Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: a medicinal review

Abstract

Folk uses and scientific investigations have highlighted the importance of Casearia sylvestris extracts and their relevant bioactive potential. The aim of this work was to review the pharmacological properties of C. sylvestris, emphasizing its anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ophidian and antitumor potentialities. Ethanolic extracts and essential oil of their leaves have antiulcerogenic activity and reduce gastric volume without altering the stomach pH, which corroborates their consumption on gastrointestinal disorders. Leaf water extracts show phospholipase A 2 inhibitory activity that prevents damage effects on the muscular tissue after toxin inoculation. This antiphospholipasic action is probably related to the use as an anti-inflammatory, proposing a pharmacological blockage similar to that obtained with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on arachidonic acid and cyclooxygenase pathways. Bioguided-assay fractionations lead to the identification of secondary metabolites, especially the clerodane diterpenes casearins (A-X) and casearvestrins (A-C), compounds with a remarkable cytotoxic and antitumor action. Therefore, the C. sylvestris shrub holds a known worldwide pharmacological arsenal by its extensive folk utilization, exciting searches for new molecules and a better comprehension about biological properties.

The role of root buds in the regeneration of Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) in the cerrado, São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil

“…It is a common and widely distributed tree species in the Cerrado and forest areas (Ratter et al 2003). Pharmacological importance is related to its antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-snake venom and antitumor activity (Ferreira et al 2011). Its wood is used as a fuel and is suitable to build fences, posts, stakes, rustic carpentry and tool handles (Torres & Yamamoto 1986).…”

Potential medicinal use of forest species of the Deciduous Seasonal Forest from Atlantic Forest Biome, South Brazil

“…There is a gap in public policy, financial resources and funding for research on native species. From these indications in popular medicine, it is pointed out the use against cancer and tumors related for Casearia sylvestris, Luehea divaricata, Matayba eleagnoides, Myrsine umbellata, Ocotea puberula and Cordia americana (Longhi 1995;Franco and Barros 2006;Rodrigues and Carvalho 2001;Santos et al 2010;Ferreira et al 2011). Records of adverse effects also must be considered.…”

Antimicrobial potential of Casearia sylvestris against oral bacteria

“…In this work, different solvents (water, ethanol and methanol in different proportions) were used in different extraction procedures to obtain different types of extracts in order to further analyze the antimicrobial potential. It was also decided to evaluate the essential oil extracted from the leaves through the Clevenger apparatus, because the anti-inflammatory activity of this oil has been described in the literature 18,19 . The MIC values of the obtained extracts were not promising, showing values above 400 µg/mL.…”