ABSTRACT
Many of the endemic species have never been subjected to phytochemical or pharmacological studies although they have and continue to be used as medicines by First Nations or aboriginal peoples. The Apiaceae is well-known for its phototoxic furano-coumarins and novel antibiotic compounds may be responsible for some degree of the anti-mycobacterial activity observed in these family members. The methanolic plant extracts were screened against 11 bacterial strains. Eighty-nine per cent were found to have significant antibiotic activity. Methanolic extracts showed good antibacterial and antifungal activity. The Haida people of British Columbia used the roots of perennial herb to treat bladder infections and other ailments. The methanolic plant extracts were screened against nine fungal species. Eighty-one were found to have antifungal activity and 30 extracts showed activity against four or more of the fungi assayed. The extract of Geum triflorum and an extract of Epilobium angustifolium completely eliminated activity in the elastase assay.
