also showed marginal activity against the dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University 38677.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Okunade
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hufford
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001599:Berberine / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009656:North America; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015363:Quinolones; D001599:Berberine; C087641:puntarenine