Biological Activities of Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl.) B. Verl. Leaves

SUMMARY. Leaves of Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl.) B. Verl., Bignoniaceae, are commonly used in the Amazon region as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent and as a wound healing agent. In the Southeast Region of Brazil, this species is used for urinary infection treatment. Ethanol extract from leaves of Arrabidaea chica and its fractions were prepared and tested for antioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial and diuretic activities. All samples, with the exception of the hexane fraction, showed a potential antioxidant activity. Hexane, ethyl acetate fraction and luteolin, a flavone isolated from dichlorometane fraction, demonstrated diuretic activity. None of the samples assayed showed cytotoxicity or antimicrobial activity. Therefore, our results suggest that folk use to treat urinary tract infections may be modulated by the diuretic activity found, since increase of water diuresis serves to ‘flush out’ the urinary tract of infecting organisms. This could reduce bacterial multiplication in the bladder.