Abstract
Six matricaria esters (MEs) and two matricaria lactones (MLs), isolated from members
of the tribe Astereae (Asteraceae), were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium, using a radiorespirometric bioassay. (2Z,8Z)-ME and (2E-8Z)-ME gave minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 50 µg ml-1 against M. tuberculosis and respective MICs of 25 and 50 µg ml-1 against M. avium. The (4Z,8Z)-ML, (2Z)-8-dehydro-ME and (2Z,8Z)-10-angeloyloxy-(2Z,8Z)-ME showed respective MICs of 12.5, 25, 25 µg ml-1 against M. tuberculosis and MICs of 50, 25, 25 µg ml-1 against M.avium, respectively. The MICs of (2Z-8Z)-10-tigloyloxy-ME and (2E,8Z)-10-angeloyloxy-ME and (4E,8Z)-ML ranged from 50 to > 100 µg ml-1 against both pathogenic mycobacteria.
