Chemical Composition and Aminoglycosides Synergistic Effect of Lantana montevidensis Briq. (Verbenaceae) Essential Oil

The leaves of Lantana montevidensis Briq. (Verbenaceae) were subjected to hydrodistillation, and the essential oil extracted was examined with respect to chemical composition, antibacterial and antibiotic modifying activity by gaseous contact. Among the 19 identified components, beta-caryophyllene (31.50%), germacrene D (27.50%) and bicyclogermacrene (13.93%) were the main constituents. The essential oil volatile constituents inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a MID o 0.25 and > 1 mg/L, respectively. The activity of the antibiotics gentamicin and amikacin was reinforced against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (with a 102% of amikacin activity against P. aeruginosa) after contact with the volatile components, showing that this oil influences the activity of the antibiotic and may be used as an adjuvant in the antibiotic therapy of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens.