Antimicrobial Activities of Hydrophobic 2-Arylbenzofurans and an Isoflavone against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Eight 2-arylbenzofurans and an isoflavone isolated from medicinal plants were tested for their antimicrobial activities against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among these compounds, six hydrophobic 2-arylbenzofurans (log P = 4.4 - 8.7) exhibited considerable antibacterial activity against five VRE strains (VanA-, VanB-, and VanC-phenotypes) (MICs = 3.13 - 6.25 μg/mL). Five compounds also showed antibacterial activity against ten MRSA strains (MIC₈₀ = 3.13 μg/mL).

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