Ent-labdane type diterpene with antifungal activity from Gymnosperma glutinosum (Spreng.) Less. (Asteraceae)

The aim of this work was to isolate and identify the antifungal compounds present in the hexanic extract of the aerial parts of Gymnosperma glutinosum. The antifungal activity against six pathogenic fungi was determined in accordance with the inhibition of radial growth method. Four of those fungi Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Fusarium sporotrichum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are of clinical importance and two fungi Fusarium moniliforme and Rhyzoctonia solani are of agricultural importance. The bioassay-guide purification of the methanolic partition (from hexanic extract) resulted in the isolation and identification of three antifungal compounds an ent-labdane type diterpene and two methoxylated flavones, as the metabolites responsible for activity.