Abstract

ESTEVAM, Charles S. et al. Phytochemistry and microbiological assay of the bark extracts of Maytenus rigida Mart. (Celastraceae). Rev. bras. farmacogn. [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.1b, pp. 299-303. ISSN 0102-695X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000200020.

Maynetus rigida Mart (Celastraceae), known as "Bom-homem", "Bom-nome", "Cabelo-de-negro", "Casca-grossa" and "Pau-de-colher", is a small tree. The stem bark is used by the population in the northeast of Brazil to treat aches, infections and inflammations in general. The present work evaluated both the phytochemistry of M. rigida Mart by an analytical routine, and the antimicrobial activity of the bark extracts by the Kirby-Bauer modified method. Our results showed the aqueous, methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoolic extracts of M. rigida Mart has antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, while the hexane extract does not have any activity. Catechins, quinones, steroids, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds were detected by the phytochemical analysis.

Keywords : Maytenus rigida; bark; antimicrobial activity; phytochemical analysis.