Catuaba

What Is Catuaba?

Catuaba is the Brazilian name for the bark of several trees used as an aphrodisiac and nerve tonic. The most studied species, and one widely sold as catuaba, is big catuaba, Trichilia catigua, a small tree of the mahogany family. It is the plant described here ^{32,40Reference 32Beltrame et al. · 2006A validated higher-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of cinchonain Ib in bark and phytopharmaceuticals of Trichilia catigua used as Catuaba — validation studyView study →Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}.

Trichilia catigua grows in the seasonal forests of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}. Catuaba has been used in Brazilian folk medicine as an aphrodisiac for over a century ^{33Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →}, and as a tonic for fatigue, stress and poor memory ^{2,3Reference 2Bonassoli et al. · 2012AnimalSubchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 3Chassot et al. · 2011AnimalPreclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal modelView study →}.

The bark is rich in flavalignans called cinchonains ^{10,30Reference 10Tang et al. · 2007In vitroAntioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →Reference 30Bernardo et al. · 2018In vitroIn vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua AView study →}. Research on it has focused on antioxidant, neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects, almost entirely in animals and cells ^{1,5,6,7,8,9Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 5Kamdem et al. · 2012In vitroCatuaba (Trichilia catigua) prevents against oxidative damage induced by in vitro ischemia–reperfusion in rat hippocampal slices — in vitroView study →Reference 6Truiti et al. · 2015AnimalTrichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction protects against cognitive impairments and hippocampal cell death induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 7Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats — animal modelView study →Reference 8Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua protects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion — animal modelView study →Reference 9de Oliveira et al. · 2023AnimalDelayed administration of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Other plants are also sold as catuaba. They include Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, of the coca family, and Anemopaegma arvense, the species named in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia ^{33,34Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →Reference 34Zanolari et al. · 2003In vitroTropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitroView study →}.

How Is Catuaba Used?

• Bark infusion or decoction — the traditional preparation. In small doses the bark is a bitter tonic, and in larger doses a purgative ^{38,40Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}.
• Alcohol tincture — the other common Brazilian preparation ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}.
• Combination products — Catuama, a Brazilian product of T. catigua with guaraná, muira puama and ginger, is sold as a stimulant, tonic and aphrodisiac ^{28Reference 28Oliveira et al. · 2005ObservationalClinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohortView study →}.
• Standardised extracts and fractions — hydroalcoholic extracts and an ethyl-acetate fraction are the materials used in research ^{1,2Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 2Bonassoli et al. · 2012AnimalSubchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal modelView study →}.

Traditional Uses

Brazilian Folk Medicine

Catuaba’s reputation is as an aphrodisiac. The Tupi people of Brazil are said to have discovered it, and to have composed many songs praising it ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}. A saying from the state of Minas Gerais runs: until a father reaches 60, the son is his; after that, the son is catuaba’s ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}.

In Brazilian herbal medicine the bark decoction is used for sexual impotence and weakness, agitation, nervousness, nerve pain and weakness, and poor memory ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}. Trichilia catigua preparations are taken as a tonic for fatigue, stress, impotence and memory problems ^{2,3Reference 2Bonassoli et al. · 2012AnimalSubchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 3Chassot et al. · 2011AnimalPreclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal modelView study →}.

The bark is taken as an infusion or an alcohol tincture ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}. An infusion of T. catigua bark is also applied externally for rheumatism and dropsy ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

Botany

Big catuaba, Trichilia catigua, is a small evergreen tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae. It grows 6–10 m tall ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}, with a trunk 15–20 cm across and an elongated, dense crown ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

Its leaves are pinnate, with entire margins, and are arranged alternately along the stem ^{39Reference 39Giehl · 2026Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

The tree is dioecious, so male and female flowers grow on separate trees ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

The heartwood is pale yellow, and the wood is fine-textured, straight-grained and resistant to wood-eating organisms. The bark yields a pale red dye ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

The Name “Catuaba”

Several unrelated plants are sold as catuaba. The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia recommends Anemopaegma arvense, of the trumpet-vine family (Bignoniaceae), but many other plants known locally as catuaba are also sold ^{33Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →}.

