Bactericidal activity of organic extracts from Flourensia cernua DC against strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis is a chronic disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of this species underscores the need for novel effective drugs against resistant mycobacteria as first-line antituberculosis medications.


METHODS
Crude aqueous (obtained by decoction, in accordance with the traditional mode of preparation), methanol, acetone, and hexane extracts from aerial parts of Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Marrubium vulgare L., Mentha spicata L., and Flourensia cernua DC were assessed for their ability to either inhibit the growth of or kill M. tuberculosis strains H37Rv and CIBIN:UMF:15:99, the former being sensitive to, and the latter resistant to, streptomycin, isoniazide, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. These five plant species are used in Mexico to treat respiratory disorders.


RESULTS
Flourensia cernua was the uniquely active plant among those evaluated. Its hexane and acetone extracts not only inhibited the growth of but killed M. tuberculosis. The hexane extract showed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 and 25 microg/mL against sensitive and resistant strains, respectively; the acetone extract was active against only CIBIN:UMF:15:99 (MIC = 100 microg/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
The hexane extract from F. cernua leaves could be an important source of bactericidal compounds against multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis.
Molina-Salinas
Gloria María
GM
División de Biología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Ramos-Guerra
Monica Celina
MC
Vargas-Villarreal
Javier
J
Mata-Cárdenas
Benito David
BD
Becerril-Montes
Pola
P
Said-Fernández
Salvador
S
D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D006586:Hexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006586:Hexanes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000096:Acetone