Susceptibility of virulent and resistant Escherichia coli strains to non-polar and polar compounds identified in Microplumeria anomala.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Escherichia coli is one of the main pathogens responsible for veterinary and human infections, and it is associated with significant economic losses in the livestock, as it causes severe diseases to humans, particularly in children. For that reason, there is a need for introducing new drugs to treat E. coli diseases. The Brazilian species richness is a source of potential new antibacterial natural products. The study aimed at the biological and chemical investigation of the organic extract obtained from the stem of Microplumeria anomala (Apocynaceae), EB127, as it was identified as a potential source of new antibacterial compounds to be used in Veterinary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion and microdilution assays; chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and mass spectrometry were used in the isolation and identification of compounds. RESULTS: EB127 showed activity against E. coli ATCC25922, and against three E. coli strains that were isolated from frigarte's cloaca, named 31/1A, 35A, and 51A. Lupeol, 3-acetyl-11-oxo-ß-amyrin, 3-acetyl-11-oxo-α-amyrin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, 3ß,7α-dihydroxy-cholest-5-ene, 3ß-hydroxy-cholest-5-en-7-one, and 3ß-hydroxy-cholest-5,22-dien-7-one were identified in fraction Hex/CHCl3, while loganin, loganic acid, methylanomaline, and anomaline were all identified in EB127 and protocatechuic acid hexoside, ferulic acid, secoxyloganin, feruloylquinic acid, vanillic acid hexoside, protocatechuic acid-4-O-ß-hexoside, and rosmarinic acid were tentatively identified in fraction 10%ACN/H2O. E. coli 51A (virulent/non-resistant) showed sensitivity to the antibacterial action of fraction Hex/CHCl3 which contains alkaloids, triterpenes, and steroids, while E. coli 35A (resistant/non-virulent) were more susceptible to 10%ACN/H2O, which contains iridoids as loganin and loganic acid, and glycosylated and non-glycosylated caffeic acids. CONCLUSION: Fraction 10%ACN/H2O is of interest in pursuing new drugs to treat resistant E. coli, in veterinary. All compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time and have shown potential as new antibacterial natural products from Amazon plants to be used in veterinary and human diseases.

Amazon climatic factors driving terpene composition of Iryanthera polyneura Ducke in terra-firme forest: A statistical approach.

Iryanthera polyneura (Myristicaceae) is popularly known as cumala-colorada, and can be found in the Amazon rain forest. The present study aimed the evaluation of the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the leaves of I. polyneura throughout a two-year period in order to correlate chemical findings with seasonality and climatic variation. Leaves from I. polyneura were collected 15 times from three different individuals, identified as 22EO, 80EO and 530EO, between the years of 2009 and 2011. The EOs were obtained and tested by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. ANOVA and multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between the percentage of terpenes and seasonal/climatic variations. Fifty-nine compounds were detected in the EOs, of which 44 were identified (74.5%). The main components of the EOs were spathulenol (6.42 ± 1.02%), α-cadinol (5.82 ± 0.40%) and τ-muurolol (5.24 ± 0.03%). Higher levels of spathulenol were observed in 22EO during rainy season, while τ-muurolol occurred in high amounts during the dry season, as did α-cadinol in 22EO and 80EO. Correspondence analysis revealed a distinction between two groups of EOs based on seasonality, whereas a canonic correspondence analysis and ANOVA determined how the major compounds were related to both seasonality and climatic factors. Non-metric multidimensional scaling in association with an analysis of similarities showed that the abundance and composition of terpenes in the samples varied moderately among the three Iryanthera individual plants. Present findings have shown that there is variation in the occurrence of the major compounds spathulenol, τ-muurolol and α-cadinol produced by I. polyneura and that the pattern of variation is related to season and climatic changes.

