In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts of four Achillea species: the composition of Achillea clavennae L. (Asteraceae) extract.
The extracts of aerial parts of Achillea clavennae, Achillea holosericea, Achillea lingulata and Achillea millefolium (hexane:ether:methanol=1:1:1) have been tested for antimicrobial activity in a disk diffusion assay against five bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis) and two fungi (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans). Extracts of all four species possessed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. The composition of the extract of Achillea clavennae, which showed the strongest activity, was investigated and the structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectral means (1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR and MS). The extract yielded alkanes, fatty acids, monoterpenes, guaiane sesquiterpenes (rupicolin A and B, 1-deoxy-1alpha-peroxy-rupicolin A and B), and flavonoids (apigenin and centaureidin). This study confirms the ethnopharmacological use of plants from this genus and places Achillea clavennae L. on the same level as the recognized Achillea millefolium.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan. stgocaus@yahoo.com
Gordana
G
Stojanović
Niko
N
Radulović
Toshihiro
T
Hashimoto
Radosav
R
Palić
D031162:Achillea / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts