Mode of antibacterial action of totarol, a diterpene from Podocarpus nagi

Planta Med. 1996 Apr;62(2):122-5. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-957832.

Abstract

The antimicrobial mechanism of totarol was studied using Pseudomonas aeruginosa IFO 3080. This diterpene inhibited oxygen consumption and respiratory-driven proton translocation in whole cells, and oxidation of NADH in membrane preparation. NADH-cytochrome c reductase was inhibited by totarol while cytochrome c oxidase was not. NADH-DPIP reductase and NADH-CoQ reductase were also inhibited. The site of respiratory inhibition of totarol was thought to be near CoQ in the bacterial electron transport chain.

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Electron Transport / drug effects
  • Electron Transport Complex I
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • NAD / metabolism
  • NADH Dehydrogenase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts*
  • Plant Roots
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Diterpenes
  • Plant Extracts
  • NAD
  • totarol
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases
  • NADH Dehydrogenase
  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • Electron Transport Complex I