Antifungal and antibacterial activity and chemical composition of polar and non-polar extracts of Athrixia phylicoides determined using bioautography and HPLC

• Published in: BMC complementary and alternative medicine 2013-12, Vol.13 (1), p.356-356, Article 356
• Main Authors: McGaw, Lyndy Joy, Bagla, Victor Patrick, Steenkamp, Paul Anton, Fouche, Gerda, Olivier, Jana, Eloff, Jacobus Nicolaas, Myer, Martin Steven
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial agents; Antifungal agents; Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Asteraceae; Asteraceae - chemistry; Bacteria - drug effects; Biological activity; Chromatography; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Diabetes; Ethanol; Flavonoids; Fungi - drug effects; Health aspects; High performance liquid chromatography; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Leaves; Materia medica, Vegetable; Medicinal plants; Metabolic disorders; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pharmaceutical industry; Plant Components, Aerial - chemistry; Plant extracts; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Scientific imaging; Studies; Toxicity; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 1472-6882; 1472-6882
• DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-356

Athrixia phylicoides DC. (Asteraceae) is used medicinally in South Africa to treat a plethora of ailments, including heart problems, diabetes, diarrhoea, sores and infected wounds. It is also prepared in the form of a tea (hot decoction) taken as a refreshing, pleasant-tasting beverage with commercialization potential. Extracts of the dried ground aerial parts were prepared using organic solvents (diethyl ether, dichloromethane/methanol, ethyl acetate and ethanol) and water. These extracts were subjected to HPLC, TLC and bioautography analysis with the aim of linking a range of peaks visualized in HPLC chromatography profiles to antibacterial and antifungal activity of the same extracts. HPLC revealed a group of compounds extracted by more than one solvent. Compounds identified include inositol, caffeic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, hymenoxin and oleanolic acid. The organic extracts displayed similar TLC profiles, and bioautography indicated approximately five antibacterial compounds, but only two antifungal compounds in these extracts. Bioautography indicated that cold water extracted the least antimicrobial compounds. Several previously unknown compounds were identified in Athrixia phylicoides extracts, and bioautography indicated a number of antibacterial and antifungal compounds. There were notable differences in chemical composition and bioactivity between the organic and aqueous extracts. Further research is necessary to fully characterize the active components of the extracts.