Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Two Chemotypes of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Myrtaceae)

Preparations from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L. R. Landrum (Myrtaceae) have been widely used in Brazilian folk medicine. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extracts, fractions, semipurified substances, and essential oils obtained from leaves of two chemotypes of P. pseudocaryophyllus and to perform the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory screening. The ethanol extracts were purified by column chromatography and main compounds were spectrally characterised (1D and 2D H-1 and C-13 NMR). The essential oils constituents were identified by GC/MS. The broth microdilution method was used for testing the antimicrobial activity. The abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid and the ear oedema induced by croton oil were used for screening of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. The phytochemical analysis resulted in the isolation of pentacyclic triterpenes, flavonoids, and phenol acids. The oleanolic acid showed the best profile of antibacterial activity for Gram-positive bacteria (31.2-125 mu g mL(-1)), followed by the essential oil of the citral chemotype (62.5-250 mu g mL(-1)). Among the semipurified substances, Ppm5, which contained gallic acid, was the most active for Candida spp. (31.2 mu g mL(-1)) and Cryptococcus spp. (3.9-15.6 mu g mL(-1)). The crude ethanol extract and fractions from citral chemotype showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects.