Antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity of triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia (Paliasa)

ABSTRACT

Two triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds have been isolated, namely, 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid and (R)-N-transferuloyloctopamine from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia. Both of these compounds were tested asan antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity. Isolation has been done by maceration, fractionation, and purification. Themolecular structure was determined by IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 1,2D (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC). Antimicrobial assay of 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid showed a zone of inhibition in thecriteria of moderate to active against Escherichia coli (8.4 mm), Salmonella thypi (11.2 mm), Staphylococcus aureus(10.8 mm), and Candida albicans (8.5 mm), as well as compounds (R)-N-trans-feruloyloctopamine that is againstE. coli (7.0 mm), S. thypi (10.55 mm), S. aureus (9.1 mm), and C. albicans (7.9 mm). Anti-HCV tests on the twocompounds showed IC50 values of 52.07 and 45.02 μg/ml, respectively. The results of these tests indicate that the twocompounds are potential as an antibiotic candidate.