Scientist extracting glowing compounds from Cerrado plants to fight bacteria.

Nature's Pharmacy: Can Brazilian Plants Combat Superbugs?

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the antimicrobial secrets of the Cerrado's flora: A new hope in the fight against antibiotic resistance."

The rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms poses a significant threat to global health. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of 'superbugs' that are increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to treat with conventional medications. This alarming trend has sparked a renewed interest in exploring alternative sources of antimicrobial compounds.

One promising avenue of research lies in the biodiversity of medicinal plants. For centuries, traditional healers have used plants to treat various ailments, and scientists are now investigating these traditional remedies for potential drug leads. The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly turning to nature, integrating university research on bioprospecting natural resources in the search for novel medicines.

A recent study focused on the Cerrado, a vast savanna region in Brazil, to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of plant extracts from this biodiversity hotspot. The goal was to identify plants with the potential to combat drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, offering a new source for future drug development.

Cerrado Plants Show Promise Against Resistant Microbes: Key Findings

Scientist extracting glowing compounds from Cerrado plants to fight bacteria.

Researchers from the Federal University of Alfenas investigated the antimicrobial properties of hydroethanolic extracts from several plants native to the southern Cerrado region of Minas Gerais. The study focused on bacteria (including Gram-positive, Gram-negative, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium bovis) and yeasts. The extracts were tested using agar diffusion and microdilution techniques to determine their effectiveness in inhibiting microbial growth.

The research team also assessed the cytotoxicity (toxicity to cells) of these plant extracts on mosquito larvae cells (Aedes albopictus) to understand their safety profile. The selectivity index was calculated to identify extracts that were more toxic to microbes than to animal cells, indicating potential for drug development.

Bidens pilosa (Picão preto): Leaf extracts exhibited the most significant growth inhibition against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
Eugenia pyriformis (Uvaia): Leaf and seed extracts also showed notable antimicrobial activity.
Plinia cauliflora (Jabuticaba): Demonstrated antimicrobial action, particularly in leaf extracts.
Heliconia rostrata: Extracts did not show antimicrobial activity in this study.
Mycobacterium species: All tested extracts were ineffective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis.

The study identified specific plant extracts with promising antimicrobial activity and selectivity, suggesting their potential for further investigation and development as new therapeutic agents. For example, extracts of stem of A. crassiflora and flower of B. pilosa to Staphylococcus aureus, presented potential for future studies about a new drug development.

A Path Forward: Bioprospecting and the Future of Antimicrobial Therapies

This study highlights the potential of the Cerrado region as a source of novel antimicrobial compounds. The identification of active plant extracts provides a basis for further research, including isolating and characterizing the specific compounds responsible for the antimicrobial effects.

Further research should focus on optimizing extraction methods, testing extracts against a wider range of drug-resistant pathogens, and conducting preclinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these plant-based therapies.

By combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques, researchers can unlock the vast potential of plant biodiversity to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and develop new, effective treatments for infectious diseases. This approach offers a sustainable and innovative pathway to address one of the most pressing challenges in global health.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0036-46652014000100002, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Antimicrobial And Cytotoxic Activities Of Plant Extracts From Southern Minas Gerais Cerrado

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Juliana Moscardini Chavasco, Barbara Helena Muniz Prado E Feliphe, Claudio Daniel Cerdeira, Fabricio Damasceno Leandro, Luiz Felipe Leomil Coelho, Jeferson Junior Da Silva, Jorge Kleber Chavasco, Amanda Latercia Tranches Dias

Published: 2014-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Cerrado and why is it relevant to this research?

The Cerrado is a vast savanna region in Brazil, rich in biodiversity. Scientists are exploring the Cerrado for plant extracts due to the rising global health threat posed by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The Cerrado region is a biodiversity hotspot, which makes it a promising source for discovering novel antimicrobial compounds that can combat 'superbugs'.

What is antibiotic resistance and why is it a concern in this context?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi evolve to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to this resistance. The extracts were tested against various bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative types, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, and yeasts to measure how effectively the plant extracts inhibited microbial growth.

What methods did researchers use to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the plants?

Researchers used hydroethanolic extracts derived from plants native to the southern Cerrado region of Minas Gerais. The extracts were tested on bacteria, including Gram-positive, Gram-negative, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium bovis, and yeasts. The extracts were evaluated using agar diffusion and microdilution techniques to measure their effectiveness in inhibiting microbial growth. In addition, the cytotoxicity (toxicity to cells) of these plant extracts was tested on mosquito larvae cells (Aedes albopictus) to understand their safety profile.

What were the key findings regarding the antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts?

The study found that extracts from Bidens pilosa (Picão preto) leaf extracts showed the most significant growth inhibition against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Eugenia pyriformis (Uvaia) leaf and seed extracts also showed notable antimicrobial activity. Plinia cauliflora (Jabuticaba) leaf extracts also showed antimicrobial action. However, extracts from Heliconia rostrata did not show antimicrobial activity in this study. In all tested extracts, none of them were effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis.

What is bioprospecting, and what is the significance of this study for future treatments?

Bioprospecting involves searching for useful compounds in nature, such as the Cerrado. The identification of active plant extracts provides a basis for further research, including isolating and characterizing the specific compounds responsible for the antimicrobial effects, which can lead to the development of new antimicrobial therapies. The selectivity index, which measures the toxicity of plant extracts to microbes versus animal cells, is an important factor to assess their potential for drug development.