English

Abstract

This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and phytochemical constituents of leaves and fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil. the hemolytic action of active fractions was also checked. After a liquid-liquid partition of hydroalcoholic extracts, the following fractions were obtained: cyclohexane (CFL), ethyl acetate (EAFL), n-butanol (NBFL) and aqueous fractions (AFL) from leaves; and cyclohexane (CFF), ethyl acetate (EAFF), n-butanol (NBFF) and aqueous fractions from fruits (AFF). The antimicrobial action of these samples was evaluated by microdilution assay against seven clinical isolates of S. aureus and the standard strain. Finally, the hemolytic activity of active fractions was checked. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of triterpene, carbohydrate (leaves); flavonoids and tannin (fruit and leaves). All samples showed anti-S. aureus action and the most active fractions were EAL and EAF. The MIC ranged from 0.78125 to 6.25 mg/mL (EAFL) and 0.390625 to 1.5625 mg/mL (EAFL). Both fractions showed low toxicity since the HC50 values were greater than MIC50 values: the ratio MIC50/HC50 for EAFL was 3.68 and 11.61 for EAFF. Our work shows that A. colubrina is a potential source of anti-S. aureus molecules, their isolation and characterization are target of new research of our group. Key words: Anadenanthera colubrina, caatinga, antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity.