M. M. Cunico

Estudo preliminar da atividade antibacteriana das cascas de Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Erythrina velutina is popularly known as suina, mulungu, corticeira, mulungu-da-catinga among others. Of the several species spread around the world about twelve are found in Brazil. Mainly in the Brazilian northeast the bark is used due to its sudorific, sedative, emollient, pectoral and topical anesthetic properties. Considering that there are no studies about the antibacterial potential of Erythrina velutina, this research aimed at evaluating, at least preliminarily, bark activity against eight pathogenic bacteria. The crude ethanol extract was tested by the disk diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the hexane fraction by the disk diffusion method. Both samples demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results pointed to the viability of future research on other fractions and substances isolated from Erythrina velutina in search for new rational therapeutic alternatives based on natural sources.

Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana e triagem fitoquímica das flores de Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. ex G. Don Leguminosae-Mimosoideae

The antibacterial activity of the flowers of Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. (Leguminosae) was evaluated through the gel diffusion method. The bacteria tested were: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The culture media was agar Mueller-Hinton. Paper discs (6 mm in diameter) with 1000, 500, 250 e 125 mg of the tested extracts (crude ethanolic and its fractions; Ethyl Acetate and Dichloromethane) were used. The results indicated action against the gram-positive tested strains in different levels. The Ethyl Acetate extract showed a higher activity. Phenols and flavonoids were detected in the flowers of A. podalyriifolia through phytochemical screening.