Antimicrobial study of the resinous exudate and of diterpenoids isolated from Eupatorium salvia (Asteraceae)

The antimicrobial properties of the resinous exudate from twigs and leaves of Eupatorium salvia were tested against five gram-negative and five gram-positive bacteria. Comparison of the antimicrobial activities of 7-hydroxy-8(17)-labden-15-oic acid (salvic acid) and of its acetate, both compounds isolated from the plant, with that of the crude extract suggested that the latter ester derivative was the major active component in the exudate. These results validate the vernacular medicinal use of Eupatorium salvia as an antiseptic agent.