The leaves and stems of Hyptis atrorubens Poit. (Lamiaceae) were collected in Guadeloupe. The methanol extract was tested at
six concentrations (10mg/mL, 5mg/mL, 2.5mg/mL, 1.2mg/mL, 0.6mg/mL and 0.3mg/mL) against
a panel of pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. This methanolic extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive
bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis), and two Gram-negative bacteria (Burkholderia cepacia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) at all of the concentrations. Bioautography enabled the obtention and identification
of two antibacterial compounds from this plant: rosmarinic acid and methyl rosmarinate.
This work supports the recognition of H. atrorubens, a traditional remedy in French West Indies, as a medicinal plant in France.
