Catuaba (Trichilia catigua)
What is Catuaba?
Catuaba is the common name for a group of plants in the Amazon rainforest, the main two, Erythroxylum catuaba and Trichilia catigua are the most common.
Big catuaba, (Trichilia catigua), is both the most commonly used species, and the most relevant for the actions catuaba is traditionally used for, which is why The Sunlight Experiment considers this species the official catuaba species.
Trichilia catigua is a tall tree with dark, aromatic bark. This bark is used to treat age-related cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and male sexual dysfunction.
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What Is Catuaba Used For?
The main uses for catuaba include treating male sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction or poor libido, age-related cognitive decline, depression, nerve pain, fatigue, and anxiety.
Traditional Uses of Catuaba
Catuaba/Catigua have a long standing history of use as an aphrodisiac. The Tupi indians discovered its use as an aphrodisiac centuries ago and have since composed many songs referring to its effects.
In the Brazilian state of Minas there goes a saying “until a father reaches 60, the son is his; after that, the son is Catuabas!” [9].
Herb Details: Catuaba
Botanical Information: Catuaba
Trichilia catigua is a member of the meliaceae family (Mohogany family). This family contains about 600 species, separated into 53 genera, all spread out across the tropics. Other members of this family include neem, Carapa, Spanish-Cedar, and Toona.
Erythroxylum catuaba
Both Erythroxylum catuaba, and Erythroxylum pulchrum fall under the common name "Small Catuaba" [6, 9].
Catuaba from the family Erythroxylaceae, is a quick growing, small tree, containing yellow and orange flowers.
The fruit of this tree is small, dark yellow, and inedible. This family, with its principal genus being Erythroxylum, contains several sources that contain the alkaloids for cocaine (such as the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca), however none of these active alkaloids are found in Catuaba [9].
Trichilia catigua
Trichilia catigua is contained under the family Meliaceae. There are 80 species of the genus Trichilia throughout tropical America from Mexico down.
Trichilia catigua often goes by the common name, "Big catuaba," or preferably "Catigua." This tree is dioecious, with a short trunk, brownish colored bark. Leaves are alternate, compound pinnate, 7-14 cm long, with 9-12 alternate or opposite leaflets. The leaf shape is elliptical, oblanceolate, or oblong. Inflorescences are axillary, 2-8 cm long, white to yellow in color, and unisexual.
The majority of these trees are monoecious.
The flowers are long lasting (up to 6 months), small (4mm long), have 4 sepals and 4 petals. The fruit produced by this tree is an ovoid, dehiscent capsule, with the seeds enclosed in a fleshy aril [6].
Confusion Over Catuaba Common Names
There is a massive amount of confusion involving Catuaba and what species the medicinal plant in use actually is. With several species being listed and used as "Catuaba."
Experienced Brazilian harvesters generally refer to 2 types; "big catuaba," and "small catuaba."
Small Catuaba is Erythroxylum catuaba, which can be identified by its smaller size (2-6m), and yellow to orange flowers.
Big Catuaba is botanically identified as Trichilia catigua, which is organized under the mahogany family (Meliaceae). Trichilia can be identified physically by its taller height (6-10m), and its cream coloured flowers. In Brazil Trichilia catigua is referred to as either "Catigua, or Angelim-Rosa [9].
To confuse the matter further, other (unapproved) botanical names are used including:
Juniperus brasiliensis — thought to refer to "small catuaba."
Anemopaegma mirandum — in the bignoniaceae family
Eriotheca candolleana None of these species have any relation to the other Catuabas and therefore should not be used as such [9].
The range of genera referred to catuaba is staggering, families including:
Erythroxylaceae
Bignoniaceae
Sapotaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Myrtaceae
Meliaceae
Apocynaceae
Burseraceae
The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia lists the species Anemopaegma arvense as the recommended species (particularly the root). However, this does not reflect what some recent studies indicate is the most consumed species of catuaba; which is actually Trichilia catigua [3].
The export of these various species under the single heading of "Catuaba," create a great amount of confusion towards what medicine is actually being used.
According to Leslie Taylor, ND, (2005), "Erythroxylum catuaba and Trichilia catigua are the preferred Brazilian herbal medicine species, with the longest documented history of use as "big and little catuaba." Both types are used interchangeably in Brazilian herbal medicine systems for the same conditions" [9].
In an attempt to resolve this naming situation, a group of researchers [3], investigated the identities of some of the various "Catuabas" using new analytical methods to "fingerprint" 2 species of Catuaba (Trichilia catigua, and Anemopaegma arvense) .
