Some research on amyrins and resins.

[Alchemica]

This is one that really interests me.I bought some a long time ago but I was really ill and didn't use them to their potential. If you can find an ethical source, highly recommend doing some experimentation for me.

 

Sacred Maya incense, copal (Protium copal - Burseraceae), has antianxiety effects in animal models.

 

The Maya have traditionally used copal, Protium copal, as incense during ceremonies since pre-Columbian times. Anecdotally, copal (when burned as incense), is thought to elicit mentally uplifting and calming effects. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the incense elicits anxiolytic-like behavior in animal models using rats. A second objective was to characterize active constituents and discern potential mechanism(s) of action, specifically the involvement of the GABAergic and endocannabinoid (eCB) systems. Despite the extensive Central American use of this resin, there are currently no known scientific behavioral or pharmacological studies done with the incense.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Quantification of the triterpenes in the copal resin and cold trapped incense was achieved by HPLC MS. Behavioral effects in rats were assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction (SI) test, conditioned emotion response (CER) and Novel object recognition (NOR) paradigms. Rats were exposed to burning copal (200 mg) over 5 min in a smoking chamber apparatus and then immediately tested in each behavioral paradigm. Follow-up SI tests were done using two antagonists flumazenil (1 mg/kg) and AM251 (1 mg/kg) administered systemically. Inhibition of MAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase) was measured by microplate assay with recombinant human enzyme and probe substrate.

RESULTS:

Phytochemical analysis revealed that copal resin and incense had high α- and β-amyrins and low lupeol triterpene content. Exposure to Protium copal incense significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the SI and CER tests. In contrast, no anxiolytic effects were observed in the EPM. The CER effect was time dependent. Both flumazenil and AM251 blocked the anxiolytic activity of copal revealing the involvement of GABAergic and endocannabinoid systems. Copal, as well as the identified triterpenes, potently inhibited monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activity in vitro (IC₅₀ ≤ 811 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first study to show that copal incense from Protium copal elicits anxiolytic-like effects in fear and social interaction models as evidenced by a reduced learned fear behavior and an increase in active social interaction. It's high α and β-amyrin content suggests behavioral effects may be mediated, in part, by the known action of these terpenes at the benzodiazepine receptor. Furthermore, P. copal's observed activity through the eCB system via MAGL offers a new potential mechanism underlying the anxiolytic activity.

 

~~~

 

A mixture of natural triterpenes α- and β-amyrin was initially said to bind selectively to CB(1) receptors with a subnanomolar K(i) value (133 pM). Orally administered α/β-amyrin inhibited inflammatory and persistent neuropathic pain in mice through both CB(1) and CB(2) receptors.

 

Later, it was found β-amyrin potently inhibited 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) hydrolysis in pig brain homogenates, but not that of anandamide. Although β-amyrin only weakly inhibited purified human monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), it also inhibited α,β-hydrolases and more potently inhibited 2-AG breakdown than α-amyrin

 

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1)), but not CB(2), pharmacological blockade significantly reversed the beneficial effects of α,β-amyrin. mRNA expression for both the endocannabinoid hydrolase monoglyceride lipase 1 (MGL1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) were significantly reduced in α,β-amyrin-treated mice

 

One of the best sources: Protium is the main genus of the Burseraceae family and one of the most common genera in South America, with an important species called “breu.” Gum and oil-resins of this species are used as tonic and stimulant and for the treatment of ulcers and inflammation.. Mono- and dihydroxylated triterpenes were isolated from the insoluble material which resulted from oleoresin hexanic extraction

 

Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl) Marchand, Burseraceae, is popularly used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The resin consisted of triterpenes, such as α- and β-amyrin. The resin and fractions elicited antiproliferative activity, increased activity of caspase-3 and ACE, and a decrease in the TNF-α level.

 

Bursera copallifera (Burseraceae) releases a resin known as “copal ancho” which has been used, since pre-Colombian times, as ceremonially burned incense and to treat tooth ache, tumors, arthritis, cold, cough, and various inflammatory conditions. This contains 3-epilupeol (59.75 %) and α-amyrin (21.1 %) are the most abundant triterpenes in the resin. The minor triterpenes were α-amyrin acetate (6.25 %), 3-epilupeol acetate (11.31 %), lupenone (1.82 %), and 3-epilupeol formiate (0.5 %).

 

If you want an endocannabinoid active essential oil, try Cedrus atlantica essential oil

Edited March 2, 2018 by Alchemica