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| ESPINHEIRA SANTA |
Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Maytenus
Species: ilicifolia
Common Names: Espinhera Santa, Cancerosa, Cancrosa, Chuchuwasi, Maiteno, Limaosinho
Parts Used: Leaves, Bark, Roots
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| DESCRIPTION |
Properties/Actions: |
Antacid, Antibiotic, Analgesic, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-bacterial,
Anti-cancerous, Anti-tumorous, Anti-septic, Anti-ulcerogenic,
Cicatrizant, Detoxifier, Disinfectant, Diuretic, Laxative,
Stomachic, Tonic |
Phytochemicals: |
4'-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin, 6-benzoyl-6-deacetylmayteine,
22-hydroxytingenone, Maytansine, Maytenin, Pristimerine,
phenoldienones, Tingenone, and proanthocyanidins
(Ouratea-proanthocyanidins A and B) |
Traditional Remedy: |
One-half cup leaf decoction 2-3 times daily or 2-3 ml of a 4:1
tincture twice daily with meals. 2 -3 grams of leaf powder in
tablets or capsules or stirred into juice or water 1-2 times daily
can be substituted if desired. See Traditional Herbal Remedies
Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions. |
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ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE USES |
Argentina |
Cancer, Tea |
Brazil |
Cancer, Analgesic, Ulcers, Aperitif, Aphrodisiac Astringent,
Cicatrizant, Intestine Stomachic, Tea, Tonic |
Elsewhere |
Anti-arthritic, Anti-rheumatic, Aphrodisiac, Cancer, Diuretic,
Tonic, Tea |
Paraguay |
Anti-fertility, Aphrodisiac,
Contraceptive |
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Espinheira Santa is a small shrubby evergreen tree
growing to 5 meters in height with leaves and berries that resembles
holly. It is native to many parts of South America and southern Brazil and
it is even found in city landscapes for its attractive holly-like
appearance. With over 200 species of Maytenus distributed in temperate and
tropical regions throughout South America and the West Indies, there are
many Maytenus species that are indigenous to the Amazon region which have
been used medicinally by indigenous tribes, including Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii and M. laevis).(1) |
Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia) has a much longer and
well documented history of use in urban areas and in South American herbal
medicine practices than in tribal areas, probably because of the types of
illnesses that it treats. It is also one of the few tropical South
American medicinal plants that have been the subject of so many clinical
studies, fueled by its effectiveness in treating ulcers and even cancer
with research beginning as early as the mid-1960's.(2, 3) Early
research revealed that Espinheira Santa as well as a few other species in
the Maytenus family contain anti-biotic compounds which showed potent
anti-tumor and anti-leukemic activities at very low dosages.(4 -
8) Two of these compounds, maytansine and mayteine, were tested in
cancer patients in the United States and South America in the
1970's.(9 - 13) Although there were some significant
regressions in ovarian carcinoma and some lymphomas with Maytansine, (11) further research was not continued due to the toxicity at
the dosages used.(14) Research with the compound Mayteine,
revealed little to no toxicity (6, 9, 10) and validated its
uses in traditional and folk medicine for various types of skin cancers (3, 15) and cancer research is still ongoing in South America
with this compound. In traditional medicine today, an application of the
leaves of Espinheira Santa is employed as an ointment for treating skin
cancer and a decoction as a wash for cancers.(16) |
Although Espinheira Santa is still employed in traditional medicine for
various types of cancer, its most popular use has been for the treatment
of ulcers, indigestion, chronic gastritis, and dyspepsia with a long
recorded history of use for these purposes dating back to the
1930's.(17) In Brazilian traditional medicine, Espinheira Santa
is described as an excellent analgesic, disinfectant, tonic and
cicatrizant and as the leading remedy for gastritis, ulcers and other
stomach disorders.(18) Western researchers have once again
validated these traditional uses within the last ten years. It's potent
anti-ulcerogenic abilities were demonstrated in a 1991 study which showed
that a simple hot water extract of Espinheira Santa leaves was as
effective as two of the leading anti-ulcer drugs, Ranitidine and
Cimetidine, and that it was shown to cause an increase in volume and pH of
gastric juice.(19) Toxicological studies were also published in
1991 which demonstrated the plant's safety of use with out side
effects. ( 20) |
Health practitioners in Brazil and other parts of South America utilize
Espinheira Santa for acne, anemia, stomach ulcers, gastric ulcers,
cancers, constipation, gastritis, dyspepsia, liver disorders, and many
types of stomach disorders. (16, 18, 21) With its popularity
and beneficial results in South America as well as its recent western
research, Espinheira Santa is slowing becoming more popular and known to
health practitioners in the United States where the leaf extract is being
used for ulcers, restoring intestinal flora and inhibiting pathogenic
bacteria, as a laxative, a colic remedy, to eliminate toxins through the
kidneys and skin, to regulate hydrochloric acid production in the stomach,
for nervous disorders, and to support kidney, adrenal glands, digestive
and immune functions.(22, 23, 24) While research continues on
Espinheira Santa's anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties,(25) natural health practitioners around the world will still have an important
and highly effective natural remedy for many types of stomach and
intestinal disorders at their disposal.