Mice Behavioral Phenotype Changes after Administration of Anani (Symphonia globulifera, Clusiaceae), an Alternative Latin American and African Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Anani, (Symphonia globulifera, Clusiaceae), known as chewstick, is a traditional plant occurring in Africa and in Central and South Americas that is used against parasites and microorganisms. Although its use is popular in some of these countries, there is a lack of information related to its influence over behavioral phenotype (BP). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the administration of the extract obtained from the aerial organs of Anani (EB1257) to male Balb-c mice over BP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Open cage observation, open field, and elevated-plus maze apparatuses were used. Evaluations were done 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after intraperitoneal administration of Anani extract. RESULTS: Impairment of general behavior activity, response to touch, tail squeeze, defecation, locomotion and rearing frequency were observed although no signs of hemorrhage or macroscopical alterations of internal organs. Anani is harmful, but not toxic if used in the appropriate doses, yet to be determined to male mice. Impairment of locomotion and defecation was observed, indicating some degree of influence over locomotion, but no alterations in anxiety levels were assessed. Three compounds were previously found in the plant-lupeol (1), ß-amyrin (2) and 3-ß-hydroxyglutin-5-ene (3), and one is being described for the first time to occur in the species: oleanolic acid (4). CONCLUSIONS: The present work contributes in the support of the rational use of Anani, an important Latin American and African alternative medicine, presenting findings that are being reported for the first time. SUMMARY: Symphonia globulifera impairs locomotion and defecatin in behavior analysesNo alterations in anxiety was observedOleanolic acid occurs in the species. Abbreviations used: BP: Behavioral phenotype; OF: Open field, EPM: Elevated-plus maze, MMA/ICMBio/SISBIO: Ministério do Meio Ambiente/Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade/Sistema de Autorização e Informação em Biodiversidade, IBAMA/MMA/CGen: Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis/Ministério do Meio Ambiente/Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético, AM: Amazonas State, UNIP: Universidade Paulista, mg: milligram, kg: kilogram, I.P: Intraperitoneal, CEUA/ICS/UNIP: Comissão de Ética no Uso de Animais/Instituto de Ciências da Saúde/Universidade Paulista, LD: Lethal dose, NLD: Nonlethal dose, GBA: General behavior activity, FCHCL3: Fraction chloroform, FBuOH: Fraction buthanol, FH2O: Fraction water, FrHEX: Fraction hexane, FrDCM: Fraction dichloromethane, FrMeOH: Fraction methanol, 13C NMR: Carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Preliminary analysis of Brazilian Amazonian plant extracts using bench-top assays in a through-put basis aiming the identification of potential antioxidant natural product

Plants are a source of compounds that are used for the treatment of human and veterinary diseases. Brazil is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. The present study evaluated extracts using thin-layer chromatography to identify antioxidant activity and determine the presence of groups of compounds, in a large-scale basis. A total of 1,260 aqueous and organic extracts were obtained from plants that were collected in the Amazon and Atlantic rain forests. Thin-layer chromatography was performed to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardioactive glicosides, terpenes, and phenolics and determine antioxidant and radical scavenging activity using the following reagents: Dragendorff's reagent, KOH, Kedde's reagent, sulphuric acid, NP reagent, ß-carotene, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Of the 1,260 extracts, 837 (66.43%) presented a ß-carotene/bleaching response, and 1,205 (95.63%) presented a radical scavenging response. Alkaloids were found in 203 extracts (16.11%). Anthraquinones were found in 14 extracts (1.11%), cardenolides were found in eight extracts (0.63%). The present findings shows the importance of the Brazilian Amazon plants as sources of antioxidant and radical scavenging active compounds.(AU)

In vitro activity of Amazon plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis.

