Okenwa U. Igwe and Johnbull O.
Abstract
A new tolylethylidene benzofurone identified as 4- hydroxy-2-(1-p-tolylethylidene)-5, 6-dihydrofuro- 3-one was isolated from ethanol extract of the seeds of Brachystegia eurycoma Harms. The structure was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy in combination with IR and MS spectral data. The isolated compound inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus fecalis. This result supports the use of Brachystegia eurycoma in phytomedicine for the treatment of diseases and infections as well as healing of wounds in Nigeria.