Bioactivities of polyphenolics from the roots of Bauhinia racemosa.

Various extracts of Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. (roots) and the isolated polyphenolics, viz. 1,7,8,12b-tetrahydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-10-methoxy-2H-benzo [6,7] cyclohepta[1,2,3-de][1]benzopyran-5,9-diol (racemosol) (1), 1,7,8,12b-tetrahydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-2H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2,3-de][1]benzopyran-5,10,11-triol (2), and 1,7,8,12b-tetrahydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-2H-benzo[6,7] cyclohepta [1,2,3-de][1]benzopyran-5,9,10-triol (de-O-methyl racemosol) (3) were screened for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. The isolated compounds exhibited profound antibacterial and antifungal activities while methanol extract exhibited potential efficacy against Herpes simplex virus.