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Huacapu bark contains triterpenes, xanthones, lipids, tannins, and acids. The main bioactive chemical in the bark is a lipid called minquartynoic acid. This plant chemical has been the subject of research and various scientists have reported that it is cytotoxic to a large diverse line of cancer cells including human lung cancer cell lines, ovarian, colon, and neuroblastoma cancer cell lines.* Another research group reported it passed the initial screening test for antitumor activity as well as demonstrated actions against the malaria and leishmania parasites.* A research group reported in 2000 that minquartynoic acid demonstrated effective antiviral actions against the HIV virus at as little as 2.2 mcg/ml which might explain why the tree bark has been so popularly used for other viruses like hepatitis and herpes.*

For more information about huacapu (Minquartia guianensis), please refer to the Database File for Huacapu in the Tropical Plant Database. More information can also be found in the new Antimicrobial Guide. To see photographs of huacapu click here. More information on huacapu can also be found the in the new Anti-Cancerous Guide

Traditional Uses:* for viral infections (herpes, hepatitis, etc.); for cancer; for intestinal parasites and worms; as a pain-reliever for rheumatism, arthritis and other muscular pains; as an antiseptic wound healer

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as a decoction. Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Bring to a boil and gently boil in a covered pot for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and settle for 10 minutes and strain warm liquid into a cup (leaving the settled powder in the bottom of the pan). It is traditionally taken in 1/2 cup dosages twice daily. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal decoctions see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications: None reported. Large dosages are reported to have a laxative or purgative effect.

Published Research on Huacapu

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

Cytotoxic & Antitumoral Actions:
One of the main bioactive chemicals in Huacapu bark is a lipid called minquartynoic acid. This plant chemical has been the subject of research and various scientists have reported that it is cytotoxic to a large diverse line of cancer cells including human lung cancer cell lines, ovarian, colon, and neuroblastoma cancer cell lines. Researchers in the United States first reported in 1988 and 1989 that a water extract of huacapu bark passed the initial antitumor screening test, as well as an in vitro cell culture test against cancer cells in amounts less than 4 mcg/ml. This was reconfirmed by a European research group who published similar reports in 2003 and 2004. Researchers have synthesized this lipid and several derivatives have been created which are being studied for new cancer drugs. Huacpu also contains taraxerol, another well known anticancerous plant chemical.
Hong, J., et al. "Anticancer activity of taraxerol acetate in human glioblastoma cells and a mouse xenograft model via induction of autophagy and apoptotic cell death, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration." Mol. Med. Rep. 2016 Jun; 13(6): 4541-8.
Tan, B., et al. "[Effects of taraxerol and taraxerol acetate on cell cycle and apoptosis of human gastric epithelial cell line AGS]." Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2011 Jun; 9(6): 638-42.
Braga, F., et al. "Oleanolic acid inhibits the activity of the multidrug resistance protein ABCC1 (MRP1) but not of the ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein): Possible use in cancer chemotherapy." Cancer Letters 2007; 248(1): 147-152.
Dembitsky, V. "Anticancer activity of natural and synthetic acetylenic lipids." Lipids. 2006 Oct; 41(10): 883–924.
Gowravaram, S., et al. "Total syntheses of the highly potent anti-cancer polyacetylenes, (S)-18-hydroxyminquartynoic acid, (S)-minquartynoic acid and (E)-15,16-dihydrominquartynoic acid." Tetrahedron Lett. 2006 Jun; 47(26): 4513-4516.
Gung, B., et al. "Total Synthesis of (S)-(-)-(E)-15,16-dihydrominquartynoic acid: A highly potent anticancer agent." J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69 (10), pp 3488–3492
Kim, S., et al. "A new, iterative strategy for the synthesis of unsymmetrical polyynes: application to the total synthesis of 15,16-dihydrominquartynoic acid." Org. Lett. 2004 Sep; 6(20): 3601-4.
Gung, B., et al. "Total synthesis of (-)-minquartynoic acid: an anti-cancer, anti-HIV natural product." Org. Lett. 2002 Jul; 4(15): 2517-9.
Marles, R., et al. "Isolation of a novel cytotoxic polyacetylene from a traditional anthelmintic medicinal plant, Minquartia guianensis." J. Nat. Prod. 1989; 52(2): 261-266.
Ito, A., et al. "Cytotoxic polyacetylenes from the twigs of Ochanostachys amentacea." J. Nat. Prod. 2001; 64(2): 246-248.
Farnsworth, N., et al. "Isolation of a novel cytotoxic polyacetylene from a traditional anthelmintic medicinal plant: Minquartia guianensis Aubl. (Olacaceae). Abstr International Congress on Natural Products Research Park City, UT July 17-21 1988: Abstr-22 .
Quignard, E., et al. "Medium lethal concentrations of Amazonian plant extracts in the brine shrimp assay." Pharmaceutical Biology. 2004; 42(3): 253-257.
Quignard, E., et al. "Screening of plants found in Amazonas state for lethality towards brine shrimp." Acta Amazonica. 2003; 33(1): 93-104.
Rasmussem, H., et al. "Absolute configuration and antiprotozoal activity of minquartynoic acid." J. Nat. Prod. 2000; 63(9): 1295-1296.

