Evaluation of the biological activities of Copaiba (Copaifera spp): a comprehensive review based on scientometric analysis

Abstract

Copaíba oil-resin is extracted from the trunk of the Copaíba tree and has medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial properties. As a result, widespread knowledge about the use of Copaíba oil-resin has evolved, attracting the scientific community’s attention. This paper aims to map the global knowledge production regarding the biological activities of Copaíba (Copaifera spp.). Bibliometric methodological instruments were used to conduct a search of the Web of Science-Core Collection database. The search resulted in 822 references. After screening titles and abstracts, 581 references did not meet the eligibility criteria, leaving 246 references for full-text examination. Subsequently, 15 studies were excluded, resulting in a final set of 232 records for the bibliometric analysis. In vitro was the most published study type, mainly from Brazil, from 2010 to 2020. Regarding the authors, Bastos, JK, and Ambrosio, SR were the ones with the most significant number of papers included. The most frequent keywords were Copaíba oil, Copaíba, and Copaifera. Our findings revealed global study trends about Copaíba, mainly related to its various effects and use over time. In general, all countries have conducted more research on antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, also exposing its antioxidant and healing properties. Copaifera reticulata was the most investigated, followed by Copaifera langsdorffi and Copaifera multijuga in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, there is a need for human reports, given the promising results that Copaíba oils have been demonstrating.

Copaiba oil minimizes inflammation and promotes parenchyma re-epithelization in acute allergic asthma model induced by ovalbumin in BALB/c mice

“…CO is mainly composed of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes in proportions that may vary according to the copaiba species and also due to the region, time, plant part, and the chosen extraction method ( Cardinelli et al, 2023 ; Frazão et al, 2023 ). In Copaifera lagsdorffii , for example, α-copaene, α-selinene, α-humulene (α-hum), β-elemene, β-caryophyllene (BCP), and caryophyllene oxide have been documented in the literature as constituents of oils found in the majority of Brazilian regions where this species thrives ( Santos et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Because of its abundance, BCP is the chemical marker of copaiba oil in some species. Both BCP and α-hum exhibit anti-inflammatory effects ( Frazão et al, 2023 ) and have been explored as treatment alternatives in certain asthma experimental models, demonstrating the ability to regulate immune aspects ( Rogerio et al, 2009 ; Pathak et al, 2021 ; Wei et al, 2021 ). Other components, such as α-copaene and α-bergamotene present antioxidant properties ( Frazão et al, 2023 ), useful to treat asthma oxidative stress.…”

“…Both BCP and α-hum exhibit anti-inflammatory effects ( Frazão et al, 2023 ) and have been explored as treatment alternatives in certain asthma experimental models, demonstrating the ability to regulate immune aspects ( Rogerio et al, 2009 ; Pathak et al, 2021 ; Wei et al, 2021 ). Other components, such as α-copaene and α-bergamotene present antioxidant properties ( Frazão et al, 2023 ), useful to treat asthma oxidative stress. However, despite the effects described for some isolated compounds, most of the biological properties are attributed to the intact oil only, where the substances may act synergistically ( Cardinelli et al, 2023 ).…”