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Footnotes: |
- Schultes, R.E, and Raffauf, The Healing Forest, R.F.
Dioscorides Press, 1990.
- Flemming K. [Increase of phagocytosis activity by Maytenus laevis
leaves and Scholler-Tornesch lignine (Porlisan)] Naturwissenschaften, 1965 Jun.
- J.L. Hartwell, "Plants Used Against Cancer: A Survey," Lloydia 31 (1968): 114.
- Lima OG de, et al. "Substabcias Anti-microbiano De Plantas
Superiores. Comunicacao XXXI. Maitenina, Novo Anti-microbiano con Acao
Anti-neoplastica, Isolade de Celastracea de pernambuco," Revista do
Instituto de Anti-bioticos (Recife) 9 1969): 17-25.
- Lima OG de, et al. [Anti-microbial substances from higher plants.
XXXVI. On the presence of maytenin and pristimerine in the cortical part
of the roots of Maytenus ilicifolia from the South of Brazil] Rev
Inst Anti-biotic (Recife), 1971 Jun.
- Monache, F.D., et al., "Maitenin: A New Anti-tumoral Substance from Maytenus sp.," Gazetta Chimica Italiana 102 (1972):
317-20.
- M.K. Wolpert-Defillipes et al, "Initial Studies on the Cytotoxic
Action of Maytansine, a Novel Ansa Macrolide," Biochemical
Pharmacology 24 (1975): 751-54.
- R.J. Spjut and R.E. Perdue, Jr., "Plant Folklore: a Tool for
Prediciting Sources of Anti-tumor Activity?" Cancer Treatment
Reports 60 (1976) 979-85.
- de Santana, C.F., et al, "Primeiras Observacoes Sobre O Emprego Da
Maitenina Em Pacientes Cancerosos," Rev Inst Anti-biot
(Recife)11 (1971): 37-49.
- Melo AM, et al. [First observations on the topical use of Primin,
Plumbagin and Maytenin in patients with skin cancer] Rev Inst
Anti-biot (Recife), 1974 Dec.
- F. Cabanillas, et.al., "Phase I Study of Maytansine Using a 3-day
Schedule," Cancer Treatment Reports 60 (1976): 1127-39.
- Chabner, B.A., et al., "Initial Clinical Trials of Mayansine, and
Anti-tumor Plant Alkaloid." Cancer Treatment Reports 62 (1978):
429-33.
- O'Connell, M.J., et al., "Phase II Trial of Maytansine in patients
with Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma," Cancer Treatment Reports 62 (1978): 1237-38.
- Suffnes, M.J., et al., "Current Status of the NCI Plant and Animal
Product Program," Journal of Natural Products 45 (1982) 1-14.
- Paul Martinez Crovetto, Las Plantas Utilizadas en Medicina Popular
en el Noroeste de Corrientes, Miscelanea no 69. (Tucuman, Argentina:
Ministeris de Cultura y Educacion, Foundacion Miguel Lillo, 1981), 69.
- Kenneth Jones, Pau d'Arco Immune Power from the Rainforest,
Healing Arts Press, 1995, 63.
- Freise, F.W., Plantas Medicinais Brasileiras Boletim de
Agricultura 34 (1933): 410.
- G.L. Cruz, Dicionario das Plantas Uties do Brasil, Bertrand
Publ. Brasil, (1995).
- Oliveira MG, et al. Pharmacologic and toxicologic effects of two
Maytenus species in laboratory animals. J Ethnopharmacol, 1991
Aug.
