Morobe IC, Obi CL, Oyedeji AO, Majinda RTT, Hattori T and Idiaghe JE
Lycium inerme is a plant used by traditional healers in the Eastern Cape Province, South African against respiratory illness. Different solvent extracts of Lycium inerme was screened against clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and S. pneumoniae pathogen. The dichloromethane extract was the most active against these two pathogens. Bioassay-guided column chromatography of dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of three compounds which were very active against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Three active compounds:a coumarin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-coumarin) and two triterpenoids, Ursolic acid (3-oxo-19-hydroxylpomolic acid) and Moronic acid (3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid) were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction. The study highlights the characterization, structural elucidation and biological activities of the two compounds against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae.
