Antimicrobial activity of tinctures from Tecoma stans leaves against some bacteria causing skin infections

TORRES, CAROLA A.; ZAMPINI, IRIS; NUÑEZ, MARÍA B.; CASTRO M.; GONZÁLEZ, ANA M.

Rosario

Otro; II Reunión Internacional de Ciencias Farmacéuticas; 2012

Certain bacteria commonly live on the skin of many people without causing harm. However, these bacteria can cause skin infections if they enter the body through cuts, open wounds, or other breaks in the skin. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is carried on the skin or in the nose of approximately 25% to 30% of healthy people without causing infection. Most of these skin infections are minor, are not spread to others, and usually can be treated without antibiotics. However, nowadays there are more resistant strains because of the abusive and indiscriminate use of antimicrobial compounds. Several alternatives have been suggested to solve this problem. The systematic screening of antibacterial plant extracts represents a continuous effort to find new compounds with the potential to act as antimicrobial agents.The barks and leaves of some species of Tecoma genus (Bignoniaceae) are known for the anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antimicrobial or antisyphilitic activity of their extracts (1-3). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract (tincture) of leaves of Tecoma stans against Staphylococcus genus bacteria.