The Healing Power of Rainforest Plants
The Tropical Plant Database
Copaiba
Genus: Copaifera
Species: officinalis, langsdorffii, reticulata
Synonyms: Copaifera jacquinii, C. nitida, C. paupera, C. sellowii, Copaiva officinalis
Common Names: Copaiba, copaipera, cupayba, copauba, copal, balsam copaiba, copaiva, copaiba-verdadeira, Jesuit's balsam, copaibeura-de-Minas, cobeni, Matidisguate, matisihuati, mal-dos-sete-dias, aceite de palo, pau-de-oleo, básamo de copayba
Parts Used: Oleo resin, leaves
The following text has been pre-printed from: The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd edition © by Leslie Taylor
MAIN ACTIONS |
OTHER ACTIONS |
STANDARD DOSAGE |
| relieves pain | increases urination | Resin |
| reduces inflammation | expels worms | Internal: 5-15 drops 2-3 |
| kills germs | reduces acid | times daily |
| kills bacteria | supresses coughs | External: apply diluted resin |
| kills fungi | expels phlegm | on affected areas |
| inhibits tumor growth | ||
| dries secretions | ||
| heals wounds | ||
| protects gastric tract | ||
| mildly laxative | ||
| sooths and softens | ||
| disinfects | ||
Description
Copaiba trees are considerably branched and grow from 15-30 m high. They produce many small, white flowers on long panicles and small fruit pods with 2-4 seeds inside. There are 35 species of Copaifera, found mainly in tropical South America (particularly in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela). Several different species are used as traditional medicines interchangeably: C. langsdorffii is found mostly in the cerrados of central Brazil, C. reticulata is indigenous to the Amazon region, and C. officinalis occurs widely throughout South America, including the Amazon. All three varieties are used interchangeably.
The part of the tree that is often employed medicinally is the oleoresin that accumulates in cavities within the tree trunk. It is harvested by tapping or drilling holes into the wood of the trunk and collecting the resin that drips out, much in the same manner as harvesting maple syrup. A single copaiba tree can provide about 40 liters of oleoresin annually, making it a sustainable rainforest resource that can be harvested without destroying the tree or the forest in which it grows. When tapped, the initial oily resin is clear, thin, and colorless; it thickens and darkens upon contact with air. Commercially sold resins are a thick, clear liquid, with a color that varies from pale yellow to golden light brown. The variety gathered in Venezuela is said to be thicker and darker in color. Although it is often referred to a balsam or oil, it is actually a oleoresin.
Copaiba trees are called "diesel trees" in South America were they grow. Many report that copaiba oil can simply be filtered and poured directly into the fuel tank of a diesel-powered car (or diesel generator) and the engine will run normally, with a bluish exhaust smoke being the only noticeable difference. The oil is also traditionally used in lamps as fuel for lighting.
Tribal and Herbal Medicine Uses
On the Rio Solimoes in northwest Amazonia, copaiba resin is used topically by indigenous tribes as a wound healer, to stop bleeding, for skin sores and psoriasis, and to treat gonorrhea. Healers and curanderos in the Amazon today use copaiba resin for all types of pain, for skin disorders and insect bites, and to cool inflammation.
In Brazilian herbal medicine systems the resin is used as a strong antiseptic and expectorant for the respiratory tract (including bronchitis and sinusitis), as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for the urinary tract (for cystitis, bladder, and kidney infections), as a topical anti-inflammatory agent for all types of skin problems. Copaiba resin is sold in gel capsules in stores and pharmacies in Brazil and recommended for all types of internal inflammation, stomach ulcers and cancer. One of its more popular home-remedy uses in Brazil is as an antiseptic gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis (15 drops of resin in warm water). In Peruvian traditional medicine, three or four drops of the resin are mixed with a spoonful of honey and taken as a natural sore throat remedy. It is also employed in Peruvian herbal medicine systems to reduce inflammation and increase urination, and in the treatment of incontinence, urinary problems, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, bronchitis, catarrh, herpes, pleurisy, tuberculosis, hemorrhages, and leishmaniasis (applied as a plaster).
Copaiba resin was first recorded in European medicine in 1625 (brought back from the New World by the Jesuits and called Jesuit's balsam) and has been used there since in the treatment of chronic cystitis, bronchitis, chronic diarrhea, and as a topical preparation for hemorrhoids. In the United States, it was an official drug in the U. S. Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1910. Noted ethnobotanist and author Mark Plotkin reports that copaiba oil has been used in the United States as a disinfectant, diuretic, laxative, and stimulant-in addition to being used in cosmetics and soaps. The Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients cites that copaiba has diuretic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, disinfectant, and stimulant activities.
Plant Chemicals
The resin contains up to 15% volatile oil; the remaining materials are resins and acids. The active biological properties of copaiba resin are attributed to a group of phytochemicals called sesquiterpenes (over 50% of the resin may be sesquiterpenes), diterpenes, and terpenic acids. These chemicals include caryophyllene, calamenene, and copalic, coipaiferic, copaiferolic, hardwickic, and kaurenoic acids. Several of these chemicals are novel ones found only in copaiba. Copaiba resin is the highest known natural source of caryophyllene, comprising up to 480,000 parts per million. Caryophyllene is a well known plant chemical which has been documented with strong anti-inflammatory effects (among other actions). Another studied chemical in the oil is called kaurenoic acid and it has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and diuretic effects in vivo and antimicrobial, smooth muscle relaxant and cytotoxic actions in vitro.
The main chemicals found in copaiba oleo-resin include: alloaromadendrene, alpha-bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene, beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryophyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic acids, cyperene, delta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid, kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate, paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, and trans-alpha-bergamotene.
Some of the newest reseach published on Copaiba has been on the leaves of the tree, and not the resin. The tree leaves have a much different chemical profile and are used much differently in herbal medicine systems. Kaurenoic acid, caryophyllene oxide, and kaurenol are present in both the leaves and resin but the leaves contain galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids like quercitrin and afzelin that aren't in the resin. These are the leaves' biologically active chemicals and can explain some of the different uses a leaf remedy has which the resin isn't used for. Five flavanoid compounds: rutin, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin and kaempferol, are suggested to be used as assay markers to test leaf samples for confirmation of species. Again, none of these chemicals are found in the resin.
Biological Activities and Clinical Research
Much of the clinical research performed to date has verified the traditional uses of copaiba. One of copaiba's main uses in herbal medicine is to help heal wounds. In 2002, researchers in Brazil first reported that it was highly effective as a topical wound healer in animal studies. Since then, six more in vivo animal studies have been published in 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2017 which confirm that using copaiba oil topically on wounds speeds the healing of wounds, reduces scaring, reduces inflammation at the wound site, and prevents infection. The study published in 2013 noted that copaiba evidenced the ability to stimulate collagen synthesis and promoted new skin formation. This could be beneficial for chronic wounds, burns, and even aging skin just needing a collagen boost.
One of these recent studies on wound healing reported that copaiba could be taken internally to speed the healing of gastric ulcers which validates yet another one of copaiba's traditional uses - for ulcers. Copaiba oil was first reported with anti-ulcerous actions in 1998 by a Brazilian research group who reported that giving natural copaiba resin to rats provided a dose-dependent, significant protection against chemical- and stress-induced gastric damage and ulcers. One of copaiba's main active chemicals, cayophyllene, was documented with anti-ulcerous actions two years prior to this study. Not only did caryophyllene evidence significant anti-inflammatory effects without any damage to the stomach lining (most other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents cause stomach problems) - it significantly inhibited stomach injury induced by various chemicals.
An equally important area of wound care is avoiding infection. Local populations in the Amazon have long regarded copaiba oil as being antiseptic and antibacterial and have relied on it to prevent wounds from getting infected. They have also used the oil to treat other types of infections as well. There has been some significant research to support these traditional uses. Copaiba oil was first reported with antibacterial actions in 1960 and since then, 22 more studies have been published regarding copaiba's actions against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. The bottom line in all these studies is that copaiba works extremely well against all Gram-positive bacteria tested. It doesn't work at all against Gram-negative bacteria or yeast. It has only moderate activity against various Trichophyton fungi (a genus of fungi which causes athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, and similar infections of the nail, beard, skin and scalp).
The Gram-positve bacteria tested included various strains of Bacillus and Staphylococcus and included multi-drug-resistant strains and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of only 5μg/mL. In Gram-positive bacteria with biofilms protecting them, copaiba was able to dissolve the biofilm and kill the underlying bacteria. Scientists have targeted and tested three of copaiba's main active chemicals that they report have the strongest antibiotic actions; copalic acid, kaurenic acid, and kaurenoic acid and have published various antimicrobial studies on those isolated chemicals. Copaiba's traditional uses as an antiseptic for sore throat, upper respiratory and urinary tract infections can be explained partly by these antibacterial actions. However, these were in vitro studies only, and at this juncture, in the absence of any clinical trials treating bacterial infections in humans, we can only rely on the long history traditional use in humans and their animals that it might work in the same manner.
Except maybe. . . for the bacteria in your mouth or on your face. Interestingly, a group of university researchers in a Brazilian school of dental medicine starting researching copaiba's antimicrobial actions and have published several studies in 2010 and 2011 showing copaiba oil and/or copalic acid can kill the bacteria that causes cavities and gingivitis. The researchers summarized: "The findings of the present study suggest that the copaiba oil has great potential for use against the growth of S. mutans, the main etiological agent of dental caries. In addition, even at low concentration, the copaiba oil was as effective as 0.12% chlorhexidine against this pathogen." In 2011 they reported copalic acid was effective in vitro against a representative panel of microorganisms responsible for periodontitis. Another research group in India picked that up and in 2016 published a double blind human clincal trial on 152 primary molars of 64 children needing root canals. One-third of the molars were treated with copaiba oil. The other two groups were treated with either the standard antimicrobial drug, formocresol, or white mineral trioxide aggregate. At the end of one year, 100 percent clinical success was observed with all groups. In another double-blind human clinical trial published in 2012, 10 patients with acne were treated with a gel that contained 1% copaiba essential oil extracted from the resin. At the end of 21 days there was a significant decrease in the surface area affected by acne. They surmised the essential oil inhibited the common acne-causing bacteria, modulated inflammation and acted as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the healing process to achieve these results. A third human clinical trial focused on psoriasis and was published in 2013 by a research group in Italy. Patients affected by chronic psoriasis were treated with oral intake or topical application of copaiba oil and exhibited a significant improvement of the typical signs of this disease, i.e. erythema, skin thickness, and scaliness.