Previous studies analyzing 2,200 plant extracts indicated anti-enterococcal activity in 25 extracts obtained from Brazilian forests' plants. In the present study, these extracts were subjected to microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and disk diffusion assay (DDA) using planktonic Enterococcus faecalis ATCC(®) 29212™ and were submitted to phytochemical analysis in TLC and HPLC. Three extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba (MIC < 40 µg/mL), Diclinanona calycina (MIC ≤ 40 µg/mL) and Moronobea coccinea (40 < MIC < 80 µg/mL; MBC = 80 µg/mL) showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA and four extracts obtained from I. alba (14.04 ± 0.55 mm diameter) S. globulifera (14.43 ± 0.33 mm and 12.18 ± 0.28 mm diameter) and Connarus ruber var. ruber (13.13 ± 0.18 mm diameter) were active in DDA. Residues H2O obtained from Psidium densicomum (mean of 16.78 mm diameter) and from Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (mean of 15.97 mm diameter) have shown an improved antibacterial activity after fractionation if compared to that obtained from the respective crude extracts. Antioxidant activity was observed in some residues of the active extracts. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds are likely to be found in active extracts. Three molecules were isolated from S. globulifera and were identified by (13)C NMR lupeol, α-amyrin and 3ß-hydroxyglutin-5-ene. The present chemical and biological findings suggest that these extracts are a potential source of new anti-Enterococcus compounds to be introduced in endodontic therapy.

In vitro activity of Amazon plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis

Previous studies analyzing 2,200 plant extracts indicated anti-enterococcal activity in 25 extracts obtained from Brazilian forests' plants. In the present study, these extracts were subjected to microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and disk diffusion assay (DDA) using planktonic Enterococcus faecalis ATCC® 29212TM and were submitted to phytochemical analysis in TLC and HPLC. Three extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba (MIC < 40 µg/mL), Diclinanona calycina (MIC < 40 µg/mL) and Moronobea coccinea (40 < MIC < 80 µg/mL; MBC = 80 µg/mL) showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA and four extracts obtained from I. alba (14.04 ± 0.55 mm diameter) S. globulifera (14.43 ± 0.33 mm and 12.18 ± 0.28 mm diameter) and Connarus ruber var. ruber (13.13 ± 0.18 mm diameter) were active in DDA. Residues H2O obtained from Psidium densicomum (mean of 16.78 mm diameter) and from Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (mean of 15.97 mm diameter) have shown an improved antibacterial activity after fractionation if compared to that obtained from the respective crude extracts. Antioxidant activity was observed in some residues of the active extracts. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds are likely to be found in active extracts. Three molecules were isolated from S. globulifera and were identified by 13C NMR lupeol, α-amyrin and 3β-hydroxyglutin-5-ene. The present chemical and biological findings suggest that these extracts are a potential source of new anti-Enterococcus compounds to be introduced in endodontic therapy.

Anti-Streptococcal activity of Brazilian Amazon Rain Forest plant extracts presents potential for preventive strategies against dental caries

Caries is a global public health problem, whose control requires the introduction of low-cost treatments, such as strong prevention strategies, minimally invasive techniques and chemical prevention agents. Nature plays an important role as a source of new antibacterial substances that can be used in the prevention of caries, and Brazil is the richest country in terms of biodiversity. Objective: In this study, the disk diffusion method (DDM) was used to screen over 2,000 Brazilian Amazon plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans. Material and Methods: Seventeen active plant extracts were identified and fractionated. Extracts and their fractions, obtained by liquid-liquid partition, were tested in the DDM assay and in the microdilution broth assay (MBA) to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The extracts were also subjected to antioxidant analysis by thin layer chromatography. Results: EB271, obtained from Casearia spruceana, showed significant activity against the bacterium in the DDM assay (20.67±0.52 mm), as did EB1129, obtained from Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae) (15.04±2.29 mm). EB1493, obtained from Ipomoea alba, was the only extract to show strong activity against Streptococcus mutans (0.08 mg/mL<MIC<0.16 mg/mL; MBC=0.16 mg/mL) in the MBA. Conclusions: The active extracts, discovered in the Amazon rain forest, show potential as sources of new antibacterial agents for use as chemical coadjuvants in prevention strategies to treat caries. .

Anti-Streptococcal activity of Brazilian Amazon Rain Forest plant extracts presents potential for preventive strategies against dental caries.

