The anti-infective and immunologic effect of babassu (Attalea speciosa, Mart. ex Spreng) reduces mortality induced by MRSA-Staphylococcus aureus.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Babassu mesocarp, derived from the Attalea speciosa fruits, is used in folk medicine for infections, inflammatory diseases, and skin wounds. Aim of the study: To investigate the antimicrobial and immunological effect of babassu mesocarp aqueous extract (BAE) in Swiss mice lethally infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Materials and methods: The animals (n = 14/group) received an overload of MRSA (3.0 x 108 CFU/mL, via intraperitoneal) and were treated 6 h later with the BAE (125 and 250 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Two experiments were performed with four groups each (Control, ATB, BAE125 and BAE 250). The first was to determine the survival (n = 7 animals/group). The second is to evaluate 24h after infection the number of Colony Forming Units (CFU) and cells in the blood, peritoneum and bronchoalveolar fluid. Cytometric Bead Assay - CBA quantified the cytokines and flow cytometry to determine the cellular distribution in the mesenteric lymph node. Results: Treatment with BAE improved the survival (60%) in all groups, reduced the number of colony-forming units in the peritoneum and blood, the number of peritoneal and bronchoalveolar cells, and the levels of proinflammatory IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-17 cytokines. Additionally, BAE increased: IL-10 and INF-gamma levels, nitric oxide release, CD4+ T helper cells, CD14+/IaIe + activated macrophages and Ly6G + neutrophils in the mesenteric lymph node. Conclusions: BAE can be used as a complementary treatment during infections due to its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect and the ability to protect animals from death after MRSA lethal infection.

Automated summary

Babassu mesocarp aqueous extract (BAE) has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, which can be used as a complementary treatment for infections, reducing mortality and inflammation.