These noted anti-inflammatory actions have been another core area in copaiba's traditional uses in herbal medicine. Copaiba has long been used for inflammation and pain of all sorts. Several studies referenced above have documented copaiba's anti-inflammatory actions. Other clinical research validates the resin's anti-inflammatory effects against various laboratory-induced inflammation in other animal studies. The anti-inflammatory effects have been related to the sesquiterpene chemicals in copaiba oil which scientists have noted can vary significantly-not only between different copaiba tree species, but also within a given species and, even among individual trees. Sesquiterpene content can range anywhere from 30-90%. This may account for the results obtained by other Brazilian researchers who tested eight different commercial samples of copaiba oil and only three of the eight samples demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects. Of these sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene is the most well studied, demonstrating pain-relieving properties, antifungal properties against nail fungus, as well as anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties in other animal studies. Fourteen animal studies and two in vitro studies have documented copaiba oil's actions against inflammation over the years. The latest in vitro research published in 2017, as well as the human study with psoriasis discussed above suggests that at least one mechanism of action to reduce inflammation is copaiba's ablility to modulate the immune system to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) the body produces. The main plant chemicals attributed to copaiba's anti-inflammatory actions are caryophyllene, kaurenoic acid, and alpha-humulene. In some of these anti-inflammatory studies and other stand-alone studies, copaiba has also demonstrated pain-relieving actions in vivo (rats and mice) substatiating yet another traditional use. In addition, copaiba oil and/or some of its active chemicals have been reported with antispasmodic and muscle-relaxant actions in a few animal studies.
Another area of research has focused on copaiba's cellular protective abilities. In addition to the gastric-protection actions noted above, copaiba has demonstrasted the ability to protect kidney, liver, brain, immune, intestinal and stomach cells against known irritants. toxins, and even chemotherapy drugs in animal studies and test tube studies published over the last 10 years. Some attribute this activity to copaiba's strong antioxidant actions. One of the latest studies in 2017 focused on brain cells and Alzheimer's Disease. Acetylcholine is a major neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for memory and learning. Alzheimer's disease has been linked with oxidative stress, acetylcholine deficiency in the brain, and inflammatory processes. Researchers reported copaiba oil should be studied further in Alzheimer's patients since it showed marked antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and acetylcholine protective effects in their study. They attributed these actions to the phenolic compounds in copaiba oil. Another in vivo study published in 2009 showed for the first time that copaiba oil demonstrated a dose-dendendant anti-anxiety effect in rats. Two other studies were published concerning copaiba's use for endometrosis. In a rat model of experimental endometriosis, copaiba caused a significant reduction in endometrial growth and demonstrated an antiinflammatory effect which was reported in 2011. They followed up on this research in 2015 trying to determine copaiba’s effect on the endometrial tissues in vitro and reported that copaiba was basically interfering in the intracellular processes of these tissue cells and causing them to fall apart.
Cancer research on copaiba and several of it's main active chemicals have been ongoing since the early 1990's. Researchers in Tokyo isolated six chemicals (clerodane diterpenes) in the oleoresin of copaiba in 1994 and tested them against carcinomas in mice to determine their antitumor activity. One particular compound, called kolavenol, was twice as effective at increasing the lifespan in mice with carcinomas (by 98%) as the standard chemotherapy drug, 5-Fluorouacil (5-FU). The natural resin also increased lifespan by 82% - which was still higher than 5-FU (which increased lifespan by 46%). Interestingly, the in vivo tests provided better anti-tumor effects than in previous test-tube studies. The Spanish team of researchers that documented copaiba's antimicrobial effects in 2002 also tested for in vitro antitumor effects. These scientists reported that another phytochemical in the resin, methlyl copalate, had in vitro activity against human lung carcinoma, human colon carcinoma, human melanoma, and mouse lymphoid neoplasm cell lines. Brazilian researchers reported in 2002 that one of copaiba's active chemicals, kaurenoic acid, inhibited the growth of human leukemic cells by 95%, and human breast and colon cancer cells by 45% in vitro. Copaiba has been noted to have anti-proliferative activity. This means that it can prevent the spread of cells, particularly malignant cells, into surrounding tissue. Research published in 2015 reported that copaiba oil was able to kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells (estrogen receptor positive) in vitro better than doxorubicin, a much-utilized chemotherapy drug. In a 2015 animal study, copaiba's main active chemical, beta-caryophyllene, strongly inhibited the growth of solid tumors and lymph node metastasis in mice with melanoma. In an earlier 2007 study researchers reported that beta-caryophyllene significantly increased anti-cancer activity against several cancer cell lines, including the aforementioned MCF-7 cells. When they combined beta-caryophyllene with another popular chemo drug, paclitaxel, it increased the activity of paclitaxel by about ten-fold.
In 2010, and again in 2011 a Brazilian research group published studies on rats innoculated with cervical cancer and then treated orally or topically with copaiba oil. The first study showed no anticancerous or antitumorous actions and the second study showed an increase in tumor size in the copaiba-treated rats. They figured out their error and reported at the end of the 2nd study: "So, as long as copaiba oil has a similar action to glucocorticoids, the dosage used in this research could be capable of systemic immunosuppression or inhibition of tumor cells apoptosis, or even both, producing a higher tumoral development." (Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory at very low doses and supress immune function at high doses.) Admitting they were looking for a high response rate, they increased the dosage of copaiba to 4.5 ml of oil per kilogram in body weight in the rats treated. The recommended human dose for copaiba is only 1 ml and that's for an average 75 kg adult! At the dosages given the rats in the study, a human would have nausea, vomiting and other side effects. Researchers did in fact notice a significant drop in body weight in the rats at that very high dosage as well.
