Isolation of phytosterols of Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) Taub. (Leguminosae) and modulation of antibiotic resistance by a possible membrane effect

AbstractGlobally there are a larger number of strains of microorganisms resistant to multiple drugs mainly due to misuse and indiscriminate, resulting in increased morbidity, costs inherent benefits of health care, as well as mortality rates for infections. As a result of this a large number of researches have been conducted emphasizing the antimicrobial properties of plant products. In this study, the ethanol extract and hexane fraction of Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) Taub. (Leguminosae) have been used to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity and for modulating the resistance of antimicrobials against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans and fungal strains of Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis. The antibacterial and modulatory activity was determined by microdilution. Inhibition of the growth of bacteria and fungi tested extract was ⩾1024. The activity was enhanced when aminoglycosides were associated with sub-inhibitory concentrations of the ethanol extract and hexane fraction of Dalbergia ecastophyllum. Therefore, it is suggested that the ethanol extract and hexane fraction of Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) Taub. (Leguminosae) can be used as a source of natural products with a view to changing the resistance of these microorganisms to antimicrobials