Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_100
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986882

Screening of antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts of selected Potentilla L. species

M Tomczyk 1, K Leszczyńska 2, M Tomczykowa 1, P Jakoniuk 2
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15–230 Białystok, Poland
  • 2Department of Microbiological Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 15A, 15–274 Białystok, Poland

Potentilla species (Rosaceae) are widely distributed in regions of the northern hemisphere. Many of them are cultivated in gardens for ornament. Potentilla species are known for their therapeutic properties and are considered to be one of the safest astringents in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and sore throats. Recent investigations have also shown that some extracts of different parts of plant from Potentilla species exhibit antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anti-ulcerogenic potential properties [1,2]. The aim of our study was to compare the antimicrobial activities of nine aqueous extracts obtained from aerial parts of Potentilla species: P. anserina, P. argentea, P. erecta, P. fruticosa, P. grandiflora, P. nepalensis, P. recta, P. rupestris and P. thuringiaca. These extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against eight microorganisms: Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 using a broth microdilution method [3,4]. The aqueous extracts of Potentilla species showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against H. pylori (MIC=0.1÷0.5mg/ml) and almost none in case of Gram-negative bacteria. The investigated extracts were moderately active against Gram-positive bacteria, as well as against C. albicans.

Acknowledgements: This study is financially supported by Medical University of Białystok (grant No. 4–12670 F)

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