Antibacterial activity of alkaloids from Sida acuta

Abstract

Sida acuta is a shrub indigenous to pantropical regions. The plant is widely used for its various
pharmacological properties. Among compounds of pharmacological interest occurring in the plant, are
indoloquinoline alkaloids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of
alkaloids of S. acuta from Burkina Faso. The alkaloids had a good antimicrobial activity against the test
microorganisms. In the agar- well diffusion assay, highest inhibition zone diameters were recorded with
Gram-positive bacteria. The broth microdilution assay gave minimal inhibitory concentration values
ranging from 16 to 400 μg/ml and minimal bactericidal concentration values ranging from 80 to up to
400 μg/ml. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the same alkaloids led to the
identification of cryptolepine and quindoline as the major components.