RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Currently, the treatment of infectious diseases has not always been successful due to the emergence of microbial resistance worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity, content of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, antifungal potential and antibacterial action of six medicinal plants found in the Cerrado, leaf extracts of Boldo (Peumus boldus), Goiaba (Psidium guajava), Assa-Peixe (Vernonia polysphaera), Abacate (Persea americana), Eucalipto (Eucalyptus citriodora) and raw sap of Bálsamo (Jatropha multifida). METHODS: The antioxidant activity was also determined through the DPPH, ABTS and phosphomolybdenum assays. In addition, the total phenolic content and flavonoid dosage were analyzed using the Folin- Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride test, respectively. RESULTS: All extracts, except from Assa-Peixe, showed promising values against Staphylococcus aureus, with halos varying from 13-20 mm. Analysis of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the six medicinal plants revealed inhibitory activity of S. aureus, with concentrations varying from 3.12-12.5 mg/mL, which is a significant result considering that S. aureus is one of the main causes of hospital infections. CONCLUSION: In the analysis of the phytochemical profile, Goiaba contained the best yield of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids, as well as higher antioxidant activity by DPPH and phosphomolybdenum, demonstrating that this species contains antioxidant components that can sequester free radicals under in vitro conditions. Therefore, the crude extracts investigated are promising and their antibacterial and antioxidant actions should be thoroughly studied.