Antiparasitic & Antimalarial Actions:
Ruiz, L., et al. "Plants used by native Amazonian groups from the Nanay River (Peru) for the treatment of malaria." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jan; 133(2): 917-21.
Gachet, M., et al. "Assessment of anti-protozoal activity of plants traditionally used in Ecuador in the treatment of leishmaniasis." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Mar; 128(1): 184-97.
Rasmussem, H., et al. "Absolute configuration and antiprotozoal activity of minquartynoic acid." J. Nat. Prod. 2000; 63(9): 1295-1296.

Antimicrobial Actions (virus, candida, fungi, & bacteria):
Chinsembu, K., et al. "Tuberculosis and nature's pharmacy of putative anti-tuberculosis agents." Acta Trop. 2016 Jan; 153: 46-56.
Rodrigues, K., et al. "Antifungal activity of Brazilian Amazon plant extracts against some species of Candida Spp." Int. J. Phytopharmacology. 2014; 5(6): 445-453.
Ramos, D., et al. "Antimycobacterial activity of Brazilian Amazon plants extracts." Int. J. Phytomedicine. 2013 Jan; 5: 479-485.
Micheletti, A., "Increment of antimycobaterial activity on lichexanthone derivatives." Med. Chem. 2013 Nov; 9(7): 904-10.
Xu., T., et al. "A potent plant-derived antifungal acetylenic acid mediates its activity by interfering with fatty acid homeostasis." Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2012 Jun; 56(6): 2894-907.
Cursino, L., et al. "Antibacterial activity of Minquartia guianensis extracts and phytochemical evaluation." Emir. J. Food Agric. 2011; 23(6): 505-510.
Cursino, L., et al. "Phytochemical study and bioactivity of extracts and fractions of Minquartia guianensis (Olacaceae)." (Thesis) 2011. State University of Amazonas-Ueaescola Manaus, Brazil.
Gaschet, M., et al. "Antibacterial activity of Ecuadorian plant extracts." Planta Med. 2007; 73: 197.
Gung, B., et al. "Total synthesis of (-)-minquartynoic acid: an anti-cancer, anti-HIV natural product." Org. Lett. 2002 Jul; 4(15): 2517-9.
Rashid, M., et al. "Absolute stereochemistry and anti-HIV activity of minquartynoic acid, a polyacetylene from Ochanostachys amentacea." Nat. Prod. Lett. 2001; 15(1): 21-26 .
El-Seedi, H., et al. "Triterpenes, lichexanthone and an acetylenic acid from Minquartia guianensis." Phytochemistry. 1994; 35 (5): 1297-1299.
Jovel, E., et al. "An ethnobotanical study of the traditional medicine of the Mestizo people of Suni Mirano, Loreto, Peru." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 53: 149-156.

Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Actions:
Zang, J., et al. "Specific inhibition of Acyl-CoA Oxidase-1 by an acetylenic acid improves hepatic lipid and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in rats fed a high fat diet." J. Biol. Chem. 2017 Mar; 292(9): 3800-3809.
Yao, X., et al. "Taraxerol inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses through suppression of TAK1 and Akt activation." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2013 Feb; 15(2): 316-24.
Yoon, Y., el al. "Effects of lupenone, lupeol, and taraxerol derived from Adenophora triphylla on the gene expression and production of airway MUC5AC mucin." Tuberc. Respir. Dis. (Seoul). 2015 Jul; 78(3): 210-7.

Chemical Constituents:
Cursino, L., et al. [Triterpenes from the leaves of Minquartia guianensis Aubl. (Olacaceae)]." Acta Amazonica 2009 Mar; 39: 181-186.
El-Seedi, H., et al. Triterpenes, lichexanthone and acetylenic acid from Minquartia guianensis. Phytochemistry. 1994; 35(5): 1297-1299.

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