Table Of ContentI.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
Analysis of studies of applications therapeutic of
Carapa guianensis Aublet (MELIACEAE)
Iana de Carvalho Maia¹, Paulo Marcelo Pedroso Pereira²,
Verônica Cristina Gomes Soares³
¹Clinical Nutrition, Aesthetics, Sports and Prescription of Herbal Medicines Dalmass School of
Líderes / Faculty of Advanced Technology – FTA Santarém – PA
²Master in education. Hope Institute of Higher Education. Santarém-PA
³State University of Campinas, Institute of Biology.
Zeferino Vaz – State University of Campinas, SP
E mail - [email protected]
Abstract
This work has the theme "Analysis of studies on the therapeutic applications of
Carapa guianensis Aublet (MELIACEAE)", a plant popularly known as andiroba.
This species is used in ethnomedicine, but it is not written in the Brazilian
Pharmacopoeia which makes it difficult to use in prescriptions, so can andiroba
be trained by health professionals? With this questioning, this work aims to
compile articles and literature of this kind, where I point out studies on its
medicinal use, I conceptualize its pharmacological action in order to verify that
Andiroba can be prescribed by duly qualified professionals, done through
bibliographic review. Studies show that andiroba oil is capable of reducing the
intensity of the inflammatory response in wounds; about oral use still does not
have enough studies, so the best way for andiroba oil to be prescribed is in topical
form because it has more toxicity studies for this type of application.
Keywords: Medicinal plants . Ethnobotany . Phytotherapy . Guyanensis carapa
1 Introduction Paraguay and the Caribbean islands.
In Brazil, it is found up to 350 meters
Andiroba is a neotropical tree that
above sea level, in terra firme
occurs in southern Central America,
forests, temporarily flooded forests,
Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname,
along rivers and streams and close to
French Guiana, Brazil, Peru,
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
mangroves throughout the Amazon Due to its rapid development in the
basin. Belonging to the same family field and the high value of its wood,
as mahogany and cedar, the Andiroba is indicated for joint
Andiroba tree, because its wood is plantations and agroforestry
resistant to insect attack, is much systems. Monoculture plantations
sought after by sawmills (FERRAZ et suffer from attack of the terminal
al., 2003). shoot by Hypsipyla grandella , which
is the biggest pest for the Meliáceas
Its seeds are floating and can be
family in the Amazon region and
dispersed sas in the stream of the
which inhibits its growth. This ends
courses d ' water. However, in terra
up compromising the use of trees for
firme forest, most fruits and seeds
wood, when Andiroba survives the
are found under the parent tree. An
attack, which is not as intense as in
adult tree can reach up to 30 meters
Mahogany, the fruit productivity
in height and produce up to 120 kilos
remains the same (SOUZA et al.,
of seeds (corresponding to an
2006) .
average of 50 kilos/tree). At the time
of dispersion, the seeds are heavily Herbal medicine has gained an
consumed by rodents, armadillos, important place in the treatment of
deer, wild pigs, etc . (FERRAZ et al., various pathologies, however there
2003) . are scientific literatures that do not
provide results regarding the use of
It was found that the seeds have 43%
these products, causing the
fat and to have a liter of oil by hand,
prescribing health professional to
12 kilos of in natura seeds are
end up not choosing the use of this
needed , with the mechanical press 4
therapy, making it impossible for the
kilos of dry seed are used and when
patient to be involved in the process
chemical solvents are applied, it is
of cure. The Carapa guianensis
used up 3 pounds. As for the yield of
popularly known as Andiroba,
Carapa guianensis oil , per tree,
despite being very traditionally used
extracted by hand, it can reach 3
by the population and present
liters and up to 30 liters per industrial
studies ethnomedicinal and
extraction (MORAIS, 2012 ) .
