Research: TOCCI and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 216

Abstract

TOCCI and COLLEAGUES,  Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy extracted and measured antifungal constituents and activity from Hypericum perforatum subsp. Angustifolium.

Background

The aim of this study was to individuate, by bioassay-guided fractionation, promising antifungal fractions and/or constituents from Hypericum perforatum subsp. angustifolium in vitro roots.

Methodology

Treatments with chitosan, O-carboxymethylchitosan (CMC) and its derivatives were used to improve xanthone production in the roots.

Results

The bioassay-guided fractionation of CMC-treated roots led to the individuation of an ethyl acetate fraction, containing the highest amount of xanthones (6.8%) and showing the best antifungal activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 53.82, 14.18, and 36.52 mug/ml, against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophytes, respectively. From this fraction the prenylated xanthone, biyouxanthone D has been isolated and represented the 44.59% of all xanthones detected. For the first time in the present paper biyouxanthone D has been found in H. perforatum roots and tested against C. neoformans, dermatophytes, and Candida species. The xanthone showed the greatest antifungal activity against C. neoformans and dermatophytes, with MIC values of 20.16, 22.63 mug/ml.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results obtained in the present study demonstrated that CMC-treated Hpa in vitro root extracts represent a tool for the obtainment of promising candidates for further pharmacological and clinical studies.

References

Tocci N, D'Auria FD, Simonetti G, Panella S, Palamara AT, Debrassi A, Rodrigues CA, Filho VC, Sciubba F and Pasqua G. Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts from Hypericum perforatum in vitro roots treated with carboxymethylchitosans and determination of antifungal activity against human fungal pathogens.  Plant Physiology & Biochemistry (Paris).  70:342-7. Sep 2013.

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