Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of Endemic Pittocaulon. spp. from Mexico

AbstractExtracts from Pittocaulon. spp. (Asteraceae) have been used in folk medicine to treat many ailments, particularly as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Neither the bioactive components responsible nor the mechanisms involved have been evaluated. Here we report the antibacterial activities of their methanol and CH2Cl2 extracts and the effects on some fungal strains treated with CH2Cl2 extracts from root, stems, and flowers of P. praecox. (Cav.) H. Rob. & Brett., P. hintonii. H. Rob. & Brett., P. filare. (McVaugh) H. Rob. & Brett, P. velatum. (Greenm) H. Rob. & Brett., and P. bombycophole. (Bullock) H. Rob. & Brett. Thirteen extracts were obtained with MeOH and CH2Cl2 solvents from aerial parts and roots of five Pittocaulon. spp. for the first time in this species, and their antimicrobial activities were determined. The antimicrobial activities of these extracts were evaluated against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus., Staphylococcus epidermidis., Bacillus subtilis., and Vibrio cholerae. (one El...