Antimicrobial evaluation of coumarins and flavonoids from the stems of Daphne gnidium L

Phytomedicine. 2001 Jul;8(4):302-5. doi: 10.1078/0944-7113-00036.

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of stems methanol extract from Daphne gnidium L. collected from Sardinia (Italy) was evaluated against 6 strains of standard and clinical isolated gram (+/-) bacteria. The antimicrobial effect on two strains of fungi was also tested. The extract in toto exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus lentus and Escherichia coli, but was inactive against fungi. Four coumarins (daphnetin, daphnin, acetylumbelliferone, daphnoretin) and seven flavonoids (luteolin, orientin, isoorientin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, genkwanin, 5-O-beta-D-primeverosyl genkwanine, 2,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavanol) present in the plant extract were also investigated against the same strains of bacteria and fungi assayed for the crude extract. The most active compounds were daphnetin, genkwanin, and 2,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavanol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacillus / drug effects
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Coumarins / chemistry
  • Coumarins / pharmacology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Fungi / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Stems
  • Thymelaeaceae*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Coumarins
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts