Volatile Compounds of Hexane Extract from Pterodon Pubescens Benth Seeds and Its Significant in Vitro Potential Against Different Bacterial Strains.

Pterodon pubescens Benth is a Brazilian medicinal plant (sucupira, in Brazilian Portuguese). This paper aims to determine the volatile composition and antibacterial activities of hexane extract from P. pubescens seeds (HE-PP). Antibacterial activities were screened by the microdilution broth method in 96-well culture plates and MIC values were expressed as mu g/mL. HE-PP was active against several oral bacteria whose MIC values ranged between 12.5 mu g/mL and 50 mu g/mL and against three mycobacterial strains (MIC = 125 mu g/mL and 500 mu g/mL). In addition, HE-PP was active against Xanthomonas citri strain (MIC = 100 mu g/mL). Cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated in human tumour and non-tumour cell lines. HE-PP showed selective cytotoxicity to cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa cells - IC50 = 53.47 mu g/mL). Its major constituents were identified by GC-MS and GC-FID: E-caryophyllene, vouacapane, E-geranylgeraniol and dehydroabietol. Results reinforce the biological potential of HE-PP against a broad spectrum of pathogenic and phytopathogenic bacteria. [GRAPHICS]