Avaliação do perfil farmacognóstico e do potencial antimicrobiano do extrato etanólico do caule da Cecropia pachystachya T. (embaúba)

Abstract

Many of the plants found in the Brazilian savanna are used for the treatment of numerous diseases. These plants present several peculiarities, such as the family Cecropiaceae. One of them, Cecropia pachystachya, known as embaúba, features popular indications in the treatment of asthma, coughs, cardiovascular problems and diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile of ethanol extract of the stem of Cecropia pachystachya and the antimicrobial potential of stem extracts with 07 15, 30, and 45 days of maceration. According to the tests, the presence of tannins and flavonoids in all extracts was confirmed. In the analysis, the ethanol extract of 7 and 45 days of maceration presented halo of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus. It was concluded that the stem of the Cecropia pachystachya presented flavonoids and tannins, possibly the responsible of the antimicrobial effect in Staphylococcus aureus.

Keywords

• Mirmecophyta
• phytotherapy
• Staphylococcus aureus
• bioactive compounds
• Cecropia pachystachya