Antibacterial activity of two biflavonoids from Garcinia livingstonei leaves against Mycobacterium smegmatis

Abstract

Amentoflavone and 4′ monomethoxy amentoflavone were previously isolated from Garcinia livingstonei leaves. These compounds had good activities (MIC 6 and 8 μg/ml) against some nosocomial bacteria. In this study, the activity of these purified compounds were tested against fast-growing non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis. Amentoflavone was the most active compound, with an MIC of 0.60 ± 0.70 mg/ml. The MIC of 4′ monomethoxy amentoflavone and the positive control isoniazid against Mycobacterium smegmatis were similar 1.40 ± 1.56 and 1.30 ± 1.70 mg/ml respectively. Although, Mycobacterium smegmatis is a non-pathogenic fast growing mycobacterium the activities of these compounds may also be useful in combating infections by pathogenic Mycobacterium spp.