Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_093
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986875

Antibacterial activity of Piqueria trinervia Cav. against several enteropathogenic bacteria

D Goldhaber-Pasillas 1, R Ruiz de Esparza Villarreal 2, JG Avila-Acevedo 1, M Jiménez-Estrada 2
  • 1FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios # 1 Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México
  • 2Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior Cd. Universitaria, 04210, México D.F

Piqueria trinervia Cav. (Asteraceae) has been known since the 16th century as a remedy in the treatment of digestive disorders including fevers, intestinal infections, indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery and of wounds. Nevertheless, there are no pharmacological studies to date that establish its biological activity [1]. Using plants collected in October 2001 and 2002 in the Ajusco, México City, nine extracts of different polarity were obtained from 3kg of dried roots, stems and leaves-inflorescences. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined by agar diffusion method (Kirby Bauer). The hexane extract of stems and leaves-inflorescence showed the highest antibacterial activity, especially, against Gram-negative bacteria and their minimum bactericidal concentration (CMB) as well as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined against Shigella boydii, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Bioactive fractions derived from these extracts and separated by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography were obtained from stems (5) and leaves-inflorescence (9) against S. boydii, V. cholerae and S. aureus. According to data from NMR 13C, 1H, IR, HETCOR, COSY and DEPT, the most active fraction, is composed of a mixture of waxes and the alcohol 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol. The latter is toxic causing skin irritation in rats (LD50=810mg/kg) and rabbits (LD50=3900mg/kg) [2] and the antibacterial activity may be due to its cellular toxicity. These results suggest that Piqueria trinervia is useful in treating gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria as well as skin and ear infections, which confirms its ethnobotanical uses.

References: [1] Argueta, V.A., Cano, A.L. y Rodarte, M.E. 1994. Atlas de las Plantas de la Medicina Tradicional Mexicana. Tomo II. Instituto Nacional Indigenista. México. [2] Chapman and Hall, 1982–2004. Dictionary of Natural Products. CD-ROM v.12: 1