Growth-inhibiting effects of seco-tanapartholides identified in Artemisia princeps var. orientalis whole plant on human intestinal bacteria.
OBJECTIVE
The present work aimed at isolating antibacterial constituents from the whole plant of Artemisia princeps var. orientalis active towards nine human intestinal bacteria.


RESULTS
The growth-inhibiting activities of materials derived from the Artemisia whole plant towards test bacteria were examined using an impregnated paper disc method. The biologically active constituents of the Artemisia whole plant were characterized as the sesquiterpene lactones seco-tanapartholides A and B by spectroscopic analysis. In a test using 1 mg per disc, seco-tanapartholides A and B produced a clear inhibitory effect against Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus aureus. These compounds did not affect the growth of test lactic acid-producing bacteria (Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bif. breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lact. casei) and Escherichia coli, whereas weak growth inhibition towards Bif. bifidum was observed. At 0.5 mg per disc, seco-tanapartholides A and B exhibited moderate growth inhibition towards Cl. perfringens but weak growth inhibition towards Bact. fragilis and Staph. aureus.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibitory action of seco-tanapartholides A and B towards specific bacteria without any adverse effects on lactic acid-producing bacteria may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of A. princeps var. orientalis whole plant.


CONCLUSIONS
These naturally occurring Artemisia whole plant-derived materials could be useful as a new preventive agent against various diseases caused by harmful intestinal bacteria such as clostridia.
Cho
S-H
SH
School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Suwon, Kyunggi, and National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, Kyunggi, Republic of Korea.
Na
Y-E
YE
Ahn
Y-J
YJ
D019306:Artemisia / Q000378:metabolism*; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D003470:Culture Media; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019344:Lactic Acid