Actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de ramas de Hedyosmum cuatrecazanum Occhioni (Chloranthaceae)

Abstract

The genus Hedyosmum (Chloranthaceae) consists of 45 species. In Ecuador, this genus presents 16 endemic species of the high cloud forest and subpáramos of the country's south. The objective was to determine the antimicrobial activity of hexanic and ethanolic extracts from branches of Hedyosmum cuatrecazanum Occhioni., from the Ecuadorian Andes against microorganisms of clinical importance. The fresh branches of H. cuatrecazanum Occhioni. They were obtained from the natural forest of Jacarón, province of Chimborazo - Ecuador; they were dried (in an oven at 38ºC x 3 days) and then crushed. Plant material (200 gr) was placed in Erlenmeyer flasks (1000 mL with 500 mL) of Hexane or Ethanol, 72h (19oC+/-2). Subsequently, each extract was filtered and subjected to rotary evaporation (55°C), and stored at (4°C) in the dark. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were studied by diffusion in agar and minimum inhibitory concentration, starting from dilutions with dimethyl sulfoxide. Both extracts showed activity against most Gram-negative bacteria, but only against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Candida strains showed variable susceptibility to hexanic extracts but not to ethanolic ones. The studied extracts of Hedyosmum cuatrecazanum Occhioni., show variable antimicrobial potential against microorganisms of clinical importance. Keywords: Hedyosmum cuatrecazanum Occhioni, antibacterials, antifungals, extracts, minimum inhibitory concentration.