Antimicrobial constituents of Rhus glabra

G. Saxena, A. R. McCutcheon, S. Farmer, G. H.N. Towers, R. E.W. Hancock

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123 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract and isolated constituents of Rhus glabra (Anacardiaceae), a species used in folk medicine by North American native people, was evaluated against 11 microorganisms, including grampositive and gram-negative bacteria. The extract was subsequently fractionated and monitored by bioassays leading to the isolation of three antibacterial compounds, the methyl ester of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (methyl gallate) (minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) 12.5 μg/ml), 4-methoxy-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (MIC 25 μg/ml) and gallic acid (MIC > 1000 μg/ml). The first two compounds are reported here for the first time from Rhus glabra. Their structures were established using spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-99
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Apr 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 4-Methoxy-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid
  • Anacardiaceae
  • Antimicrobial
  • Gallic acid
  • Methyl ester of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (methyl gallate)
  • Rhus glabra L

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

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