Abstract:
Thalictrum rhyncocarpum, a creeping plant with fern-like leaves, is used in herbal medicine to treat various
infections in parts of Africa. Previously, we reported In-vitro anti-bacterial activity of different parts (root, stem
bark and leaves) of the plant. In this study, bioassay-guided chromatography of an active fraction of ethanol extract
of the plant against Staphylococcus aures-SG 511, Pseudomonus aeruginosa-K799/61 and Mycobacterium vaccae-
10670 (using tube dilution method) was undertaken. Two bioactive constituents were isolated from an active
fraction of the extract and characterized using spectrometric methods as thalictramine (1) and berberine. In
addition, 6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-D-glucose (gentiobiose) was also isolated from the same fraction. The
antibacterial activities of the active fraction, thalictramine and berberine against P. aeruginosa and M. vaccae were
higher than that of ciprofloxacin.
Description:
We are grateful to the Germany Academic Exchange Program (DAAD) which provided research funds for this
work. We are also thankful to the Hans Knoll Institute of Natural Product Chemistry & Infection Biology, Germany,
for providing space, material and supervision for carrying out anti-bacterial assays and all spectroscopic facilities (to
Mayeku Philip).