The last area of reseach which has been ongoing is copaiaba's actions against various insects and parasites. The oil has shown to kill mosquitos, ticks, army worms (a major pest in South American food crops) and skin parasites on tropical fish. More importantly, copaiba oil has shown very good activity against three common and deadly diseases found in the Tropics: Chagas Disease (caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi), Leishmaniasis (caused by Leishmania parasites), and Schistosomiasism (caused by parasitic worms).
Current Practical Uses
In all herbal medicine systems where it is employed, copaiba resin is taken internally only in very small dosages-usually only 5-15 drops (approximately one-half to 1 ml) 1-3 times daily. In large doses, it has been documented to cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and a measles-like skin rash. A French dermatologist reported that these side effects can also occur with the absorption of copaiba resin through the skin in sensitive individuals. It has, however, been approved officially in the U.S. as a food additive and is used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. It has also been employed as a fixative in perfumes.
When this book was first published in 2005, copaiba oil was used mostly as a fragrance component in perfumes and in cosmetic preparations (including soaps, bubble baths, detergents, creams, and lotions) for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and emollient (soothing and softening) properties. Natural health practitioners and Americans in general simply didn't know anything about copaiba oil or how to use it. Today, there are many copaiba products to choose from in the marketplace. It has become a quite popular herbal remedy, mainly because it works. It is being used today in the natural products market for stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, inflammation and infections of all kinds internally and externally, for nail fungus externally, and for its documented wound-healing, antimicrobial and anticancerous properties. With the newer research published, copaiba oil will probably start showing up in natural toothpastes and mouthwash formulas soon. It can already be found in a few cosmetic products targeting acne. Remember however, copaiba oil is quite strong and when using it topically it is usually diluted in another carrier oil. For pimples and acne, wounds, rashes and external inflammation and infections dilute it with 4 parts carrier oil to 1 part copaiba oil. Coconut, avocado, jojoba, grapeseed, apricot seed and rosehip seed oils are all good carrier oils to combine with copaiba. With nail fungus however, use the straight undiluted copaiba oil.
Some of the newer research published on copaiba in the last several years has confused some people and even manufacturers, it seems. This research has been studying and reporting new benefits for copaiba, but they are studying the leaves of the tree and not copaiba oil/resin. The chemistry and uses of copaiba leaves are quite different from the oil. Copaiba leaves and leaf products are not available here in the United States and some consumers are buying copaiba oil thinking they are getting the benefits reported, and now marketed, for the leaves. Three compelling studies were published on copaiba leaves in 2017, 2013 and 2012 reporting that copaiba could treat kidney stones, prevent stones from forming and reduce uric acid levels. But these actions were attributed to galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoid chemicals that are only found in the leaves. The chemicals are not present in copaiba oil and the oil will not provide these benefits or actions.
Of other confusion, there are now two types of "copaiba oil" to choose from in the market today. The first is just straight, filtered natural copaiba oil/resin. The second is a distilled essential oil extacted from copaiba oil. Copaiba essential oils are largely composed of sesquiterpenoids, particularly β-caryophyllene. However, the resin is also composed of diterpene acids, which are responsible for many of the observed biological activities. Don't buy the essential oil product if you are looking for the benefits outlined herein that are attributed to these diterpenes. All of the research detailed herein has been conducted on the whole natural oily resin with the exception of the one human study on acne which used the essential oil.
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Main Preparation Method: cold-filtered resin Main Actions (in order): anti-microbial, wound healer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-reliever), anticancerous Main Uses:
Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancerous, antifungal, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antitumorous, antiulcerous, cellular protector, gastroprotective (protects the gastric tract), insecticidal, neuroprotective, wound healer Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: anesthetic, antacid, antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, carminative (expels gas), cough suppressant, disinfectant, diuretic, emetic (causes vomiting), emollient, expectorant, laxative, stimulant Cautions: May cause a measles-like rash in those allergic to the resin. | |
Traditional Preparation: In South America, 5-15 drops of the oleoresin in a cup of hot water is usually taken 2-3 times daily. It is applied directly to the skin for skin problems and wounds (normally prepared with 1 part copaiba resin to 4 parts carrier oil). It is also employed topically as a massage oil for painful or inflamed muscles and joints - normally combined with another carrier oil (one part copaiba to ten parts carrier). For nail fungus and skin cancer, the resin is applied full strength directly on the affected area(s) without diluting it in another oil.
Contraindications:
- 1. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes, as the resin can act as an irritant.
- 2. Those sensitive to the resin may experience a measles-like rash accompanied by irritation, itching and/or tingling when using topically or taking internally. Discontinue use if these effects occur.
- 3. Do not take internally in large dosages (more than 5 ml). Large dosages have been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and rashes. Discontinue or reduce dosage if these effects occur.
- 4 One chemical in copaiba resin has been documented to cause hemolysis of red blood cells (human and mice) in vitro. Although this effect has not been studied in vivo, in the whole resin it is probably best to avoid long-term oral use of the resin unless you are under the direct care of a physician who can monitor this possible effect.
Drug Interactions: None reported.
