title: Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae), a reputed anti-HIV/AIDS phytomedicine.
abstract: Dried ground leaves of Sutherlandia frutescens were extracted by both sequential extraction with four solvents, starting with the least polar and separately with acetone, ethanol and water. The extracts were tested for antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The hexane extract was, generally, the most active extract against S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. coli with MIC values of 0.31, 1.25 and 2.50 mg/mL, respectively. The second method extracted compounds with antioxidant activity as shown by the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay. The use of Sutherlandia frutescens for topical staphylococcal infections, when formulated in an oily base appears to have a rational basis.
authors.affiliation: University of Pretoria, Programme for Phytomedicine, Onderstepoort, RSA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Katerere
authors.forename: Jacobus N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Eloff
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004925:Escherichia / Q000187:drug effects*; D007887:Fabaceae; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl