Antimicrobial activity of the extracts from fruits of Rumex L. species

Abstract

This study was designed primarily to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts from fruits of six Rumex L. species: R. acetosa L., R. acetosella L., R. confertus Willd., R. crispus L., R. hydrolapathum Huds. and R. obtusifolius L. The 7 Grampositive and 7 Gram-negative bacteria strains and 5 fungal ones were tested by agar and broth dilution method. Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) revealed that the extracts from R. confertus, R. crispus, R. hydrolapathum and R. obtusifolius exerted differential inhibitory effect on the growth of Gram-positive bacteria — staphylococci (MIC=62.5–125 µg/mL) and Gramnegative bacteria — Escherichia coli ATCC 3521, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC=125→500 µg/mL); MIC values determined by agar dilution method were somewhat higher. The same extracts inhibited also the growth of fungi — Candida spp. or Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533 (MIC=250–500 µg/mL), as found by agar dilution method. The total content of polyphenols (11.66–78.36 mg/g), anthracene derivatives (0.26–12.93 mg/g) and tannins (4.00–11.16%) was also determined.

Antimicrobial activity of some plant materials used in Armenian traditional medicine

“…However, in case of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans the MIC values obtained by Wegiera et al [27] were different from our results. In our experiments methanol and acetone extracts of Rumex obtusifolius had 128 μg ml −1 MIC value against P. aeruginosa , whereas its MIC was above the 500 μg ml −1 in the other research [27]. The MIC against C. albicans were above 1024 μg ml −1 in our experiments.…”

“…Wegiera et al [27] showed that ethanol extracts of Rumex confertus seeds had 62.5–125 μg ml −1 MIC values against S. aureus strains which is in coincidence with our data. The results were also similar in case of E. coli .…”

“…The MIC against C. albicans were above 1024 μg ml −1 in our experiments. In contrast, it was 250 μg ml −1 in research done by Wegiera et al [27]. These differences could be explained by differential susceptibility of the used test strains.…”

A Comparison between Water and Ethanol Extracts of Rumex acetosa for Protective Effects on Gastric Ulcers in Mice

“…The leaf of this plant resembles that of spinach, and the plant is well known for strong acidity in Europe and America, where it is also known as sorrel. The extract of R. acetosa has been reported to have heat-cleaning, diuretic, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities (Lee et al ., 2005; Gescher et al ., 2011; Wegiera et al ., 2011). Decoction of this plant has been used as a folk medicine in Korea to treat arthritis, gastritis and gastric ulcers, and as a substitute for rhubarb, which is an important crude drug for gastrointestinal problems.…”

Antioxidative Effects and Component Analysis of Extracts of the Rumex acetosa L.

“…수영의 잎은 유럽이나 미국에 존재하는 강한 신맛이 나는 시금치와 비슷하게 생겼으며, sorrel이라 는 이름으로도 알려져 있는 식물이다 [18]. 수영(R. acetosa)의 추출물은 해열, 이뇨, 살충, 항균, 항암활성 등에 효능이 있다고 알려져 있다 [20][21][22]. 또한, 수영을 달인 물은 관절염, 위염, 위궤양 등의 치료에 민간요 법으로 쓰이는 것으로 보고되고 있다.…”