Estudio Fitoquímico, y evaluación de la actividad Citotóxica y Antimicrobiana IN VITRO del látex de Euphorbia Laurifolia en Patógenos Dérmicos

Abstract

In the Laboratories of Natural Products and Microbiology (Faculty of Sciences, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo), the phytochemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities in vitro of the latex from Euphorbia laurifolia on dermal pathogens were performed, to determine metabolites with p otential future applications in the treatment of infectious diseases. A sample of the latex from E. laurifolia was recollected in Cubijíes, located in the province of Chimborazo. Prior to use, sampling and preparation of the plant material was done appropria tely in order to guarantee the quality of the analysis. Subsequently, the phytochemical study of this latex by thin layer chromatography was carried out and the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity in Artemiasalina with theterpene soluble fraction by using dimethyl sulfoxide was done. Finally,the testing for antimicrobial activity in vitro on dermal pathogens was realized by various methods. As results of these analyzes, the presence of large amount of terpene compounds was determined qualitatively. The medi an lethal concentration (LC50) of the terpene soluble fraction by using dimethylsulfoxide was 214.50 ppm in A. salina , Therefore, it could have pharmaceutical applications. In addition, it was found that hexane extract of E. laurifolia latex lacks antimic robial activity on dermal pathogens at maximum test concentration of 5 mg/mL. So, its use in infectious diseases is not recommended. We conclude that the terpenes identified in the hexane extract of E. laurifolia latex have cytotoxic activity against A. s alina, but lack antimicrobial activity in vitro . We recommend performing further studies about E. laurifolia latex to show other possible effects on living organisms.