Preclinical safety and antimicrobial evaluation of copaifera epunctata amshoff oleo-resin from the Amazon region

Copaiba oleo-resin is widely used in Amazon folk medicine, but information about its toxicity is limited. We study the possible toxic effects of the oleo-resin of Copaifera epunctata Amshoff. Chemical analysis by GC-MS, acute oral toxicity test, acute dermal toxicity test, and acute eye irritation/corrosion test were conducted using Copaiba oleo-resin from the Amazon region. Chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of seven sesquiterpenes and five diterpenes, with emphasis on β-caryophyllene (39.7%) and β-bisabolene (7.1%). No signs of toxicity were observed in any of the tests, except for the repeated-dose dermal toxicity test, which induced changes in behaviour and in the hematological parameters of animals treated with 1000 mg/ml. There were no changes in body weight gain, macroscopic analysis, organ weight, feed and water intake or biochemical parameters. In the ocular irritation test, there were no signs of lysis, haemorrhage or coagulation. Copaiba oleo-resin has a low risk of toxicity.