Isolation and identification of the antibacterial compounds from Helichrysum stoechas.

Fractionation of the dicholoromethane extract of the aerial parts of Helichrysum stoechas yielded seven isolates (1-7), which exhibited varying antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Pure compounds 1-3 have been previously reported in the same species and 4 and 5 were identified as italipyrone and plicatipyrone, previously isolated from H. italicum and H. plicatum. The two other isolates are helipyrone (6) and homoarenol (7) mixed with related substances. Compound 6c (4,4'-dihydroxy-5,6,5',6'-tetramethyl-3,3'-methylen-di-pyr-2-one) and 6b helipyrone with one methyl substitution, have not been previously reported in other species.