pharmacological activities already
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
published proven and is not present to 2021. The databases used were
in any Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. PubMed , SciELO , CAPES
periodicals, dissertations, LILACS ,
And ntender as Andiroba can help in
websites Missouri Botanical Garden
the healing process is important for
and Flora in Brazil plus d and
patient care and safety professional
personal books. The descriptors
at the time of prescription. The
used were the following: Medicinal
objective of this research was to
plants, Ethnobotany and
create a compilation of studies
Phytotherapy. The languages of the
demonstrating that C. guianensis
analyzed works were Portuguese
Aublet has enough studied
and English . 100 articles were
therapeutic properties so that it can
analyzed, however, only 38 met the
be prescribed by able professionals
criteria, the PICOT method was also
and was divided into three specific
used in this research, the PICOT
objectives:
method ( P problem ; I Intervention:
a) Point out studies that inform about
Represents the intervention of
Carapa guianensis and its medicinal
interest, which can be therapeutic,
use,
prognostic, administrative or related
b) Conceptualize the chemical to economic issues ; C Control or
comparison : Defined as a standard
properties responsible for the
intervention, the most used
pharmacological action of the
medicinal species and intervention or no intervention; O
(Outcome “ outcomes ”) or expected
c) Verify that Andiroba can be
results and time T ) (SANTOS et al.,
prescribed by duly qualified
2017) .
professionals .
2 Methodology
3 Carapa guianensis Aublet
It is an studo review of the literature
caracterizada as descriptive (Torrelio The geographic distribution of
andiroba extends over the North
et al., 2009). The revision will include
(Acre, Amazon, Amapá, Pará) and
documents between the years 2003
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
Northeast (Maranhão) regions, as ulcer, because it is rich in tannin. And
shown in Figure 1. Its traditional the use of seed oil on a daily basis
medicinal use includes anthelmintic goes to the manufacture of soap and
action, use in skin diseases, lighting ( FLORES , 2020).
febrifuge, insect bite, insect repellent,
Figure 1: Map of Brazil showing the locations where the species is located.
Source: Flores (2020) – adapted.
3.1 Botanical Aspects Regarding its biochemistry, it has
osteotranortriterpenes , the so-called
According to Carvalho et al. (2019)
Limonoids and their C30 precursors,
andiroba is a large tree belonging to
and the protolimonoids . Figures 2
the Meliaceae family and has a large
and 3 represent the leaf excicata and
production of seeds per year.
the fruit of the species respectively.
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
Figure 2: Photo of the excicata specimen of the Carapa guianensis leaf
Source: Ferreira; Nelson (1980).
Figure 3: Fruit of the species Carapa guianensis Aubl.
Source: Stevens (2015)
In the studies carried out by which are cited healing, anti-
Milhomem et al. (2016) describe that inflammatory, insect repellent,
andiroba oil is extracted from the antimalarial, and antiparasitic and
seeds of the andirobeira tree, and is has been widely used in the cosmetic
represented by the species Carapa industry.
guianensis of the Meliaceae family
According to Gueye et al. (2009,
found in the Amazon. This oil has
p.12) “native plants are important
various uses in folk medicine, among
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
sources of income in rural chromatography (NONATO et al.,
communities, and play an important 2018).
social and cultural role”.
The book “Contemporary
In agreement Alexandre et al. (2017, Phytotherapy: Tradition and Science
p.15) emphasizes that “all parts of in Clinical Practice” exposed from the
the plant have been used for herbal perspective of Saad et al. (2016 ,
purposes”. Therefore, andiroba oil is p.99 ) lists several plant species with
composed of fatty acids and another medicinal properties. The
part of non-saponifiable culmination of the studies is the
components, rich in limonoid inclusion of Brazilian plants that,
compounds, their presence of origin despite being little studied, are
in bitterness, therefore, they can be highlighted in popular medicine,
obtained through fractionation by among them Andiroba (Carapa
guianensis , Meliaceae ) (figure 4).
Figure 4: Andiroba tree and fruit.
Source: Ivone Manzali in book Contemporary Phytotherapy (adapted) (SAAD
et al., 2016).
