BALBISIA CALYCINA: PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF A BIOACTIVE EXTRACT

Balbisia calycina (Gris.) A.T. Hunziker et Ariza (Ledocarpaceae), is a plant widely used in South American folk medicine, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. A hydroalcoholic extract of this plant, showing antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Mucor sp., was phytochemically analysed. Six flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside and quercitrin were isolated and identified. A possible relation between the presence of these compounds in the extract and the antimicrobial effects is discussed.