Phytochemical investigations of Lonchocarpus bark extracts from Monteverde, Costa Rica

Abstract

The acetone bark extracts of three species of Lonchocarpus from Monteverde, Costa Rica, L. atropurpureus, L. oliganthus, and L. monteviridis, were screened for antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. L. orotinus extract was antibacterial against Bacillus cereus (MIC = 39 μg/mL), while L. monteviridis exhibited the most antioxidant activity. None of the Lonchocarpus extracts showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells. Fatty acids and atraric acid were isolated and purified from L. atropurpureus bark, fatty acids and loliolide from L. oliganthus bark, and leonuriside A and β-D-glucopyranos- 1-yl N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate from L. monteviridis bark. Atraric acid showed cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.