Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de extrato aquoso e frações derivadas de sementes de Cumaru [Amburana cearensis (Allema) A. C. Smith] associadas a antimicrobianos

Abstract

The Fabaceae family is well known for its broad economic importance and various purposes. Amburana cearensis, Fabaceae, popularly known as imburana or cumaru, is widely used in popular medicine, what sustain search for novel pharmacological agents from its components. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and modulating activities, as well as to characterize the crude extract and fractions obtained from A. cearensis seeds by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The aqueous extract obtained in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 8.0 was sequentially fractionated in ammonium sulfate and subjected to characterization by Acquity UPLC system (Waters), coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (QtoF, Waters). Also, antimicrobial activity was verified by microdilution assay and the possible interactions between plant extract and antibiotics penicillin, norfloxacin, gentamicin and antifungal fluconazole, were determined using a subinhibitory concentration. Samples at 128 µg/mL showed inhibitory activity (p<0,05) with possible synergistic effect when associated with antibiotics and antifungal agent against Escherichia coli, Sthaphylococcus aureus and the yeast Candida albicans. It was possible to identify in the crude extract and fractions several phenolic compounds, organic acids, and some polyphenols in positive ionization mode. These results suggest that aqueous extract and fractions of A. cearensis may present compounds with the ability to interact and act synergistically with antimicrobial drugs, highlighting its potential as an alternative source for the development of new antimicrobial agents.