Biological Activities and Essential Oil Composition of Leaves of Blepharocalyx salicifolius

Abstract

Infusions obtained from dried and fresh leaves of Blepharocalyx salicifolius were assessed in antibacterial (with S. aureus and E. coli), antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, antispasmodic and intestinal transit models. All samples analyzed showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The highest activity was observed with the dried leaves against E. coli. An infusion from fresh leaves inhibited the stimulating action of acetylcholine on intestinal musculature (average inhibition 45%). Other biological assays gave no significant results with doses up to 300 and 600 mg/kg for dried and fresh material, respectively. The essential oil obtained from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation (0.9%) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS, where 42 components were identified. The main components were 1,8-cineole (25.2%), linalool (20.4%) and ß-caryophyllene (22.9%).