Phytochemical prospection and biological activity of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of curatella Americana L. (Dilleniaceae)

The present work describes the phytochemical prospection and biological activity of the leaves of Curatella americana L., also known as “Caimbé”, belonging to the family Dilleniaceae. The necessary botanical material was obtained in the municipality of Boa Vista, state of Roraima. This species has a wide distribution throughout the intertropical belt, and can be found throughout the belt from Australia to South America. The extract was obtained from dried and pulverized material. The toxic activity against the microcrustacean Artemia salina was then determined. Tests were performed to determine the antimicrobial activity of Curatella americana for gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and L. monocytogenes), gram-negative bacteria (C. freundii and P. aeruginosa) and for yeasts (C. albicans). Furthermore, the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was determined by the spectrophotometric method on an Elisa type reader at a wavelength of 600 nm. The phytochemical prospection of C. Americana leaf extracts showed the presence of the following secondary metabolites: phenols, tannins, saponins and free steroids. Biological tests of the extract showed low toxicity, antimicrobial activity against some of the microorganisms tested, and inhibition rates of over 50% of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, therefore classified as a potent inhibitor.