Brazilian herbal usage distinguishes “small catuaba”, Erythroxylum catuaba, from “big catuaba”, Trichilia catigua ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}. Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, a Brazilian endemic of the coca family, is also sold as catuaba. Its bark contains tropane alkaloids ^{34Reference 34Zanolari et al. · 2003In vitroTropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitroView study →}.

Three other names, Juniperus brasiliensis, Anemopaegma mirandum and Eriotheca candolleana, are also applied to catuaba in herbal commerce ^{40Reference 40Taylor · 2025Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd editionView study →}.

Trichilia catigua bark is sold as catuaba in Brazilian herbal medicines, and its marker compound, cinchonain Ib, has been measured in commercial products ^{32Reference 32Beltrame et al. · 2006A validated higher-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of cinchonain Ib in bark and phytopharmaceuticals of Trichilia catigua used as Catuaba — validation studyView study →}. Analysis of commercial samples by NMR and chemometrics has been developed to tell the different catuabas apart ^{33Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →}.

Distribution

Trichilia catigua grows in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and southern, central and eastern Brazil ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

It grows in seasonal deciduous and semi-deciduous forest, on moist alluvial soils and slopes, at 200–600 m in Brazil ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}. In Rio Grande do Sul it occurs in the Alto Uruguai forest and on the southern slope of the Serra Geral ^{39Reference 39Giehl · 2026Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

Growing Conditions

Cultivation snapshot for Catuaba

LifeperennialZoneUSDA 10–12

• A tree of the tropics and subtropics, found from near sea level to 1,100 m ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.
• Prefers dappled shade and a moist, well-drained soil ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.
• Young trees are slow to establish ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.
• Dioecious, so both male and female trees are needed for seed. The seed loses viability quickly and should be sown fresh ^{38Reference 38Fern · 2024Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees VolView study →}.

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Indications

• Low libido and erectile dysfunction [bark; Brazilian folk use] ⚠Caution: Catuaba alone has never been tested for sexual function. The one erectile-tissue study used Catuama, a four-herb product, on isolated rabbit tissue ²⁷.
• Depression and low mood [bark extract] ⚠Caution: The only human trial, a Phase III comparison with escitalopram, was stopped for slow recruitment without publishing results.
• Mental fatigue and poor memory [bark; Brazilian folk use]
• Stress, agitation and nervousness [bark; Brazilian folk use]
• Nerve pain and weakness [bark; Brazilian folk use]
• Rheumatism and dropsy [bark infusion, external; Brazilian folk use]

Pharmacology & Research

Research on Trichilia catigua is almost entirely in animals and cells. It centres on antioxidant activity, protection of the brain after reduced blood flow, and antidepressant-like effects that involve the dopamine system ^{1,5,6,7,8,9,10Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 5Kamdem et al. · 2012In vitroCatuaba (Trichilia catigua) prevents against oxidative damage induced by in vitro ischemia–reperfusion in rat hippocampal slices — in vitroView study →Reference 6Truiti et al. · 2015AnimalTrichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction protects against cognitive impairments and hippocampal cell death induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 7Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats — animal modelView study →Reference 8Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua protects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion — animal modelView study →Reference 9de Oliveira et al. · 2023AnimalDelayed administration of Trichilia catigua AView study →Reference 10Tang et al. · 2007In vitroAntioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →}.

Most of the work uses a hydroalcoholic extract or a purified ethyl-acetate fraction of the bark, rather than the whole bark or a simple decoction ^{1,2,6Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 2Bonassoli et al. · 2012AnimalSubchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 6Truiti et al. · 2015AnimalTrichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction protects against cognitive impairments and hippocampal cell death induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in mice — animal modelView study →}.

One human trial has been registered: a Phase III comparison with escitalopram for depression. It was terminated for recruitment difficulties and has not reported results. Findings on Erythroxylum catuaba are named where they occur.

1. Antioxidant

Four cinchonains and two related compounds named catiguanin A and catiguanin B scavenge the DPPH radical, with IC₅₀ values of 2.3–9.4 µM ^{10Reference 10Tang et al. · 2007In vitroAntioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →}.