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| Amazonia | for coughs, excessive mucous, flu, gonorrhea, incontinence, inflammation, psoriasis, skin sores, syphilis, urinary tract disorders, wounds, and as a diuretic and disinfectant |
| Brazil | for bacterial infections, bladder infections, bronchitis, cancer, cough, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, dermatosis, diarrhea, dysentery, flu, gastric disorders, gonorrhea, hypertension, incontinence, inflammation, intestinal parasites, kidney inflammation, lung disorders, pain, pneumonia, psoriasis, respiratory problems, sinusitis, skin disorders, skin ulcers, sore throat, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, tumors, urinary infections, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge, wounds, and as an antiseptic |
| Europe | for bladder irritation, bronchitis, chilblains, constipation, cystitis, diarrhea, excessive mucous (bladder, vagina, respiratory tract), edema, gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, intestinal gas, itch, stimulant, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge, venereal diseases, and as an antiseptic and diuretic |
| Peru | for bronchitis, excessive mucous, diuretic, edema, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, herpes, incontinence, inflammation, intestinal gas, insect bites, leishmaniasis, muscle pain, pleurisy, syphilis, tetanus, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary infections, vaginal discharge, venereal disease, wounds |
| U. S. | as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant |
| Elsewhere | for constipation, dermatitis, eczema, gonorrhea, urinary insufficiency, venereal diseases, wounds, and as a massage oil |
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, copyrighted 2005
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Published Research on Copaiba
All available third-party research on copaiba can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published research on copaiba updated through Jan 2019 is shown below:
Wound Healing Actions:
Gushiken, L., et al. "Skin wound healing potential and mechanisms of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and oleoresin of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. Kuntze in rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 6589270.
de Albuquerque, K., et al. "Brazilian Amazon traditional medicine and the treatment of difficult to heal Leishmaniasis wounds with Copaifera." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 8350320.
Masson-Meyers, et al. "Topical treatment with Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin improves wound healing in rats." Int. J. Phytomed. 2013, 5, 378–386.
Estevão, L., et al. "Effects of the topical administration of copaiba oil ointment (Copaifera langsdorffii) in skin flaps viability of rats." Acta Cir Bras. 2013 Dec; 28(12): 863-9.
Comelli, E., et al. "Rupture point analysis of intestinal anastomotic healing in rats under the action of pure Copaiba (Copaifera langsdorfii) oil." Acta Cir Bras. 2010 Aug;25(4):362-7.
de Lima Silva, J., et al. "Effects of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. on ischemia-reperfusion of randomized skin flaps in rats." Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 2009 Jan; 33(1): 104-9.
Paiva, L., et al. "Investigation on the wound healing activity of oleo-resin from Copaifera langsdorfii in rats." Phytother. Res. 2002; 16(8): 737-39.
Antimicrobial Actions:
Souza, M., et al. "ent-Copalic acid antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties against Actinomyces naeslundii and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius." Anaerobe. 2018 Aug; 52: 43-49.
Vieira, R., et al. "In vitro studies of the antibacterial activity of Copaifera spp. oleoresins, sodium hypochlorite, and peracetic acid against clinical and environmental isolates recovered from a hemodialysis unit." Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2018; 7: 14
Diefenbach, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera ssp.) on oral pathogens: Systematic review." Phytother Res. 2018 Apr; 32(4): 586-596.
Ribeiro, V., et al. "Use of spinning band distillation equipment for fractionation of volatile compounds of Copaifera oleoresins for developing a validated gas chromatographic method and evaluating antimicrobial activity." Biomed. Chromatogr. 2018 Oct 26: e4412.
Diefenbach, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera ssp.) on oral pathogens: Systematic review." Phytother Res. 2018 Apr; 32(4): 586-596.
Guimarães, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) and pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba) oils against Staphylococcus aureus: Importance in compounding for wound care." Int. J. Pharm. Compd. 2016 Jan-Feb; 20(1): 58-62.
Tobouti, P., et al. "Influence of melaleuca and copaiba oils on adhesion." Gerodontology. 2016 Sep; 33(3): 380-5.
Bardaji, D., et al. "Copaifera reticulata oleoresin: Chemical characterization and antibacterial properties against oral pathogens." Anaerobe. 2016 Aug; 40: 18-27.
Abrão, F., et al. "Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin and its isolated compounds: antibacterial effect and antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2015 Dec 21; 15: 443.
Zimmermam-Franco, D., et al. "Antifungal activity of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf oleoresin against dermatophytes." Molecules. 2013 Oct 11; 18(10): 12561-70.
Fonseca, A., et al. "In vitro antimicrobial activity of plant-derived diterpenes against bovine mastitis bacteria." Molecules. 2013 Jul; 18(7): 7865-72.
Pieri, F. et al. "Bacteriostatic effect of copaiba oil (Copaifera officinalis) against Streptococcus mutans." Braz Dent J. 2012;23(1):36-8.
Santos, R., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of Amazonian oils against Paenibacillus species." J Invertebr Pathol. 2012 Mar;109(3):265-8.
Souza, A., et al. "Antimicrobial evaluation of diterpenes from Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin against periodontal anaerobic bacteria." Molecules. 2011 Nov 18;16(11):9611-9.
Souza, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of terpenoids from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. against cariogenic bacteria." Phytother Res. 2011 Feb; 25(2): 215-20.
Astani, A., et al. "Screening for antiviral activities of isolated compounds from essential oils." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2010.
Pereira, S., et al. "Limited benefit of copaifera oil on gingivitis progression in humans." J. Contemp. Dent. Pract. 2010 Jan 1; 11(1): E057-64.
Correia, A., et al. "Amazonian plant crude extract screening for activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria." Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci. 2008 Nov-Dec; 12(6): 369-80.
Santos, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of Brazilian copaiba oils obtained from different species of the Copaifera genus." Mem .Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2008 May; 103(3): 277-81.
Kuete, V., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Irvingia gabonensis (Ixonanthaceae)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Oct; 114(1): 54-60.
