Eficacia antimicrobiana de los extractos crudos de las hojas de Pseudocalymma alliaceum (Lam.) contra microorganismos de importancia clínica aislados de pacientes hospitalizados

Abstract: Introduction. In the last years, antibiotic resistance has been increased worldwide. Nevertheless, complications in antibiotic treatment infection remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Medicinal plants have been used as remedies for human infectious diseases as they contain components of beneficial value. Pseudocalymma alliaceum leaves are used to treat different diseases based on traditional medicine for populations in South America. Objective. For this reason, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous, methanol and hydroalcoholic extract of dried leaves of P. alliaceum on clinically important microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes and Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the yeast Candida albicans isolated from clinical specimens. Methodology. To perform the antibacterial and antifungal activity, we used Mueller–Hinton broth in agar well-diffusion method. Results: The results showed that only aqueous extract exhibited antibacterial effect against E. coli [inhibition diameter (23.2±1.0 mm) minimum inhibitory concentration (312 µg mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (156 µg mL)] and E. aerogenes [inhibition diameter (24.4±1.6 mm), minimum inhibitory concentration (119 µg mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (78 µg mL)]. Conclusion: P. alliaceum demonstrated in-vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Further in vivo studies must be improved in order to identify its mechanism of action.