Antimicrobial properties of Honduran medicinal plants

Ninety-two plants used in the traditional pharmacopoeia of the Pech and nei ghboring Mestizo peoples of central Honduras are reported. The results of i n vitro antimicrobial screens showed that 19 of the extracts from medicinal plants revealed signs of antifungal activity while 22 demonstrated a measu rable inhibitory effect on one or more bacterial cultures. Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts from Mikania micrantha, Neurolaena lobata and Pip er aduncum produced weak to moderately active isolates. The broad spectrum of activity of the extracts helps to explain the widespread use of these pl ants for wound healing and other applications. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.