Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Myrcia tomentosa (Aubl.) DC. Leaves

This work describes the isolation and structural elucidation of compounds from the leaves of Myrcia tomentosa (Aubl.) DC. (goiaba-brava) and evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds against bacteria and fungi. Column chromatography was used to fractionate and purify the extract of the M. tomentosa leaves and the chemical structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed using the broth microdilution method. The phytochemical investigation isolated 11 compounds: α-bisabolol, α-bisabolol oxide B, α-cadinol, β-sitosterol, n-pentacosane, n-tetracosane, quercetin, kaempferol, avicularin, juglanin and guaijaverin. The crude ethanolic extract and its fractions were tested against 15 bacteria and 9 yeasts. The crude extract inhibited the in vitro growth of yeasts at concentration of 4 to 32 μg/mL. The hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions inhibited Candida sp. at concentrations of 4 to 256 μg/mL, whereas the Cryptococcus sp. isolates were inhibited only by the hexane and dichloromethane fractions in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) at 16 to 64 μg/mL. The flavonoid quercetin-3-O-α-arabinofuranose (avicularin) was the most active compound, inhibiting Candida species in concentrations of 2 to 32 μg/mL. The MIC values suggest potential activity of this plant species against yeast

Anti-inflammatory effect of Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. leaves involves reduction of TNF-alpha

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil., 'manaca', is a medicinal species used in Brazil, especially in central region, for the treatment of several diseases such as pain and inflammation. In this study, the methanol/aqueous phase of the ethanol extract of the leaves of 'manaca' (MAP), at the doses of 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and/or antinociceptive effects and the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of MAP were assessed using formalin test, carrageenan-induced paw oedema. The myeloperoxidase activity, capillary permeability, leukocyte migration and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were evaluated in pleural exudate. The MAP reduced the licking time only in the later phase of formalin test, and showed anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the paw oedema, migration cell, myeloperoxidase activity, capillary permeability and TNF-alpha levels. In conclusion, we confirmed the inflammatory activity of MAP and affirm that this effect involves the reduction of TNF-alpha level.FUNAPE/UFGFUNAPE/UFGPRPPG/UFGPRPPG/UFGFAPEGFAPEGCAPESCAPESCNPqCNP