Evaluation of biochemical and microbiological effects of Cordyline dracaenoides Kunth (Uvarana) barks

Cordyline dracaenoides, known as Uvarana, is a tree that is found and spread throughout the region of "Campos Gerais" in the State of Parana, Brazil. In this work, the immunomodulatory and citotoxicity of crude extract and microbiological activity of hexanic, chloroformic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were investigated. Furthermore, the phytochemical screening of the partionated extracts was analyzed and the extracts revealed the possible presence of terpenes, sterols and polyphenolic compounds (PC). It was confirmed by the measurement from Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, and it corresponds to 0.99 μg of catechin equivalent/mg of the extract and HPLC analysis. Microbiological assays showed that the extracts were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and it was determined that in chlorophormic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts, there are some compounds that are responsible for this activity. The immunomodulatory and citotoxicity effects were determined against the models evaluated, showing a dose-dependent effect for the crude extract.