Antibacterial activity of flavonoids and triterpenoids isolated from the stem bark and sap of Staudtia kamerunensis Warb. (Myristicaceae)

Triterpenoid and Steroid Content of Lipophilic Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants of the Mediterranean Region

“…Combination of bioactive compounds with different mechanisms of action seems to be particularly promising due to the increased efficacy and extended spectrum of effects. Such synergism of triterpenoids and phenolic compounds has been reported for antioxidant [ 33 ] and antimicrobial properties [ 5 , 6 ]. Specifically, the antioxidant potential was increased due to the cooccurrence of quinonemethide triterpenes and flavonoids in the root bark of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart.…”

“…Likewise, extracts from stem bark and sap of Staudtia kamerunensis Warb. (Myristicaceae), an evergreen tree applied in traditional medicine in Central Africa to treat coughs, lung ailments, oedema, wounds and skin problems; exerted an increased activity against the pathogenic bacteria due to the synergism between pentacyclic triterpenoids and isoflavonoids [ 6 ]. The synergistic effects of various plant metabolites have become a key step in phytochemical studies, especially in the context of the growing problem with multi-drug-resistant bacterial and fungal strains.…”

“…The synergistic effects of various plant metabolites have become a key step in phytochemical studies, especially in the context of the growing problem with multi-drug-resistant bacterial and fungal strains. In such studies, the medicinal plants used for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties have been considered particularly inspiring, and the demonstrated therapeutic effects were comparable to those exerted by commercially available antibiotics [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…These compounds, similar to triterpenoid acids, exert antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and other interesting biological activities [ 57 ], both as pure compounds, or synergistically in various mixtures. Plant-derived triterpenoids obtained from medicinal plants have been recently tested in terms of their antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant strains, e.g., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [ 6 , 58 ].…”

“…The available phytochemical characteristics of the medicinal plants and derived herbal material often lack data concerning the content of two specific groups of isoprenoid compounds, i.e., steroids (including phytosterols) and triterpenoids. These compounds, although usually present in plant material in relatively low amounts, exert important biological activities and can be responsible for some pharmacological properties, either directly, or as a result of synergistic action with other bioactive constituents, e.g., polyphenols [ 5 , 6 ]. Phytosterols reduce lipid and cholesterol plasma levels, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and may have clinical application for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, as well as fatty liver, inflammatory, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity-related diseases.…”