Isoflavanones from Uraria picta and their antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Two isoflavanones, 5,7-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyisoflavanone (2) and 4',5-dihydroxy-2',3'-dimethoxy-7-(5- hydroxyoxychromen-7yl)-isoflavanone (4) along with six known compounds including isoflavanones, triterpenes and steroids were isolated from the roots of Uraria picta. The structures of these compounds were established unambiguously by UV, IR, MS and a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for these compounds were found to be in the range of 12.5-200 microg/ml against bacteria (both Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi.