Evaluation of the modulatory and antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract and fractions of Duguetia furfuracea A. St.-Hil.

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been the subject of research in several countries such as Brazil. The Duguetia furfuracea A. St.-Hil., popularly known as araticum-bravo, ata-brava and ata de lobo, has been used in folk medicine as anti-rheumatic drugs, for the treatment of renal dysfunction, spinal pain and stomach, and against pediculosis. This work aimed to analyze the antibacterial effect of the crude extract and fractions obtained from the leaves of D. furfuracea. The characterization of secondary metabolites was carried out through phytochemical prospection, being checked for the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using broth microdilution method and its modulating activity of antibiotic activity in sub-inhibitory (MIC/8) concentration. When standard bacterial strain is used for the MIC and multidrug-resistant strains of modulation, all samples had a MIC ≥ 1024 μg/ml. The samples when combined with aminoglycosides demonstrated synergistic activity against the Escherichia coli 27 and Staphylococcus aureus 358. The results of this study indicate the species D. furfuracea as a promising source in combating bacterial multidrug resistance, increasing the potential of antibiotics.