Antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of two flavonoids from Retama raetam flowers

Molecules. 2012 Jun 13;17(6):7284-93. doi: 10.3390/molecules17067284.

Abstract

We have investigated the antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of two flavonoids isolated from Retama raetam flowers using the disc diffusion and micro-dilution broth methods. The cytotoxic activity was tested against Hep-2 cells using the MTT assay. The compounds licoflavone C (1) and derrone (2) were active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (7.81-15.62 μg/mL) and showed important antifungal activity. Strong antifungal activity against Candida species (7.81 μg/mL) was for example found with compound 2. The tested compounds also showed strong cytotoxicity against Hep-2 cells. These two compounds may be interesting antimicrobial agents to be used against infectious diseases caused by many pathogens.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / toxicity
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / toxicity
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Flavones / pharmacology*
  • Flavones / toxicity
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / toxicity
  • Flowers / chemistry*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Flavones
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • derrone
  • licoflavone C