from this family, especially from the Aspidosperma and Geissospermum genus
(Ekalu et al. 2019). In addition to representatives with numerous medicinal properties,
the family Apocynaceae is an important source of economic resources. Rubber is
derived from the latex of several species, markedly inferior in quality to that of the
extracted from Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. the rubber tree. At
African countries and indigenous peoples of South America, toxic species are used to
poison arrows in animal hunting and fishing. Other species provide excellent quality
wood for the manufacture of furniture such as case of the genus Aspidosperma,
whose most common representative is A. peroba Allemão ex Saldanha, known as
“peroba-rosa” (Baratto et al. 2010).
The therapeutic potential of the Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel,
Apocynaceae was assayed. This specie presents triterpene-rich fraction which the
anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by NF-alpha, iNOS, COX-2 and NF-kB
(Almeida et al. 2017). The essential oil of Mikania cordifolia and its major constituent limonene was investigated alone or associated against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibioticmodulating activity was determined in combination with conventional antibacterial drugs. The results demonstrated no relevant antibacterial activity; however, a
modulatory effect was observed against P. aeruginosa, presenting synergistic
effects when associated with gentamicin and norfloxacin. In addition, the oil
reduced the MIC of norfloxacin against E. coli as well as reduced the MIC of
gentamicin against S. aureus. The best effect of limonene was obtained against S.
aureus. It is possible to conclude that the Mikania cordifolia essential oil and the
isolated compound limonene modulate the action of antibiotics against MDR
bacteria (Araújo et al. 2020). The essential oil bacterial pathogens action is associate to capacity to destabilize the cellular machinery, leading to breakdown of
membrane wall, disrupting many cellular activities including energy production and
membrane transport. The lipidic components of essential oils induce membrane
rupture leading to leakage of cellular components and loss of ions (Fig. 7.2)
(Swamy et al. 2016; Tariq et al. 2019; Basavegowda et al. 2020).
7.7 Plant-Derived Natural Products with Antifungal
Activity
The resistance of microorganisms to therapeutic agents currently used has caused
economic and social impact. Fungal resistance has been somewhat neglected when
compared to the great repercussion that bacterial resistance has reached. One is
strictly related to the other, since the intensive use of antibacterial antibiotic therapy
reduces competitiveness in human biota and favors the growth of yeasts of Candida
spp. which in due course change from diners to pathogens. In addition, other factors
contribute to increased resistance, such as the significant increase in the number of
immunosuppressed patients and the prolonged use of surgical devices, considered
resistance drives.
276
L. E. da Silva et al.
(Ekalu et al. 2019). In addition to representatives with numerous medicinal properties,
the family Apocynaceae is an important source of economic resources. Rubber is
derived from the latex of several species, markedly inferior in quality to that of the
extracted from Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. the rubber tree. At
African countries and indigenous peoples of South America, toxic species are used to
poison arrows in animal hunting and fishing. Other species provide excellent quality
wood for the manufacture of furniture such as case of the genus Aspidosperma,
whose most common representative is A. peroba Allemão ex Saldanha, known as
“peroba-rosa” (Baratto et al. 2010).
The therapeutic potential of the Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel,
Apocynaceae was assayed. This specie presents triterpene-rich fraction which the
anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by NF-alpha, iNOS, COX-2 and NF-kB
(Almeida et al. 2017). The essential oil of Mikania cordifolia and its major constituent limonene was investigated alone or associated against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibioticmodulating activity was determined in combination with conventional antibacterial drugs. The results demonstrated no relevant antibacterial activity; however, a
modulatory effect was observed against P. aeruginosa, presenting synergistic
effects when associated with gentamicin and norfloxacin. In addition, the oil
reduced the MIC of norfloxacin against E. coli as well as reduced the MIC of
gentamicin against S. aureus. The best effect of limonene was obtained against S.
aureus. It is possible to conclude that the Mikania cordifolia essential oil and the
isolated compound limonene modulate the action of antibiotics against MDR
bacteria (Araújo et al. 2020). The essential oil bacterial pathogens action is associate to capacity to destabilize the cellular machinery, leading to breakdown of
membrane wall, disrupting many cellular activities including energy production and
membrane transport. The lipidic components of essential oils induce membrane
rupture leading to leakage of cellular components and loss of ions (Fig. 7.2)
(Swamy et al. 2016; Tariq et al. 2019; Basavegowda et al. 2020).
7.7 Plant-Derived Natural Products with Antifungal
Activity
The resistance of microorganisms to therapeutic agents currently used has caused
economic and social impact. Fungal resistance has been somewhat neglected when
compared to the great repercussion that bacterial resistance has reached. One is
strictly related to the other, since the intensive use of antibacterial antibiotic therapy
reduces competitiveness in human biota and favors the growth of yeasts of Candida
spp. which in due course change from diners to pathogens. In addition, other factors
contribute to increased resistance, such as the significant increase in the number of
immunosuppressed patients and the prolonged use of surgical devices, considered
resistance drives.
276
L. E. da Silva et al.