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Review
. 2015 Dec 12;20(12):22383-94.
doi: 10.3390/molecules201219849.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Fragrant Mexican Copal (Bursera spp.)

Giulia Gigliarelli  1 , Judith X Becerra  2 , Massimo Curini  3 , Maria Carla Marcotullio  4
Affiliations
Review

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Fragrant Mexican Copal (Bursera spp.)

Giulia Gigliarelli et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Copal is the Spanish word used to describe aromatic resins from several genera of plants. Mexican copal derives from several Bursera spp., Protium copal, some Pinus spp. (e.g., P. pseudostrobus) and a few Fabaceae spp. It has been used for centuries as incense for religious ceremonies, as a food preservative, and as a treatment for several illnesses. The aim of this review is to analyze the chemical composition and biological activity of commercial Mexican Bursera copal.

Keywords: Bursera; copal; essential oil; lignans; resin; terpenoids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Triterpenoid markers used in GC-MS analysis of copal [16].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Triterpenoidic compounds isolated from B. microphylla [31].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diterpene compounds isolated from B. microphylla [31].
Figure 4
Figure 4
New lupane-type triterpene isolated from B. simaruba [33].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Lignans isolated from B. fagaroides resin [37,38].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Picropolygamain isolated from B. simaruba [40].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Lignans isolated from B. microphylla resin [31].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Groups of lignans present in Bursera spp. leaves according to Koulman [36].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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