Antimicrobial Activity of Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) and Pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba) Oils against Staphylococcus aureus: Importance in Compounding for Wound Care
Author(s): Guimarães Anna Luísa Aguiar, Cunha Elisa Alves, Matias Fernanda Oliveira, Garcia Patrícia Guedes, Danopoulos Panagiota, Swikidisa Rosita, Pinheiro Vanessa Alves, Nogueira Rodrigo José Lupatini
Issue: Jan/Feb 2016 - Volume 20, Number 1
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Page(s): 58-62
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Abstract: The Amazon rainforest is the largest reserve of natural products in the world. Its rich biodiversity of medicinal plants has been utilized by local populations for hundreds of years for the prevention and treatment of various diseases and ailments. Oil extracts from plant species such as Copaifera officinalis and Pentaclethra macroloba are used in compounded formulations for their antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, emollient, moisturizing, and wound-healing activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro bacteriostatic effect of two Amazonian oils, Copaiba and Pracaxi, against Staphylococcus aureus, a clinically important microorganism responsible for wound infection, to support the use of these oils as novel natural products for compounded wound-treatment modalities. The antibacterial activity of Copaiba and Pracaxi oils against a standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus was assessed using broth microdilution to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of the oil extracts. Copaiba oil demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of 0.3125 mg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of 0.3125 mg/mL. Conversely, Pracaxi oil failed to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth. While additional studies are required to further evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Pracaxi oil, even low concentrations of Copaiba oil effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, supporting its potential use as a promising adjuvant in compounded topical formulations for wound and scar healing.
Related Keywords: Anna Luísa Aguiar Guimarães, Bpharm, Elisa Alves Cunha, BPharm, Fernanda Oliveira Matias, BPharm, Patrícia Guedes Garcia, MSc, RPh, Panagiota Danapoulos, BSc, Rosita Swikidisa, MSc, Vanessa Alves Pinheiro, MSc, RPh, Rodrigo José Lupatini Nogueira, RPh, copaiba oil, Copaifera officinalis, pracaxi oil, Pentaclethra macroloba, natural medicines, herbal remedies, plant-derived medications, medicinal plants, bacteriostatic, Staphylococcus aureus, wound healing, bacterial skin infection, formulations, antimicrobial, antibacterial
Related Categories: EXCIPIENTS, PEER-REVIEWED, STABILITIES, COMPATIBILITIES, WOUND CARE, ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES, INFECTIOUS DISEASE