ANTIBACTERIAL AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY OF THE EXTRACT OF Azadirachta indica. Juss (Meliaceae)

Resumo

Azadirachta indica, popularly known as "Indian neem" is a species widely used in folk medicine due to its antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties and analyze the cytotoxicity of the ethanolic extract of the Azadirachta indica plant (AiEE) against larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. A preliminary phytochemical analysis by Thin-Layer Chromatography was used to determine the presence of secondary metabolites. The larvicidal activity was evaluated at 30 min, 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 16h and 24h, observing the larval mortality before different extract concentrations. The antibacterial activity of the extract against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence or absence of antibiotics was analyzed using the broth microdilution method. The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of coumarins, phenols, terpenes and triterpenes. AiEE displayed a concentration-dependent larvicidal activity although no clinically relevant antibacterial activity was observed, the extract potentiated the activity of conventional antibiotics. Our results suggest that AiEE has bioactive constituents with the potential to be explored in research aimed at combating dengue and antibiotic resistance.

DOI: 10.16891/2317-434X.v9.e1.a2021.pp823-832