*Anti-tumoral Effects : A small animal study reported in September 2015 showed that beta-caryophyllene potently inhibited the growth of solid tumors and lymph node metastasis (spread) in mice with melanoma. An older study released in December 2007 revealed that beta-caryophyllene significantly increased anti-cancer activity against several cancer cell lines, including the aforementioned MCF-7 cells. In fact, researchers stated that “beta-caryophyllene potentiated [increased the effect of] the anticancer activity of paclitaxel,” a chemotherapy drug favored by many oncologists. The combination of beta-caryophyllene and paclitaxel increased the activity of paclitaxel by about ten-fold, helping it work better.
*Anti-Proliferative Properties : Copaiba has been noted to have anti-proliferative activity. This means that it can prevent the spread of cells, particularly malignant cells, into surrounding tissue. Research reported in December 2015 acknowledged that copaiba was indeed a potent anti-bacterial. But interestingly, the researchers also found it was able to kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells (these are estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor positive, infiltrating ductal carcinoma cells) better than doxorubicin (also known as Adriamycin or the “Red Devil”), a much-utilized chemotherapy drug for breast cancer.
* Neuroprotective Benefits : One interesting study reported in 2012 found that not only was copaiba a potent anti-inflammatory, it also had neuroprotective properties. For those undergoing chemotherapy, copaiba may offer some protection to the nervous system and brain, which are often damaged by such drugs.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Aromatherapy]]
[[Category:Essential oil]]