ABSTRACT
A new prenylated salicylic acid derivative, 3-farnesyl-2-hydroxy benzoic acid (1), was isolated from the leaves of Piper multiplinervium C. DC. (Piperaceae). It showed anti-Helicobacter pylori activity (MIC 37.5 microg/ml) and antimicrobial activity at MICs between 2.5 and 5 microg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Its structure was elucidated by means of MS, 1H and 13C NMR. The ethnomedical claim of Piper multiplinervium to treat stomach aches by the Kuna Indians of Panama may be justified by anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of its MeOH extract.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Farnesol/analogs & derivatives , Helicobacter pylori/drug effects , Hydroxybenzoates/pharmacology , Piper/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/isolation & purification , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Escherichia coli/growth & development , Farnesol/pharmacology , Helicobacter pylori/growth & development , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Molecular Structure , Panama , Plant Leaves , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/growth & developmentABSTRACT
Ethnomedical uses of 108 medicinal plant species, belonging to 52 families, 89 genera, used by the Teribe Amerindians of Bocas del Toro Province in Panama, along with their socio-cultural practices are reported here. The methods of administration of the herbal remedies, the plant parts used, their families and local names are also documented. The recorded medicinal plants were used mainly for fever, various type of pain and inflammation. The potential value of 26 plants and their traditional uses was elucidated through literature search.
Subject(s)
Indians, Central American , Medicine, Traditional , Phytotherapy/methods , Ethnobotany , Humans , Panama , Plants, MedicinalABSTRACT
Thirty-five crude extracts from 11 Panamanian plants, distributed in 10 genera and five families, were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity. Four extracts exhibited an inhibition of cellular growth at IC(50) values lower than 25 microg/ml which was considered a significant activity.
