Some Antibacterial and Antifungal Compounds from Root Bark of Rhus natalensis

Abstract

Phytochemical studies on Rhus natalensis root bark collected from Iten, Kenya led to isolation and characterization of five compounds namely epicatechin (1), 3-sitosterol (2), 3-sitosterol glucoside (3),stigmasterol (4) and lupeol (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were established using spectroscopic techniques as well as by physical methods. The compounds were tested for bacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC no. 25923), Bacillus subtilis (local isolate), Escherichia coli (ATCC no. 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC no. 10622), Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus Niger. All the compounds showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against the test pathogens. Compounds 1, 3 and 5, exhibited moderate activity while compounds 2 and 3 showed low activity. These results further confirm the efficacy of extracts of Rhus species in treating bacterial and fungal infections.