Cotoras, M., et al. "Characterization of the antifungal activity on Botrytis cinerea of the natural diterpenoids kaurenoic acid and 3beta-hydroxy-kaurenoic acid." J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004 May; 52(10): 2821-6.
Sartori, M., et al. "Antifungal activity of fractions and two pure Candida albicans compounds of flowers from Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) (Asteraceae)." Pharmazie. 2003; 58(8): 567-9.
Tincusi, B., et al. "Antimicrobial terpenoids from the oleoresin of the Peruvian medicinal plant Copaifera paupera." Planta Med. 2002; 68(9): 808-12.
Wilkins, M., et al. "Characterization of the bactericidal activity of the natural diterpene kaurenoic acid." Planta Med. 2002 68(5): 452-54.
Yang, D., et al. "Use of caryophyllene oxide as an antifungal agent in an in vitro experimental model of onychomycosis." Mycopathologia. 1999; 148(2): 79-82.
Davino, S., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of kaurenoic acid derivatives substituted on carbon-15." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 1989; 22(9): 1127-29.
Maruzzella, J., et al. "Antibacterial activity of essential oil vapors." J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. 1960; 49: 692-94.
Human Studies:
Musale, P., et al. "Clinical pulpotomy trial of Copaifera langsdorffii oil resin versus formocresol and white mineral trioxide aggregate in primary teeth." Pediatr. Dent. 2016 Mar-Apr; 38(2): 5-12.
da Silva, A., et al. "Application of the essential oil from copaiba (Copaifera langsdori Desf.) for acne vulgaris: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial." Altern. Med. Rev. 2012 Mar; 17(1): 69-75.
Gelmini, F., et al. "GC-MS profiling of the phytochemical constituents of the oleoresin from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and a preliminary in vivo evaluation of its antipsoriatic effect." Int. J. Pharm. 2013 Jan 20; 440(2): 170-8.
Anti-inflammatory & Pain-relieving Actions:
Ribeiro, V., et al. "Brazilian medicinal plants with corroborated anti-inflammatory activities: a review." Pharm Biol. 2018; 56(1): 253–268.
Teixeira, F., et al. "Copaiba oil-resin (Copaifera reticulata Ducke) modulates the inflammation in a model of injury to rats’ tongues." BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017; 17: 313.
do Rosário, M., et al. "Degalactosylation of xyloglucans modify their pro-inflammatory properties on murine peritoneal macrophages." Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2017 Dec; 105(Pt 1): 533-540.
Furtado, R., et al. "Antiedematogenic evaluation of Copaifera langsdorffii leaves hydroethanolic extract and its major compounds." Biomed. Res. Int. 2015; 2015: 913152.
Gomes, N., et al. "Characterization of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of fractions obtained from Copaifera multijuga Hayne." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Jan 12.
Leandro, L., et al. "Chemistry and biological activities of terpenoids from copaiba (Copaifera spp.) oleoresins." Molecules. 2012 Mar 30; 17(4) :3866-89.
Kobayashi, C., et al. "Pharmacological evaluation of Copaifera multijuga oil in rats." Pharm Biol. 2011 Mar;49(3):306-13.
Chavan, M., et al. "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Caryophyllene oxide from Annona squamosa L. bark." Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb; 17(2): 149-151.
Rogerio, A., et al. "Preventive and therapeutic anti-inflammatory properties of the sesquiterpene alpha-humulene in experimental airways allergic inflammation." Br. J. Pharmacol. 2009 Oct; 158(4): 1074-87.
de Lima Silva, J., et al. "Effects of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. on ischemia-reperfusion of randomized skin flaps in rats." Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 2009 Jan; 33(1): 104-9.
Fernandes, E., et al. "Anti-inflammatory effects of compounds alpha-humulene and (-)-trans-caryophyllene isolated from the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2007 Aug; 569(3): 228-36.
Veiga Jr., V., et al. "Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of copaiba oils from Copaifera cearensis Huber ex Ducke, Copaifera reticulata Ducke and Copaifera multijuga Hayne--a comparative study." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jun; 112(2): 248-54.
Gomes, N., "Antinociceptive activity of Amazonian Copaiba oils." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Feb; 109(3): 486-92.
Veiga Junior, V., et al. "The inhibition of paw oedema formation caused by the oil of Copaifera multijuga Hayne and its fractions." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2006; 58(10): 1405-10.
Paiva, L., et al. "Anti-inflammatory effect of kaurenoic acid, a diterpene from Copaifera langsdorffi on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats." Vascul. Pharmacol. 2002 Dec; 39(6):303-7.
Veiga, V., et al. "Phytochemical and antioedematogenic studies of commercial copaiba oils available in Brazil." Phytother. Res. 2001; 15(6): 476-80.
Ghelardini, C., et al. "Local anaesthetic activity of beta-caryophyllene." Farmaco. 2001; 56(5-7): 387-9.
Cascon, V., et al. "Characterization of the chemical composition of oleoresins of Copaifera guianensis Desf., Copaifera duckei Dwyer and Copaifera multijuna Hayne." Phytochemistry. 2000; 55(7): 773-78.
Basile, A., et al. "Anti-inflammatory activity of oleoresin from Brazilian Copaifera." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1988; 22: 101-9.
Fernandes, R., Contribuicao para o conhecimento do efito antiiinflamatorio e analgesico do balsamo de copaiba e alguns de seus constituintes quimicos. Thesis, 1986. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Anti-spasmodic & Muscle-Relaxant Actions:
Leonhardt, V., et al. "Antispasmodic effects of essential oil of Pterodon polygalaeflorus and its main constituent beta-caryophyllene on rat isolated ileum." Fundam. Clin. Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 11
Tirapelli, C., et al. "Pharmacological comparison of the vasorelaxant action displayed by kaurenoic acid andpimaradienoic acid." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2005; 57(8): 997-1004.
