Antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity of triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia (Paliasa)

Two triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds have been isolated, namely, 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid and (R)-N-trans- feruloyloctopamine from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia. Both of these compounds were tested as an antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity. Isolation has been done by maceration, fractionation, and purification. The molecular structure was determined by IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 1,2D (1 H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC). Antimicrobial assay of 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid showed a zone of inhibition in the criteria of moderate to active against Escherichia coli (8.4 mm), Salmonella thypi (11.2 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (10.8 mm), and Candida albicans (8.5 mm), as well as compounds (R)-N-trans-feruloyloctopamine that is against E. coli (7.0 mm), S. thypi (10.55 mm), S. aureus (9.1 mm), and C. albicans (7.9 mm). Anti-HCV tests on the two compounds showed IC50 values of 52.07 and 45.02 μg/ml, respectively. The results of these tests indicate that the two compounds are potential as an antibiotic candidate.