Other studies confirm a high total polyphenol content and strong radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidation-inhibiting activity in ethanolic and ethyl-acetate fractions ^{11,12,13Reference 11Kamdem et al. · 2012In vitroIn vitro antioxidant activity of stem bark of Trichilia catigua AdrView study →Reference 12Lonni et al. · 2012In vitroStatistical mixture design selective extraction of compounds with antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →Reference 13Martins et al. · 2018AnimalAntioxidant, anticholinesterase and antifatigue effects of Trichilia catigua (catuaba) — animal modelView study →}. The ethyl-acetate fraction had the highest phenolic and tannin content, and the strongest antioxidant activity ^{3Reference 3Chassot et al. · 2011AnimalPreclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: every measurement is in vitro or in tissue. No study has shown a systemic antioxidant effect in a person.

2. Neuroprotective

A purified ethyl-acetate fraction of the bark prevented oxidative damage in rat hippocampal slices deprived of oxygen and glucose ^{5Reference 5Kamdem et al. · 2012In vitroCatuaba (Trichilia catigua) prevents against oxidative damage induced by in vitro ischemia–reperfusion in rat hippocampal slices — in vitroView study →}.

In mice and rats with carotid or four-vessel occlusion, it preserved spatial and long-term memory, limited hippocampal cell death, and lowered oxidative and neuroinflammatory markers ^{6,7,8Reference 6Truiti et al. · 2015AnimalTrichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction protects against cognitive impairments and hippocampal cell death induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 7Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats — animal modelView study →Reference 8Godinho et al. · 2018AnimalEthyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua protects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion — animal modelView study →}. A 2023 study found it still worked when given after the ischaemic injury ^{9Reference 9de Oliveira et al. · 2023AnimalDelayed administration of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

In mice, both the crude extract and the fraction improved memory in an avoidance test ^{3Reference 3Chassot et al. · 2011AnimalPreclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: all of it comes from rodent stroke and ischaemia models, and none of it tests a whole-bark preparation.

3. Antidepressant

A single oral dose of hydroalcoholic extract reduced immobility in the forced-swim test in mice and rats. The effect was reversed by the dopamine blockers haloperidol and chlorpromazine, but not by drugs acting on serotonin. In rat brain preparations, the extract inhibited the uptake and increased the release of serotonin and, especially, dopamine ^{1Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →}.

Fourteen days of the ethyl-acetate fraction at 400 mg/kg produced antidepressant-like effects in two tests. It increased cell proliferation in the hippocampus, but not the survival of new cells or neurogenesis ^{2Reference 2Bonassoli et al. · 2012AnimalSubchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal modelView study →}.

In a broader screen, the fraction had an antidepressant-like effect with no anxiolytic effect and no change in movement ^{3Reference 3Chassot et al. · 2011AnimalPreclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal modelView study →}. The four-herb product Catuama shows a similar profile ^{4Reference 4Campos et al. · 2004AnimalPharmacological and neurochemical evidence for antidepressant-like effects of the herbal product Catuama — animal modelView study →}.

A Phase III trial (NCT02532660) compared a standardised T. catigua extract (LABCAT, 1,000 mg a day) with escitalopram in people with depressive episodes. It enrolled 111 people between 2018 and 2022 and was terminated for recruitment difficulties at its single centre, without reporting results.

Gap: the antidepressant evidence is entirely from animals.

4. Anti-Inflammatory

Catuaba extract inhibits platelet phospholipase A₂, the enzyme that releases arachidonic acid for prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis ^{14Reference 14Barbosa et al. · 2004In vitroInhibition of platelet phospholipase A2 activity by catuaba extract suggests anti-inflammatory properties — in vitroView study →}.

In rats with TNBS-induced colitis, the ethyl-acetate fraction (200 mg/kg) improved healing of the gut lining and reduced oxidative-stress markers, whether given by mouth or rectally ^{15Reference 15Vicentini et al. · 2018AnimalTreatment with Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction improves healing and reduces oxidative stress in TNBS-induced colitis in rats — animal modelView study →}.

In vitro, the bark’s flavonoids act on several enzymes and pathways involved in neuroinflammation ^{16Reference 16Bernardo et al. · 2021In vitroTrichilia catigua and Turnera diffusa extracts: in vitro inhibition of tyrosinase, antiglycation activity and effects on enzymes and pathways engaged in the neuroinflammatory process — in vitroView study →}. The crude extract and its fractions lowered IL-6, IL-17A and IL-22, and isolated cinchonain Ib lowered several inflammatory cytokines ^{19Reference 19Cordeiro et al. · 2026In vitroImmunomodulatory, antibacterial and antineoplastic potential of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Gap: there is no human anti-inflammatory data.

