Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez (Lauraceae): A Review of Ethnobotany, Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Properties

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez, popularly known as “casca preciosa” (precious bark), falsa canela (cinnamon-scented) Casca-do-maranhao (bark of maranhao), and Folha-preciosa (precious leaf), is an aromatic species of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. In traditional medicine it is indicated for the treatment of a great diversity of diseases, including digestive, respiratory, inflammatory, painful and central nervous system disorders, is administered mainly in the form of tea or decoction orally. Its essential oil is referred to as a natural antioxidant for food preservation and disease control, showing great potential for use in the cosmetics, perfumery and pharmaceutical products sector. The present review aimed to discuss critically and comprehensively the ethnobotanical characteristics, phytochemical constitution and scientifically tested biological properties of A. canelilla, systematizing the knowledge about the species and proposing new perspectives for research and development. The chemical composition of A. canelilla includes 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, metyleugenol, eugenol, safrol, anabasin, anbin, tannin, α-pinene, b-pinene, b-felandren, b-caryophyllene, b-sesquifelandren, p-cymene, linalool, α-copaene and spatulenol. Researches with ethanolic extracts, essential oils and major constituents (1-nitro-2-phenylethane and metyleugenol) have revealed antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, cardio-modulating, hypotensive (vasorelaxant), hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticholinesterase and antibiotic properties (trypanomicidal, leishmanicidal and antifungal). Some of these effects are potentially beneficial for related-aging diseases treatment, such as cardio and cerebrovascular, chronic inflammatory, neurological and degenerative diseases. However, it is necessary to advance in the research of its clinical use and development of therapeutic products.