Abstract

ROJAS HERNANDEZ, Nidia M; MATOS AGUILERA, Mariela  and  ROMEU ALVAREZ, Beatriz. Antibacterial activity of Boldoa purpurascens Cav. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2004, vol.9, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

The leaves of Boldoa purpurascens Cav. (nitro) are used in traditional medicine in Cuba in form of aqueous decoctions to treat kidney affections with good results. Recent studies showed that the extracts from this plant have a high diuretic activity. In the present paper it is evaluated the presence of antibacterial activity of an aqueous extract 20 % from the leaves of Boldoa purpurascens against strains of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. It was used the method of radial diffusion in agar medium with cilindrical cuts. No inhibitory activity was detected on any of the 22 bacterial cultures tested. It was concluded that the benefitial effect obtained in kidney diseases is due to the diuretic property of the extracts and not to a direct action on the microorganisms.

Keywords : Antibacterial and antimicrobial activity; Boldoa purpurascens Cav; Nictaginaceae.