5. Analgesic

A hydroalcoholic extract (200 mg/kg by mouth) reduced pain responses in mice in the hot-plate, writhing and von Frey tests. Blocking experiments implicated the dopamine system and, to a lesser extent, opioid signalling ^{17Reference 17Viana et al. · 2011AnimalAntinociceptive activity of Trichilia catigua hydroalcoholic extract: new evidence on its dopaminergic effects — animal modelView study →}.

The combination product Catuama reduced inflammatory mechanical pain in rats. It did not work against nerve pain from nerve ligation or diabetic neuropathy, and did not lower inflammatory cytokines ^{18Reference 18Quintão et al. · 2008AnimalEvaluation of the effects of the herbal product Catuama in inflammatory and neuropathic models of nociception in rats — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: two rodent studies, one of them of a multi-herb product, and no evidence for nerve pain.

6. Antimicrobial

Crude extract, fractions and isolated cinchonain Ib inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Cinchonain Ib had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 µg/mL against S. aureus, MRSA and a clinical S. epidermidis isolate ^{19Reference 19Cordeiro et al. · 2026In vitroImmunomodulatory, antibacterial and antineoplastic potential of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

The ethyl-acetate fraction also inhibited Helicobacter pylori in vitro ^{20Reference 20Ritter et al. · 2024In vitroTrichilia catigua against Helicobacter pylori: an in vitro, molecular and in silico approach — in vitroView study →}. The fraction, isolated cinchonains and procyanidin B2 were active against Candida glabrata ^{21Reference 21Ritter et al. · 2025In vitroActivity of extracts and isolated compounds of Trichilia catigua against fungal pathogens — in vitroView study →}.

An older study showing that catuaba protected mice from E. coli and S. aureus used Erythroxylum catuaba, a different species ^{22Reference 22Manabe et al. · 1992In vitroEffects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection — animal model / in vitroView study →}.

Gap: the only in-vivo protection study used Erythroxylum, not T. catigua. For this species, all the evidence is in vitro.

7. Antiviral

Trichilia catigua bark extracts inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1, bovine herpesvirus and poliovirus in cell culture, partly by inactivating the virus and blocking its attachment ^{23Reference 23Espada et al. · 2015In vitroAntiviral activity of Trichilia catigua bark extracts for herpesvirus and poliovirus — in vitroView study →}. Topical formulations of the extract were active in vitro against a genital HSV-2 strain and an acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strain ^{24Reference 24Ribelato et al. · 2023In vitroTopical formulations containing Trichilia catigua extract as therapeutic options for a genital and an acyclovir-resistant strain of herpes recurrent infection — in vitroView study →}.

An anti-HIV result from 1992 comes from Erythroxylum catuaba, a different species. Hot-water and alkaline extracts inhibited HIV cytopathic effect and antigen expression in cell culture ^{22Reference 22Manabe et al. · 1992In vitroEffects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection — animal model / in vitroView study →}.

Gap: for T. catigua there is cell-culture and topical-formulation work only.

8. Antidiabetic

In rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes, the ethyl-acetate fraction (200 mg/kg daily for 8 weeks) reduced weight loss, food and water intake, and high blood sugar, and improved several biochemical markers ^{25Reference 25Gomes et al. · 2017AnimalAnti-diabetic effects of the ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats — animal modelView study →}. A companion study reported partial protection of the nerve cells of the gut wall in diabetic rats ^{35Reference 35do Nascimento Bonato Panizzon et al. · 2019AnimalEthyl acetate fraction from Trichilia catigua confers partial neuroprotection in components of the enteric innervation of the jejunum in diabetic rats — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: this is one rodent model at a single dose, with no human data.

9. Aphrodisiac

The one mechanistic experiment used the four-herb product Catuama, of T. catigua with guaraná, muira puama and ginger. It relaxed isolated rabbit erectile tissue in a dose-dependent way, but not through nitric oxide, cyclic GMP, muscarinic or potassium-channel pathways ^{27Reference 27Antunes et al. · 2001AnimalThe relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents — animal modelView study →}.

