Abstract

Daniel Motlhanka*, Peter Houghton, Ana Miljkovic-Brake and Solomon Habtemariam

A novel ursane-type pentacyclic triterpene glycoside, 1,2,3-trihydoxy-urs-12-ene-23-oic-rhamnoside was isolated from the resin of Commiphora glandulosa Schinz by bioassay guided fractionation. Crude aqueous and chloroform extracts of the resin as well as the isolated compound exhibited good in vitro antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis: NCTC 10073), (Clostridium perfringens: NCTC 8237), (Staphylococcus aureus: NCIMB 9518) and also drug resistant strains (S.aureus:XU212-tetracycline resistant strain), (S. aureus SA1199Bnorfloxacin resistant strain). There was no observed antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli: NCTC 9002), (Pseudomonas aeruginosa: NCIMB 10421), (Klebsiella aerogenes: NCTC 5055); and fungal strains (Candida albicans: NCPF 3179, Aspergillus fumigatus: NCPF 7097), Trichophyton tonsurans: NCPF 995). The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data using13C-NMR, 1H-NMR and mass spectroscopy.