Abstract

The search for new substances with antimicrobial properties has become necessary due to the bacterial capacity of resistance. Medicinal plants have become an important alternative since many plants exhibit antimicrobial activity. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest contains a huge diversity of plant species, many of which have not been thoroughly investigated.Jacaranda puberula Cham. (Bignoniaceae) and Sorocea bonplandii Baill. (Moraceae) are used popularly to treat conditions associated with bacterial infection such as syphilis, as well as, infections of the skin, kidneys and bladder. In this study, the antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves from J. puberula and S. bonplandii was investigated by the agar-well method. The results obtained show that the hydroalcoholic extracts of J. puberula and S. bonplandii presented a bacteriostatic action against Staphylococcus aureus. J. puberula also exhibited bactericidal activity towards S. aureus at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. Therefore, these species represent a potential tool for the production of new phytomedicines with antibacterial action against important agents with high resistance to drugs in current use.

 Key words: Ethnopharmacology, antibacterials, Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Staphylococcus aureus, agar-well method.