Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana de componentes fitoquímicos de un extracto acusoso de la planta medicinal indígena Uitoto Nautilocalyx Pallidus (Sprague) “Kᵻtove” frente a cepas microbianas de colección.

Abstract

Nautilocalyx pallidus (Sprague), known as “Kᵻtove”, is a plant used in traditional indigenous medicine of the uitoto communities of the Colombian Amazon, especially to treat bites from poisonous snakes such as the horse snake (Bothrops atrox), the warty snake (Lachesis muta) and a snake commonly known as the parrot snake (Corallus caninus). However, to date, no research has been conducted on its phytochemical components or its possible antimicrobial properties. Considering the current problem of antimicrobial multi-resistance of microorganisms, the main objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of the aqueous extract of Nautilocalyx pallidus (Sprague) “Kᵻtove” against microbial strains from the ATCC collection. For this purpose, a qualitative phytochemical analysis was initially carried out by thin layer chromatography, in order to identify the main compounds responsible for its potential antimicrobial effects, followed by an evaluation of its antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a yeast (Candida albicans) using the well diffusion technique. The results of the phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract of Nautilocalyx pallidus (Sprague) “Kᵻtove” revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds that could be responsible for its therapeutic and antimicrobial properties. Evaluation of antimicrobial properties showed that the pure plant extract did not exhibit activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli, while both the pure extract and its 10% dilution exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes; furthermore, the 10% extract showed moderate activity against Candida albicans.