Search

In this study the physicochemical characterization of the pulp and almond fixed oil was carried out; their antibacterial activity and aminoglycoside antibiotic modifying action against standard and multiresistant Gram-positive and -negative bacteria were investigated using the broth microdilution assay. Physical properties such as moisture, pH, acidity, peroxide index, relative density and refractive index indicate stability and chemical quality of the oils. In the GC/MS chemical composition analysis, a high unsaturated fatty acid content and the presence of oleic and palmitic acids were observed in the oils. In the antibacterial assay, more significant results were obtained for Escherichia coli, while other standard and multi-resistant strains presented MIC values ≥ 1024 μg/mL. Furthermore, the fixed oils in association with antibiotics were able to significantly improve antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a reduction in MICs.

This work describes the physicochemical characterization of the fruit pulp oil of Caryocar coriaceum (Wittm), “pequi.” The chemical composition was assessed by GLC, which demonstrated the following fatty acid contents: oleic (55.79%), palmitic (34.18%), heptadecenoic (5.86%), linoleic (1.80%), stearic (1.73%), eicosenoic (0.37%) and palmitoleic (0.27%). The vibrational spectroscopy results were typical of an edible oil, and are in accordance with the high unsaturated fatty acid content. Physical properties such as water content, acidity, peroxide index, saponification index, relative density, viscosity and refraction index are reported for the first time for this species. Pequi fruits have a high nutritional value, and are rich in protein and vitamins. In addition, their composition includes essential fatty acids, which accounts for the popular use of the fruit oil for antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity. There is great interest in extending the use of this natural product by exploiting the combined social, economic and therapeutic values of its derivatives.El presente trabajo describe la caracterización físico-química del aceite de la pulpa de Caryocar coriaceum (Wittm), “pequi”. La composición química fue evaluada por GLC, que mostró el siguiente contenido de ácido graso: oleico (55,79%), palmítico (34,18%), heptadecenoico (5,86%), linoleico (1,80%), esteárico (1,73%), eicosenoico (0,37%) y palmitoleico (0,27%). Los resultados de la espectroscopia vibracional fueron típicos de un aceite comestible, y están en concordancia con el alto contenido de ácido graso insaturado. Las propiedades físicas tales como el contenido de agua, la acidez, índice de peróxido, índice de saponificación, densidad relativa, viscosidad e índice de refracción se presentan por primera vez para esta especie. Los frutos de pequi tienen un alto valor nutricional, y son ricos en proteínas y vitaminas; además su composición incluye ácidos grasos esenciales. El aceite de la fruta tiene un uso popular debido a su actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria. Hay un gran interés en extender el uso de este producto natural aprovechando los valores sociales, económicos y terapéuticos de sus derivados.

Introduction: Some species of Staphylococcus are often recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections. This study is the first test of change in resistance of antibiotic activity by Croton campestris A. and Ocimum gratissimum L. against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Objective: In this study, the hexane and methanol extract of Croton campestris A. and Ocimumgratissimum L. was tested for antibacterial activity alone and in combination with norfloxacin against the strain SA1199B. Materials and methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the modulatory effect ofextracts was assayed using microtitre assay. Results: By the fact of the MIC observed was not clinically relevant (MIC= 512 to ≥1.024 µg/ml), the antibiotic activity of norfloxacin was enhanced when this antibiotic was combined with sub-inhibitory concentrations of extracts, mainly the hexane extracts. Conclusions: These results indicate that the assayed extracts present compounds that can be used as a putative efflux pump inhibitor, indicating that Croton campestris A. and Ocimum gratissimum L. can be a source of plant derived products with antibiotic modifier activity. Introducción. Algunas especies de Staphylococcus suelen ser reconocidas como agentes etiológicos de muchas infecciones oportunistas en animales y em humanos. Este estudio es la primera prueba del cambio en la resistencia de la actividad antibiótica por Croton campestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L.contra cepas multirresistentes de Staphylococcus aureus. Objetivo. Ensayar la actividad antibacteriana de los extractos hexánicos y metanólicos de Croton campestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L. sola y en combinación con norfloxacina sobre la cepa SA1199B. Materiales y métodos. Se analizó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) y el efecto modulador de los extractos usando el ensayo de microtitulación. Resultados. Por el hecho de que la CIM observada no era clínicamente relevante (CIM: 512 ≥ 1.024mg/ml), la actividad antibiótica de norfloxacina fue potenciada cuando se combinó este antibiótico conconcentraciones subinhibitorias de los extractos, principalmente con los extractos hexánicos. Conclusiones. Estos resultados indican que los extractos ensayados presentan compuestos que pueden ser utilizados como inhibidores putativos de la bomba de eflujo, lo que indica que Crotoncampestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L. pueden ser una fuente de productos derivados de plantas conactividad modificadora de antibióticos.

Aedes aegypti L. é um dos vetores do dengue. No Brasil, tem ganhado muita atenção no setor da saúde pública, uma vez que esta doença tem se tornando mais agressiva na forma hemorrágica na popula- ção. Esse estudo teve como objetivo investigar o efeito de óleos essenciais de Piper aduncum, Piper marginatum e Piper nigrum contra larvas de Aedes aegypti. Em um esforço para encontrar uma maneira natural, eficaz e acessível para controlar esta doença endêmica, as atividades dos óleos essenciais, a partir das plantas, foram analisadas por comparação através da medida da CL50 . Os óleos essenciais obtidos por hidrodestilação foram analisados por CG/EM. Os principais componentes identificados foram: β-pineno (32,7%) e E-cariofileno (17,1%) em P. aduncum; isoelemecina (21,7%) e apiol (20,1%) em P. marginatum e E-cariofileno (24,2%) e Óxido-cariofileno (20,1%) em P. nigrum. Os resultados mostram que Piper marginatum apresentou CL50 de 8,29 μg/mL e este trabalho é o primeiro relato de atividade larvicida de P. aduncum. Estes resultados sugerem que os óleos essenciais de espécies do gênero Piper são promissores como larvicidas contra larvas de A. aegypti., Aedes aegypti L. is one of the vectors of dengue fever. In Brazil it has gain much attention in the Public Health sector since this disease has becoming more aggressive in the hemorrhagic form in the population. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Piper aduncum, Piper marginatum and Piper nigrum essential oils against Aedes aegypti larvae. In an effort to find a natural effective and affordable way to control this endemic disease, the larvicidal activities of essential oils from the plants were analyzed for activity comparison by measurement of their LC50 . The essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC/MS. The main components identified were: β-pinene (32.7%) and E-caryophyllene (17.1%) in P. aduncum; isoelemecin (21.7%) and apiole (20.1%) in P. marginatum and E-caryophyllene (24.2%) and caryophyllene oxide (20.1%) in P. nigrum. The results show that Piper marginatum presented the LC50 of 8.29 μg/mL and these are the first report about the larvicidal activity of P. aduncum. These results suggest that the essential oil of Piper species are promising as larvicide against A. aegypti larvae., Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires