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Guacatonga has a long history of use in Brazilian herbal medicine, documented in early folk medicine books as an antiseptic and wound healer for skin diseases (in 1939), as a topical pain-reliever (in 1941), and as an anti-ulcer drug (in 1958).* It is currently used in Brazilian herbal medicine systems as a blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral and as a natural remedy for cancer, rheumatism, syphilis, herpes, stomach and skin ulcers, edema, fevers of all kinds, diarrhea, and as an topical pain-reliever.* For more complete information on this unique rainforest plant, please see plant database file on guacatonga. To see pictures of guacatonga, click here. More information on guacatonga can also be found in the new Anti-Cancerous Guide

Traditional Uses:* for cancer (sarcoma, carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma); for stomach disorders (ulcers, acid reflux, indigestion, dyspepsia, stomachache); as an antivenin for snake, spider and bee bites and stings; as a topical analgesic (pain-reliever) and anti-inflammatory for skin diseases, rashes and wounds; as a blood purifier and for general detoxification

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as an infusion (tea). Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Pour boiling water over herb in cup and allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain tea (or allow settled powder to remain in the bottom of cup) and drink warm. It is traditionally taken in ˝ to 1 cup dosages, 2-3 times daily. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal infusions see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions: None reported

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Published Research on Guacatonga

