Abstract

BUENO-SANCHEZ, Juan Gabriel; MARTINEZ-MORALES, Jairo René  and  STASHENKO, Elena. Antimycobacterial activity of terpenes. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.41, n.3, pp.231-235. ISSN 0121-0807.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the major source of global mortality from a single pathogen. Moreover, a large number of nontuberculous mycobacteria, especially M. avium, M. intracellulare and M. chelonae, cause opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. Terpenes, possess a wide spectrum of biological activity and are used in the treatment of various diseases, reason that makes them a source of promising molecules. Objective: To determine the antimycobacterial activity of 16 terpenes against M. tuberculosis H37Rv and a clinical isolate of M. chelonae. Materials and methods: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of terpenes were obtained by macrodilution colorimetric method standardized for this kind of volatile compounds, time kill curves were determined to establish bactericidal activity using CLSIM26-A method. Results: Terpenes with the lower MIC values were thymol and carvacrol at concentrations of 125-250 μg/mL, showing bactericidal activity against both microorganisms. Geraniol, myrcene, ρ-cymene, and alpha - pinene, showed MIC values ranging between 250-500 μg/mL. Conclusions: Some terpenes have presented significant activity against microorganisms of the Mycobacterium genus, but the MIC values obtained do not explain the antimicrobial effect showed by the complete oil, is necessary to assess the interactions of synergism and / or antagonism between the terpenes to determine the components responsible for Pharmacological. Salud UIS 2009; 41: 231-235.

Keywords : Antimycobacterial activity; terpenes; tuberculosis.

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