Ambrosio, S., et al. "Role of the carboxylic group in the antispasmodic and vasorelaxant action displayed by kaurenoic acid." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2004; 56(11): 1407-13.
Tirapelli, C., et al. "Analysis of the mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant action of kaurenoic acid in the isolated rat aorta." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2004 May; 492(2-3): 233-41.
de Alencar, G., et al. "Smooth muscle relaxant effect of kaurenoic acid, a diterpene from Copaifera langsdorffii on rat uterus in vitro." Phytother. Res. 2003; 17(4): 320-4.
Cellular Protective Actions:
Penido, A., et al. "Medicinal plants from northeastern Brazil against Alzheimer's disease." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 1753673.
Alves, J., et al. "In vivo protective effect of Copaifera langsdorffii hydroalcoholic extract on micronuclei induction by doxorubicin." J. Appl. Toxicol. 2013 Aug; 33(8): 854-60.
Guimaraes-Santos, A., et al. "Copaiba oil-resin treatment is neuroprotective and reduces neutrophil recruitment and microglia activation after motor cortex excitotoxic injury." Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 918174.
Curio, M., et al. "Acute effect of Copaifera reticulata Ducke copaiba oil in rats tested in the elevated plus-maze: an ethological analysis." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2009 Aug; 61(8): 1105-10.
Cho, J., et al. "Amelioration of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by oral administration of beta-caryophyllene, a sesquiterpene." Life Sci. 2006 Nov 29;
Chang, H., et al. "Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) for neuroprotective activity of terpenoids." Life Sci. 2006 Nov 10;
de Araujo, F., et al. "Copaiba oil effect on aminotransferases of rats with hepatic ischemia and reperfusion with and without ischemic preconditioning." Acta Cir. Bras. 2005 Jan-Feb; 20(1): 93-9.
Brito, M., et al. "Copaiba oil effect on urea and creatinine serum levels in rats submitted to kidney ischemia and reperfusion syndrome" Acta Cir. Bras. 2005 May-Jun; 20(3): 243-6
Paiva, L., et al. "Attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion-induced intestinal injury by oleo-resin from Copaifera langsdorffii in rats." Life Sci. 2004 Sep 3; 75(16): 1979-87.
Paiva, L., et al. "Protective effect of Copaifera langsdorffii oleo-resin against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul; 93(1): 51-6.
Paiva, L., et al. "Gastroprotective effect of Copifera langsdorffii oleo-resin on experimental gastric ulcer models in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 62(1): 73-8.
Tambe, Y., et al. "Gastric cytoprotection of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene, beta-caryophyllene." Planta Med. 1996; 62(5): 469-70.
Actions Against Endometriosis
Henriques da Silva, J., et al. "The oil-resin of the tropical rainforest tree Copaifera langsdorffii reduces cell viability, changes cell morphology and induces cell death in human endometriotic stromal cultures. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2015 Dec; 67(12): 1744-55.
Nogueira, N., et al. "Changes in the volume and histology of endometriosis foci in rats treated with copaiba oil (Copaifera langsdorffii)." Acta Cir Bras. 2011;26
Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions:
Di Sotto, A., "New insights in the antitumor effects of β-caryophyllene in breast cancer cells: The role of cannabinoid and adrenergic systems." Annals of Oncology. 2018 Mar; 29(3): 94.
Idippily, N., et al. "Copalic acid analogs down-regulate androgen receptor and inhibit small chaperone protein." Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2017 Jun; 27(11): 2292-2295.
Fidyt, K., et al. "β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide—natural compounds of anticancer and analgesic properties." Cancer Med. 2016 Oct; 5(10): 3007–3017.
Abrão, F., et al. "Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin and its isolated compounds: antibacterial effect and antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2015 Dec 21; 15: 443.
Jung, J., et al. "β-Caryophyllene potently inhibits solid tumor growth and lymph node metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6N mice." Carcinogenesis. 2015 Sep; 36(9): 1028-39.
Botelho, N., et al. "Immunohistochemistry of the uterine cervix of rats bearing the Walker 256 tumor treated with copaiba balsam." Acta Cir. Bras. 2013 Mar; 28(3): 185-9.
dos Santos Junior, H., et al. "Evaluation of native and exotic Brazilian plants for anticancer activity." J Nat Med. 2010 Apr; 64(2): 231-8.
Tundis, R., et al. "In vitro cytotoxic effects of Senecio stabianus Lacaita (Asteraceae) on human cancer cell lines." Nat. Prod. Res. 2009; 23(18): 1707-18.
Gomes, M., et al. "Antineoplasic activity of Copaifera multijuga oil and fractions against ascitic and solid Ehrlich tumor." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Sep; 119(1): 179-84.
Legault, J., et al. "Potentiating effect of beta-caryophyllene on anticancer activity of alpha-humulene, isocaryophyllene and paclitaxel." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2007 Dec; 59(12): 1643-7.
Cavalcanti, B., et al. "Genotoxicity evaluation of kaurenoic acid, a bioactive diterpenoid present in Copaiba oil." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2006; 44(3): 388-92.
Krauchenco, S., et al. "Three-dimensional structure of an unusual Kunitz (STI) type trypsin inhibitor from Copaifera langsdorffii." Biochimie. 2004; 86(3): 167-72.
