Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXI
Written by Alina Ioana NICU, Lucia PÎRVU, Adrian VAMANU
Written by Alina Ioana NICU, Lucia PÎRVU, Adrian VAMANU
Given the growing concern regarding bacterial resistance to antibiotics, it is important to investigate alternative antibacterial compounds, such as phenols and flavones from natural sources. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of two indigenous medicinal plants from Romania against some Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Ethanolic extracts (70% v/v) from the aerial parts of Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Epilobium hirsutum L. were obtained, their total phenols content was determined using Folic-Ciocalteau assay as it is described by the Romanian Pharmacopoeia. The qualitative assay of the two ethanolic extracts was done by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and their antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration determination against four pathogenic bacteria: Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. Our results showed that both extract contain caffeic acid and some of its derivatives, however the flavones content differs: while A. eupatoria contains several quercetin and luteolin derivatives, E. hirsutum is rich in myricetin derivatives. The antibacterial activity tests showed better results against the Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, especially in the case of great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum L.).
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