Myrcia hatschbachii: antifungal activity and structural elucidation of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids

Nat Prod Res. 2021 Dec;35(23):5540-5543. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1793149. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Abstract

Natural products, especially plants, have been investigated as sources of new substances with antimicrobial properties. In this context, the Myrcia genus is extensively researched for presenting such activities. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of stems of Myrcia hatschbachii, also to characterize two phenolic compounds. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by using the broth microdilution method. The ethyl acetate fraction (FGA) inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 15.6 µg/mL, presented 40% of phenolic compounds in its composition, obtained the most significant results in antioxidant methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS), besides the identification of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids by NMR. Considering the relevant antifungal activity revealed by the fraction, new studies can be carried out to encourage the continuous search for antifungal alternatives.

Keywords: Antibacterial; Candida albicans; Staphylococcus aureus; antimicrobial; antioxidant; ellagic acid.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Ellagic Acid / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Myrtaceae*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Ellagic Acid