You are on page 1of 10

Pharmaceutical Biology

ISSN: 1388-0209 (Print) 1744-5116 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/iphb20

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Medicinal


Plants of Mauritius

Lene Jelager, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim & Anne Adsersen

To cite this article: Lene Jelager, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim & Anne Adsersen (1998) Antibacterial
and Antifungal Activity of Medicinal Plants of Mauritius, Pharmaceutical Biology, 36:3, 153-161,
DOI: 10.1076/phbi.36.3.153.6345

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.36.3.153.6345

Published online: 29 Sep 2008.

Submit your article to this journal

Article views: 665

View related articles

Citing articles: 4 View citing articles

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at


https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=iphb20
Pharmaceutical Biology 1388-0209/98/3603-0153$12.00
1998, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 153–161 © Swets & Zeitlinger

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS


OF MAURITIUS

Lene Jelager1, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim2 and Anne Adsersen1

1Department of Pharmacognosy, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark


2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius

ABSTRACT It is well established that plant-derived compounds


offer potential sources of new antibiotics, anticancer
Forty-three crude drug samples, prepared from 18 agents and anti-HIV agents amongst other pharmaceu-
plants belonging to 14 families were screened for
tical agents. As part of a systematic study on the flora
antibacterial activity against Gram positive (Staphylo-
coccus aureus), and Gram negative (Escherichia coli, of Mauritius for new biologically active compounds
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi) bacteria from higher plants, 43 extracts from 18 plants belong-
and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and ing to 14 different families were screened for their
Aspergillus niger. Eighteen of the 43 extracts showed antibacterial and antifungal properties. This prelimi-
good activity against the Gram positive and Gram neg- nary study of 18 plants constitutes the first assessment
ative bacteria but, after removal of the tannins, the bac-
terial activity of 16 of the 18 plants was lost. Attempts
of the antibacterial and antifungal properties of Mau-
have also been made towards the validation of some of ritian medicinal plants. Appendix 1 highlights the uses
the herbal teas prescribed by traditional healers. of these plants in the traditional pharmacopeia and their
different properties as reported in the literature. Reports
are also available on the traditional medicinal uses of
INTRODUCTION some native plants of Mauritius (Baumer, 1975; Suss-
man, 1980; Wong Ting Fook, 1980; Fakim, 1990;
Mauritius is a tropical island in the South West Indian Gurib-Fakim et al., 1993, 1994, 1996a,b,c).
Ocean that has numerous plant resources. The people Many tisanes are sold in the markets in Mauritius
of Mauritius have a very long standing tradition in the and such information has also been collected from lay
use of ethnomedicine and the practice of traditional people. An attempt has been made to validate the uses
medicine is still very strong in the treatment of minor of such tisanes which are sometimes made up of many
ailments. However, the use of the flora had been plants.
restricted mainly to exotic plants brought by immi- It is well known that tannins influence the antibac-
grants from Africa, Madagascar, India and China, terial and antifungal properties of plant extracts. In
nearly a century and a half ago. In a survey carried out order to ascertain that components other than tannins
on the traditional uses of plants both in Mauritius and are responsible for the activities, the tannins were pre-
Rodrigues, only a small percentage (ca. 5%) of the cipitated out of the solutions with gelatin and the fil-
endemics were being used as medicinal plants (Fakim, trates were re-tested for antibacterial and antifungal
1990; Gurib-Fakim et al., 1993, 1995, 1996a,b,c). properties.

Keywords: Antibacterial, antifungal, ethnomedicine, herbal MATERIALS AND METHODS


teas, Mauritius, medicinal plants.

Plant Materials
Address correspondence to: Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, The plant materials were collected from the users of
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of these plants throughout Mauritius. They were identi-
Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius. fied by the Curator of the National Herbarium, Mr. J.
154 L. JELAGER ET AL.