UNLABELLED: Caries is a global public health problem, whose control requires the introduction of low-cost treatments, such as strong prevention strategies, minimally invasive techniques and chemical prevention agents. Nature plays an important role as a source of new antibacterial substances that can be used in the prevention of caries, and Brazil is the richest country in terms of biodiversity. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the disk diffusion method (DDM) was used to screen over 2,000 Brazilian Amazon plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen active plant extracts were identified and fractionated. Extracts and their fractions, obtained by liquid-liquid partition, were tested in the DDM assay and in the microdilution broth assay (MBA) to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The extracts were also subjected to antioxidant analysis by thin layer chromatography. RESULTS: EB271, obtained from Casearia spruceana, showed significant activity against the bacterium in the DDM assay (20.67±0.52 mm), as did EB1129, obtained from Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae) (15.04±2.29 mm). EB1493, obtained from Ipomoea alba, was the only extract to show strong activity against Streptococcus mutans (0.08 mg/mL

New trends in dentistry: plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis. The efficacy compared to chlorhexidine

Enterococcus faecalis is an important pathogen associated with endodontic diseases, and its elimination and control are of paramount importance, as it represents one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of endodontic disease. Twenty-five plant extracts obtained from Brazilian forests were found to be effective against planktonic E. faecalis and were subjected to two traditional antibacterial assays, the microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and the disk diffusion assay (DDA), using chlorhexidine (CHX) as a control. Seven out of 25 extracts showed significant antibacterial activity and were tested in a biofilm assay, and three of these extracts were subjected to chemical fractionation. Residues were tested for their antibacterial activity, and the first chemical findings were described based on thin layer chromatography (TLC). Extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba, Symphonia globulifera and Moronobea coccinea showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA. The same I. alba and S. globulifera extracts, as well as the extract obtained from Connarus ruber var. ruber, showed significant activity in the DDA. RH2O obtained from Psidium densicomum and Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum showed better antibacterial activity compared to the respective crude extracts and CHX. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds and triterpenes represent the first findings of chemical groups that may occur in all species. The results of the present study include the discovery of six active extracts against planktonic E. faecalis and support further testing via assays involving biofilm formation, as well as the determination of the compounds' chemical profiles, as their activity was significantly better than that observed for CHX.

New trends in dentistry: plant extracts against Enterococcus faecalis. The efficacy compared to chlorhexidine.

Enterococcus faecalis is an important pathogen associated with endodontic diseases, and its elimination and control are of paramount importance, as it represents one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of endodontic disease. Twenty-five plant extracts obtained from Brazilian forests were found to be effective against planktonic E. faecalis and were subjected to two traditional antibacterial assays, the microdilution broth assay (MDBA) and the disk diffusion assay (DDA), using chlorhexidine (CHX) as a control. Seven out of 25 extracts showed significant antibacterial activity and were tested in a biofilm assay, and three of these extracts were subjected to chemical fractionation. Residues were tested for their antibacterial activity, and the first chemical findings were described based on thin layer chromatography (TLC). Extracts obtained from Ipomoea alba, Symphonia globulifera and Moronobea coccinea showed significant bactericidal activity in the MDBA. The same I. alba and S. globulifera extracts, as well as the extract obtained from Connarus ruber var. ruber, showed significant activity in the DDA. RH2O obtained from Psidium densicomum and Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum showed better antibacterial activity compared to the respective crude extracts and CHX. TLC analysis showed that phenolic compounds and triterpenes represent the first findings of chemical groups that may occur in all species. The results of the present study include the discovery of six active extracts against planktonic E. faecalis and support further testing via assays involving biofilm formation, as well as the determination of the compounds' chemical profiles, as their activity was significantly better than that observed for CHX.

A composição florística e a diversidade de pteridófitas diferem entre a Floresta de Restinga e a Floresta Ombrófila Densa das Terras Baixas do Núcleo Picinguaba/PESM, Ubatuba/SP? / Ferns composition and diversity differ between Restinga and Lowland Rainforest areas in the Serra do Mar?

