ANTIFUNGAL FLAVONOIDS FROM VARTHEMIA-IPHIONOIDES

Four flavonoids 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone (3',3'-di-O-methylquercetin) (1), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone (kumatakenin) (2), 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,-trimethoxyflavone (xanthomicrol) (3) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6,3'-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidine) (4) were isolated and identified from the Jordanian Varthemia iphionoides. They have not previously been reported in this genus. The aqueous alkaline solution of these compounds showed little or no activity against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium. Compound 2 was active against the fungi Fusarium solani and Candida tropicalis while compounds 1 and 3 were much more active against F. solani, Aspergillus parasiticus and C. tropicalis.