Antimicrobial activity of copaíba (Copaifera langsdorffii) oleoresin on bacteria of clinical significance in cutaneous wounds

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin, which has been used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, healing among others. The oleoresin was tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) bacteria related to infections in cutaneous wounds. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Copaiba oleoresin showed antimicrobial activity only against the Gram-positive bacteria with MIC of 200 μg/mL, 400 μg/mL and 1100 μg/mL for S. aureus, S. pyogenes and E. faecalis, respectively. MBC values were the same as MIC for S. aureus and S. pyogenes and for E. faecalis it was 1200 μg/mL. Considering that infection significantly impairs the wound healing process, we believe that the use of copaiba oleoresin as a component of a topical formulation could be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of infected wounds, mainly in the case of wounds infected by Gram-positive microorganisms.