The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from leaves of two Myrtaceae species–Eugenia uniflora L. and Plinia trunciflora (O. Berg) Kausel–were determined. Analysis by GC/MS as well as determination of Kovatz indexes indicated atractylone (26.78%) and curzerene (17.96%) as major constituents of E. uniflora oil and α-cadinol (19.15%), apiole (11.15%) and cubenol (5.43%) as main components in P. trunciflora oil. Both essential oils were tested for antimicrobial activity against yeasts and bacteria. E. uniflora and P. trunciflora essential oils were active towards two Gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus equi and Staphylococcus epidermis. In addition, biological activity of both essential oils was detected for pathogenic yeasts of the genus Candida and Cryptococcus. E. uniflora was active towards all yeast tested and exhibited interesting minimal inhibitory concentrations (0.11 to 3.75 mg/mL) across a broad spectrum of activity.

Abstract:The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from three Brazilian plant species-leaves and branches of Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae), leaves of Plectranthus barbatus, and leaves of P. amboinicus (Lamiaceae)-were determined. Analysis by GC/MS and determination of Kovats indexes both indicated δ-elemene (leaves-42.61% and branches-23.41%) as well as (−)-α-bisabolol (leaves-24.80% and stem bark-66.16%) as major constituents of E. erythropappus essential oils. The main components of leaves of P. barbatus were identified as (Z)-caryophyllene (17.98%), germacrene D (17.35%), and viridiflorol (14.13%); whereas those of leaves of P. amboinicus were characterized as p-cymene (12.01%), γ-terpinene OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2015, 20 8441 (14.74%), carvacrol (37.70%), and (Z)-caryophyllene (14.07%). The antimicrobial activity against yeasts and bacteria was assessed in broth microdilution assays to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) necessary to inhibit microbial growth. In addition, the crude oil of branches of E. erythropappus was subjected to chromatographic separation procedures to afford purified (−)-α-bisabolol. This compound displayed biological activity against pathogenic yeasts, thus suggesting that the antimicrobial effect observed with crude oils of E. erythropappus leaves and branches may be related to the occurrence of (−)-α-bisabolol as their main component. Our results showed that crude oils of Brazilian plants, specifically E. erythropappus, P. barbatus, and P. amboinicus and its components, could be used as a tool for the developing novel and more efficacious antimicrobial agents.

This study investigates the impact of seasonal variation on the chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves of Porcelia macrocarpa (Annonaceae) obtained over the course of one year (January-December 2011) and the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the ripe fruits of the same plant. Furthermore, the essential oils of the leaves were investigated with respect to their antimicrobial activity. The essential oils of the leaves contain a mixture of monoterpenes, one diterpene and several sesquiterpenes. The main components were identified as the sesquiterpenes germacrene D (29%-50%) and bicyclogermacrene (24%-37%). No significant variation was observed for the composition of the essential oil of the leaves over the course ofthe year, except for the month of November, when the ripe fruit were collected. In this month, substantially decreased concentrations of germacrene D (28.8 ± 0.8%) and bicyclogermacrene (23.9 ± 0.6%) were measured and the emergence of spathulenol (10.4 ± 0.2%) was observed. The essential oils extracted from the ripe fruit revealed the presence of a variety of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons. The main constituents of these oils were neryl (8.8 ± 0.2%) and geranyl (27.3 ± 0.7%) formates, γ-muurolene (10.3 ± 0.9%) and dendrolasin (8.23 ± 0.06%). The antimicrobial activity of OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 13575 the essential oil obtained from the leaves of P. macrocarpa towards a range of bacterial and yeast strains was examined. In order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of essential oils obtained from the January collection of the leaves, broth microdilution assays were carried out, which showed a significant antimicrobial activity towards Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes A and D as well as C. gattii serotypes B and C.

RESUMOO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as principais alterações funcionais e motoras antes e após o tratamento fisioterapêutico de um paciente portador de lesão medular decorrente de mergulho em águas rasas. Foi analisado retrospectivamente o prontuário de um paciente portador de lesão medular por mergulho em águas rasas submetido à reabilitação numa clínica de fisioterapia do Oeste Paulista entre os anos de 2008 a 2011, realizando duas sessões semanais de uma hora de duração cada uma. Ao longo do tratamento, o paciente obteve melhora da força muscular sendo observadas as evoluções nas manobras deficitárias. Devido ao tratamento fisioterapêutico o paciente também apresentou melhora da funcionalidade, sendo observadas as evoluções em suas transferências, ou seja, mudanças de posições, entre os anos de 2008 a 2011. Conclui-se que paciente portador de lesão medular apresenta melhora da força muscular e do padrão funcional quando submetido à reabilitação fisioterapêutica. Palavras-chave: lesão medular, mergulho em águas rasas, fisioterapia, reabilitação, neurologia. SPINAL CORD INJURY BY DIVING IN SHALLOW WATER: CASE REPORT ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the main motor and functional changes before and after physical therapy of a patient with spinal cord injury caused by diving in shallow water. We analyzed previous records of a patient with spinal cord injury by diving in shallow water, who had rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinical of Oeste Paulista, between 2008 and 2011, attending two one-hour-sessions a week. The patient improved muscle strength as consequence of the rehabilitation program. The treatment also helped the patient improve functionality observing the development while being transferred, in other words, during position changes, between 2008 and 2011. It is understood that patients with spinal cord injury show muscle strength and functional pattern improvement when undergoing physical therapy.