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.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Studies of Hydroalcoholic Extract from the Leaves of Phyllanthus brasiliensis (Aubl.) Poir. and Isolation of 5-O-ß-d-Glucopyranosyljusticidin B and Six Other Lignans.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and the antiinflammatory/antinociceptive properties of the hydroalcoholic extract derived from the leaves of Phyllanthus brasiliensis (HEPB) in rodents. A new arylnaphthalene lignan glycoside, 5-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyljusticidin B, together with six known lignans, were isolated from HEPB. 1D and 2D NMR experiments and HRMS were used to elucidate the structure of the new compound. HEPB toxicity and antinociceptive activity were evaluated through acute oral toxicity and formalin models in mice, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effects of HEPB were assessed using carrageenan- and dextran-induced paw edema models in rats. HEPB showed low toxicity. Oral administration of HEPB reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan, but not by dextran. HEPB and its fractions from FR6 to FR10 (FR6-10) inhibited the neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced linking, demonstrating its antinociceptive activity. These results indicated that lignans from Phyllanthus brasiliensis exerted antinociceptive/anti-inflammatory effects not related to the histaminergic pathway.