Antibacterial evaluation of Anacardium occidentale (Linn) (Anacardiaceae) in semiarid Brazil

Microorganisms that cause losses are proving to be resistant to most known antibiotics, thereby encouraging the search for naturally occurring antibiotics. This study aimed to perform a phytochemical and bacterial study of ethanolic extracts of leaves and barks of Anacardium occidentale L. The samples were submitted for extraction using ethyl alcohol; the crude extract was used to perform phytochemical evaluation based on the identification of chemical constituents and to evaluate the antibacterial activity. The results of prospective chemical indicate the presence of tannins, phenols, alkaloids and catechins in the leaves and stem bark and compounds belonging to classes of flavonoids were found only in the leaves. Tests using the agar diffusion method for later determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) revealed that both parts of the plant have antibacterial activity, but the shell showed the largest zones of inhibition in most of the concentrations and strains. The MIC ranged from 512 to ≥ 1024 μg/ml, for the two parts of this species. The results indicate the need for further studies because this plant demonstrated considerable antibacterial therapeutic potential.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, phytochemicals, bacteria, minimum inhibitory concentrationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(30), pp. 4836-484

Metabólitos Secundários e ação antioxidante de Croton heliotripifolius e Croton blanchetianus

Antioxidants are compounds that, at optimal concentrations in relation to oxidable substrates, react with free radicals preventing or reducing oxidative stress. Many diseases and degenerative processes are associated with overproduction of free radicals. This stimulated several research groups to investigate the antioxidant potential of substances produced by several families of the world flora. This study identified the major classes of secondary metabolites present in ethanol leaf extracts of C. blanchetianus (Marmeleiro) and C. helliotripiifolius (Velame), and assessed their antioxidant potential. Ethanol extracts were obtained by the exhaustive extraction method cold and resulted in 3.29% and 3.26% extraction efficiency. Then phytochemical analyses were performed on the extracts to investigate the presence of tannins, flavonoids, flavonones, flavonols, catechins and xanthones. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined by in vitro photocolorimetric method based on the sequestration of free radicals, using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl). Both extracts were able to sequestrate DPPH free radical. Croton blanchetianus extract activity showed to be more efficient than BHT (Butylated Hidroxytoluene) (positive control), with EC50 = 6.5 ± 0.5 mg mL-1. Croton helliotripifolius extracts showed lower antioxidant activity, with EC50 = 50.15 ± 0.21 but still higher than that observed for BHT. However, the results observed for the ethanol extracts are possibly the result of the presence and concentration of phenolic compounds such as tannins and flavonoids, which were identified in this study.Antioxidantes são compostos que reagem com os radicais livres controlando o estresse oxidativo. Muitas doenças estão associadas à produção de radicais livres, os quais tem estimulado investigações do potencial antioxidante de diversas famílias da flora mundial. Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar as principais classes de metabólitos secundários presentes nos estratos etanólicos das folhas de Croton blanchetianus (Marmeleiro) e Croton helliotripifolius (Velame), e avaliar o seu potencial antioxidante. Os estratos etanólicos foram obtidos das folhas, apresentou um rendimento de 3,29% e 3,26%. Em seguida, os estratos foram submetidos a análise fitoquímica, nos quais foi possível identificar a presença de taninos condensados, flavonoides, flavononas, flavonóis, flavononóis, catequinas e xantonas. A atividade antioxidante dos estratos foi determinada pelo método fotocolorimétrico in vitro realizada por meio do sequestro de radicais livres, usando o DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidraliza). Ambos os estratos foram capazes de sequestrar o radical livre DPPH, sendo que o estrato de Croton blanquetianus mostrou ser mais eficiente do que o BHT (Hidroxitolueno butilado; controle positivo), com CE50 = 6,5 ± 0,5 mg mL-1. Contudo, os resultados observados para os estratos etanólicos, possivelmente sejam atribuídas à presença e a concentração de compostos fenólicos pertencentes as classes dos taninos e flavonoides, os quais foram identificados nesse estudo

<b>Abordagem fitoquímica, composição bromatológica e atividade antibacteriana de <em>Mimosa tenuiflora</em> (Wild) Poiret E <em>Piptadenia stipulacea</em> (Benth) Ducke</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v33i1.5366

