Abstract

Dairon Más*, Yordan Martínez, Mijail Bullaín, Cesar Betancur and Cristina Ruiz

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Argemone mexicana Linn is a native plant of the north of Mexico, belongs to the genus Argemone of the family Papaveraceae; it has a high concentration of benzylisoquinolinic alkaloids and medicinal properties in all its organs; however, no information was available on the phytochemical and antimicrobial characterization of the roots of plantations growing in Cuba. Objective: to determine phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of A. mexicana roots. Methods: the roots of the plant under study were collected; the samples at room temperature and stove were dehydrated, and then at 1 mm particle size were pulverized. A phytochemical screening on the alcoholic and aqueous extracts was performed. Also, the antibacterial activity (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis) and antifungal (Candida albicans) were determined from the dried extract with a concentration of 250mg/ml. Results: the phytochemical screening of A. mexicana roots showed a high coalification of alkaloids in both extracts, likewise, it detected triterpenes, free amino acids, phenols and/or tannins, anthocyanidins and sugars. Also, the roots have antibacterial activity against B. subtilitis, S. aureus and S. epidermidis and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. However, no activity was found against Gram negative. Conclusion: A. mexicana roots have abundant alkaloids, as well as the presence of other beneficial secondary metabolites. In addition, the dried extract has antibacterial activity against Gram positive and antifungal against pathogenic yeast.