Legault, J., et al. "Potentiating effect of beta-caryophyllene on anticancer activity of alpha-humulene, isocaryophyllene and paclitaxel." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2007 Dec; 59(12): 1643-7.
Lima, S., et al. "In vivo and in vitro studies on the anticancer activity of Copaifera multijuga Hayne and its fractions." Phytother. Res. 2003 Nov; 17(9): 1048-53.
Costa-Lotufo, L. V., et al. "The cytotoxic and embryotoxic effects of kaurenoic acid, a diterpene isolated from Copaifera langsdorffi." Toxicon. 2002; 40(8): 1231-34.
de Almeida Alves, T. M., et al. "Biological screening of Brazilian medicinal plants."Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 95(3): 367-73.
Ohsaki, A., et al. "The isolation and in vivo potent antitumor activity of clerodane diterpenoids from the oleoresin of Brazilian medicinal plant Copaifera langsdorfii Desfon." Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1994; 4: 2889-92.
Anti-parasitic & Insecticidal Actions:
Valentim, D., et al. "Effects of a nanoemulsion with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin against monogenean parasites of Colossoma macropomum: A Neotropical Serrasalmidae." J Fish Dis. 2018 Jul; 41(7): 1041-1048.
Borges, C., et al. "Copaifera duckei oleoresin and its main nonvolatile terpenes: in vitro schistosomicidal properties." Chem Biodivers. 2016 Oct; 13(10): 1348-1356.
Sâmia, R., et al. "Effects of aqueous extracts of Copaifera langsdorffii (Fabaceae) on the growth and reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)." Neotrop. Entomol. 2016 Oct; 45(5): 580-587. I
zumi, E., et al. "Toxicity of oleoresins from the genus Copaifera in Trypanosoma cruzi: a comparative study." Planta Med. 2013 Jul; 79(11): 952-8.
Cunha, N., et al. "In vitro schistosomicidal activity of some brazilian cerrado species and their isolated compounds." Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 173614.
Rondon, F., et al. "In vitro efficacy of Coriandrum sativum, Lippia sidoides and Copaifera reticulata against Leishmania chagasi." Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2012 Sep; 21(3): 185-91.
dos Santos, A., et al. "Copaiba Oil: An Alternative to Development of New Drugs against Leishmaniasis." Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 898419.
Valotto, C., et al. "[Ultrastructural alterations in larvae of Aedes aegypti subject to labdane diterpene isolated from Copaifera reticulata (Leguminosae) and a fraction enriched with tannins of Magonia pubescens (Sapindaceae)]." Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2011 Mar-Apr; 44(2): 194-200
dos Santos, A., et al. "Leishmania amazonensis: effects of oral treatment with copaiba oil in mice." Exp Parasitol. 2011 Oct; 129(2): 145-51.
dos Santos, A., et al. "Effect of Brazilian copaiba oils on Leishmania amazonensis." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Nov; 120(2): 204-8.
Geris, R., et al. "Diterpenoids from Copaifera reticulata Ducke with larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera, Culicidae)." Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. 2008 Jan-Feb; 50(1): 25-8.
da Silva, H., et al. "Larvicidal activity of oil-resin fractions from the Brazilian medicinal plant Copaifera reticulata Ducke (Leguminosae-Caesalpinoideae) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae)." Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 2007 May-Jun; 40(3): 264-7
de Freitas Fernandes, F., et al. "Acaricidal activity of an oleoresinous extract from Copaifera reticulata (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) against larvae of the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)." Vet. Parasitol. 2007 Jun; 147(1-2): 150-4.
de Mendonca, F., et al. "Activities of some Brazilian plants against larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti." Fitoterapia. 2005 Dec; 76(7-8): 629-36.
Non-Toxic Action:
Almeida, M., et al. "Genotoxicity assessment of Copaiba oil and its fractions in Swiss mice." Genet Mol Biol. 2012 Jul;35(3):664-72.
Sachetti, C., et al. "Developmental toxicity of copaiba tree (Copaifera reticulata Ducke, Fabaceae) oleoresin in rat." Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 May; 49(5): 1080-5.
Lima, C., et al. "Pre-clinical validation of a vaginal cream containing copaiba oil (reproductive toxicology study)." Phytomedicine. 2011 Sep 15; 18(12): 1013-23.
New Studies on Copaiba Leaves:
Motta, E., et al. "A validated HPLC-UV method for the analysis of galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids in Copaifera langsdorffii leaves." J. Chromatogr. B Analyt. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci. 2017 Sep 1; 1061-1062: 240-247.
Motta, E, et al. "Galloylquinic acid derivatives from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves display gastroprotective activity." Chem. Biol. Interact. 2017 Jan 5; 261: 145-155.
Gushiken, L., et al. "Skin wound healing potential and mechanisms of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and oleoresin of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. Kuntze in rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 6589270.
Furtado, R., et al. "Antiedematogenic evaluation of Copaifera langsdorffii leaves hydroethanolic extract and its major compounds." Biomed. Res. Int. 2015; 2015: 913152.
de Oliveira, R., et al. "Effect of the Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. leaf extract on the ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2013; 2013: 131372.
Senedese, J., et al. "Chemopreventive effect of Copaifera langsdorffii leaves hydroalcoholic extract on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced DNA damage and preneoplastic lesions in rat colon." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2013 Jan 7; 13: 3.
Brancalion, A., et al. "Effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves on urolithiasis induced in rats." Urol Res. 2012 Oct; 40(5): 475-81.