EVALUACIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE Y ANTIBACTERIANA DE LAS HOJAS DE Hamelia patens Jacq. Y Cecropia peltata L.

Abstract

Background: In the Yucatán Peninsula, essential information is available on the traditional use of medicinal plants, however, their biological activity is still unknow, such as Hamelia patens (Coralillo, X k’anan) and Cecropia peltata (Guarumbo, K’ooch k’aax), both species are used to treat respiratory, digestive, and skin infections. Considering the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants as exceptional sources of natural products that exhibit antioxidant properties and are capable to combating drug-resistant bacteria, we explored the potential of these two plants species to act against free radicals that cause various diseases due to cellular oxidative damage, and to control multi-resistant pathogens. Objective: To determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the extracts and fractions of H. patens and C. peltata leaves against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Methodology: Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazyl (DPPH) assay and antibacterial activity was determined using the resazurin micromethod. Results: Hamelia patens and C. peltata leaves extracts exhibited DPPH radical-binding capacity, and the ethyl acetate fraction showed a high antioxidant capacity. In contrast, the extracts and fractions did not show antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and A. baumannii at the concentration range evaluated. Implications: The collection season, methods, and concentrations used can affect bioactivity. For further studies, it is necessary to characterize the secondary metabolites and obtain a complete antioxidant profile, and even test them against other bacterial species. Conclusion: The extracts and fractions of the leaves of H. patens and C. peltata showed antioxidant activity but not antibacterial properties, on the species and drug-resistant strains. Thus, the ethyl acetate fraction is a potential candidate for further investigation. The development of new drugs is essential for combating diseases, and medicinal plants provide a promising alternative, as demonstrated for both species in the Mayan Peninsula.