A necessidade de encontrar novas drogas eficazes no combate microbiano tem aumentado a cada dia e estimulado a busca de novos compostos naturais com atividades biológicas. Neste trabalho, realizaram-se estudo fitoquímico e análises microbiológicas com os extratos etanólicos das espécies (jurema-preta) Mimosa tenuiflora (Wild) Poiret e (jurema-branca) Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth) Ducke, frente a linhagens de bactérias patogênicas. O pó da casca do caule de ambas as espécies foi submetido à avaliação bromatológica e determinados os teores de Matéria Seca, Matéria Mineral, Proteína Bruta, Fibra em Detergente Neutro e Energia Bruta. Os resultados para a prospecção química indicaram a presença de taninos e outros compostos fenólicos, bem como a presença de saponinas em ambos os extratos. Os extratos das duas espécies demonstraram que mais de uma parte das plantas possui atividade antimicrobiana. A composição bromatológica da casca do caule de jurema-preta e jurema-branca apresentou teores diferenciados para as variáveis avaliadas

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity study of the extract and powder of Operculina macrocarpa (L.) Urb. in mice

The aim of the study was to evaluate the experimental acute and sub-chronic toxicities of Operculina macrocarpa with plant extract and powder, respectively, in male and female mice. Phytochemical prospection was performed with extract and administration in single doses by intraperitoneal route to six groups and control at 1230, 970, 700, 350, 120 and 30 mg/kg doses and distilled water (0.1 ml/10 g), respectively. Sub-chronic doses of 1230, 700, 30 mg/kg/day and satellite (1230 mg/kg/day) were administered orally in feed. Major endpoints included alterations in the central and autonomic nervous system, water and food intake, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters. Phytochemical screening identified compounds: Alkaloids, flavonoids, xanthones, leucoanthocyanidins and tannins condensate. In the acute study, mortality was observed with toxicity signs to the central nervous system (CNS) at LD50 of 270 mg/kg. There were no significant changes in water and food intake, body weight,  haematological and biochemical parameters, and histopathological examination in the subchronic study (p value). Results indicate that the oral administration of O. macrocarpa powder in feed is less toxic and relatively safer.Key words: Mice, Operculina macrocarpa, hematological parameters, toxicity

Effects of associations of tannins from Anacardium occidentale and Anadenanthera colubrina with cephalosporin against bovine Staphylococcus aureus isolates

ABSTRACT: The association of natural compounds isolated from medicinal plants with conventional antibiotics, both with similar mechanisms of action, have become a viable alternative strategy to overcome the problem of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of tannic substances present in the bark of Anacardium occidentale and Anadenanthera colubrina against samples of Staphylococcus aureus when in combination with cephalexin. These combinations were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). For this purpose, tannins and cephalexin were serially dissolved in distilled water at concentrations ranging from 0.976 mg/mL to 500 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL to 512 mg/mL, respectively. When combined, the compounds inhibited S. aureus growth forming halos ranging from 0.9 to 46 mm with an MIC of 7.8 mg/mL (tannins) and 4 µg/mL (cephalexin). The resulting effect of the combination of natural and synthetic substances with similar mechanisms of action presented better results than when tested alone. Thus, the conclusion is that both the tannins and cephalexin had their antimicrobial action enhanced when used in combination, enabling the use of lower concentrations while maintaining their antibacterial effect against strains of S. aureus

Matricaria recutita extract associated with norfloxacin or cephalexin enhances the antimicrobial activity of these drugs against Staphylococcus aureus

Emergence of bacterial infections, including those associated with Staphylococcus aureus, brings up a need for searching new and more effective strategies for clinical treatment. The use of medicinal plants associated with conventional antibiotics may represent a therapeutic option. Currently, studies evidence the synergistic effect achieved by combining plant extracts with antibiotics. Our objective was evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and bactericidal kinetics of Matricaria recutita extract (chamomile) and its association with cephalexin and norfloxacin on clinical isolates of S. aureus from bovine origin, characterized as resistant. The tests were performed by method of dilution in solid medium to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). In both combinations of M. recutita extract with antibiotics norfloxacin and cephalexin, we observed MIC in dilution 1:64, corresponding to 8μg/mL of the antibiotic and 13.43 μg/mL of extract. Cephalexin associated with chamomile extract produced a effect of the combination in 75% of samples in their MIC. The combination of natural products frequently used by the population with the antibiotics tested in this study, could represent a therapeutic option for treatment of infections caused by S. aureus, as well as the prevention of the increasing development of resistance.O surgimento de infecções bacterianas, incluindo aquelas associadas com Staphylococcus aureus, traz à tona uma necessidade de buscar novas estratégias mais eficazes para tratamento clínico. O uso de plantas medicinais associados com os antibióticos convencionais pode ser uma opção terapêutica. Atualmente, estudos evidenciam o efeito sinérgico alcançado através da combinação de extratos vegetais com antibióticos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana e cinética bacteriana in vitro do extrato de Matricaria recutita (camomila) e sua associação com cefalexina e norfloxacin sobre isolados clínicos de S. aureus de origem bovina, caracterizada como resistente. Os ensaios foram realizados pelo método da diluição em meio sólido para a determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM). Em ambas as associações do extrato de M. recutita com os antibióticos norfloxacina e cefalexina, foi observada CIM na diluição 1:64 o que correspondeu a 8μg/mL dos antibióticos e 13.43 μg/mL do extrato. A associação Cefalexina com extrato de camomila produziu um efeito sinérgico em 75% das amostras na sua CIM. A combinação com produtos naturais frequentemente utilizados pela população e os antibióticos aqui ensaiados, poderiam representar uma opção terapêutica para o tratamento de infecções causadas por S. aureus, como também para prevenção do desenvolvimento crescente de resistência

