title: Antimicrobial activity of Epilobium spp. extracts.
abstract: The antimicrobial activity of the Epilobium angustifolium, E. hirsutum, E. palustre, E. tetragonum and E. rosmarinifolium ethanolic extracts was studied in vitro on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was also evaluated using the Artemia salina test. All the extracts showed antimicrobial activity in a range of concentrations between 10 and 650 microgml of dry extract. E. angustifolium and E. rosmarinifolium had the most broad spectrum of action inhibiting bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The extracts were devoid of toxicity on Artemia salina within the range of antimicrobial concentrations, suggesting that the action is selective on microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Battinelli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tita
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Evandri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D001156:Artemia; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D029594:Onagraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010936:Plant Extracts