Polygodial, the fungitoxic component from the Brazilian medicinal plant Polygonum punctatum
Polygonum punctatum (Polygonaceae) is an herb known in some regions of Brazil as "erva-de-bicho" and is used to treat intestinal disorders. The dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of this plant showed strong activity in a bioautographic assay with the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospe...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
2001-08-01
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Series: | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762001000600016 |
Summary: | Polygonum punctatum (Polygonaceae) is an herb known in some regions of Brazil as "erva-de-bicho" and is used to treat intestinal disorders. The dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of this plant showed strong activity in a bioautographic assay with the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The bioassay-guided chemical fractionation of this extract afforded the sesquiterpene dialdehyde polygodial as the active constituent. The presence of this compound with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic properties in "erva-de-bicho" may account for the effects attributed by folk medicine to this plant species. |
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ISSN: | 0074-0276 1678-8060 |