Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the fixed oil of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth (Fabaceae) seeds

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to current drugs is a major public health problem worldwide. The search for biologically active compounds that act synergistically with antibiotics for their use at lower concentrations would be of great help in overcoming bacterial resistance. Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth, also known as sucupira-preta or sucupira-do-cerrado, is a species of the family LeguminosaePapilionoidea that occurs in both primary and secondary formations, always in fast-draining areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate of antibiotic modulation through of the fixed oil from the seeds of B. virgiloides activity. . The seeds showed a considerable amount of oil, with a yield of approximately 11%. The oil did not inhibit bacterial growth, but its combination with the antibiotics tested produced growth inhibition. Our data indicated that the oil extracted from B. virgiloides seeds has no antibacterial activity at clinically relevant concentrations, but when combined with aminoglycoside antibiotics, it showed modulatory activity, lowering the antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative strains.