Abstract

Ugni molinae Turcz. (Myrtaceae), “Murtilla”, is a Chilean plant whose medicinal use has indigenous origin and is based on the astringent properties of leaves that are administered in the form of infusion. Previous phytochemical studies of a leaf infusion demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds and saponins with recognized antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of U. molinae extracts against microorganisms with clinical importance such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The extracts of U. molinae showed a significant antimicrobial activity against the studied microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of the leaves of this species is a contribution in the search for new antimicrobial drugs and for ethnomedicine and may constitute a source of future studies to validate the knowledge and practices in ethnomedicine.