Chemical composition and antibacterial action of Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum bark extract, “barbatimão” species: Evaluation of its use as a topical agent

International audienceStryphnodendron pulcherrimum (Willd.) Hochr. (Fabaceae) is a native Amazonian tree,popularly known as ‘‘barbatima ̃o”. The stem barks of this tree are widely used in folk medicineto treat infections, cutaneous and ulcerative wounds, under the form of a suspension of thebark-derived powder. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial and cytotoxicactivities of the ethanolic extract of S. pulcherrimum (SPEE). Likewise, to putatively identify theactive compounds of the extract by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolutionmass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Therefore, we aimed to rationalize this observation by turn-ing the bark powder-derived suspension into an ointment (SPEEO) incorporating SPEE (20% w/v).Both the antibacterial action and the acute dermal toxicity were evaluated in rats as animal model.Mortality, body weight changes, feed and water intake, organ weights, histological and biochemicalparameters were measured for 14 days post-treatment with no major sign of toxicity. The SPEEshowed excellent in vitro antibacterial activity (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration = 100 mg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus and no in vivo acute dermal toxicity. The SPEEO inhibited upto 85% bacterial growth in a petri dish, with better results than the control standard ointment (Kol-lagenaseÒ). We putatively identified 13 compounds present in the SPEE, belonging to the class oftannins, including one trimer and two dimers of catechin. Thereby, the data showed SPEEO as apotent antibacterial candidate for herbal medicine preparation