Abstract
Bioassay-guided fractionation of an extract of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) was conducted in order to assess the possible presence in the plant
material of inhibitors of bacterial multidrug resistance pumps. Fractions were tested
for Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibition in the presence of a subinhibitory dose of the weak antibacterial
alkaloid berberine. Active fractions yielded the flavones chrysosplenol-D and chrysoplenetin,
which themselves had very weak growth inhibitory action, but which made a potent combination
with berberine. In comparison with work on other flavonols, it is likely that potentiation
is due to the inhibition of an S. aureus multidrug resistance (MDR) pump. These same two flavonols were earlier reported to
potentiate the activity of artemisinin against Plasmodium falciparum.
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Prof. Frank R. Stermitz
Department of Chemistry
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1872
U.S.A.
Email: frslab@lamar.colostate.edu
Fax: +1 970-491-5158