A 2024 review of native Brazilian plants used for male sexual dysfunction lists T. catigua among the fourteen with pharmacological studies, and notes that these plants have been poorly studied as a group ^{26Reference 26Teixeira et al. · 2024AnimalThe traditional use of native Brazilian plants for male sexual dysfunction: evidence from ethnomedicinal applications, animal models, and possible mechanisms of action — reviewView study →}.

Gap: catuaba has never been tested on its own for sexual function in any model.

10. Anticancer

Crude extract and the ethyl-acetate fraction were toxic to HL-60 and TOLEDO blood-cancer cells, and the fraction to MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Isolated cinchonain Ib was toxic to K562, HL-60 and MOLT-4 cells ^{19Reference 19Cordeiro et al. · 2026In vitroImmunomodulatory, antibacterial and antineoplastic potential of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Gap: this is cell-line work only, with no animal tumour model or clinical data.

Mechanisms

The cinchonains are flavalignans, flavan-3-ol units carrying a phenylpropanoid group, and they make up most of the bark’s measured phenolics. They have been studied mainly for radical scavenging ^{10,30Reference 10Tang et al. · 2007In vitroAntioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →Reference 30Bernardo et al. · 2018In vitroIn vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Separately, the bark extract has been studied for its effects on dopamine and serotonin uptake and release, and on the enzymes monoamine oxidase A and acetylcholinesterase ^{1,30Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 30Bernardo et al. · 2018In vitroIn vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Clinical Trials

One human efficacy trial has been registered: a Phase III comparison of a standardised Trichilia catigua extract with escitalopram for depression (NCT02532660). It was terminated for recruitment difficulties without reporting results. The only other human data come from a 28-day tolerability study and a burning-mouth-syndrome trial of the multi-herb product Catuama ^{28,29Reference 28Oliveira et al. · 2005ObservationalClinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohortView study →Reference 29Spanemberg et al. · 2012RCTEffect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial — randomised controlled trialView study →}.

Last checked: July 2025.

Phytochemistry

Trichilia catigua bark is characterised by flavalignans, flavan-3-ols carrying a phenylpropanoid group. The main ones are the cinchonains, cinchonain Ia, Ib, Ic and Id, together with two epicatechin derivatives named catiguanin A and catiguanin B ^{10Reference 10Tang et al. · 2007In vitroAntioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitroView study →}. The bark also contains procyanidin B2 and epicatechin ^{21Reference 21Ritter et al. · 2025In vitroActivity of extracts and isolated compounds of Trichilia catigua against fungal pathogens — in vitroView study →}.

In a lyophilised aqueous extract of the bark, 26 phenolic compounds were identified. The phenylpropanoid-substituted flavan-3-ols made up about 81% of the quantified mass ^{30Reference 30Bernardo et al. · 2018In vitroIn vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua AView study →}.

Cinchonain Ib is the marker compound. A validated HPLC method measures it in the bark and in commercial products sold as catuaba ^{32Reference 32Beltrame et al. · 2006A validated higher-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of cinchonain Ib in bark and phytopharmaceuticals of Trichilia catigua used as Catuaba — validation studyView study →}.

A chloroform extract of the bark contained omega-phenyl alkanes and alkanoic acids, several gamma-lactones, fatty acids from C14 to C26, and the sterols β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol ^{37Reference 37Pizzolatti et al. · 2004Minor gamma-lactones from Trichilia catigua (Meliaceae) and its precursors by GC-MS — analyticalView study →}.

Erythroxylum vacciniifolium, another tree sold as catuaba, has a different chemistry: its bark contains tropane alkaloids ^{34Reference 34Zanolari et al. · 2003In vitroTropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitroView study →}. Studies of other catuabas should be read separately from studies of T. catigua ^{22,33,34Reference 22Manabe et al. · 1992In vitroEffects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection — animal model / in vitroView study →Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →Reference 34Zanolari et al. · 2003In vitroTropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitroView study →}.

Constituent Summary

The main constituents of Trichilia catigua bark, and the alkaloids of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium for comparison.

Dosage

In research, catuaba is given as a concentrated hydroalcoholic extract or a purified ethyl-acetate fraction, dosed by body weight in animals. The human figures come from a standardised extract or a multi-herb product.

Traditional Dosage

The traditional preparations are whole-bark infusions and tinctures, which are not interchangeable with the research extracts above.

