Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical studies and Antibacterial activity of Wood from Talipariti elatum Sw. (Fryxell) in Cuba
Abstract
A preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Talipariti elatum (Sw.) that grows in Cubawas realized to determine the macromorphology and micromorphology characteristics, the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters from the wood of this spice that grows in Cuba. This crude drug showed the characteristic physicochemical values such as moisture content (7.6 %), total ashes (1.14%), water soluble ashes (0.19 %), acid insoluble ashes (0.33 %) and extractable matter in ethanol at 70 % (10.87 %). Phytochemical screening revealed the possible presence of triterpenes and/or steroids, reductants sugars, tannins and/or phenolic compounds, flavonoids and bitter and astringent principles, realized under WHO parameters. The antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts at 30, 50 and 70 % of the wood against Salmonella tiphymurium 14028, Bacillus cereus 11778, Escherichia coli 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus 25923showed varying degrees of inhibition on the tested organisms.
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Introduction
The Talipariti elatum tree is quite attractive with its straight trunk, broad green leaves and hibiscus-like flowers (Fig.1). It grows quite rapidly, often attaining 20 meters (66 ft.) or more in height. The attractive flower changes color as it matures, going from bright yellow to orange red and finally to crimson. Endemic to West Indies; native to Cuba and Jamaica; cultivated in Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda), and Lesser Antilles (Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia).The name mahoe is derived from a Carib word. The ‘blue’ refers to blue-green streaks in the polished wood, giving it a distinctive appearance (Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong, 2012; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2013; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2013). In wetter areas it will grow in a wide range of elevations, up to 1,200 meters (3,900 ft.) and is often used in reforestation. It is the national tree of Jamaica (U.S Department of Agriculture, 2009).
It is an excellent wood with a rich variety of colors and attractive grain, but surprisingly, very little mahoe is currently being produced anywhere else. Mahoe can vary greatly in color from tree to tree; the blue tone does not tend to endure for many years. The wood transforms over time to shades of browns, purples, greys, and bluesy-greens (Tropic Ventures Rainforest Enrichment and Sustainable Forestry Project, 2009).
Since 2007, Areces and Fryxell renamed the Blue Mahoe (from Hibiscus elatus Sw. to Talipariti elatum Sw.) due to their arborescent behavior, prominent stipules that close the terminal yams, foliar lameness coriaceous, entire margin and a relative higher chromosomal number (2n = ca. 80, 90, ca. 92, ca. 96 and 120) (Fryxell, 2001). The same procedure was done with Hibiscus tiliaceus L (now Talipariti tiliaceum L.). Both species belongs to Malvaceae family.
The present study aimed at investigating the macromorphology, pharmacognostic evaluation and phytochemical screening of the wood of T. elatum Sw. towards standardization and monograph development and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an ethanolic extract of this part of the tree.
Conclusion
Physicochemical values are all according with the parameters established by the WHO being in all cases below the describe values for vegetable drug, suggesting that the wood of Talipariti elatum(Sw.) can be used to elaborate a phytomedication without the risk of suffer any inconvenient for our health. The chemical compounds present in the ethanolic extracts lead to think that they are chemical metabolites useful to improve medical conditions related with oxidative stress and antidiarrheal illness. Chromatographic profile showed the high presence of chemical constituents in elaborated extracts with ethanol at 70 %. The analyzed ethanolic extracts at 50 and 70 % suggested that CFU belongs to Tetracoccus and Staphylococcus Gram + and Streptobacillus Gram +. Extracts at 30, 50 and 70 % showed antibacterial activity in front of four strains used in the research (Salmonella tiphymurium 14028, Bacillus cereus 11778, Escherichia coli 25922 y Staphylococcus aureus 25923) indicating good possibilities to use those extracts to combat bacterial infections in humans and animals.
Efforts have been made by the authors to bring out every detail on the macroscopical characters of the leaves of this medicinal plant. The study of pharmacognostical features had shown the standards, which will be useful for the detection of its identity and authenticity. It provides reference basis for formulating quality standard of T. elatumauthenticity of medicinal plants and resource utilization.