Evaluation of antibacterial, trypanocidal and cytotoxical activities of the hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Veludo Branco) (Commelinaceae)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro, antibacterial and trypanocidal effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Commelinaceae), commonly known as Veludo branco. The in vitro antibacterial activity against the standard bacteria Streptococcus mitis (MIC = 100µg/mL; MBC = 150 µg/mL), Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 200µg/mL; MBC = 220 µg/mL), Streptococcus sanguinis (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 425 µg/mL), Streptococcus sobrinus (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 420 µg/mL) andBacteroides fragilis (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 430 µg/mL), using microdilution broth methods. Protozoans from the trypanosomatid family cause neglected tropical diseases such as trypanosomiasis, for which few drugs are available. In this context, the hydroalcoholic extract of the Tradescantia sillamontana roots was also investigated with regards to the in vitro effects against the trypomastigote forms of theY strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, showing strong activity against this parasite (IC₅₀ = 2.4 µg/mL). When performing cytotoxic activity against fibroblasts LLCMK₂ line, the extract showed moderate cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ = 480.37 mg/mL). The results presented for the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda demonstrated effective antibacterial and trypanocidal activities and were shown to be an alternative source of natural products with activity against T. cruzi and some bacteria of the genus Streptococcus and Bacteroides.

Key words
Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda; Commelinaceae; veludo branco; roots; antibacterial activity; trypanocidal activity; cytotoxicity