Preliminary Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivity of Schltdl & Cham. ex G. Don.

Several Mesoamerican cultures have used as traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and infectious issues. The aims of this contribution were to elucidate the phytochemical profile of the organic extracts from the bark and leaves of and to assess the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of these extracts. The preliminary chemical profile was determined by HPLC-PDA and GC-MS; the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated with a mouse ear edema model, whereas the antibacterial activity was screened against several bacteria. The phytochemical profile of both organs (bark and leaves) of led to the identification of 42 compounds, such as polyphenolic, flavonoids, triterpenes, prenol-type lipids, and aliphatic and non-aliphatic esters. This molecular diversity gave moderate anti-inflammatory activity (67.3 ± 2.0%, dichloromethane bark extract) and excellent antibacterial activity against and methicillin-resistant (MIC values of ˂3.12 and 50 µg/mL, respectively). These results contribute to the chemotaxonomic characterization and the rational use in traditional medicine of Schltdl & Cham. ex G. Don.