Antibacterial diterpenes from the roots of Ceriops tagal

Abstract

Investigation of the roots of Ceriops tagal led to the isolation of a new isopimarane, together with the known diterpenes isopimar-8(14)-en-15,16-diol and erythroxyl-4(17),15(16)-dien-3-one. The structure of the new compound was identified as isopimar-8(14)-en-16-hydroxy-15-one. These structures were determined from extensive spectroscopic data analysis. The isolates were screened for antibacterial activity using the agar dilution method against ten test bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus kristinae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella pooni, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Streptococcus pyrogens). Isopimar-8(14)-en-16-hydroxy-15-one exhibited activity, with MIC values of 0.5 mg/mL against Streptococcus pyrogens; 0.25 mg/mL against Salmonella pooni and 0.1 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae.