Abstract

GUAMAN ORDONEZ, Juddy Anabel; SILVERIO CALDERON, Carmen Elizabeth; MORAN, Jonathan  and  ALVARADO CACERES, Jessica Vanessa. Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of Verbena Litoralis stems. Vive Rev. Salud [online]. 2025, vol.8, n.22, pp.50-62.  Epub Jan 22, 2025. ISSN 2664-3243.  https://doi.org/10.33996/revistavive.v8i22.362.

Herbalism, also known as phytotherapy, has been recognized as the oldest way to prevent and treat dissimilar diseases. More than 80% of the world's population uses medicinal plants for health care. Verbena litoralis has been used in various cultures for its medicinal properties. Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the secondary metabolites present in the methanolic extract of the stem of Verbena litoralis K, using the agar well method for the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and methods: An experimental, exploratory study was used with a sample of 60 stems of the plant studied, collected in the Province of El Oro, Canton Santa Rosa. Results: An analysis of variance, ANOVA, was carried out, which showed a value of p < 0.05, which allows us to reject the null hypothesis and suggests significant differences in at least one of the concentrations evaluated, which implies a 5% probability that the results are attributable to chance, thus minimizing the risk of type I error. Conclusions: the investigation revealed that the stems of Verbena litoralis Kunth have an average humidity of 8.15% and an ash content totals of 3.39%, which ensures both the stability and high purity of the product, fundamental characteristics for its therapeutic application, due to its high antibacterial potential. Phytochemical analysis and thin layer chromatography have identified secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, reducing sugars, phenols and tannins, suggesting possible therapeutic uses.

Keywords : Antimicrobial activity; Methanolic extract; Verbena Litoralis; Staphylococcus aureus; Bacterial resistance.

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