STUDYING THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL FROM LEAVES OF ILLICIUM VERUM PLANT COLLECTED IN TRA LINH DISTRICT, CAO BANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Illicium verum Hook. f. (Illiciaceae) is an aromatic evergreen tree bearing purple-red flowers and
anise-scented star-shaped fruit. It grows almost exclusively in southern China and Vietnam. Its fruit
(star anise) is an important traditional Chinese medicine as well as a commonly used spice.
Traditionally, the essential oil of star anise is used topically for rheumatism and as an antiseptic. As a
famous spice, star anise was first introduced into Europe in the seventeenth century, and gets its
distinctive licorice taste from a chemical compound called anethole. Modern pharmacology studies
demonstrated that its crude extracts and active compounds possess wide pharmacological actions,
especially in antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, analgesic, sedative and convulsive activities. In
addition, it is the major source of shikimic acid, a primary ingredient in the antiflu drug (Tamiflu). The
essential oil is extracted from leaves of Illicium verum plant collected in Tra Linh district, Cao Bang
province by steam distillation method. The essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. And then, it
was tested on antimicrobial activity. It inhibited to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureu,
Escherichia coli. At the first time, the chemical composition of Illicium verum in Tra Linh district, Cao
Bang province has been studied.