As pteridófitas constituem um componente importante da flora tropical, representando aproximadamente 10 por cento do total de plantas vasculares de florestas tropicais, sendo o grupo dominante entre a vegetação herbácea. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar se as comunidades de pteridófitas de duas áreas de Mata Atlântica, Floresta de Restinga (FRS) e Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas (FTB), situadas sobre solos notavelmente distintos e separadas por uma grande rodovia, difeririam em sua composição florística e diversidade. Estas duas fisionomias estão localizadas no Núcleo Picinguaba do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Ubatuba, São Paulo (23° 31' a 23° 34' S e 45° 02' a 45° 05' W). Em cada área delimitamos sete parcelas de 20 × 20 m, nas quais os indivíduos foram coletados, identificados e recenseados. Efetuamos três métodos de análise multivariada (TWINSPAN, UPGMA e PCO) para verificar a existência de grupos florísticos; calculamos o índice de Payandeh para definirmos o nível de agregação de cada espécie em cada uma das duas áreas (FRS e FTB); obtivemos espécies indicadoras para cada área; e realizamos análises de diversidade (riqueza, equabilidade e heterogeneidade). Nas duas áreas amostramos 3.482 indivíduos, dos quais 1.366 ocorrem na FRS e 2.116 na FTB. Encontramos 14 espécies na FRS e 29 na FTB; cinco espécies foram compartilhadas entre as duas áreas. As análises de grupos florísticos mostraram a formação de dois blocos bem definidos (FRS × FTB). Na FRS, relativamente mais espécies apresentaram distribuição agregada e menos espécies apresentaram distribuição aleatória em relação à FTB. Encontramos quatro espécies indicadoras para a FRS e oito para a FTB. As curvas resultantes da rarefação por indivíduos indicaram forte diferença de riqueza específica entre as duas comunidades, favorável à FTB. As diferenças encontradas podem estar relacionadas às características físico-químicas do solo (mais fértil e menos tóxico na FTB), à dinâmica da água (as espécies vegetais da FRS estão, de modo geral, sujeitas ao estresse hídrico) e ao impacto causado pela estrada que corta o Parque. Esses aspectos poderiam estar relacionados a diferentes formas de ocupação de nichos e ao fato de que algumas espécies em ambientes com recursos limitados e distribuídos heterogeneamente no espaço, como é o caso da Restinga estudada, eliminariam as demais.

Ferns are an important component of the tropical flora, representing about 10 percent of all vascular plants of tropical forests, constituting the dominant group among the herbaceous vegetation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ferns communities in two areas of Atlantic Forest, Restinga (FRS) and Lowland Ombrophilous Dense (FTB) forests, located on soils remarkably distinct and separated by a highway, differ in their floristic composition and diversity. These two faces are located in Picinguaba locality, Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Ubatuba, São Paulo (23° 31' to 23° 34' S and 45° 02' to 45° 05' W). We delimited seven plots of 20 × 20 m in each area, collected, identified and listed the fern individuals. We performed three methods of multivariate analysis (TWINSPAN, UPGMA and PCO) to verify the existence of floristic groups; calculated the Payandeh index to define the level of aggregation of each species in each of the two areas (FRS and FTB); obtained indicator species for each area; and performed diversity analysis (richness, evenness and heterogeneity). The two areas sampled 3482 individuals, 1366 of which occur in FRS and 2116 in FTB. We found 14 species in FRS and 29 in FTB; these areas shared five species. We found two well-defined floristic blocks (FRS × FTB) in cluster analysis. In the FRS, relatively most species showed aggregated distribution and fewer species showed random distribution in relation to FTB. We found four indicator species for FRS and eight for FTB. The curves resulting from the individual-based rarefaction indicated a strong difference in species richness between the two communities, in favor to FTB. These differences may be related to physical and chemical characteristics of soil (more fertile and less toxic in the FTB), water dynamics (plant species in the FRS are generally subject to water stress) and the sharp break caused by highway that cuts through the park. These aspects could be related to different forms of occupation of niches and to the fact that some species in environments with limited resources and heterogeneously distributed in space, such as the studied Restinga, would eliminate the others.