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
Studies show that the high growth concentration was obtained in 100
rate of andiroba wood and its ability min reaction time, 4% (m/v) NaOH
to adjust leaf characteristics in concentration and 120 °C
response to changing ambient light temperature. These implications
make andiroba wood a good choice allowed this biomass to be
in reforestation programs where considered as a suitable material for
rapidly developing species are the production of fermentable sugars
warned to rush forest recovery and (SOUZA et al., 2020).
succession processes of deforested
Although it has broad traditional use,
lands. In addition, such species can
it was not included in the Brazilian
also effectively contribute to the
Pharmacopoeia Herbal Medicines
effect of carbon dioxide deposition in
Form or in any of the five editions of
the atmosphere (CAMARGO ;
the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (SAAD
MARENCO, 2012).
et al., 2016) .
It is noteworthy that the other use of
3.2 Chemical components
andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl .)
They are found in the chemical
is its residues through the
composition of andiroba seed oil ,
optimization of the alkaline pre-
concentrations of fatty acids, myristic
treatment to obtain fermentable
, palmitic, linoneic , stearic and
sugars. Residual husks of andiroba
arachidic , limonoids and others. And
seeds were analyzed and submitted
it has medicinal properties with
to alkaline application, a pre-
healing potential and stands out
treatment that aimed to maximize the
among traditional oils in the North of
recovery of fermented sugar. The
the country (ALEXANDRE et al.,
authors findaram the production of
2017).
fermentable sugars from the seed
husk andiroba is optimized for pre
Accordingly, in one study, conducted
alkali-treatment with the reaction with five new limonoid type fragmalin,
time, concentration of NaOH , and carapanolidos M and Q (1 and 5),
temperature effects exerted on the
together with two type limonoid
linear response variable, mexicanolida , carapanolidos R and
saccharification (%) , higher sugar
S (6 and 7) were isolated from oil
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
seeds from Carapa guianensis respectively. Compound 1 was
AUBLET ( Meliaceae ), a traditional obtained as a white powder, which
product in Brazil and Latin American showed molecular formula of C 35 H
countries. Their structures were 56 N 2 O 4 . Nine compounds were
explained on the basis of separated from the EtOH extraction
spectroscopic analysis using 1D and of Carapa guianensis branch ,
2D NMR techniques and a single spectroscopic methods were
crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. performed and their structures were
Compounds 1 and 7, along with 12 elucidated as carbon amine 1,3-di-
known limonoids , 8 and 19, isolated benzene-2-octadecyl acid-glyceride,
from the flower and seed oil of C. hexacosanoic acid-2,3-
guianensis were tested to determine dihydroxyglyceride acid, ursolic ,
their speed in promoting triglyceride narina- Genina , scopoletin , 3,4-
metabolism in the human dihidroximetilbenzoato, 2,6-
hepatocellular carcinoma cell line dihidroximetilbenzoato, tetratria -
pre-treated with high glucose acetic contanóico acid and
content, HepG2. Gedunin -type triacontanóico (HUS IQ-Hua et al.,
limonoid : 14 (% control at 10 mM : 2004).
35.4 to 3.9), 13 (55.0 to 3.6 to 10 mM
3.3 Ethnomedical use
) and 18 (75.4 to 4.2 to 10 mM )
Used externally for its anti-
significantly reduced levels of TG in
inflammatory properties against
hepatocytes (INOUE et al., 2012) .
rheumatic pains and muscle as well
In another study, twigs of C.
as in insect repellency, oil seed is
guianensis from Yunnan province,
one of the medicinal products sold
China were collected in December
over the Amazon forest for this
2001. The air-dried twig was
purpose (Amaral et a l ., 2005).
extracted and isolated in powder
Mixed with honey, andiroba oil is a
(13.5 kg) with 3X EtOH under reflux,
very popular anti-inflammatory for
and the solvent was evaporated in
fighting throat infections and flu
vacuo. The residue was partitioned
processes in general.
