Antimicrobial activity of amazonian medicinal plants

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aqueous extracts of currently utilized Amazonian medicinal plants were assayed in vitro searching for antimicrobial activity against human and animal pathogenic microorganisms.MethodsMedium resuspended lyophilized aqueous extracts of different organs of Amazonian medicinal plants were assayed by in vitro screening for antimicrobial activity. ATCC and standardized microorganisms obtained from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/Brazil were individually and homogeneously grown in agar plate, and holes previously perforated in the gel were filled with diluted plant aqueous extracts. Inhibition halos were evaluated and controlled by the use of the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin.ResultsThe Amazonian medicinal plants, Hymenelobium petraeum showed inhibitory activity over Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans, while Vatairea guianensis and Symphonia globulifera presented inhibitory activity exclusively for Staphylococcus aureus. Also, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Pentaclethra macroloba inhibited the growth of Klebsiella ozaenae and Acinetobacter baumannii.ConclusionThe aqueous botanic extracts that showed activity against microroganisms of ATTC and Osvaldo Cruz strains had at least 40% of antimicrobial activity when compared to halo inhibition produced by the commercial antibiotic ciprofloxacin utilized as a control. Of all plants extracts assayed, the Hymenelobium petraeum had the best performance, sometimes exhibiting higher activity than ciprofloxacin. It is not well-defined by the physicians the exact indication of the majority of medicinal plants in the Amazon area in Brazil. Natives utilize the plants according to their symptoms, based on the traditional knowledge transmitted orally from generation to generation, among Amerindians, Afrodescendents and ethnic mixed populations. A significant number of Amazonian medicinal plants are totally unknown related to their medicinal properties including mechanism of action and therapeutic effects, as very few information is reported in the scientific literature. A tiny amount of data is presented, as the preliminary antimicrobial properties of the medicinal plants here accessed, under the urgent necessity of new antibiotics in the market and in face of the increased resistance of infectious microorganisms to antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial Potential of Tuber Part of the Traditional Medicinal Climber, Solena Amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi. Against Certain Human

“…Hence, it is of interest to determine the scientific basis for the traditional uses of medicinal plants. Several works have demonstrated in laboratory trials that plant tissues, such as roots, leaves, seeds and flowers posses inhibitory properties against bacteria, fungi and insects 4,5 .…”

Mice behavioral phenotype changes after administration of Anani (Symphonia globulifera, clusiaceae), an alternative Latin American and African medicine

“…Oleanolic acid is also known for their antidiabetis activity,[ 34 ] antitumor activity against several cancer types,[ 35 ] and multiple sclerosis. [ 36 ] Antimicrobial activity of Anani extracts was reported against Staphylococcus aureus [ 37 38 ] and against Enterococcus faecalis ,[ 27 39 ] but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Finally, reports on the ethnopharmacology of the plant both in Africa and in Central and South Americas introduced a list with >40 compounds that were already isolated from different organs of the plant and indicated those that were tested against parasites and microorganisms,[ 40 ] but no reports on the influence of S. globulifera on mice behavior phenotype have been reported so far.…”

Use of thyme essential oil as an antibacterial agent in raw milk intended for the production of farm cheese

“…Screening for antibacterial activity of thyme essential oil (TEO) was performed by adapting the serial agar dilution method, based on radial diffusion mentioned by Oliveira et al (2013). Plates with 20 mL of nutrient agar were inoculated with 100 µl of different bacterial solutions previously prepared.…”