Safety & Pregnancy

Human safety data are limited and come mostly from Catuama, a multi-herb product, rather than from Trichilia catigua alone.

Full Safety & Interactions Detail

Human data. In a 28-day study, healthy volunteers took 25 mL of Catuama twice a day with no severe adverse reactions and no haematological or biochemical changes ^{28Reference 28Oliveira et al. · 2005ObservationalClinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohortView study →}. An 8-week randomised trial of the product for burning mouth syndrome recorded no notable safety concerns ^{29Reference 29Spanemberg et al. · 2012RCTEffect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial — randomised controlled trialView study →}.

Interactions. Drug interactions have not been studied. In animal and lab studies, the extract inhibits the uptake of dopamine and serotonin and inhibits monoamine oxidase A ^{1,30Reference 1Campos et al. · 2005AnimalAntidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal modelView study →Reference 30Bernardo et al. · 2018In vitroIn vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua AView study →}. It could in theory add to the effects of SSRIs, MAOIs and other drugs acting on serotonin or dopamine.

Identity. Plants from several unrelated families are sold under the name catuaba, and they differ chemically ^{33,34Reference 33Daolio et al. · 2008Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometricsView study →Reference 34Zanolari et al. · 2003In vitroTropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitroView study →}.

Synergy

Catuama combines Trichilia catigua with guaraná (Paullinia cupana), muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), and is used in Brazil as a stimulant, tonic and aphrodisiac ^{28Reference 28Oliveira et al. · 2005ObservationalClinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohortView study →}. Much of catuaba’s human and erectile-tissue data comes from this product ^{27,28,29Reference 27Antunes et al. · 2001AnimalThe relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents — animal modelView study →Reference 28Oliveira et al. · 2005ObservationalClinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohortView study →Reference 29Spanemberg et al. · 2012RCTEffect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial — randomised controlled trialView study →}.

