title: Antibacterial activity of flavonoids from the stem bark of Erythrina caffra thunb.
abstract: The antibacterial activity of the stem bark of Erythrina caffra Thunb. was investigated against different bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity was determined by a micro broth dilution assay. Antibacterial compounds were isolated and identified using a Bruker Avance III LPO NMR spectrometer. Four known flavonoids, abyssione-V 4'-O-methyl ether, 6,8-diprenylgenistein, alpinumisoflavone and burttinone, were isolated. All the compounds were active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained (MIC) ranged from 3.9 μg/mL to 125 μg/mL. This is the first report of antibacterial activity of burttinone and the isolation of these compounds from E. caffra.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville, South Africa.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chukwujekwu
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Van Heerden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Staden
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D004895:Erythrina / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts