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Planta Med 2004; 70(7): 685-687
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-827196
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antimicrobial Activities of Hydrophobic 2-Arylbenzofurans and an Isoflavone against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Toshio Fukai1 , Yukio Oku2 , Yoshio Hano1 , Sumio Terada2
  • 1Department of Biophysical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Chiba, Japan
  • 2Department of Natural Products, Research Laboratory, Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: December 10, 2003

Accepted: April 24, 2004

Publication Date:
15 July 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Eight 2-arylbenzofurans and an isoflavone isolated from medicinal plants were tested for their antimicrobial activities against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among these compounds, six hydrophobic 2-arylbenzofurans (log P = 4.4 - 8.7) exhibited considerable antibacterial activity against five VRE strains (VanA-, VanB-, and VanC-phenotypes) (MICs = 3.13 - 6.25 μg/mL). Five compounds also showed antibacterial activity against ten MRSA strains (MIC80 = 3.13 μg/mL).

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Dr. Toshio Fukai

Department of Biophysical Chemistry

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Toho University

2-2-1 Miyama

Funabashi

Chiba 274-8510

Japan

Fax: +81-47-476-6195

Email: fukai@phar.toho-u.ac.jp