Chemistry, Biological Activities, and Uses of Araucaria Resin

Abstract

The members of the genus Araucaria (Araucariaceae) are evergreen coniferous trees, widely used for medicinal, ornamental, and timber purposes. This overview includes the phytochemical, medicinal properties, and biological activities of various species of Araucaria. In this study, the most recent scientific research has been compiled from various publications to focus on the untapped potential of Araucaria species. There are twenty species in the genus Araucaria. The species of Araucaria have been found to produce resins, a complex combination of terpenoids and phenolics, with terpenoid resins being the majority. Besides, the prevalence of diterpenoids in the species of Araucaria, bioflavonoids, isoflavones, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, lignans, and other phenolics have also been isolated. Phyllocladene, hibaene, 16-kaurene, luxuriadiene, and sclarene were the most abundant diterpenoids, whereas βcaryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, and spathulenol were the most widely distributed sesquiterpenoids. Monoterpenoids are often identified as α-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, and γ-terpinene. A thorough review of the literature revealed that different species of Araucaria possess a diverse range of biological activities, including antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, gastro-protective, wound healing, antidiabetic, anti-rheumatoid, anticancer, antidepressant, and sedative properties. Studies showed a lot of potential in exploring the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Araucaria species, specifically resins and essential oils.

Time and Concentration-Dependent Differential Antioxidant Potential in the Gum of Medicinally Important Araucaria Heterophylla

“…The aerial parts of Araucaria heterophylla have traditionally been used for the treatment of toothaches (Aslam et al 2013). Medicinal, ornamental, and timber uses of the evergreen genus Araucaria can be found worldwide (Kumar et al 2021). The genus Araucaria has been used for ethnopharmacological properties to cure amenorrhea, respiratory infections, ulcers, toothaches, and rheumatism due to its antiviral, gastroprotective, anticoagulant, neuroprotective, antipyretic, and antibacterial qualities (Patial and Cannoo 2021).…”