Araçain, a tyrosol derivative and other phytochemicals from <i>Psidium guineense</i> Sw

Abstract

<i>Psidium guineense</i> Sw. (Myrtaceae) is a shrub distributed all over South America and Brazil. Its leaves are traditionally used to treat digestive problems and infections. Several biological activities have been reported for <i>P. guineense</i> extracts, however phytochemical studies are scarce. The present study is on the isolation of compounds from <i>P. guineense</i> leaf extracts using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and evaluation of their antibacterial activity. Araçain, a tyrosol derivative was isolated as a natural product for the first time. Other compounds isolated were ursolic acid, a phaeophorbide and three flavonoids. The extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> strains and they showed moderate to high antibacterial activity.