Gueho, and samples of these plants have been was evaporated to dryness resulting in a crude extract
deposited at the Herbarium for Medicinal at the Fac- without any tannins (Hansen, 1995). The test concen-
ulty of Science of the University of Mauritius and at tration for the extract was adjusted so that it was possi-
the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of ble to compare the activity before and after the removal
Pharmacognosy, The Royal Danish School of Phar- of the tannins.
macy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Antimicrobial Testing of Herbal Teas
Sample Preparation In order to test plants prepared in the way people use
The plant parts were dried and ground, then 15–20 g herbal remedies prescribed by the healers and to inves-
of the powder was extracted in about 200 ml of tigate whether the antimicrobial activity could be due to
methanol. The extracts were dried in vacuo. The yield a synergistic effect between the plants, 13 herbal teas
was calculated as g extract/g dry plant material. The made out of different plants were investigated for their
extracts were dissolved in a mixture of methanol and antimicrobial activity (see Appendix 4, 5). The teas
sterilized water (1:1) with a concentration of 8 mg/ml. were made in water according to methods used by lay
The methanol extract was also used for the chemical people and a methanol extract was also prepared. These
tests. extracts were tested as mentioned earlier.
The extracts were then tested against Gram positive The teas that have been tested are the following:
bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram negative bac- (1) 10 leaves of Fandamane (Aphloia theiformis);
teria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a piece (ca. 10 cm) of Manglier de mer (Rhizophora
Salmonella typhi) and fungi (Candida albicans and mucronata); a piece of the stem (ca. 10 cm) of Bois de
Aspergillus niger). The bacteria and Candida are clin- ronde (Erythroxylum sp.); a handful of Lierre (leaves
ical isolates obtained from the local hospital. Their and branches) (Ficus pumila); 7–10 leaves of Bois de
identity was confirmed by the microbiologist at the chandelle (Dracaena reflexa). A handful of the tisane
hospital. The extract of Aspergillus niger was obtained is placed in 4 cups of water, then boiled until the
from the Microbiology Department of the Faculty of amount of water has been reduced to 3 cups. This is
Science of the University of Mauritius. then drunk 2–3 times a day for 1 week against urinary
tract infections.
Antimicrobial Tests
The program used for the screening is essentially the (2) 10 leaves of Voatook (Tristemma mauri-
agar dilution method described by Mitscher et al. tianum); 3 small plants of Persicaire (Polygonum
(1972), designed for the evaluation of antimicrobial poiretii). A handful of the mixture is boiled in 4 cups
activity in extracts of higher plants. of water for 10 min and it has been reduced to 2 cups.
Tests organisms were incubated at 37°C for Can- This tisane is used against diarrhea.
dida, 27°C for Aspergillus sp. for 48 h and at 37°C for
(3) 10 leaves of Voatook (Tristemma mauri-
24 h for the bacteria. The lowest drug concentration at
tianum); 3 small plants of Persicaire (Polygonum
which no growth was observed was considered to be
poiretii); 1/4 fruit pulp of Raphia (Raphia farinifera). A
the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Table 3
handful of this mixture is boiled in 4 cups of water for
highlights the results of the MIC values for the anti-
10 min until it has been reduced to 2 cups. This is drunk
microbial and antifungal tests.
at the rate of 2 cups per day over a period not exceed-
Precipitation with Gelatin ing 5 days in the case of severe diarrhea.
To investigate whether tannins are solely responsible (4) 10 leaves of Betel marron (Piper sp.); a piece
for the antibacterial effect of the plant extracts, tannins (ca. 10 cm) of the stem of Bois de ronde (Erythroxy-
were removed from the extract by precipitation with lum sp.); one whole plant of Herbe papillon
gelatin prior to testing. (Heliotropium indicum). A handful of the tisane is
The plant extract, obtained from 10 g of the plant boiled in 4 cups of water and then reduced to 2 cups.
material, was dissolved in 25 ml hot distilled water, This tisane is drunk “when thirst” begins against uri-
stirred and allowed to cool to room temperature. After nary infections.
filtration, a 1% gelatin solution was added dropwise to
the filtrate until no further precipitation was noticed. (5) An infusion of 2 leaves of Plantain (Plantago
The mixture was centrifuged and the supernatant layer major) is made in 5 cups of water for 5 min. An eye
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MAURITIUS 155

