Growth-inhibitory effects of Galla Rhois-derived tannins on intestinal bacteria.
The growth-inhibitory activity of Galla Rhois-derived materials towards 17 intestinal bacteria was evaluated using an impregnated paper disc method. The biologically active components of Galla Rhois were characterized as the tannins methyl gallate (MG) and gallic acid (GA) by spectral analysis. The growth responses varied with bacterial strain tested. In the test using 10 mg disc-1, MG and GA produced a clear inhibitory effect on harmful bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, Cl. paraputrificum, Eubacterium limosum, Bacteroides fragilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methyl gallate showed no growth-inhibitory activity towards Bifidobacterium adolescentis or B. longum whereas the growth of B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. animalis, B. thermophilum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lact. plantarum and Streptococcus faecalis was slightly affected. However, GA did not adversely affect the growth of the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. At 5 mg disc-1, MG significantly inhibited the growth of Cl. perfringens and Cl. paraputrificum but did not affect the growth of the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. At 1 mg disc-1, MG greatly inhibited the growth of Cl. perfringens alone. These results may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of Galla Rhois.
Department of Agricultural Biology and Research Center for New Bio-Materials in Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Y J
YJ
Ahn
C O
CO
Lee
J H
JH
Kweon
J W
JW
Ahn
J H
JH
Park
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010941:Plant Tumors; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012251:Toxicodendron / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013634:Tannins; C052082:methyl gallate; D005707:Gallic Acid