African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2288

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of biochemical and microbiological effects of Cordyline dracaenoides Kunth (Uvarana) barks

Flávio Luís Beltrame1*, Carla Cristine Kanunfre2, Bruno Rainho1, Elaine Kiatkoski1, Francine Mioduski1, Marcelo Henrique Kravicz1 and Luís Antônio Esmerino3.
1Department of Pharmacy, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil. 2Department of Biology, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil. 3Department of Clinical Analysis, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Email: [email protected].

  •  Accepted: 04 November 2011
  •  Published: 29 November 2011

Abstract

Cordyline dracaenoides, known as Uvarana, is a tree that is found and spread throughout the region of “Campos Gerais” in the State of Parana, Brazil. In this work, the immunomodulatory and citotoxicity of crude extract and microbiological activity of hexanic, chloroformic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were investigated. Furthermore, the phytochemical screening of the partionated extracts was analyzed and the extracts revealed the possible presence of terpenes, sterols and polyphenolic compounds (PC). It was confirmed by the measurement from Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, and it corresponds to 0.99 µg of catechin equivalent/mg of the extract and HPLC analysis. Microbiological assays showed that the extracts were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and it was determined that in chlorophormic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts, there are some compounds that are responsible for this activity. The immunomodulatory and citotoxicity effects were determined against the models evaluated, showing a dose-dependent effect for the crude extract.

 

Key words: Cordilyne dracaenoides, immunomodulatory activity, microbiological assay, citotoxicity.