Characterization of the essential oil and extracts from the aerial parts of kehuina (Polylepis besseri).
Autor(es): Loayza, Ingrid; Vilaseca, L. Antonio; Lorenzo, Daniel; Dellacassa, Eduardo
Resumo: The genus Polylepis (Rosaceae: Sanguisorbeae) includes about 20 species of shrubs and small to medium-sized trees. In Bolivia, Kessler recognized nine species and eight subspecies. Polylepis forests represent a wood resource in a region where no other trees grow, playing important ecological roles such as the protection of soil against erosion. The bark of Polylepis, commonly known as kehuina, kewina, quenua, keuna or q'iwina, is used in folk medicine against coughs, rheumatism or arthritic pain. The resin is also reported as being effective against urinary diseases. In this work, the essential oil of Polylepis besseri Hieron ssp. besseri was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The essential oil was then fractionated by centrifugal chromatography in order to confirm (by GC/MS) the identification of the diterpene fraction. The study showed that the main components of the essential oil were the diterpenes abietadiene (40,3%) and abietatriene (6,1%). The antibacterial activity of the essential oil and extracts obtained from dried and pulverized leaves of Polylepis besseri besseri was evaluated using Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Its insecticidal activity was also evaluated on Aedes aegypti larvae and Triatoma infestans nymphs.
Palavras-Chave: Polylepis bosseri; Essential oil compatition; Abietadiene; Antibacterial activity
Imprenta: Ecotropica (Bonn), v. 8, n. 2, p. 233-238, 2002
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Immunology ; Aedes aegypti - Immunopathology
Data de publicação: 2002