- Souza-Formigoni ML, et al. Anti-ulcerogenic effects of two Maytenus
species in laboratory animals. J Ethnopharmacol, 1991 Aug.
- de Almeida, E.R., 1993. Plantas Medicinais Brasileiras, Conhecimentos Populares E Cientificos. Hemus Editora Ltda. Sau
Paulo, Brazil.
- Dr. Donna Schwontkowski, HERBS OF THE AMAZON Traditional and
Common Uses, Science Student BrainTrust Publishing, 1993 .
- Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and China, The World
Preservation Society, Inc. 1993,1995
- John Easterling , Traditional Uses of Rainforest
Botanicals, 1993.
- Shirota O, et al. Cytotoxic aromatic triterpenes from Maytenus
ilicifolia and Maytenus chuchuhuasca. J Nat Prod, 1994 Dec.
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| REFERENCED QUOTES ON ESPINHEIRA SANTA |
1 "Espinheira
Santa regulates stomach hydrochloric acid production and is therefore
useful for stomach ulcers, especially those produced by nervousness. It
also helps heal wounds. Other effects on the digestive system include its
ability to restore intestinal flora, inhibit pathogenic bacteria, produce
laxative effects, and benefit colic. Espinheira Santa is thought to
neutralize acid throughout the whole system and aid elimination of toxins
through the kidneys and skin. it is sometimes used as an anti-asthmatic
agent." 2 "Espinhiera santa has been used for nervous disorders and helps
to soothe and heal stomach ulcers. It helps support the adrenal glands
which may help to improve energy levels, immune response and digestion. It
helps to neutralize acids throughout the body. It helps with kidney
function, skin respiration, and nourishes stomach yin. South American
Indians used the tree to "cure" arthritis and rheumatism." 3 "ACTIONS
Soothes nervous stomach, Neutralizes acid, Calming, Aids Kidney function
TRADITIONAL USE: Used as a remedy for nervous disorders. Believed
effective in treating ulcers of the stomach. Neutralizes acid throughout
the system. Aids elimination via kidneys and skin. Espinheira Santa has
been used as an auxiliary in the treatment of ulcers. MERIDIAN
INDICATIONS: Nourishes Stomach Yin, Increases Yin. EVA POINTS: Stomach,
Circulation, Kidney." 11" Espinheira santa's effects also include the
elimination of toxins in the body. This plant is sometimes used as an
anti-asthmatic agent. Espinheira santa benefits the intestinal tract and
the immune system indirectly by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and helping
restore the intestinal flora, a characteristic shared with Una de gato."
12 "It was more intriguing to learn that like the shaman in Peru, who uses
the bark of chuchuhuasi, Professor Accorsi mixed pau d'arco with a species
of Maytenus (M. ilicifolia Mart.), which is commonly known in
Brazil as Espinheira santa. And elsewhere in the tropics, there are
reports of Maytenus in African folk medicine for treating excessive mucus
discharge, wounds,and cancer.
These plants contain anti-biotic
compounds that in animals have shown potent anti-tumor and anti-leukemic
activities at very low dosages (of micrograms per kilogram of body
weight). In Brazil, as part of ongoing research with local herbs to find
cancer treatments, earlier clinical studies found good results with the
compound mayenin, a quinoid triterpene derived from the roots of Maytenus ilicifolia. Applied topically to treat carcinomas, it
showed little irritation .Other tests using the compound intravenously in
patients with resistant carcinomas found best results in epidermal
carcinoma (larynx, tongue base, and tonsil pillars). No toxic effects were
found, but neither were there any "cures". It appears that the best
results are from topical uses, just as indicated by folk
medicine.
Records in Brazil hold that the leaves of espinheira santa (Maytenus ilicifolia), which appear remarkably like those of holly,
are applied as an analgesic (pain reliever), an intestinal antiseptic, and
a tonic. Applications of the leaves include an ointment for treating skin
cancer and a decoction as a wash for cancers. Other names in Brazil
include limaosinho and cancerosa . This is the species Professor Accorsi
combined with Pau d'arco.
