Crude extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville: antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and hemolytic activities

Abstract

The search for bioactive plant compounds has gained significant attention worldwide in recent decades. Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville, commonly known as barbatimao, is endemic to the Brazilian cerrado and is characterized by a high phenolic content in its bark, which possesses potential biological activity. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal, and hemolytic activities of the hydroethanolic extract (EHE) of S. adstringens using the disk diffusion method. Additionally, it sought to quantify polyphenols using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, flavonoids through the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride, and assess antioxidant activity through DPPH radical scavenging. The extract exhibited a relative phenolic concentration (373.23 mg EAG/g) with a high flavonoid content (961.96 mg EQ/g). The extract showed antioxidant activity above 70%. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, satisfactory antimicrobial activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. The extract showed no hemolytic activity. Therefore, it can be inferred that S. adstringens exhibits potential biological activity, possibly attributed to its rich phenolic content.