Modulatory antibiotic activity and chemical composition of hydroalcoholic extract of Croton campestris

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., known as "Velame do campo" (Euphorbiaceae), native of the Brazilian Northeastern region, is used in the popular medicine as decoction against several diseases as inflammations, hematological disturbances, flu and gastritis. The study analyzed the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of the C. campestris (HEFCC). The inhibition of the bacterial growth was demonstrated for the bacteria tested with MIC values >= 1024 mu g/ml. When combined with aminoglycosides (gentamicin, kanamycin, amikacin and neomycin), the extract demonstrated synergistic effect. This result showed that HEFCC can be used as promisor font of new antimicrobial compounds for pathogenic diseases.