All available third-party research on guacatonga can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published research on guacatonga updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions:
Natural plant compounds, called clerodane diterpenes, are found abundantly in guacatonga and some have been patented as anticancerous agents. Clerodane diterpenes have been documented with a wide range of biological activities ranging from insect antifeedants, to antitumorous, anticancerous, and antibiotic agents, to HIV replication inhibitors. Some of the clerodane diterpenes documented in guacatonga are novel chemicals which scientists have named casearins (A thru X) and several have shown remarkable anticancerous actions in low dosages.
Moreira da Silva, R., et al. "Characterization of casearin X metabolism by rat and human liver microsomes." Planta Med. 2019 Mar; 85(4): 282-291.
Ferreira-Silva, G., et al. "Casearin D inhibits ERK phosphorylation and induces downregulation of cyclin D1 in HepG2 cells." Toxicol. In Vitro. 2017 Feb; 38: 27-32.
Ferreira, P., et al."Preclinical anticancer effectiveness of a fraction from Casearia sylvestris and its component Casearin X: in vivo and ex vivo methods and microscopy examinations." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Jun; 186: 270-279.
Moreira da Silva, R., et al. "Evaluation of the intestinal absorption mechanism of casearin X in caco-2 cells with modified carboxylesterase activity." J. Nat. Prod. 2016 Apr; 79(4): 1084-90.
De Ford, C., et al. "The clerodane diterpene casearin J induces apoptosis of T-ALL cells through SERCA inhibition, oxidative stress, and interference with Notch1 signaling." Cell Death Dis. 2016; 7: e2070.
Ferreira., et al. "Morphological and biochemical alterations activated by antitumor clerodane diterpenes." Chem. Biol. Interact. 2014 Oct; 222: 112-25.
Felipe, K., et al. "Inhibition of tumor proliferation associated with cell cycle arrest caused by extract and fraction from Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Sep; 155(3): 1492-9.
Dupuy, L., et al. "[In vitro effect of lupeol and casearin G on peripheral blood mononuclear and tumor cells]." Rev. Med. Chil. 2013 Sep; 141(9): 1150-7.
Bou, D., et al. "Chemical composition and cytotoxicity evaluation of essential oil from leaves of Casearia sylvestris, its main compound α-zingiberene and derivatives." Molecules. 2013 Aug; 18(8): 9477-87.
Prieto, A., et al. "Assessment of the chemopreventive effect of casearin B, a clerodane diterpene extracted from Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae)." Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Mar; 53: 153-9.
Ismail, M., et al. "Anticancer properties and phenolic contents of sequentially prepared extracts from different parts of selected medicinal plants indigenous to Malaysia." Molecules. 2012 May; 17(5): 5745-56.
Faiella, L., et al. "A chemical proteomics approach reveals Hsp27 as a target for proapoptotic clerodane diterpenes." Mol Biosyst. 2012 Oct; 8(10): 2637-44.
Ferreira, P., et al. "Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: a medicinal review." An Acad Bras Cienc. 2011 Dec; 83(4): 1373-84.
Vieira-Júnior, G., et al. "Cytotoxic clerodane diterpenes from Casearia rupestris." J Nat Prod. 2011 Apr; 74(4): 776-81.
Ferreira, P., et al. "Casearin X exhibits cytotoxic effects in leukemia cells triggered by apoptosis." Chem Biol Interact. 2010 Dec; 188(3): 497-504.
dos Santos, A., et al. "Casearin X, its degradation product and other clerodane diterpenes from leaves of Casearia sylvestris: evaluation of cytotoxicity against normal and tumor human cells." Chem Biodivers. 2010 Jan; 7(1): 205-15.
Vieira, G., et al. "Cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from Casearia obliqua." J Nat Prod. 2009 Oct; 72(10): 1847-50.
de Oliveira, A., et al. "Ethanolic extract of Casearia sylvestris and its clerodane diterpene (caseargrewiin F) protect against DNA damage at low concentrations and cause DNA damage at high concentrations in mice's blood cells." Mutagenesis. 2009 Nov; 24(6): 501-6.
de Mesquita, M., et al. "Cytotoxic activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants used in traditional medicine against cancer cell lines." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jun 25; 123(3): 439-45.
Da Silva, S., et al. "Chemotherapeutic potential of two gallic acid derivative compounds from leaves of Casearia sylvestris Sw (Flacourtiaceae)." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2009 Apr; 608(1-3): 76-83.
Balunas, M., et al. "Relationships between inhibitory activity against a cancer cell line panel, profiles of plants collected, and compound classes isolated in an anticancer drug discovery project." Chem. Biodivers. 2006; 3(8): 897-915.
Shen, Y., et al. "Cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from Casearia membranacea." J. Nat. Prod. 2005; 68(11): 1665-8.
Maistro, E., et al. "Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of the Casearia sylvestris extract on HTC and V79 cells by the comet assay." Toxicol. In Vitro. 2004 Jun; 18(3): 337-42.
Oberlies, N., et al. "Novel bioactive clerodane diterpenoids from the leaves and twigs of Casearia sylvestris." J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(2): 95-99.
Sai Prakash, C., et al. "Structure and stereochemistry of new cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from the bark of Casearia lucida from the Madagascar rainforest." J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(2): 100-7.
Beutler, J. "Novel cytotoxic diterpenes from Casearia arborea." J. Nat. Prod. 2000; 63(5): 657-61.
Almeida, A. "Antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Casearia sylvestris: comparative study with Piroxicam and Meloxicam." Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, University of Sao Paulo (Dissertation, 4/02/99).
Itokawa, H., et al. "Antitumor substances from South American plants." J. Pharmacobio. Dyn. 1992; 15(1): S-2-.
Morita, H., et al. "Structures and cytotoxic activity relationship of casearins, new clerodane diterpenes from Casearia sylvestris Sw." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 1991 Dec; 39(3): 693-97.
Itokawa, H., et al. "New antitumor principles, casearins A-F, for Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacourtiaceae)." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 1990; 38(12): 3384-88.
Itokawa, H., et al. "Isolation of diterpenes as antitumor agents from plants." Patent—Japan Kokai Tokyo Koho-01 1989; 149, 779: 6pp.
Itokawa, H., et al. "Antitumor principles from Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacourtiaceae), structure elucidation of new clerodane diterpenes by 2-D NMR spectroscopy." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 1988 March; 36(4): 1585-88.

Anti-ulcer & Antacid Actions:
Spósito, L., et al. "In vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Casearia sylvestris leaf derivatives." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Apr; 233: 1-12.
Ferreira, P., et al. "Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: a medicinal review." An Acad Bras Cienc. 2011 Dec; 83(4): 1373-84.
Esteves, I., et al. "Gastric antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from Casearia sylvestris Sw." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct; 101(1-3): 191-6.
Sertie, J., et al. "Antiulcer activity of the crude extract from the leaves of Casearia slyvestris." Pharmaceutical Biol. 2000; 38(2): 112-19.
Basile, A., et al. "Pharmacological assay of Casearia sylvestris. I: Preventive anti-ulcer activity and toxicity of the leaf crude extract." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1990; 30(2): 185-97.

Cellular Protective & Antioxidant Actions:
Guldbrandsen, N., et al. "Screening of Panamanian plants for cosmetic properties, and HPLC-based identification of constituents with antioxidant and UV-B protecting activities." Sci. Pharm. 2014 Oct; 83(1): 177-90.
Frediani, B. et al. "Cardiovascular protective effects of Casearia sylvestris Swartz in Swiss and C57BL/6 LDLr-null mice undergoing high fat diet." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Jun; 154(2): 419-27.
Albano, M., et al. "Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic crude extract from Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun; 147(3): 612-7.
Prieto, A., et al. "Assessment of the chemopreventive effect of casearin B, a clerodane diterpene extracted from Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae)." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2013 Mar; 53: 153-9.
Prieto, A., et al. "Chemopreventive activity of compounds extracted from Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) Sw against DNA damage induced by particulate matter emitted by sugarcane burning near Araraquara, Brazil." Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 2012 Dec; 265(3): 368-72.
da Silva, A., et al. "Inhibition of NTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase, Na+/K+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase activities by subchronic treatment with Casearia sylvestris." Phytomedicine. 2006; 13(7): 509-14.

Antivenin & Neuromuscular Actions:
Yoshida, E., et al. "A highly polar phytocomplex involving rutin is responsible for the neuromuscular facilitation caused by Casearia sylvestris (guaçatonga)." Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 2016; 17(15): 1360-1368.
Werner, A., et al. "The facilitatory effect of Casearia sylvestris Sw.(guaçatonga) fractions on the contractile activity of mammalian and avian neuromuscular apparatus." Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 2015; 16(5): 468-81.
Da Silva, S., et al. "Isolation and characterization of ellagic acid derivatives isolated from Casearia sylvestris SW aqueous extract with anti-PLA(2) activity." Toxicon. 2008 Nov; 52(6): 655-66.
Cintra-Francischinelli, M., et al. "Antibothropic action of Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacourtiaceae) extracts." Phytother Res. 2008 Jun; 22(6): 784-90.
Cavalcante, W., et al. "Neutralization of snake venom phospholipase A2 toxins by aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris (Flacourtiaceae) in mouse neuromuscular preparation." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jul; 112(3): 490-7.
Raslan, D., et al. "Anti-PLA2 action test of Casearia sylvestris Sw." Boll. Chim. Farm. 2002 Nov-Dec; 141(6): 457-60.
Borges, M., et al. "Neutralization of proteases from Bothrops snake venoms by the aqueous extract from Casearia sylvestris (Flacourtiaceae)." Toxicon 2001; 39(12): 1863-69.
Borges, M., et al. "Effects of aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris (Flacourtiaceae) on actions of snake and bee venoms and on activity of phospholipases A(2)." Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. 2000 Sep 1; 127(1): 21-30.
Borges, M., et al. "Partial purification of Casearia sylvestris Sa. extract and its anti-PLA2 Action." Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Ser. B. 2000; 127b(1): 21-30.
Ruppelt, B., et al. "Pharmacological screening of plants recommended by folk medicine as antisnake venom—I. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86: 203-05.

Anti-inflammatory & Pain-Relieving Actions:
Piovezan, A., et al. "Hydroalcoholic crude extract of Casearia sylvestris Sw. reduces chronic post-ischemic pain by activation of pro-resolving pathways." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2017 May 23; 204: 179-188.
de Campos, E., et al. "Healing activity of Casearia sylvestris Sw. in second-degree scald burns in rodents." BMC Res Notes. 2015 Jun 26; 8:269.
Gusman, G., et al. "Evaluation of the effects of some Brazilian medicinal plants on the production of TNF- α and CCL2 by THP-1 cells." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2015; 2015: 497123.
Albano, M., et al. "Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of hydroalcoholic crude extract from Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun; 147(3): 612-7.
de Mattos, E., et al. "Evaluation of antinociceptive activity of Casearia sylvestris and possible mechanism of action." J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May; 112(1): 1-6.
Ferreira, P., et al. "Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: a medicinal review." An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2011 Dec; 83(4): 1373-84.
Silva, F., et al. "Natural medicaments in endodontics—a comparative study of the anti-inflammatory action." Pesqui. Odontol. Bras. 2004 Apr-Jun; 18(2): 174-9.
Almeida, A. "Antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Casearia sylvestris: comparative study with Piroxicam and Meloxicam." Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, University of Sao Paulo (Dissertation, 4/02/99).

