Medicinal plants from Riau province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Part 2: Antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Antibacterial assays of 114 species listed in Part 1 showed that 82% of the extracts tested were active against Staphylococcus aureus, while 35% were active against Escherichia coli. Antifungal activity was less dramatic: 19% of the extracts inhibited Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while 20% inhibited Fusarium oxysporum. Our survey of relevant literature indicates that less than 30% of these Angiosperm species have previously been assayed for any form of antimicrobial activity.

Medicinal plants from Riau province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Part 1: Uses.

One hundred and fourteen species of flowering plants, claimed to have medicinal uses, were recorded from a previously uninvestigated area of Sumatra. Of the specimens, which belonged to 51 families, 50% were used to combat fever, 33% for diarrhoea and 31% for other gastrointestinal problems. External applications were often used to treat internal conditions, particularly fever.