Abstract
Summary
Water extract of western red cedar heartwood inhibits growth of a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Inhibition is due to stasis, not to death, of the organisms. Susceptibility of microorganisms is unrelated to Gram-staining reaction or to morphology.
WRC extract does not lose its antibiotic activity when subjected to prolonged boiling, or considerable changes in pH. It is not inactivated by urine or gastric residue, but is inactivated by blood, serum, and cysteine.
Large doses of the extract (4.3 g/K I.P. in mice, 3 g/K I.V. in a rabbit) did not cause death or illness.
No in vivo activity against infection has vet been demonstrated.
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