PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND ESSENTIAL OIL OF THE LEAVES OF Cymbopogon citratus

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus is a well-known and used vegetable, belonging to the Paeceae family, originated in Asia and in some tropical countries, popularly known as Capim-santo is effective against various pathologies such as asthma, insomnia, colic and anxiety. The present study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extract and essential oil from C. citratus leaves, as well as the antibacterial and modulatory activity against standard and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. For the analysis of antibacterial activity, the broth microdilution test was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the modulatory activity of the aminoglycosides gentamicin and amikacin. In the phytochemical characterization it was observed the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract as tannins and phenols, besides presenting some flavonoids. The obtained results of the MIC in all tested bacteria were ≥1024 µg/mL for both the extract and the essential oil. The ethanolic extract, when associated with amikacin and gentamicin, showed antagonism to S. aureus and P. aeruginosa strains, but when the essential oil and antibiotics were combined, there was antagonism only to P. aeruginosa, the other results were not significant. Thus, new studies with other antibiotics should be carried out, aiming to seek the effects caused by this type of combined activity, because, as in the data obtained, the reduction of the antibiotic effect can hinder the treatment of various diseases.