(4-METHOXY-BENZO[1,3]DIOXOL-5-YL)-PHENYLMETHANONE: AN ANTIBACTERIAL BENZOPHENONE FROM SECURIDACA LONGEPEDUNCULATA

The dichloromethane extract of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen yielded a benzophenone, (4-methoxy-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenylmethanone (1), together with otherthree known compounds, 1,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxyxanthone (2), benzyl 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate (3), and methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate (4). Compound (1) exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus . Compound 2 exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus fumigatus and a Penicillum species. Compounds 3 and 4 were inactive against all the tested bacteria and fungi. These results provide proof of efficacy of the extracts of S.longepedunculata in treating bacterial infections, but further studies should be carried out to ascertain these results with respect to the widely reported traditional use.