Using various metabolite profiling techniques, these researchers were able to determine that there is indeed a large difference in chemical composition between Trichilia catigua, and A. arvense. The general metabolite regions investigated were aliphatic, carbohydrate, and aromatic. Trichilia catigua showed little in the aromatic region compared to A. arvense, while showing similarities in the carbohydrate region. The Aliphatic region was determined inconclusive in this study.
These researchers then compared these results to various other "Catuabas" purchased from herbal suppliers.
The majority of these catuabas fell into the spectrum closely resembling Trichilia catigua.
Researchers concluded that "based on results discussed in this work, it can also be concluded that the herbal medicine industries in Brazil do not employ the roots of A. arvense to manufacture the phytomedicine Catuaba, as recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, but instead use the bark of Trichilia catigua" [3].
Erythroxylum catuaba was unfortunately not investigated in this study.
Other Species Referred To As Catuaba
Anemopaegma arvense, Juniperus brasiliensis, Eriotheca candolleana, Eriotheca vaccinifolium, Eriotheca ampliofolium.
Pharmacology & Medical Research
+ Bacterial Infection
Erythroxylum catuaba crude extracts have been shown to produce antibacterial effects [4]. This species has been reported to protect mice lethally injected with E. coli, and S. aureus [9].
+ Depression
One study investigating the potential of Trichilia catigua’s antidepressant effects on mice and rats [7], concluded that “The present study provides convincing evidence for a dopamine-mediated antidepressant-like effect of the active principle(s) present in the hydroalcoholic extract of Trichilia catigua in mice and rats.” The same study also showed that prolonged use of Fluoxetine (a common pharmaceutical antidepressant drug that works through similar pathways), caused significant reduction in both serotonin and dopamine uptake. Trichilia catigua, on the other hand, showed no significant change in serotonin uptake. However, it did provide proof of significant dopamine uptake inhibition after chronic treatment. They also discovered that Trichilia catigua’s antidepressant effects are most notably performed through modulation of the dopaminergic system, rather than through the serotoninergic system, although modulation was shown in both.
Trichilia catigua can be compared to Hypericum perforatum in this way as Hypericum has been shown in previous studies to prevent the reuptake of both dopamine and serotonin, though this herb also has a much stronger effect on the dopaminergic system than it does on the serotoninergic system. [7]. This is of significance because Hypericum perforatum has been shown to possess well-documented and robust use as an alternative antidepressant medicine [citation lost]. It is important to note that because Trichilia catigua imposes its effects mostly through the dopaminergic system, rather than through the serotonin or noradrenergic system as most pharmaceutical drugs do, Trichilia catigua may provide an important alternative to individuals who do not respond well to the pharmaceutical treatments.
+ Analgesic
Trichilia catigua hydroalcoholic extracts have been shown to produce antinociceptive properties, in as little as 3 hours after oral consumption. The mechanism of action for these effects have been suggested to be mediated through the dopaminergic system, and to a lesser extent, the opioid system [1].
+ Antioxidant
Trichilia catigua has been found to provide significant neuroprotective effects, measured by the lowered oxidative damage found in the hippocampus of mice treated with the botanical, and subjected to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (a commonly used method to produce oxidative damage in the brain). The researchers from this study suggested T. catigua worked better for this purpose as a preventative than a treatment. [5].
+ Antiviral
Erythroxylum catuaba has reportedly shown inhibitory effects against HIV [9].
+ Aphrodisiac
Catuaba (both big and small) have been the most popular herbal Medicine in Brazilian folk medicine for its use as an aphrodisiac and tonic for well over a century [3].
Phytochemistry
+ Trichilia catigua:
A few chemical studies have indicated the presence of omega-phenyl alkanes, omega-phenyl alkanoic acids, omega-phenyl-gamma-lactones, alkyl-gamma-lactones, alkenyl-gamma-lactones and fatty acids, besides β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and a mixture of flavalignans, [7]. Cinchonain, which has also been found in quinine bark (Cinchona spp.), has been found in Trichilia catigua. This chemical has been reported to produce antibacterial, and antineoplastic effects [9].
+ Erythroxylum catuaba/vacciniifolium:
Tropane alkaloids (catuabines A, B, and C) [2].
