title: Antimicrobial activity of 3-O-acyl-(-)-epicatechin and 3-O-acyl-(+)-catechin derivatives.
abstract: As an exploratory investigation of antimicrobial promoting compounds, 3- O-acyl-(-)-epicatechins and 3- O-acyl-(+)-catechins possessing various aromatic groups and aliphatic chains of varying length from C4 to C16 for increasing lipophilicity were synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin derivatives comprised of aromatic groups increased activity and derivatives with acyl chain groups of carbon atoms in the close vicinity of C8 to C10 showed strong antimicrobial activity (MIC = 2 - 8 microg/ml) against Gram-positive bacteria and weak activity against fungi. However, the activity decreased when the carbon chain length of the substituents was too short (C4 to C6) or too long (C16). These results suggest that the presence of lipophilic substituents with moderate sizes might be crucial for the optimal antimicrobial activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Yonsein University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Duk
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yoon Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sung Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Won Suck
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Sung Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Do Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jung Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028241:Camellia sinensis; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002392:Catechin