Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_105
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949905

Ultra low concentrations of sophoraflavanone G from Sophora pachycarpa C. Meyer enhanced the antibacterial activity of gentamycin aginst Staphylococcus aureus

AR Shahverdi 1, M Iranshahi 2
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

In this study the enhancement effect of Sophora pachycarpa roots' acetone extract on the antibacterial activity of gentamycin was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. Disk diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of gentamycin in the absence and presence of plant extract and its various fractions separated by TLC. Clinical isolate of S. aureus was used as test strain. The active component of plant extract involved in enhancement of gentamycin's activity had Rf =0.72 on TLC. The spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR) of this compound revealed that this compound was 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone (sophoraflavanone G), previously isolated from Sophora exigua. In the presence of 0.03 mcg/mL of sophoraflavanone G the MIC of gentamycin for S. aureus decreased from 32 to 8 mcg/mL (a fourfold decrease). These results signify that the ultra low concentration of sophoraflavanone G potentiates the antimicrobial action of gentamycin suggestion a possible utilization of this compound in combination therapy against S. aureus.

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