bath is made twice a day until the eye infection dis- been against Bacillus subtilis (Appendix 1) (Verpoorte
appears. et al., 1987).
It was very interesting to note that 30% of the tested
(6) The plants Salsepareille (Smilax anceps) or
plants with the most promising antibacterial properties
Herbe tourterelle (Wikstroemia indica) are crushed and
were the endemic/indigenous species: Erythroxylum
applied against wounds.
laurifolium, E. macrocarpum, Faujasiopsis flexuosa
(7) 5 leaves of Ayapana (Ayapana triplinervis) are ssp. erecta, F. flexuosa ssp. flexuosa, Polygonum
boiled in 1.5 cups of water and given to young children poiretii, and Terminalia bentzoe ssp. bentzoe. Tris-
in the event of diarrhea. temma mauritianum, P. poiretii and Terminalia bentzoe
also showed antifungal properties.
(8) 1–3 fruit pulps of Raphia (Raphia farinifera)
Among these endemic plants, only the Erythroxylum
are boiled in 3 cups of water and then reduced to 2
spp. have been studied previously. The ethanol extract
cups. This decoction is drunk at the rate of 1–2 cups
of E. laurifolium contains polyphenols and shows ACE
daily against dysentery.
inhibitory properties (Appendix 2) (Hansen et al.,
(9) A piece (ca. 10 cm) of the stem of Bois de 1996). E. macrocarpum contains tropane alkaloids
ronde (Erythroxylum sp.); 2 pieces (ca. 10 cm each) of while E. sideroxyloides has not been studied so far.
the roots of the Manglier de mer (Rhizophoramu- However, they all showed good activity against the
cronata); 2 pieces of the roots of the Cocotier (Cocos Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
nucifera); 7 leaves of Fandamane (Aphloia theiformis). Both endemic varieties of Faujasiopsis flexuosa are
The mixture which is initially boiled in 4 cups is then being used often by the lay people against dysentery
reduced to 3 cups and is taken orally against urinary and interestingly, both of them showed activity against
tract infections. all the bacteria tested. Faujasiopsis flexuosa has been
studied for its antisickling properties (Gurib-Fakim
(10) A piece (ca. 5 cm) of the stem of Benjoin (Ter-
et al., 1992). Polygonum poiretii and Terminalia bent-
minalia bentzoe); 1/2 fruit of Raphia (Raphia
zoe are used against diarrhea and dysentery, respec-
farinifera); 3 leaves of Bois cassant rouge (Faujasiop-
tively, and they also showed reasonable activity against
sis flexuosa). This mixture is boiled in 3 cups of water
the tested bacteria and fungi in vitro. Tristemma mau-
then reduced to 2 cups. This is drunk at the rate of 1/2
ritianum and Ficus pumila showed promising activity
cup 2–3 times a day against dysentery.
against the bacteria in vitro.
(11) 5 leaves of Bois cassant (Faujasiopsis flexu- After removal of the tannins from the extracts, only
osa) are boiled in 3 cups of water and then reduced to Faujasiopsis flexuosa and Ficus pumila continued to
2 cups. This decoction is consumed at the rate of 1 cup have antibacterial activities (Appendix 3). This would
daily against diarrhea. therefore suggest that other components besides tan-
nins are responsible for the antibacterial properties in
(12) The leaves of Curanellie rouge (Phyllanthus
these two species.
sp.) are applied to wounds.
The water extract of the tisanes also showed anti-
(13) An infusion of leaves of Plantago major along microbial activity. Since the antimicrobial activity was
with those of Plantago lanceolata is made in 5 cups of found using the same preparation as prescribed by the
water for 10 min. An eye bath is made twice a day until healers, these results would support the way people use
the eye infection disappears. these herbal remedies. The methanol extracts showed
more pronounced activity especially against P. aerugi-
nosa thus confirming that the active components are
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION polar.

Most of the plants, except for Ayapana triplinervis,


showed reasonable activity against Gram 1 and REFERENCES
Gram 2 bacteria. A. triplinervis showed antifungal
properties only against Aspergillus niger. It would Adjanohoun EJ, Ake-Assi L, Eyme J, Gassita JN, Goudote E,
appear that A. triplinervis extracts have a very narrow Gueho J, Ip FSL, Jackaria, D, Kalachand SKK, Keita A,
Koudogbo B, Landreau D, Owadally W, Soopramanien A
range of activity as the only activity reported so far has (1983): Contributions aux Études Ethnobotaniques et
156 L. JELAGER ET AL.

