Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez

Micucci, M., Bolchi, C., Budriesi, R., Cevenini, M., Maroni, L., Capozza, S., Chiarini, A., Pallavicini, M. & Angeletti, A., 2020, Antihypertensive phytocomplexes of proven efficacy and well-established use: Mode of action and individual characterization of the active constituents, Phytochemistry (112222) 170, pp. 1-19 : 8

2.8. Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez (Lauraceae) [Syn. A. Elliptica A.C. SM., Cryptocarya canelilla Kunth ], also known as ‘‘casca-preciosa’‘, is a plant belonging to Lauraceae family, growing in the Amazon region. In folk medicine, the bark is used to prepare decoctions that are believed to exert antispasmodic, digestive stimulating, and carminative properties. Chemical composition of A. canelilla wood and bark oil includes benzenoids and terpenoids, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane and methyleugenol being the two major components ( Fig. 8 ) (Giongo et al., 2017; Lahlou et al., 2005).

The essential oil causes a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium-induced contraction of rat aorta with endothelium and it counters CaCl 2 -induced contractions, but not those induced by caffeine suggesting an inhibition of calcium inward current (Lahlou et al., 2005). In conscious rats pretreated with L-NAME, the hypotensive effect of the essential oil was partly, but significantly reduced supporting the essential oil ability to affect the endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway (Lahlou et al., 2005). These effects are mainly due to 1-nitro-2- phenylethane ( Fig. 8 ), that was shown to induce vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects in vit ro and in vivo through a myogenic endothelium-independent mechanism (de Siqueira et al., 2010; Interaminense Lde et al., 2011; Interaminense Lde et al., 2013). The other main constituent, methyleugenol ( Fig. 8 ), was also studied for its cardiovascular effects. In particular, it was found to elicit hypotension in either anaesthetized or conscious rats through an active vascular relaxation, significantly reduced by pretreatment with L- NAME or mechanical endothelium removal (Lahlou et al., 2004; Magalhaes et al., 2008).

Ethanol extract of A. canelilla is also endowed of antioxidant properties (Martins et al., 2016).

Figures

Fig. 8. The main antihypertensive constituents of Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez essential essential oil.