Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Irvingia gabonensis (Ixonanthaceae)

The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract from the stem bark of Irvingia gabonensis (IGM), fractions and compounds isolated from IGM [3-friedelanone (1), betulinic acid (2), oleanolic acid (3), 3,3′,4′-tri-O-methylellagic acid (4), 3,4-di-O-methylellagic acid (5) and hardwickiic acid (6)] was evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (6 species), Gram-negative bacteria (13 species) and three Candida species using dilution methods for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC). From the obtained results, IGM prevented the growth of all the species of microorganisms tested at a concentration limit of 312.50 μg/ml. Compounds 4–6 also inhibited the growth of all the tested microbial species while compounds 1–3 showed selective activities. The lowest MIC values (78.12 μg/ml) were obtained with IGM on 13 of the 22 microorganisms tested. The corresponding value of 1.22 μg/ml (4.26 μM) for compounds was recorded with compound 6 on Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The obtained results confirmed the use of Irvingia gabonensis in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.