Calophyllum brasiliense (Calophyllum brasiliense): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Calophyllum brasiliense work for wound healing?

Calophyllum brasiliense contains bioactive compounds including mammea, coumarins, inophyllum, and flavonoids that contribute to its wound healing properties. These compounds demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, which help reduce infection risk and inflammation at wound sites. The coumarins and flavonoids appear to support tissue regeneration and collagen synthesis. Evidence level C studies suggest these mechanisms underlie the traditional use for skin conditions and wound healing, though more rigorous clinical research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular pathways involved.

Does Calophyllum brasiliense interact with any medications?

There are currently no well-documented drug interactions for topical Calophyllum brasiliense preparations in scientific literature. However, the presence of coumarins in this plant suggests a theoretical potential for interaction with anticoagulant medications if used internally. Since internal use is not recommended and topical application has minimal systemic absorption, significant drug interactions are unlikely. Patients taking blood thinners should consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal preparations. Always inform your healthcare provider about all herbal supplements you use.

What is the recommended dosage for Calophyllum brasiliense?

Traditional use of Calophyllum brasiliense involves topical application only. For wound healing, the oil is applied directly to the affected area, typically 2-3 times daily. A bark decoction may also be prepared and applied topically for skin conditions. There are no standardized clinical dosing guidelines, as evidence remains at level C. Internal use is not recommended due to insufficient safety data. Always perform a patch test before widespread topical application to check for skin sensitization.

Is Calophyllum brasiliense safe during pregnancy?

Based on available traditional use data, topical application of Calophyllum brasiliense is generally considered safe during pregnancy. The plant has a history of use in Central American and Amazonian indigenous medicine without reported adverse effects in pregnant women. However, clinical safety studies specifically examining use during pregnancy are limited. As with any herbal preparation, pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before use. Internal use should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data.

What is Calophyllum brasiliense used for?

Calophyllum brasiliense is traditionally used in Central American and Amazonian indigenous medicine primarily for skin conditions, inflammation, pain, and infections. The tree, related to tamanu, produces oil used topically for wound healing and antimicrobial purposes. Indigenous communities have employed bark decoctions and plant oils for generations to treat various dermatological complaints. Evidence level C supports these traditional applications, indicating preliminary research suggests potential benefits, though more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy for specific conditions.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Calophyllum brasiliense is a Brazilian rainforest tree with documented antileishmanial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties [PMID:29670464, 40036641, 27224267].

Background

Calophyllum brasiliense (Clusiaceae) is a tree native to Brazil, primarily found in the Atlantic Forest and rainforests of South and Central America [PMID:27224267, 26697389]. It is also known as 'guanandi' [PMID:24933219].

Traditional uses

In Brazilian folk medicine, it is used to treat various diseases including leishmaniasis [PMID:29670464], rheumatism, vein problems, hemorrhoids, and gastric ulcers [PMID:24933219], as well as for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:40036641].

Active compounds

The plant contains coumarins (including mammea A/BA, A/BB, and soulattrolide), xanthones (such as macluraxanthone), chromanones (brasiliensic and isobrasiliensic acids), and biflavonoids (amentoflavone) [PMID:33938065, 40229226, 26878242, 15340243].

Mechanism of action

Antileishmanial activity involves inducing apoptosis-like cell death and mitochondrial alterations [PMID:27224267]. Anti-inflammatory effects include impairing neutrophil migration and reducing the release of cytokines (TNF and IL-6) and NO [PMID:40036641]. The compound GUT-70 inhibits HIV-1 entry by stabilizing plasma membrane fluidity and down-regulating CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4 [PMID:25576356].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DLeishmaniasis

Hydroalcoholic extract reduced infection index by more than 95% in murine macrophages [PMID:29670464].

Evidence DChagas Disease (T. cruzi)

Mammea-type coumarins showed potent trypanocidal activity in vitro [PMID:31039535, 32388434].

Evidence DPain and Inflammation

Chloroform fraction of roots showed antinociceptive effects in mice (acetic acid and formalin tests) [PMID:28391533]. Soulattrolide also demonstrated antinociceptive effects [PMID:30244493].

Evidence DGastric Ulcers/H. pylori

Stem bark extracts showed bacteriostatic activity against Helicobacter pylori in vitro and in vivo [PMID:26878242, 19501278].

Evidence DCutaneous Wounds

Topical emulsion of leaf extract accelerated wound healing and increased fibroblast presence in rats [PMID:25310798].

Evidence DCancer

Mammea coumarins and GUT-70 showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia and other tumor cell lines in vitro [PMID:30036890, 25163331, 15261767].

Safety & adverse effects

Oral acute toxicity screening in mice (250-1000 mg/kg) and subchronic studies in rats (100-500 mg/kg) of stem bark hexane extract were conducted [PMID:24933219]. Soulatrolide and Mammea A/BA + A/BB mixture were classified as slightly toxic with DL50 > 3000 mg/kg [PMID:26995226].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant pharmacological potential for antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, but lacks human clinical trials.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 29670464 (2018) — Calophyllum brasiliense Modulates the Immune Response and Promotes Leishmania amazonensis Intracellular Death. · Mediators of inflammation
2.PMID: 27683804 (2017) — Storage of Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. seeds. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
3.PMID: 27224267 (2017) — Antileishmanial Activity of a Calophyllum brasiliense Leaf Extract. · Planta medica
4.PMID: 30054835 (2018) — Phytoremediation of Brazilian tree species in soils contaminated by herbicides. · Environmental science and pollution research international
5.PMID: 40036641 (2025) — The effects of Calophyllum brasiliense leaves extract and isolated compound amentoflavone: implications in the resolution of inflammation. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Calophyllum brasiliense

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Calophyllum brasiliense