Copaiba resin

Copaiba resin is obtained by cutting the resin from the trunk of the copaia tree, which grows in South America. Copaiba is used in traditional Brazilian medicine for anti-inflammatory and healing purposes.

COMPOSITION

Copaiba is mainly composed of caryophyllene or β-caryophyllene (BCP), which is also one of the components of cannabis. BCP is a chemical molecule with the distinctive ability to bind selectively to the CB2 receptor (Cannibinoid receptor 2), which belongs to the cannabinoid receptor family in the same way as CB1 receptors.

However, while CB1 receptors are responsible for the psychotropic effects associated with cannabis use, CB2 receptors are a potential target for an anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy.

DEFENSE MECHANISM

Inflammation is one of the body's defense mechanisms. In certain pathologies, chronic inflammation can be observed: immune cells remain in the site of inflammation, resulting in the secretion of chemical mediators that amplify the inflammatory reaction. BCP, by binding to the CB2 receptor, is involved in suppressing immune cell proliferation, thus demonstrating an anti-inflammatory role.

References :

Francomano, F.; Caruso, A.; Barbarossa, A.; Fazio, A.; La Torre, C.; Ceramella, J.; Mallamaci, R.; Saturnino, C.; Iacopetta, D.; Sinicropi, M.S. β-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Countless Biological Properties. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 5420. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245420

Gertsch, J.; Leonti, M.; Raduner, S.; Racz, I.; Chen, J.-Z.; Xie, X.-Q.; Altmann, K.-H.; Karsak, M.; Zimmer, A. Beta-Caryophyllene Is a Dietary Cannabinoid. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2008, 105, 9099–9104. 

Par Julie Mohbat

Master 2 in Life Sciences Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland

Julie has a Master's 2 in Life Sciences Engineering from EPFL, specialising in neuroscience and neuroengineering after a Bachelor's degree from the same school. Her skills lie at the interface between engineering, life sciences, biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology, with a focus on biotechnological innovations in the service of medicine.