In vitro antituberculosis activities of the constituents isolated from Haloxylon salicornicum.

In vitro antituberculosis activities of fractions and pure compounds (1-20) including seven triterpenes, two alkaloids, two cycloheximide derivatives, two coumarins six sterol derivatives and a long chain alcohol, respectively, isolated from Haloxylon salicornicum were determined against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Actively growing cultures were tested by rapid colorimetric method while the stationary phase cultures were tested by drug exposure methods for bactericidal activity. The MIC values were found to be 50 microg/ml for compounds 15, 19 and 20 where as rest of the compounds invariably showed MIC value of 100 microg/ml against the logarithmic phase culture. These were compare to Isoniazid as a control drug. The compounds exhibited no activity against the stationary phase culture of M. tuberculosis H37Rv up to 200 microg/ml. Further studies are required to investigate the in vivo efficacies and activities of the compounds in combination with antimicrobials that are already being used for TB therapy.