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.
Highlights
The phytotherapic use has increased in developing and in developed countries as an additional way to treat and prevent diseases, chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative dysfunctions (World Health Organization 2003, Ferreira et al 2008)
In the ethanolic extract of C. sylvestris, the therapeutic effects of essential oils have been attributed to the biciclogermacrene, a sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory activity (Abreu Gonzaga et al 2003)
Water extract of C. sylvestris leaves shows great inhibitory effects on the toxic, enzymatic, hemorrhagic and anticoagulant activities exhibited by various venoms, against those belonging to the PLA2 I (Phospholipase A2) (Elapidae Family), II (Viperidae Family) e III types (Borges et al 2000, 2001)
Summary
The phytotherapic use has increased in developing and in developed countries as an additional way to treat and prevent diseases, chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative dysfunctions (World Health Organization 2003, Ferreira et al 2008). Ethanolic extracts of C. sylvestris leaves have revealed anti-ulcer properties, a finding that corroborates its wide use in gastrointestinal disorders (Hoehne 1939, Fialho et al 2010).
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