Antimicrobial, Antimalarial, Antiparasitic, & Insecticidal Actions:
Spósito, L., et al. "In vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Casearia sylvestris leaf derivatives." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Apr; 233: 1-12.
Ledoux, A., et al. "Antiplasmodial, anti-chikungunya virus and antioxidant activities of 64 endemic plants from the Mascarene Islands." Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents. 2018 Nov; 52(5): 622-628.
Cavenago, B., et al. "Effect of using different vehicles on the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and biological properties of white mineral trioxide aggregate." J. Endod. 2017 May; 43(5): 779-786.
Midena, R., et al. "Analysis of the reaction of subcutaneous tissues in rats and the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide paste used in association with different substances." J. Appl. Oral. Sci. 2015 Oct; 23(5): 508-14.
Antinarelli, L., et al. "Antileishmanial activity of some Brazilian plants, with particular reference to Casearia sylvestris." An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2015 Apr-Jun; 87(2): 733-42.
Ribeiro, L., et al. "Tropical plant extracts as sources of grain-protectant compounds against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Neotrop. Entomol. 2014 Oct; 43(5): 470-82.
Silva, J., "Anti-streptococcal activity of Brazilian Amazon rain forest plant extracts presents potential for preventive strategies against dental caries." J. Appl. Oral Sci. 2014 Apr; 22(2): 91-7.
Bou, D., et al. "Antiparasitic activity and effect of casearins isolated from Casearia sylvestris on Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi plasma membrane." Phytomedicine. 2014 Apr; 21(5): 676-81.
Bento, T., et al. "Growth inhibition and antioxidative response of wood decay fungi exposed to plant extracts of Casearia species." Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 2014 Jan; 58(1): 79-86.
de Mesquita, M., et al. "In vitro antiplasmodial activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants used as traditional remedies." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Mar; 110(1): 165-70.
Pereira, F., et al. "Antifungal activities of the essential oil and its fractions rich in sesquiterpenes from leaves of Casearia sylvestris Sw." An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2017 Oct-Dec; 89(4): 2817-2824.
Rodrigues, A., et al. "Larvicidal activity of some Cerrado plant extracts against Aedes aegypti." J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 2006 Jun; 22(2): 314-7.
Mesquita, M., et al. "Antileishmanial and trypanocidal activity of Brazilian Cerrado plants." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2005 Nov; 100(7): 783-7.
Espindola, L., et al. "Trypanocidal activity of a new diterpene from Casearia sylvestris var. lingua." Planta Med. 2004; 70(11): 1093-5.
Oberlies, N., et al. "Novel bioactive clerodane diterpenoids from the leaves and twigs of Casearia sylvestris." J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(2): 95-99.
de Almeida Alves, T. "Biological screening of Brazilian medicinal plants." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2000 May/Jun; 95(3): 367-73.
Chiappeta, A., et al. "Higher plants with biological activity—plants of Pernambuco. I." Rev. Inst. Antibiot. 1983; 21(1/2): 43-50.

Wound Healing Actions:
de Campos, E., et al. "Healing activity of Casearia sylvestris Sw. in second-degree scald burns in rodents." BMC Res Notes. 2015 Jun; 8: 269.

Cholesterol-Lowering Actions:
Schoenfelder, T., et al. "Antihyperlipidemic effect of Casearia sylvestris methanolic extract." Fitoterapia. 2008 Sep; 79(6): 465-7.

Safety Studies / Non-Toxic Effect
Ameni, A., et al. "Toxicity study about a medicinal plant Casearia sylvestris: A contribution to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec; 175: 9-13.

Reviews:
Ferreira, P., et al. "Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: A medicinal review." An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2011 Dec; 83(4): 1373-84.

Chemicals Identified:
Wang, W., et al. "A new ent-labdane diterpene glycoside from the leaves of Casearia sylvestris." Nat Prod Commun. 2010 May; 5(5): 771-4.
Wang, W., et al. "Two new C(13) nor-isoprenoids from the leaves of Casearia sylvestris." Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2009 Jun; 57(6): 636-8.
Wang, W., et al. "New clerodane diterpenoids from Casearia sylvestris." Fitoterapia. 2009 Oct; 80(7): 404-7.
Wang, W., et al. "Diterpenoids from Casearia sylvestris." Planta Med. 2009 Oct; 75(13): 1436-41.
Cavallari, M., et al. "Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae), a neotropical medicinal tree." Mol Ecol Resour. 2008 Jul; 8(4): 802-804.