Dichloromethane, methanol and water extracts of Viscum sapense L.f., o
f the Loranthaceae family, were tested for antimicrobial activities ag
ainst Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albica
ns. Methanol extract was also tested for activity against seizures in
albino mice induced by pentyleneletrazole (PTZ), bicuculline and N-met
hyl-DL-aspartic acid (NMDLA). Methanol extract of V. capense inhibited
the growth of S. aureus. Methanol extract also protected the mice aga
inst PTZ- and bicuculline-induced tonic seizures but did not significa
ntly alter NMDLA-induced tonic seizures. The data indicate that the ex
tract of V. capense has antibacterial activity against S. aureus and a
lso anticonvulsant activity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd, Al
l rights reserved.