Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect of flavonoids from Marchantia convoluta

Dried leaves of Marchantia convoluta are largely used to protect livers, and to treat tumefaction of skins in China. Flavonoids from Marchantia convoluta (MCF) were the active components against hepatitis B virus. In this study, the pharmacological properties of MCF consisting of flavonoids determined by HPLC were examined in particular. High dosage of MCF (20 and 40 µg/mL) could significantly reduce the activity of ALT and AST in the serum of mice with acute hepatic injury caused by CCl4 and increase the contents of TP and ALP. MCF could inhibit the auricle tympanites of mice caused by dimethylbenzene. MCF inhibited obviously colibacillus, tyhoid bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, bacillus enteritidis, hemolytic streptococci type B and Diplococcus pneumoniae. The results showed that MCF possess distinct effect of antibiosis, anti-inflammation and diuresis in mice. Key words: Marchantia convoluta, flavonoids, antibiosis, antiinflammation, diuresis Afr. J. Trad. Comp. Alt. Med. Vol.2(3) 2005: 244 - 252