Abstract
Background: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb) is a plant widely used for medicinal proposes in Brazilian Northeast. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of rainfall indexes (RI) in antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of extracts from leaves and fruits of A. colubrina. Material and Methods: Samples were collected in Catimbau National Park (Buíque, Pernambuco, Brazil) at September 2010 (RI: 75 mm) and January (RI: 65 mm), April (RI: 162 mm) and June 2011 (RI: 73 mm). The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using cyclohexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC and MBC values. Results: All extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but ethyl acetate extracts (from all periods) were more active. Strong correlations were found between the RI and the average MIC of MLE (ρ: -0.99), EALE (ρ: -0.81), CHFE (ρ: -0.81), EAFE (ρ: -0.80); while moderate and weak correlations were found for other extracts. Through a HPLC analysis was possible to reveal that the samples collected from dry periods had more chemical diversity (as they presented more peaks). Gallic acid and quercetin (and derivative compounds) were identified. The levels of quercetin were enhanced in extracts from dry months. Conclusion: Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, however these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been drawing attention to the increasing problem of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics for more than a decade.[1]
Strong correlations were found between the rainfall indexes (RI) and the average minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Methanol Leaves Extract (MLE) (ρ: -0.99), Ethyl Acetate Leaves Extract (EALE) (ρ: -0.81), Cyclohexane Fruits Extract (CHFE) (ρ: -0.81), Ethyl Acetate Fruits Extract June (EAFE) (ρ: -0.80); while moderate and weak correlations were found for other extracts
Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been drawing attention to the increasing problem of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics for more than a decade.[1]. Cebil (Griseb) Alstchull (1964), popularly known as Angico (synonyms: Acacia cebil, Peptadenia macrocarpa, Anadenanthera macrocarpa),[11] is frequently used by inhabitants of the Caatinga biome to treat anemia, cancer and inflammatory diseases.[2,3] Previous studies demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of leaves and fruits of this plant, especially against Staphylococcus aureus.[4,5,6,12] In this context, the present study aims to analyze the effects of rainfall on the antimicrobial activity and secondary metabolites contents of leaves and fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina With this information, the best collection time to maximize the bioactive compounds extraction for medicinal purposes may be determined. Conclusion: Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months
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