Floristiques à Maurice (Iles Maurice et Rodrigues). Paris, Hegnauer R (1962–1964): Chemotaxonomie der Planzen.
A.C.C.T. Basel, Stuttgart, Birkhauser Verlag.
Al-Said MS, Evans WC, Grout RJ (1986): Alkaloids of Ery- Kato A, Hashimoto Y (1979): (1)-Nortrachelogenin, a new
throxylum macrocarpum and E. sideroxyloides. Phyto- pharmacologically active lignan from Wikstroemia indica.
chemistry 25: 851–853. J Nat Prod 42: 159–162.
Baumer M (1979): Compendium des plantes médicinales des Lavergne R (1990): Tisaneurs et Plantes Médicinales
Comores, des Seychelles, et de l’Ile Maurice. Paris, Indigènes de L’Ile de la Reunion. Editions Orphie, Livry,
A.C.C.T. Gargan, France, pp. 1–521.
Bouton L (1864): Plantes Médicinales de Maurice. Mauri- Lee KH, Tagahara K, Suzuki H, Wu RY, Haruna M, Hall IH
tius, Port Louis. (1981): Antitumor agents 49. Tricin, kaemferol-3-O-b-D-
Bruneton J (1993): Pharmacognosie, Phytochimie, Plantes glucopyranoside and (1)-nortrachelogenin, antileukaemic
Médicinales. Paris, Editions Lavoisier, Paris, pp. 1–915. principles from Wikstroemia indica. J Nat Prod 44:
Daruty DC (1886): Plantes Médicinales de Maurice. Port 530–535.
Louis, Mauritius. Misra S, Choudhury A, Dutta AK, Ghosh A (1984): Sterols
Fakim AG (1990): Medicinal plants of Mauritius. Int J Crude and fatty acids from three species of mangrove. Phyto-
Drug Res 28: 297–308. chemistry 23: 2823–2827.
Ganguly.SN, Sircar SM (1974): Gibberellins from man- Mitscher LA, Leu RP, Bathala MS, Wu WN, Beal JL (1972):
groves. Phytochemistry 13: 1911–1913. Antimicrobial agants from higher plants. I Introduction,
Glasby JS (1991): Dictionary of Plants Containing Secondary rationale and methodology. Lloydia 35: 157–166.
Metabolites. London, Taylor and Francis, pp. 1–488. Premanathan M, Kathiresan K, Chandra K (1994): Antiviral
Gopalsamy SN, Hostettmann K (1989): Investigation into activity of marine and coastal plants from India.
saponin-containing plants on Mauritius. Planta Med 55: J Ethnopharmacol 21: 139–152.
106. Sussman L (1980): Herbal practice in Mauritius.
Gupta SK, Banerjee AB (1972): Screening of West Bengal J Ethnopharmacol 2: 259–278.
plants for antifungal activity. Econ Bot 12: 255–259. Swain LA, Downum KR (1990): Light-activated toxins of the
Gurib-Fakim A, Sewraj MD (1992): Studies of the antisick- Moraceae. Biochem System Ecol 18: 153–156.
ling properties of Sideroxylon puberulum, Faujasiopsis Veerporte R, Dihal PP (1987): Medicinal plants of Surinam
flexuosa, Cardiospermum halicacabum and Pelargonium IV. Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants.
graveolens. Planta Med 58: A648–649. J Ethnopharmacol 21: 315–318.
Gurib-Fakim A, Guého J, Sewraj MD, Dulloo E (1993): Wang Y, Hamburger M, Guého J, Hostettmann K (1989):
Medical ethnobotany of some weeds of Mauritius and Antimicrobial flavonoids from Psiadia trinervia and their
Rodrigues. J Ethnopharmacol 39: 175–85. methylated and acetylated derivatives. Phytochemistry 28:
Gurib-Fakim A, Guého J, Sewraj MD, Dulloo E (1994): 2323–2327.
Plantes Médicinales de l’Ile Rodrigues. Editions de Watt JM, Bryerbrandyijk MG (1962): The Medicinal Plants
l’Océan Indien, Stanley, Rose Hill, Mauritius, pp. 1–580. of Eastern and Southern Africa. London, E.S. Livingstone
Gurib-Fakim A, Guého J, Sewraj MD (1996a): Plantes Ltd.
Médicinales de Maurice. Tome 1. Editions de l’Océan Wong Ting Fook WTH (1980): The Medicinal Plants of Mau-
Indien, Stanley, Rose Hill, Mauritius, pp. 1–498. ritius. Dakar, ENDA.
Gurib-Fakim A, Guého J, Sewraj MD, Dulloo E (1996b):
Medicinal plants of Rodrigues. Int J Pharmacog 34: 2–14.
Hansen K, Adsersen A, Smitt UW, Nyman U, Christensen Accepted: November 7, 1997
SB, Schwartner C, Wagner H (1996): Angiotensin con-
verting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory flavonoids from Ery-
throxylum laurifolium. Phytomedicine 2: 313–317.
Appendix 1. Uses of the tested plants in the traditional pharmacopeia (Gurib-Fakim et al., 1996a,b,c).

