Pao pereira

Related Terms

1,2-Dehydrogeissoschizoline, alkaloids, Apocynaceae (family), apogeissoschizine, baillon, bergibita, beta-carboline alkaloid, flavopereirene, flavopereirine, geissoschizoline, geissoschizoline N4-oxide (2), geissospermine, Geissospermum laeve, Geissospermum sericeum,Geissospermum velosii, indole alkaloids, Irlbachia alata, PB-100, pereirene, pereirine, vellosine.

Background

Pao pereira is an extract of the bark of the Amazonian tree Geissospermum vellosii.
Pao pereira is commonly given together with other herbal remedies, including ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and the indole alkaloid alstonine. In Brazil, pao pereira is used to treat fever. South American Indian tribes have used pao pereira bark for stimulation of the immune system.
Pao pereira contains the alkaloid flavopereirine (also called PB-100). Research suggests that flavopereirine may be active against Plasmodium falciparum, one of the parasites that causes malaria. Flavopereirine may also be useful for the treatment of cancer and viral infections. However, clinical studies in support of pao pereira for any medical condition are lacking in humans.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for pao pereira in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Pao pereira may interact with anticancer drugs and antimalarial agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Aurousseau M. [Comparative study of some pharmacodynamic properties of geissospermine and of its products of hydrolysis or reduction.]. Ann Pharm Fr 1961;19:515-519.
Beljanski M, Beljanski MS. Selective inhibition of in vitro synthesis of cancer DNA by alkaloids of beta-carboline class. Exp Cell Biol 1982;50(2):79-87.
Beljanski M, Crochet S, Beljanski MS. PB-100: a potent and selective inhibitor of human BCNU resistant glioblastoma cell multiplication. Anticancer Res 1993;13(6A):2301-2308.
Bemis DL, Capodice JL, Desai M, et al. beta-carboline alkaloid-enriched extract from the amazonian rain forest tree pao pereira suppresses prostate cancer cells. J Soc Integr Oncol 2009;7(2):59-65.
Bertani S, Bourdy G, Landau I. Evaluation of French Guiana traditional antimalarial remedies. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98(1-2):45-54.
Munoz V, Sauvain M, Bourdy G, et al. A search for natural bioactive compounds in Bolivia through a multidisciplinary approach. Part I. Evaluation of the antimalarial activity of plants used by the Chacobo Indians. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;69(2):127-137.
Puiseux F, Le Hir A, Goutarel R, et al. [On the alkaloids of "pao-pereira", (Vellozo) Baillon. Note III. Geissoschizoline, apogeissoschizine and geissospermine]. Ann Pharm Fr 1959;17:626-633.
Steele JC, Veitch NC, Kite GC, et al. Indole and beta-carboline alkaloids from . J Nat Prod 2002;65(1):85-88.