Estudo comparativo da ação anti-helmíntica da batata de purga (Operculina hamiltonii) e do melão de são caetano (Mormodica charantia) em caprinos (Capra hircus) naturalmente infectados Comparative study of the anti-helminthic action of the potato of purges (Operculina hamiltonii) and the cantaloups of São Caetano (Mormodica charatia) in naturally infected goats (Capra hircus)

As helmintoses gastrintestinais ocupam lugar de destaque na produção de pequenos ruminantes como um fator limitante e o seu controle vem sendo realizado por meio do uso indiscriminado de anti-helmínticos favorecendo o surgimento da resistência a medicamentos. Com o objetivo de comparar a ação anti-helmíntica das plantas Operculina hamiltonii (batata de purga), Marmodica charantia (Melão de São Caetano) e do moxedctin a 0,2% sobre as infecções helminticas naturais de caprinos, foram utilizados 40 caprinos, sem raça definida, fêmeas, com idade entre seis e 12 meses, naturalmente infectados, separados em quatro grupos: o GRUPO 1 (G1) - animais controle negativo tratados com água destilada; o GRUPO 2 (G2) - animais tratados com o extrato alcoólico da O. hamiltonii; o GRUPO 3 (G3) - animais tratados com o extrato alcoólico da M. charantia e no GRUPO 4 (G4) - animais controle positivo tratados com moxidectina 0,2%. Todos os grupos receberam os tratamentos por três dias consecutivos. As amostras fecais foram coletadas nos dias 0, 30 e 60 após tratamento, para a realização da contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) e larvacultura. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos, aplicou-se o teste de redução na contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (RCOF). A RCOF do G2, G3 e G4 foram de 63 e 90; 40 e 40; 100 e 100%, respectivamente para 30 e 60 dias pós-tratamento respectivamente. Durante o período de estudo, observou-se que todas as amostras coletadas estavam positivas para larvas de helmintos da superfamília Trichostrongyloidea, com exceção para o G4, nos dias 30 e 60 pós-tratamento. O Haemonchus foi o parasita mais prevalente nas coproculturas.<br>Gastrintestinal helminthosis occupy a place of prominence in the production of small ruminants as an edge factor. Its control has been carried through the indiscriminate use of anti-helminthic products in favor of the appearing resistance to the medicines. With the objective to compare the anti-helminthic action of the Operculina hamiltonii plants (potato of purges), Marmodica charantia (Cantaloups of Sao Caetano) and of moxedctin at 0.2% about the natural helminthic infections of goats, there had been used 40 goats, without defined race, females, with age between six and 12 months, naturally infected, separated in four groups: GROUP 1 (G1) negative control animals treated with distilled water; GROUP 2 (G2) -animal treated with the alcoholic extract of O. hamiltonii; GROUP 3 (G3) - animal treated with the alcoholic extract of M. charantia and GROUP 4 (G4) - positive control animals treated with moxidectina at 0.2%. All of them had received the treatments for three days in a row. The feces samples were collected at: 0, 30 and 60 days after treatment, for the accomplishment of the egg counting per gram of excrements (EPG) and larvae culture. To evaluate the effect of the treatments, a reduction on the egg counting per gram of excrements (RECE) was applied. The RECE of the G2, G3 and G4 were: 63 and 90; 40 and 40; 100 and 100%, respectively for 30 and 60 days post-treatment, respectively. During the period of study it was observed that all collected samples were positive for larvae of helminths of the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea, except for the G4, throughout 30-60 days and post-treatment. The Haemonchus was the most prevalent parasite in the culture of feces