Plant Family Uses Biodynamic Notes

Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. & R.Br. (HFS Flacourtiaceae A tea made from the leaves is drunk for dysen- Leaves contain the xanthone aphloiol (Heg-
34) tery, jaundice and fever (Sussman, 1980; Wong nauer, 1962–64). Methanol extract of the leaves
Ting Fook, 1980; Adjanohoun et al., 1983). are molluscicidal. Monodesmosideic saponins
are responsible for the activity (Gopalsamy et
al., 1989).

Ayapana triplinervis (Vahl) R. M. King & H. Asteraceae The juice extracted from the plant is used The main component of the essential oil is thy-
Robinson (HFS 15) against fever while the infusion of the leaves is mohydrochinon-dimethylether. The leaves con-
used against nausea (Sussman, 1980; Wong Ting tain herniarin (umbelliferone-methylether) and

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MAURITIUS


Fook, 1980 Adjanohoun et al., 1983; Fakim, ayapin (= 6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin). The
1990). leaf extracts are antimicrobial only against B.
subtilis (Verpoorte et al., 1987).
Dracaena reflexa Lam.var. reflexa (In.) Liliaceae A decoction of the leaves is used against chronic The leaves contain alkaloids and saponins
dysentery. A bath in the whole plant decoction (Lavergne, 1990).
is used against skin infections (Sussman, 1980;
Wong Ting Fook, 1980; Adjanohoun et al.,
1983; Fakim, 1990).

Erythroxylum laurifolium Lam. (En.) Erythroxylaceae A decoction of the bark is used against kidney The dried leaves contain proanthocyanidins and
stones and fever (Sussman, 1980; Wong Ting polyphenols (Hegnauer, 1962-1964). The
Fook, 1980; Adjanohoun et al., 1993; Fakim, ethanol extract shows ACE inhibitory properties.
1990). Activity due to proanthocyanidins, and
flavonoids (Hansen et al., 1996).

E. macrocarpum O. E. Schulz (En.) Erythroxylaceae A decoction of the bark is used against kidney The wood contains terpenes, while the ether
stones and fever. extracts of the different plant parts contain
tropane alkaloids (Al-Said et al., 1986).

E. sideroxyloides Lam. (En.) Erythroxylaceae A decoction of the bark is used against kidney
stones and fever.

157
Appendix continues
158
Appendix (continued)

Plant Family Uses Biodynamic Notes

Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Lam.) C. Jeffrey ssp. flex- Asteraceae A leaf decoction is used against diabetes and The leaves and stem contain sterols, terpenes
uosa (En.) (HFS 139) dysentery (Sussman, 1980; Adjanohoun et al., including triterpenes, alkaloids and tannins
1983). (Gurib-Fakim et al., 1995). The methanolic
extract of the stem and leaves show antisickling
properties (Fakim et al., 1992).

Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Lam.) C. Jeffrey ssp. Asteraceae A leaf decoction is used against diabetes and –
erecta C. Jeffrey (En.) dysentery.

L. JELAGER ET AL.
Ficus pumila L. Moraceae A tea made from the leaves is used against uri- The leaves contain flavonoids, coumarins, and
nary tract infections (Sussman, 1980; furanocoumarins (Hegnauer, 1962–64). The
Adjanohoun et al., 1983). furanocoumarins show antimicrobial properties
(Swain et al., 1990).

