Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez essential oil and its primary constituent, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, inhibits acetylcholinesterase and reverse memory impairment in rodents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aniba canelilla, distributed in the Amazon region, stands out for its diverse economic and medicinal applications. Studies of the A. canelilla essential oil and its primary constituent, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, have confirmed its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anti-hypertensive potential, and anticholinesterase, among other therapeutic activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: In addition, the present work aims to evaluate the potential of oil and NPE in the learning and memory of rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The oil was hydrodistilled and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The learning and memory action in mice was evaluated through the scopolamine-induced cognitive deficit model, followed by behavioral analysis using Morris's water maze paradigm. RESULTS: Oil provided a yield of 0.5%, and in its chemical composition, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) (76.2%) and methyleugenol (19.6%) were identified as primary constituents. Oil fractionation furnished NPE with 99.4%, which was used to evaluate its effects in animal models. Wistar rats were submitted to the mnemonic impairment-scopolamine-induced protocol for 7 days. The oil, NPE, and the positive control donepezil were administered from the 8th to 12th days. Morris water maze results demonstrated that oil and NPE reversed spatial learning and long-term memory similarly induced by muscarinic antagonist scopolamine to donepezil, the positive control. CONCLUSION: These beneficial effects have led the work to further investigations of the oil and NPE to elucidate their pharmacological mechanism, focusing on the cholinergic pathway of the central nervous system and opening up to the knowledge of other adjacent mechanisms, whose results are still under analysis.

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez (Lauraceae): A Review of Ethnobotany, Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Properties.

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez, popularly known as "casca preciosa" (precious bark), falsa canela (cinnamon-scented) Casca-do-maranhão (bark of maranhão), and Folha-preciosa (precious leaf), is an aromatic species of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. In traditional medicine, it is indicated for the treatment of a great diversity of diseases, including digestive, respiratory, inflam]matory, painful, and central nervous system disorders, it is administered mainly in the form of tea or decoction orally. Its essential oil is referred to as a natural antioxidant for food preservation and disease control, showing great potential for use in the cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical products sector. The present review aimed to discuss critically and comprehensively the ethnobotanical characteristics, phytochemical constitution, and scientifically tested biological properties of A. canelilla, systematizing the knowledge about the species and proposing new perspectives for research and development. The chemical composition of A. canelilla includes 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, metyleugenol, eugenol, safrol, anabasin, anbin, tannin, α-pinene, b-pinene, b-felandren, b-caryophyllene, b-sesquifelandren, p-cymene, linalool, α-copaene, and spatulenol. Researches with ethanolic extracts, essential oils, and major constituents (1-nitro-2-phenylethane and metyleugenol) have revealed antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, cardio-modulating, hypotensive (vasorelaxant), hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticholinesterase, and antibiotic properties (trypanomicidal, leishmanicidal, and antifungal). Some of these effects are potentially beneficial for aging-related diseases treatment, such as cardio and cerebrovascular, chronic inflammatory, neurological, and degenerative diseases. However, it is necessary to advance in the research of its clinical use and development of therapeutic products.