Antimicrobial activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Heliotropium ellipticum.

Abstract

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, known for their significant antitumor activity, have been isolated from the aerial parts of H. ellipticum LEDEB. Europine (0.120%), heliotridine (0.152%), lasiocarpine (0.136%) and lasiocarpine-N-oxide (0.090%) have been identified. Antimicrobial activity of the isolated alkaloids against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi has been investigated for the first time.