Triagem fitoquímica, atividade antimicrobiana, antioxidante e citotoxicidade de extratos hidroetanólicos de Euphorbia cotinifolia (Leiteiro vermelho)

Abstract

Euphorbia cotinifolia has many biological activities being used in folk medicine to cauterize wounds and as a purgative in small doses. The present study aimed to determine the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of root, stem, leaf and fruit of E. cotinifolia. Was performed chemical screening, measurement of phenolic compounds by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent method, flavonoids by aluminum chloride method, chemical analysis by HPLC. The antimicrobial activity was determined by agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by broth dilution technique using standard strains. The minimum microbicidal concentration (CMM) was also determined. The antioxidant activity was determined by the kidnapping of DPPH free radical method. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT method in BHK cell culture. All hydroethanolic extract of Euphorbia cotinifolia presented phenolic compounds, as well as presence of secondary metabolites such as tannins and flavonoids, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The HPLC analysis suggested the presence of caffeic acid for extracts of dry leaf and fresh. Dry leaf showed a higher concentration of phenolic compounds. None of the extracts showed antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity in vitro.