Antimycobacterial matricaria esters and lactones from Astereae species.

Six matricaria esters (MEs) and two matricaria lactones (MLs), isolated from members of the tribe Astereae (Asteraceae), were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium, using a radiorespirometric bioassay. (2Z,8Z)-ME and (2E-8Z)-ME gave minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 50 micrograms ml-1 against M. tuberculosis and respective MICs of 25 and 50 micrograms ml-1 against M. avium. The (4Z,8Z)-ML, (2Z)-8-dehydro-ME and (2Z,8Z)-10-angeloyloxy-(2Z,8Z)-ME showed respective MICs of 12.5, 25, 25 micrograms ml-1 against M. tuberculosis and MICs of 50, 25, 25 micrograms ml-1 against M. avium, respectively. The MICs of (2Z,8Z)-10-tigloyloxy-ME and (2E,8Z)-10-angeloyloxy-ME and (4E,8Z)-ML ranged from 50 to > 100 micrograms ml-1 against both pathogenic mycobacteria.