Optimization of the Crude Hydroethanolic Extract of Eugenia dysenterica DC. Leaves Using the Box-Behnken Method and Assessment of its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

Eugenia dysenterica DC., "cagaita", is a tree whose leaves are popularly used for wounds, diarrhea and dysentery. The aim of this study was to obtain the standardized crude hydroethanolic extract from E. dysenterica leaves and evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Quality control was carried out using conventional techniques, extract elevated by Box-Behnken, antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS and antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution. The extract with the highest concentration of tannins was obtained with 60% hydrohydroethanolic solution, plant material/solvent ratio of 12 mg mL-1. The concentration of tannins in the extract was 1.71 g TAE g-1, phenols 6.23 mg GAE mg-1 and flavonoids 4.70 mg of rutin per mg. The standardized crude hydroethanolic extract showed excellent antioxidant activity both by DPPH (IC50 of 2.70 +/- 0.005 mu g mL-1) and by ABTS (3479.21 +/- 0.001 mu M trolox g-1). Moderate antifungal activity of the standardized hydroethanolic extract was verified against C. gattii and C. neoformans. This study represents the first standardization of the crude hydroethanolic extract of E. dysenterica that demonstrated high antioxidant activity. This species has antifungal potential, which encourages further studies.