Antifungal and antioxidant activities of extracts and compounds from Gentianella multicaulis collected in San Juan

LIMA, B.; SÁNCHEZ, M.; LUNA, L.; AGÜERO, M.B.; ZACCHINO, S.; FILIPPA, E.; PALERMO, J.A.; TAPIA, A.; FERESIN, G.E.

Congreso; XXVIII Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2010

The infusion of the aerial parts of G. Multicaulis (Gentianaceae), locally known as ‘nencia’ is used in San Juan province Argentine, as stomachic and as bitter tonic for digestive and liver problems. The antimicrobial and free radical scavenger activities G. multicaulis extracts are reported. The dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were moderated inhibited by different extracts (MICs 125-250µg/mL). The extracts presented strong free radical scavenging effect in the DPPH assay (45-93%, at 10μg/mL) and FRAP assay at 200µg/mL. A significant positive correlation between total flavonoids, total phenolics and DPPH assay were observed (Pearson coeficient, R= 0.984 and  0.831 respectively, p < 0.01). The antifungal compounds were three xanthones: desmethilbellidifolin, bellidifolium, 1,3,8-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-9-xanthone with equal MICs=50µg/mL. Desmethilbellidifolin presented highest antioxidant activity towards the DPPH and FRAP assay. In addition oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and swerchirin, were isolated. The results indicate that G. multicaucalis is a source of antifungal and antioxidant compounds.