Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extract, essential oil, and fractions from Campomanesia pubescens leaves

Abstract

Campomanesia pubescens (DC.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae), widely known as “gabiroba”, is a shrub or subshrub used in folk medicine (leaves and barks of the stem) in the form of decoction or infusion in combating urinary tract disorders, diarrhea, and as an astringent. The present work aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oil, crude ethanol extract and hexane fractions, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous from C. pubescens leaves against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The leaves were collected in Hidrolândia - Goiás and the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus. The extract and fractions were tested against bacteria and fungi using the microdilution method. The aqueous fractions and ethyl acetate showed strong inhibiting activity (MIC= 8 to 16 μg/mL) against Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and moderate activity (MIC= 32 to 64 μg/mL) against Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. There is no report in the literature on the antifungal activity of ethanol extract and fractions of the leaves of C. pubecens. It is concluded through this study that the aqueous fractions and ethyl acetate from C. pubecens leaves presented strong antifungal activity which may justify its popular use in the treatment of urinary tract disorders. Therefore, this species has therapeutic potential that underlies more in-depth studies. This is the first study of the antifungal activity of crude extract and fractions from C. pubecens leaves.