The dichloromethane extract of
Securidaca longepedunculata
Fresen yielded a benzophenone, (4-methoxy-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenylmethanone (1), together with otherthree 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
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and antifungal activity against
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Compound 2 exhibited antibacterial activity against
Staphylococcus 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.
