(4-Methoxy-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)- Phenylmethanone: an antibacterial benzophenone from securidaca longepedunculata

Abstract

The dichloromethane extract of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen yielded a benzophenone, (4-methoxy-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenylmethanone (1), together with other three known compounds, 1,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxyxanthone (2), benzyl 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate (3), and methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate (4). Compound (1) exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonous aeruginosa, and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. Compound 2 exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococus aureus, and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and a Penicillum species. Compounds 3 and 4 were inactive against all the tested bacteria and fungi. These results provide proof of efficacy of the extracts of S.longepedunculata in treating bacterial infections, but further studies should be carried out to ascertain these results with respect to the widely reported traditional use.

Keywords: Securidaca longepedunculata, Antimicrobial, benzophenone, (4- Methoxy-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenylmethanone

African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(3) 2006: 80-86