Terminalia macroptera Guill et Perr. (Combretaceae) is a medicinal pla
nt used in Guinea-Bissau and other West African countries to treat inf
ectious diseases. The ethanol extract from T. macroptera decorticated
root and their liquid-liquid partition fractions, were screened for an
timicrobial activity, by the twofold serial microdilution assay agains
t seven reference bacterial strains and against Candida albicans. The
extract and fractions showed some activity against at least one of the
test microorganisms. The best results were obtained against Shigella
dysenteriae and Vibrio cholerae. The minimum inhibitory concentrations
(MIC) of T. macroptera ethanol extract were also determined for about
100 clinical strains of Campylobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonel
la sp., Shigella sp. and Vibrio cholerae. The ethanol extract activity
against Campylobacter strains is similar to co-trimoxazole, higher th
an sulfamethoxazole but lower than tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicil
in and streptomycin. Ellagitannins are the major compounds in the extr
act and active fractions. The obtained results suggest a potential imp
ortance of this medicinal plant in the treatment of enteric diseases,
particularly in Campylobacter infections. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ir
eland Ltd.