ABSTRACT
The present study aimed at investigating the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from Brazilian propolis and the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermides, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli to this substance. The essential oil was obtained by steam distillation of propolis and examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, the agar diffusion method using filter paper disks was employed. Antibacterial activity was measured as equivalent diameters of inhibition zones (in millimeters) after incubation at 37ºC for 24 hours. From the 26 identified constituents, Beta-caryophyllene (12.7 percent), acetophenone (12.3 percent) and Beta-farnesene (9.2 percent) were found to be major components. New components, namely linalool, methyl hydrocinnamate, ethyl hydrocinnamate, alfa-ylangene, gama-elemene and valencene, are reported for the first time to be present in propolis essential oil. This oil also exhibited antibacterial activity.
Subject(s)
Bees , Oils, Volatile , Propolis/pharmacology , Propolis/chemistry , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Streptococcus pyogenesABSTRACT
The species Alpinia purpurata is scarcely cited as to ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry. This study aimed to analyze bioactive compounds through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hydroalcoholic crude extract was obtained from A. purpurata dried leaves. Folin-Ciocalteau method was used to quantify total phenols, using gallic acid as standard. The obtained result was 15.6 mg GAE g-1. The crude extract was partitioned with the solvents ethyl acetate and butanol, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and HPLC. The flavonoids kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide and rutin were detected at a higher concentration in ethyl acetate and butanolic extracts. The butanolic extract contains the highest flavonoid percentage (94.3 percent). A. purpurata presents important flavonoids of therapeutic use, already verified for A. zerumbet. This is the first study verifying the presence of flavonoids in A. purpurata extracts.
A espécie Alpinia purpurata apresenta poucas citações referentes a etnofarmacologia e fitoquímica. Este estudo propõe a análise de substâncias bioativas através da técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). O extrato bruto hidroalcóolico foi obtido a partir de folhas secas de A. purpurata. A quantificação de fenóis totais foi realizada pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau, usando ácido gálico como padrão. Como resultado, foi verificado 15,6 mg EAG g-1. O extrato bruto foi particionado com os solventes acetato de etila e butanol e depois analisado por cromatografia em camada delgada e CLAE. Nos extratos acetato de etila e butanólico foi detectada a presença dos flavonóides kaempferol-3-O-glicuronídeo e rutina, em maior concentração. O extrato butanólico contém a maior porcentagem de flavonóides (94,3 por cento). Esta espécie possui flavonóides importantes no uso terapêutico, já antes verificados para a espécie A. zerumbet. Este é o primeiro trabalho que verifica a presença de flavonóides em extratos de A. purpurata.
Subject(s)
Flavonoids/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Alpinia/physiology , Rutin/analysis , /analysis , Zingiberaceae , Polyphenols/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
São analisadas as características microscópicas entre os caules de Lippia alba e de Melissa officinalis, ambas conhecidas no Brasil como "ervas cidreiras" e consumidas pela população em virtude de suas propriedades sedativas e antiespasmódicas. A análise dos cortes transversais dos seus caules, que geralmente aparecem misturados às folhas das duas espécies em estudo, auxilia a diagnose da matéria prima vegetal.
The microscopic characteristics of the stems of Lippia alba and Melissa officinalis, both known in Brazil as "erva cidreira" and consumed by the population in virtue of their sedative and antispasmodic properties, were analyzed. Analysis of the transverse section these stems, which often appear mixed with the leaves of the two species, help in the differentiation of the raw plant material.