Heliotropium indicum L. (HFS 123) Boraginaceae A leaf poultice is applied on wounds while an The whole plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids
infusion of the leaves is used against urinary and sterols (Glasby, 1991). The water and
tract infections (Wong Ting Fook, 1980; ethanolic extracts are antifungal against A. niger
Adjanohoun et al., 1983). (Gupta et al., 1972). The alkaloids are reported
to have anti-tumor properties (Bruneton, 1987).

Phyllanthus niruri L. var. amarus (Schumach) Euphorbiaceae A leaf decoction is used plant against diarrhea The whole (HFS 218) extract is anti-bacterial
Leandri and skin infections. An eye bath of the leaves against B. subtilis, S. aureus (Verpoorte et al.,
and stem infusion is used to wash the eye in con- 1987).
junctivitis.

Piper subpeltatum Willd. Piperaceae A leaf decoction is used to wash wounds. –

Appendix continues
Appendix (continued)

Plant Family Uses Biodynamic Notes

Polygonum poiretii Meissner (En.) Polygonaceae A whole plant decoction is used against diarrhea The whole plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids,
and to stop vomiting in young children. flavones, phenols, saponins (Lavergne, 1990).

Raphia farinifera (Gaertner) Hylander Arecaceae A decoction of the fruit pulp is used against –
dysentery (Adjanohoun et al., 1983)

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MAURITIUS


Rhizophora mucronata Lam. Rhizophoraceae The root decoction is used against diabetes The leaves contain sterols, fatty acids and gib-
while the leaf decoction is used against fever berellins (Misra et al., 1984; Ganguly et al.,
(Sussman, 1980; Adjanohoun et al., 1983; 1974). The bark shows antiviral properties, in
Fakim, 1990). vitro and in vivo (Premanathan et al., 1994).

Smilax anceps Willd. (In.) Liliaceae The leaf decoction is used against varicose veins –
while the whole plant decoction is used against
dysentery and skin infections (Sussman, 1980;
Wong Ting Fook, 1980; Fakim, 1990).

Terminalia bentzoe (L.) Pers. ssp. bentzoe (En.) Combretaceae A decoction of the bark is used against dysen- –
(HFS 197) tery and diarrhea (Wong Ting Fook, 1980).

Tristemma mauritianum J.F. Gmel. Melastomataceae A stem and leaf decoction is used against diar- –
rhea and dysentery. The decoction is also used
against skin infections (Baumer, 1979; Sussman,
1980).

Wikstroemia indica (L.) C. A. Meyer Thymelaeaceae A leaf and fruit poultice is applied on wounds The plant contains lignans, coumarins and
and abscess (Sussman, 1980; Wong Ting Fook, flavonoids (Kato et al., 1979; Lee et al. 1981).
1980; Adjanohoun et al., 1983).

159
Legend: En. refers to the endemic plants, In. refers to the indigenous species. HFS represent the herbarium voucher number.
160 L. JELAGER ET AL.

Appendix 2. Results of the antimicrobial screening. Determination of the approximate MIC values.

Name of the plant species and investigated part E. coli P. aeruginosa S. typhi S. aureus C. alicans A. niger

Aphloia theiformis, stem 1 111 1 111 2 2


Ayapana triplenervis, leaves 2 2 2 2 2 1
Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa, bark 2 1 2 1 2 1
Erythroxylum laurifolium, bark 1 11 1 111 2 2
Erythroxylum macrocarpum, bark 2 11 11 111 2 2
Erythroxylum sideroxyloides, bark 1 1 1 11 2 1
Faujasiopsis flexuosa ssp. erecta, leaves 11 111 111 1111 2 2
Faujasiopsis flexuosa ssp. flexuosa, leaves 11 111 11 1111 2 2
Ficus pumila, stem 2 11 2 111 2 2
Heliotropium indicum, whole plant 1 111 11 111 2 2
Phyllanthus niruri var. amarus, whole plant 2 111 11 111 2 2
Piper sylvester, aerial part 2 11 1 111 2 2
Polygonum poiretii, bark 1 11 11 11111 2 1
Polygonum poiretii, leaves 1 11 11 1111 2 2
Raphia farinifera, pulp 2 2 2 1111 2 2
Rhizophora mucronata, leaves 1 11 1 1111 2 2
Smilax anceps, aerial part 1 1 1 111 2 2
Terminalia bentzoe ssp. bentzoe, leaves 11 11111 111 11111 2 1 (bark)
Tristemma mauritianum, leaves 11 111111 111 1111 2 2
Wikstroemia indica, root 2 1 2 11 2 2

MIC values: 1 = 8 mg/ml, 11 = 4 mg/ml, 111 = 2 mg/ml, 1111 = 1 mg/ml, 11111 = 0.5 mg/ml, 111111 = 0.25 mg/ml., (2)
= no activity

Appendix 3 Results of the antibacterial screening after precipitation together with the results from before precipitation (in brackets).

Name of the plant species and investigated part Test conc. E. coli P. aeruginosa S. typhi S. aureus

Aphloia theiformis, stem 3.3 mg/ml 2 2 2 2


(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Dracaena reflexa var. reflexa, bark 5.2 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (2) (1)
Erythroxylum laurifolium, bark 6.3 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Erythroxylum macrocarpum, bark 1.3 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Erythroxylum sideroxyloides, bark 4.1 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Faujasiopsis flexuosa ssp. flexuosa, leaves 6.6 mg/ml 1 1 1 1
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Faujasiopsis flexuosa ssp. erecta, leaves 5.6 mg/ml 2 1 1 1
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Ficus pumila, stem 2.7 mg/ml 2 2 2 1
(8.0 mg/ml) (2) (1) (2) (1)
Heliotropium indicum, whole plant 6.0 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Phyllanthus niruri var. amarus, whole plant 8.0 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (2) (1) (1) (1)
Piper sylvester, aerial part 5.3 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (2) (1) (1) (1)
Polygonum poiretii, leaves 4.7 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Raphia farinifera, pulp 5.0 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (2) (2) (2) (1)
Rhizophora mucronata, leaves 4.0 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Smilax anceps, aerial part 2.2 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Terminalia bentzoe ssp. bentzoe leaves 3.2 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Tristemma mauritianum, leaves 3.2 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (1) (1) (1) (1)
Wikstroemia indica, root 2.4 mg/ml 2 2 2 2
(8.0 mg/ml) (2) (1) (1) (1)

(2) = no activity(1) = activity.


MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MAURITIUS 161

Appendix 4. Results of the antimicrobial screening of the methanol extracts of the tisanes. Determination of the approximate MIC values.

Tisane No. S. aureus P. aeruginosa S. typhi E. coli A. niger C. alicans

1 1111 111 1 1 2 2
2 1111 111 1 11 2 2
3 11 11 1 2 2 2
4 11 1 2 2 2 2
5 11 11 1 2 2 2
6 1111 2 2 2 2 2
7 1111 2 2 2 2 2
8 1111 2 2 2 2 2
9 11111 111 1 2 2 2
10 1111 1111 2 2 2 2
11 111 2 2 2 2 2
12 111 2 2 2 2 2
13 111 2 2 2 2 2

MIC values: 1 = 8 mg/ml, 11 = 4 mg/ml, 111 = 2 mg/ml, 1111 = 1 mg/ml, 11111 = 0.5 mg/ml, (2) = no activity.

Appendix 5. Results of the antimicrobial screening of the water extracts of the tisanes. Determination of the approximate MIC values.

Tisane No. S. aureus P. aeruginosa S. typhi E. coli A. niger C. alicans

1 1 2 2 2 2 2
2 111 2 1 2 2 2
3 111 1 11 1 2 2
4 1111 1 11 1 2 2
5 111 2 1 2 2 2
6 111 2 2 2 2 2
7 111 2 2 2 2 2
8 111 2 2 2 2 2
9 11111 1 11 2 2 2
10 1111 1 11 1 2 2
11 11 2 2 2 2 2
12 1 2 2 2 2 2
13 11 2 2 2 2 2

MIC values: 1 = 8 mg/ml, 11 = 4 mg/ml, 111 = 2 mg/ml, 1111 = 1 mg/ml, 11111 = 0.5 mg/ml, (2) = no activity.

You might also like