References

1. Campos, M. M., Fernandes, E. S., Ferreira, J., Santos, A. R. S., & Calixto, J. B. (2005). Antidepressant-like effects of Trichilia catigua (Catuaba) extract: evidence for dopaminergic-mediated mechanisms — animal model. Psychopharmacology (Berl). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15991001/
2. Bonassoli, V. T., et al. (2012). Subchronic administration of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promotes antidepressant-like effects and increases hippocampal cell proliferation in mice — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22728168/
3. Chassot, J. M., et al. (2011). Preclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21801825/
4. Campos, M. M., et al. (2004). Pharmacological and neurochemical evidence for antidepressant-like effects of the herbal product Catuama — animal model. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15301932/
5. Kamdem, J. P., et al. (2012). Catuaba (Trichilia catigua) prevents against oxidative damage induced by in vitro ischemia–reperfusion in rat hippocampal slices — in vitro. Neurochemical Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23001398/
6. Truiti, M. T., et al. (2015). Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction protects against cognitive impairments and hippocampal cell death induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in mice — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26099636/
7. Godinho, J., et al. (2018). Ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats — animal model. Behavioural Brain Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28919157/
8. Godinho, J., et al. (2018). Ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua protects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29660468/
9. de Oliveira, D. V., et al. (2023). Delayed administration of Trichilia catigua A. Juss. ethyl-acetate fraction after cerebral ischemia prevents spatial memory deficits, decreases oxidative stress, and impacts neural plasticity in rats — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36682600/
10. Tang, W., et al. (2007). Antioxidant phenylpropanoid-substituted epicatechins from Trichilia catigua — in vitro. Journal of Natural Products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18020420/
11. Kamdem, J. P., et al. (2012). In vitro antioxidant activity of stem bark of Trichilia catigua Adr. Juss. — in vitro. Acta Pharmaceutica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23470349/
12. Lonni, A. A. S. G., et al. (2012). Statistical mixture design selective extraction of compounds with antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content from Trichilia catigua — in vitro. Analytica Chimica Acta. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22340531/
13. Martins, N. O., et al. (2018). Antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antifatigue effects of Trichilia catigua (catuaba) — animal model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29866157/
14. Barbosa, N. R., et al. (2004). Inhibition of platelet phospholipase A2 activity by catuaba extract suggests anti-inflammatory properties — in vitro. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15597313/
15. Vicentini, F. A., et al. (2018). Treatment with Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction improves healing and reduces oxidative stress in TNBS-induced colitis in rats — animal model. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30089249/
16. Bernardo, J., et al. (2021). Trichilia catigua and Turnera diffusa extracts: in vitro inhibition of tyrosinase, antiglycation activity and effects on enzymes and pathways engaged in the neuroinflammatory process — in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33485975/
17. Viana, A. F., et al. (2011). Antinociceptive activity of Trichilia catigua hydroalcoholic extract: new evidence on its dopaminergic effects — animal model. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19815648/
18. Quintão, N. L. M., et al. (2008). Evaluation of the effects of the herbal product Catuama in inflammatory and neuropathic models of nociception in rats — animal model. Phytomedicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482443/
19. Cordeiro, M. F., et al. (2026). Immunomodulatory, antibacterial and antineoplastic potential of Trichilia catigua A. Juss. (Meliaceae) bark extracts and isolated compound cinchonain Ib — in vitro. Brazilian Journal of Biology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41538575/
20. Ritter, M. R., et al. (2024). Trichilia catigua against Helicobacter pylori: an in vitro, molecular and in silico approach — in vitro. Fitoterapia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38945495/
21. Ritter, M. R., et al. (2025). Activity of extracts and isolated compounds of Trichilia catigua against fungal pathogens — in vitro. Future Microbiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39711139/
22. Manabe, H., et al. (1992). Effects of Catuaba extracts on microbial and HIV infection — animal model / in vitro. In Vivo. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1525337/
23. Espada, S. F., et al. (2015). Antiviral activity of Trichilia catigua bark extracts for herpesvirus and poliovirus — in vitro. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25941883/
24. Ribelato, E. V., et al. (2023). Topical formulations containing Trichilia catigua extract as therapeutic options for a genital and an acyclovir-resistant strain of herpes recurrent infection — in vitro. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37338788/
25. Gomes, R. M., et al. (2017). Anti-diabetic effects of the ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats — animal model. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28662504/
26. Teixeira, T. M., et al. (2024). The traditional use of native Brazilian plants for male sexual dysfunction: evidence from ethnomedicinal applications, animal models, and possible mechanisms of action — review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437795/
27. Antunes, E., et al. (2001). The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents — animal model. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11507734/
28. Oliveira, C. H., et al. (2005). Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers — cohort. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15798997/
29. Spanemberg, J. C., et al. (2012). Effect of an herbal compound for treatment of burning mouth syndrome: randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial — randomised controlled trial. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22669143/
30. Bernardo, J., et al. (2018). In vitro multimodal-effect of Trichilia catigua A. Juss. (Meliaceae) bark aqueous extract in CNS targets — in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28970152/
31. Dos Santos, A. H., et al. (2015). The exposure to Trichilia catigua (catuaba) crude extract impairs fertility of adult female rats but does not cause reproductive damage to male offspring — animal model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25792016/
32. Beltrame, F. L., et al. (2006). A validated higher-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of cinchonain Ib in bark and phytopharmaceuticals of Trichilia catigua used as Catuaba — validation study. Journal of Chromatography A. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16360665/
33. Daolio, C., et al. (2008). Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometrics. Phytochemical Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17890569/
34. Zanolari, B., et al. (2003). Tropane alkaloids from the bark of Erythroxylum vacciniifolium — in vitro. Journal of Natural Products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12713400/
35. do Nascimento Bonato Panizzon, C. P., et al. (2019). Ethyl acetate fraction from Trichilia catigua confers partial neuroprotection in components of the enteric innervation of the jejunum in diabetic rats — animal model. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31192545/
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38. Fern, K. (2024). Trichilia catigua A.Juss. — habit, range, habitat, uses and cultivation, drawing on Lorenzi, Brazilian Trees Vol. 3 (2009) — species database. Useful Tropical Plants Database. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Trichilia+catigua
39. Giehl, E. L. H. (coord.) (2026). Trichilia catigua A. Juss. — leaf type, life form and distribution in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina — regional flora. Flora Digital do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. https://floradigital.ufsc.br/open_sp.php?img=303
40. Taylor, L. (2025). Catuaba — traditional uses, preparations and species names — ethnobotanical database, from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, 2nd edition. Raintree Tropical Plant Database. https://rain-tree.com/catuaba.htm

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