Clinical Applications Of Catuaba:
Catuaba is useful for treating depression and is a good option when other, more mainstream treatments fail. Catuaba works off the dopamine system rather than serotonin which is the most common mechanism of action for most antidepressants. In several studies, catuaba has been shown to provide a similar level of efficacy to fluoxetine and St Johns Wort towards depression.
Catuaba is also highly useful for treating male sexual dysfunctions of all kinds, likely relating to the dopaminergic action as well. Additionally, though Catuaba is not considered a cognitive enhancer it has been shown to improve age-related memory loss, or cognitive decline, which was in fact one of its main traditional uses.
Synergy
Often combined traditionally in aqueous extractions with Ptychopetalum olacoides in traditional medicine systems of the Amazon.
One famous mixture, Catuama, is a combination of Trichilia catigua, Paullinia cupana, Ptychopetalum olacoides, and Zingiber officinalis. It has been used since the 1980s for a variety of disorders including mental fatigue, neuromuscular asthenia, and weakness disorders. [10]. Various studies have been conducted on this formula, and most have showed strong synergy between these botanicals.
A Special Note From the Author
Trichilia catigua appears to have stronger effects on pain, and depression, through its dopaminergic action.
Erythroxylum catuaba, on the other hand, appears to have stronger antibacterial effects.
However, both species effect effects specific to the CNS and are used for the same purposes of mental fatigue, depression, sexual impotence, and age-related conditions.
I prefer Trichilia catigua as “catigua,” and Erythroxylum catuaba as “catuaba” or simply by their botanical names to end this confusion.
There will likely be more studies on each of these individual plants, and with it, more differences are likely to be found in the chemistry and how they should be used.
They should not be considered one and the same, despite having similar actions, and related traditional uses.
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References:
Alice F. Viana, Izaque S. Maciel, Emerson M. Motta, Paulo C. Leal, Luiz Pianowski, Maria M. Campos, and Joao B. Calixto. (2011). Antinociceptive Activity of Trichilia catigua Hydroalcoholic Extract: New Evidence on Its Dopaminergic Effects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep144
Boris Zanolari, David Guilet, Andrew Marston, Emerson F. Queiroz, Marc ̧al de Q. Paulo, and Kurt Hostettmann. (2003). Tropane Alkaloids from the Bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium. Journal of Natural Products. 66. 497-502.
Christina Daolio, Flavio L. Beltrame, Antonio G. Ferriera, Quezia B. Cass, Diogenes Aparicio Garcia Cortez, and Marcia M. C. Ferriera. (2007). Classification of Commercial Catuaba Samples by NMR, HPLC and Chemometrics. Phytochemical Analysis. 19. 218-228. DOI: 10.1002/pca.1019
Ivana Maria Póvoa Violante,Lidilhone Hamerski, Walmir Silva Garcez, Ana Lucia Batista, Marilene Rodrigues Chang, Vali Joana Pott, Fernanda Rodrigues Garcez. (2012). Antimicrobial Activity of Some Medicinal Plants From the Cerrado of the Central Western Region of Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 1302-1308.
Jean Paul Kamdem, Emily Pansera Waczuk, Ige Joseph Kade, Caroline Wagner, Aline Augusti Boligon, Margareth Linde Athayde, Diogo Onofre Souza, João Batista Teixeira Rocha. (2012). Catuaba (Trichilia catigua) Prevents Against Oxidative Damage Induced by In Vitro Ischemia–Reperfusion in Rat Hippocampal Slices. Neurochem Research. 37. 2826 - 2835. DOI 10.1007/s11064-012-0876-0.
Lorenzi, H., & Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora. (2009). Brazilian trees: A guide to the identification and cultivation of Brazilian native trees. Nova Odessa, SP: Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora. (Pg 109, 213).
Maria M. Campos, Elizabeth S. Fernandes, Juliano Ferriera, Adair R. S. Santos, Joao B. Calixto. (2005). Antidepressant-like effects of Trichillia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms. Phytopharmacology. 182. 45-53. Retrieved from the web.
Pennington, T. D., Reynel, C., Daza, A., & Wise, R. (2004). Illustrated guide to the trees of Peru. Sherborne, England: D. Hunt.
Taylor. L, ND, (2005), The Healing Power Of Rainforest Herbs, Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers, inc.
Vera Pontieri, BSc, Augusto Scalabrini Neto, PhD, MD, André Ferrari de França Camargo, MD, Marcia Kiyomi Koike, PhD, BSc, Irineu Tadeu Velasco, PhD, MD. (2007). The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart. Journal of Electrocardiology. 40. 534.e1–534.e8