Tripodanthus acutifolius and Psittacanthus cuneifolius: Loranthaceae. Sources of natural antimicrobials

Abstract

From ancient times humanity knows the benefits of the medicine of natural origin. The knowledge of these sources of medicinal substances is transmitted from one to another generation, thus spreading the uses of diverse extractive forms, obtained from different plant parts. Microbial infections are one of the main causes of mortality and morbility all over the world according to WHO reports. The development of microbial resistance to conventional therapies has been increased during the last decades. These facts support the importance of antimicrobial activity studies, and the requirement alternative sources for this therapy that could contribute to fight against microbial infections. The purpose of this work is to comparatively study the antibacterial activity of three different extractive forms prepared from Tripodanthus acutifolius (Ruiz & Pav.) Blume and Psittacanthus cuneifolius (Ruiz & Pav.) Van Tieghem, two members of the Loranthaceae family. Commercial antibiotics were included in order to extent the comparative study.