Phytochemical Study, Microbiological Activity and Cytotoxicity of Leaves and Stem from Plant Species Mikania lindleyana DC

Aims: The objective of this research was to study phytochemical, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of crude ethanol extract of Mikania lindleyana leaves and stems.

Study Design: Samples of plant species M. lindleyana were collected in the city of Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The leaves and stems of this species were analyzed and the plant was identified by comparing with the voucher specimen at the Herbarium of the Federal University of Amapá, in the city of Macapá. Experimental tests were performed at the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical of the Pharmacy Undergraduate Course at the Federal University of Amapá.

Place and Duration of Study: The samples collection occurred in the city of Belém-Pará-Brazil in December, 2012. The study was conducted between January and September, 2013 at the Federal University of Amapá.

Methodology: The phytochemical screening was performed according to the method described by Macêdo and by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The bioassay cytotoxicity on Artemia salina was performed using the ethanol extracts of the Mikania lindleyana, where calculations were made for the CL50 employing BioEstat ® and PROBIT tool. The microbiological test was performed by the tube microdilution method in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Results: The Screening Phytochemical analysis of the leaf and stem ethanol extract from the Mikania lindleyana DC indicated the presence of tannins, saponins and the extracts showed no antimicrobial activity on the bacteria tested. The cytotoxicity of the extracts might be related to the alkaloids and saponins present in its constitution.

Conclusion: The study helped the community, suggesting that despite its popular use is not recommended as antimicrobial agent, and contributed to the scientific community, opening a new front of research.