Byrsonima crassifolia

Scientific name: Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth

Synonym: Malpighia crassifolia L.

Botanical family: MALPIGHIACEAE

Vernacular names

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Panama:

nance

Other vernacular names

Nicaragua:

Krabu

Honduras:

Nance

Geographical distribution

Native of America, from Mexico to South Brazil, Paraguay and the Antilles. This species is cultivated for its edible fruits.

Botanical description

Shrub or tree of 3 to 10 m. Leaves obovate to elliptical or ovate, 6.5 to 16 cm long and 3 to 8 cm wide, with trichomes on the upper and lower side, persistent or deciduous. Flowers arranged in 6 to 20 cm long inflorescences, pseudo-racemose; revolute sepals, sericeous adaxially and tomentose abaxially; yellow petals turning orange or red with age. Fruit in the form of drupes from 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter, glabrous green and yellow when ripe.

Voucher(s)

FLORPAN,5957,PMA

The fruit of Byrsonima crassifolia is a food of relatively widespread human consumption.

For itching:
Crush 30 grams of bark from the trunk and add it to 1 litre of boiled water, leave it to stand for 12 hours. Wash the lesion with boiled water and soap, apply the preparation with a clean dressing or cloth to the affected area twice a day and allow to dry⁷.
Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

According to the information available:

The use for itching is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, the toxicity study and the scientific information published.
All topical application must follow strict hygiene measures in order to prevent contamination or additional infection.
If deterioration is observed in the patient or the itching persists for more than 5 days, seek medical attention.
Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 4 years of age.

TRAMIL Work⁶
The aqueous extract (maceration) from fresh bark freeze-dried, concentration of 1000 mg/ml of water, topically, 4 hours daily for 5 consecutive days to 3 New Zealand rabbits, 0.5 ml in a 5 cm² quadrant with hair cut from the back, contralateral control with water, did not cause oedema or erythema during the test or in the 11 additional days of observation.

No data are available to recommend their medicinal use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children.

The bark contains tannins (20-30%), glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones and triterpenes: α-amyrin and β-amyrin^2-4.

TRAMIL Work⁵
The aqueous extract (maceration) of the bark, in vitro (500 μg/ml), was active against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, it was inactive against Candida albicans.
The aqueous extract (decoction) of bark, in vitro, (maximum inhibitory concentration 200 mg/ml), was active against Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes².

The ethanolic bark extract in vitro showed an effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Shigella flexneri².

The antifungal principles are condensed tannins of the polyphenol group, proanthocyanidin B2 and its gallate³.

Pharmacopoeia

Ed.3

References

1 SOLIS PN, ESPINOSA A, DE GRACIA J, MARTINEZ L, GUPTA MP, 2003
Encuesta TRAMIL (Ngöbe-Buglé). Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

2 CACERES A, 1996
Plantas de uso medicinal en Guatemala. Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala: Editorial Universitaria. p402.

3 BEJAR E, MALONE MH, 1993
Pharmacological and chemical screening of Byrsonima crassifolia, a medicinal tree from Mexico. Part I. J Ethnopharmacol 39(2):141-158.

4 DJERASSI C, BOWERS A, BURSTEIN S, ESTRADA H, GROSSMAN J,
HERRAN J, LEMIN AJ, MANJARREZ A, PAKRASHI SC, 1956
Terpenoids. XXII. Triterpenes from some Mexican and South American plants. J Amer Chem Soc 78(11):2312-2315.

5 OLMEDO D, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, VASQUEZ Y, GUPTA MP, 2005Ensayo antimicrobiano de algunas especies con usos significativos TRAMIL- Centroamérica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

6 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZALEZ S, 2006
Irritabilidad dérmica, piel sana en conejos, de maceración de corteza de Byrsonima crassifolia. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

7 CACERES A, 2006
Vademécum nacional de Plantas Medicinales. Guatemala, Guatemala, USAC,
MSPAS: p262.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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