into H 2 O and extracted with CHCl 3
, EtOAc and n- BuOH three times,
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
The oil obtained when cold shows a or in cases of topical bacterial
light yellow color, without precipitates infections. For this, it is
and a characteristic aroma. Due to recommended the use of topical
the growth of the market, fraud is formulations from 2 to 5% of
very frequent. Soybean oil, patauá oil concentration, with applications
( Oenocarpus bataua - palm tree three times a day (PESCE, 1941
from the Amazon), animal fats, apud MENDONÇA et. al., 2007).
among others, is added to the oil of
In the Amazon, in some regions, it is
C. guianensis . The producers claim
widely used in the treatment of
that the “ test ” to assess the quality
uterine cancer (oil applied directly to
of the oil is to spread a small portion
the vaginal canal), diabetes (cortex
on the skin. The " true " tends " dry "
decoction) and bark extract as a
while the " doctored " continues "
digestive stimulant. The dosage of
smearing " the skin (Homma et al.,
fresh oil is that it must be applied
2014).
directly to the affected region, pure or
It is also described as a substitute for associated, in rubs and compresses.
quinine in combating swamp fevers. The authors did not find references
In Amazonas, the use of oil did not regarding precautions,
differ from reports in other locations. contraindications and extracts
The indigenous people of French available in the Brazilian market
Guiana used andiroba oil mixed with (SAAD et al., 2016).
annatto as a repellent for mosquitoes
3.4 Toxicity
and bugs (Tunga penetrans ). The oil
The oral administration of C.
of C. guianensis has been used in
guianensis seed oil did not show any
folk medicine in inflammatory cases,
toxic effect in pregnant rats nor did it
which has been proven in preclinical
induce fetotoxicity , as it did not
trials. However, the lack of a detailed
modify the biochemical and
evaluation profile regarding the anti-
hematological parameters (COSTA
inflammatory action mechanism
et al., 2007). However, it caused an
suggests its application only in
increase in serum alanine
topical formulations. Use topically in
aminotransferase , in the relative
rheumatic pain, acute inflammation
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I.C. Maia, P.M.P. Pereira, V.C.G. Soares
mass of the liver and testis of rats It is pointed out that the oil of C.
and in the number of sperm in the guianensis due to its traditional use
epididymis tail, which indicates a has aroused interest since the
possible toxic effect that needs Brazilian colonization due to its
further research (SILVA, 2006). importance in everyday life in popular
therapy (SAAD et. al., 2016).
For Brito et al. (2013, p. 478) in their
“study the effects of andiroba oil on Several studies have shown that the
the liver function of rats submitted to oil extracted from the plant has anti-
injury induced by ischemia and inflammatory, analgesic and anti-
normothermic liver reperfusion were allergic activities (PENIDO et al.,
evaluated . The pre-treatment of 2006).
animals with the oil was not enough
It is well known that the seeds'
to change the deterioration of liver
potential lies in their oil, which is
function”.
extracted by hand, Brito et al. (2013,
Some studies have shown that p. 478) highlights that “the oil has
andiroba oil does not trigger or been widely used by extractivists,
increase morbidity and mortality Indians and riverside dwellers in the
when applied in the abdominal cavity Amazon also in cases of animal
of rats within a period of up to seven bites, which is administered orally or
days, being used orally, regarding topically, also used by the
the acute and subacute toxicity of pharmaceutical industry in the
andiroba oil (BRITO et al., 2013). formulation of cosmetics”.
In comparison in the studies by It is mainly indicated for prophylaxis
Costa-Silva et al. (2008) were found against insect bites, rheumatic pain,
in Wistar rats increased serum ALT wounds and skin lesions. Due to the
levels and absolute and relative presence of active ingredients as
increase in liver weight of treated cardiotonic glycosides,
animals, which may indicate the triterpernoides, tannins and
possibility of liver toxicity. carbohydrates, it confirms the
importance of andiroba as a source
4 Pharmacological activities and
of subst â pharmacologically active
use in clinical practice
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