Antimicrobial constituents of Gomphrena martiana and Gomphrena boliviana.

The antimicrobial activity of extracts and constituents of Gomphrena martiana and Gomphrena boliviana (Amaranthaceae) were determined in order to identify the compounds responsible for the folk-medicinal use of these plants. Each extract was evaluated against 20 microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria, an acid-fast bacterium, a fungus and two yeasts. Fractionation of each petroleum ether (PE) extract yielded five 5,6,7-trisubstituted flavones that were separately tested showing high activity against M. phlei (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 15, 20 and 75 micrograms/ml) approaching that of commercial bactericides. Other natural and synthetic flavonoids with diverse structures were also tested to define structure-activity relationships. Each EtOH extract was subsequently fractionated and monitored by bioassays leading to isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-robinobioside (MIC 50 micrograms/ml) in both instances. This glycoside is reported here for the first time in G. boliviana.