A new δ-tocotrienolic acid derivative and other constituents from the cones of Cedrus atlantica and their in vitro antimicrobial activity

The phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of the cones of Cedrus atlantica (Endl) Manetti ex Carriere were investigated. Two new compounds (1,2) and nineteen known compounds (3-21) were isolated. Their structures were established by mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), 1D, 2D NMR and by comparison with literature data. Antimicrobial activity of hydromethanolic extract against a panel of 22 bacteria and yeasts showed an interesting antimicrobial activity. All compound purified from this extract were tested against S. aureus by bioautography. MIC values of the most active compounds were determined using a serial dilution technique. The results showed strong antibacterial activity of the abietane diterpenes 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Dehydroabietic acid (17) was the most potent against Enterococcus faecalis (MIC = 15.1 = mu g/mL), a multi-resistant commensal bacterium which can cause the fatal infections in humans.