Ethnobotanical study and antimicrobial activity of Galphimia glauca Cav.

Abstract

Galphimia glauca (Malpighiaceae) has been widely used in traditional Mexican medicine. This study is the first to report on the root´s antimicrobial activity based on traditional knowledge from Xochipala, Guerrero. Two preliminary interviews were conducted with key informants. Final surveys were then prepared and distributed in three schools in the community. The information was organized in a hierarchical list according to importance and frequency of use to apply the Friedman index. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts were evaluated using the double serial dilution method in agar. Four main plants were reported for the treatment of skin pimples. G. glauca or "Tespancolole" was the most frequently used (54.9 %), followed by Hintonia latifolia or "Copalchi" (27.4 %), Dorstenia drakena or "Gallito" (0.87 %), and Ziziphus amole or "Corongoro" (7.83 %). The antimicrobial effect of the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts on Trichophyton. rubrum and T. menthagrophytes was observed at a concentration of 4 µg/mL. Growth inhibition was higher when compared to miconazole, the reference drug used, which was evaluated at 8 µg/mL. This study supports the traditional knowledge of the community of Xochipala, Guerrero that uses the root of G. glauca, showing antimicrobial activity for the treatment of dermal lesions that may be due to infectious agents such as Staphylococcus. aureus, T. rubrum, and T.menthagrophytes.