According to various herbalists in Brazil,
espinheira santa is widely available and more commonly used for such
problems as acne, anemia, stomach ulcers, cancer of the uterus, and
constipation. Comparable activity to a well-known anti-ulcer drug
(cimetidine) was shown with a water extract of two Maytenus species (M.
aquafolium and M. ilicifolia) in animals. Gastric ulcers, chronic
gastritis, and dyspepsias have long been treated with Maytenus in
Brazilian folk medicine, but this was the first time an anti-ulcerogenic
effect was demonstrated scientifically. Oral administration showed a
protective effect against ulcer formation. Maytenus also caused an
increase in gastric juices and a higher pH." |
Effect of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart.ex. Reiss on
spermatogenesis.
Montanari T, de Carvalho JE, Dolder
H
Department of Cell Biology, UNICAMP, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Contraception 1998 May;57(5):335-9
Published erratum appears in
Contraception 1998 Aug;58(2):146
The effect of the ethanolic extract
of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart.ex. Reiss leaves on spermatogenesis was
studied in Swiss mice by evaluating morphological characteristics by light
and electron microscopy. The extract was administered at a dose of 200
mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 20 days, and at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day
orally for 30 days. Structural analysis of the germ epithelium showed that
treated animals were not noticeably different from control animals. The
alterations included some exfoliated immature germ cells, occasional germ
cell death (recognized as pyknotic nuclei) and a few vacuolized
seminiferous tubules. Ultrastructurally, enlarged lipid droplets were
found in Sertoli cells and swollen acrosomes occurred in early spermatids
of animals treated with the higher dose. Sperm production indicated that
the ethanolic extract of M. ilicifolia leaves did not contain substances
sufficient to arrest spermatogenesis. |
Cytotoxic aromatic triterpenes from Maytenus ilicifolia and Maytenus
chuchuhuasca.
Shirota O, Morita H, Takeya K, Itokawa
H
Department of Pharmacognosy, Tokyo College of Pharmacy, Japan.
J
Nat Prod 1994 Dec;57(12):1675-81
The isolation and structure
elucidation of four cytotoxic aromatic triterpenes [1-4] along with three
known quinoid triterpenes [5-7] from the South American medicinal plants
Maytenus ilicifolia and M. chuchuhuasca are described. The structures of
these aromatic triterpenes contained aromatized A rings and C-6 oxygenated
B rings, and were elucidated by 1H- and 13C-nmr spectroscopic studies and
by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3. |
Pharmacologic and toxicologic effects of two Maytenus species in
laboratory animals.
Oliveira MG, Monteiro MG, Macaubas C, Barbosa
VP, Carlini EA
Department of Psychobiology, Escola Paulista de
Medicina, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol 1991 Aug;34(1):29-41
Leaves of Maytenus species are used in the popular medicine of Brazil
for their reported antacid and anti-ulcerogenic activity. The present work
examined the effects of a boiling water extract of equal parts of M.
aquifolium and M. ilicifolia leaves on acute administration in rats and
mice, in an attempt to detect any general depressant, hypnotic,
anti-convulsant and analgesic effects. General depressant and hypnotic
effects were seen only after intraperitoneal administration. After chronic
administration, the overall behavior of animals did not change and they
continued to gain weight at the same rate as controls. Several biochemical
and hematological parameters as well as pathological examination of
different organs did not show any significant alterations after 3 months
of treatment. A search for the potential effects of the extract on the
fertility of female and male rats and on the course of pregnancy as well
as a search for potential teratogenic effects did not reveal any
significant differences from controls. Taken together, the results
indicate that these Maytenus species may be safe for human use and deserve
further investigation. |
Anti-ulcerogenic effects of two Maytenus species in laboratory
animals.
Souza-Formigoni ML, Oliveira MG, Monteiro MG, da
Silveira-Filho NG, Braz S, Carlini EA
Department of Psychobiology,
Escola Paulista de Medicina, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol 1991
Aug;34(1):21-7
Leaves of Maytenus species are commonly used in Brazil
for the treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsias and other gastric
problems. The present study evaluated the anti-ulcerogenic potential of a
boiling water extract of equal parts of M. aquifolium and M. ilicifolia
leaves against ulcer lesions induced by indomethacin and cold-restraint
stress in rats. Ranitidine and cimetidine were used as reference drugs.
The oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extract had a potent
anti-ulcerogenic effect against both types of ulcers. The extract was
shown to cause an increase in volume and pH of gastric juice of the
animals with the pH effects comparable to those of cimetidine. The results
tend to confirm the popular use of the plant. |
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