Anti-mycobacterial screening of British Columbian medicinal plants

Abstract

One hundred methanol plant extracts were screened for antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. Nineteen extracts exhibited some activity against M. tuberculosis and 16 extracts showed some activity against M. avium. Thirteen of these 19 active extracts were traditionally used by First Nations peoples to treat tuberculosis. Extracts made from Heracleum maximum (Umbelliferae) roots, Moneses uniflora (Ericaceae), aerial parts, and Oplopanax horridus (Araliaceae) inner bark completely inhibited the growth of both organisms at a concentration equivalent to 20 mg dried plant material/disc. Extracts of Alnus rubra (Betulaceae) bark and catkins, Empetrum nigrum (Empetraceae) branches, Glehnia littoralis (Umbelliferae) roots, and Lomatium dissectum (Umbelliferae) roots completely inhibited the growth of both M. tuberculosis and M. avium at a concentration equivalent to 100 mg dried plant material/disc. © Swets & Zeitlinger.