Antibacterial activity of Brazilian Amazon plant extracts

Infections caused by multiresistant bacteria are a widespread problem, especially in intensive care units. New antibiotics are necessary, and we need to search for alternatives, including natural products. Brazil is one of the hottest spots in the world in terms of biodiversity, but little is known about the chemical and pharmacological properties of most of the plants found in the Amazon rain forest and the Atlantic Forest. We screened 1,220 organic and aqueous extracts, obtained from Amazon and Atlantic rain forest plants, against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli. Seventeen organic and aqueous extracts obtained from 16 plants showed activity against both Gram-positive bacteria. None of the extracts showed relevant activity against the Gram-negative E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Laboratory diagnosis of equine rabies and its implications for human postexposure prophylaxis

Laboratory diagnosis is essential to confirm suspected cases of equine rabies and to determine the medical care needed for human postexposure antirabies prophylaxis. Equine rabies transmitted by the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, has increased gradually in the State of São Paulo. The present study has several objectives, the most important being the evaluation of fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and virus-isolation laboratory tests performed with different equine nervous system tissues (cortical, hippocampus, cerebellar, brainstem and cervical medullar) to determine the tissue for which the two techniques have the highest sensitivity. Analysis by FAT of these five regions of the central nervous system (CNS) from 35 animals showed that there was a greater amount of viral antigen in the brainstem and cervical medullar tissues than in the hippocampus, cortical and cerebellar tissues. While there were no significant differences in the mortality rate of mice inoculated with suspension prepared from the different tissues, a trend towards higher mortality rate was detected with brainstem and cervical medullar tissues. Laboratory diagnosis was not affected by whether the animal had been vaccinated or not, or whether it had died following the natural course of the disease or as a result of euthanasia. Isolation of the rabies virus in equine salivary glands demonstrated the potential risk for humans exposed to infected animals.

Laboratory diagnosis of equine rabies and its implications for human postexposure prophylaxis.

Laboratory diagnosis is essential to confirm suspected cases of equine rabies and to determine the medical care needed for human postexposure antirabies prophylaxis. Equine rabies transmitted by the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, has increased gradually in the State of São Paulo. The present study has several objectives, the most important being the evaluation of fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and virus-isolation laboratory tests performed with different equine nervous system tissues (cortical, hippocampus, cerebellar, brainstem and cervical medullar) to determine the tissue for which the two techniques have the highest sensitivity. Analysis by FAT of these five regions of the central nervous system (CNS) from 35 animals showed that there was a greater amount of viral antigen in the brainstem and cervical medullar tissues than in the hippocampus, cortical and cerebellar tissues. While there were no significant differences in the mortality rate of mice inoculated with suspension prepared from the different tissues, a trend towards higher mortality rate was detected with brainstem and cervical medullar tissues. Laboratory diagnosis was not affected by whether the animal had been vaccinated or not, or whether it had died following the natural course of the disease or as a result of euthanasia. Isolation of the rabies virus in equine salivary glands demonstrated the potential risk for humans exposed to infected animals.

Antibacterial activity of Brazilian Amazon plant extracts.

Infections caused by multiresistant bacteria are a widespread problem, especially in intensive care units. New antibiotics are necessary, and we need to search for alternatives, including natural products. Brazil is one of the hottest spots in the world in terms of biodiversity, but little is known about the chemical and pharmacological properties of most of the plants found in the Amazon rain forest and the Atlantic Forest. We screened 1,220 organic and aqueous extracts, obtained from Amazon and Atlantic rain forest plants, against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli. Seventeen organic and aqueous extracts obtained from 16 plants showed activity against both Gram-positive bacteria. None of the extracts showed relevant activity against the Gram-negative E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.