PALO MULATO: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, MEDICINAL PROPERTIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The palo mulato (Bursera simaruba L.) is a semi-deciduous tree of medium size, which is part of the Burseraceae family. It is a species that grows frequently in deciduous forests, from Mexico to Venezuela.

In addition to palo mulato, B. simaruba is known as a naked Indian. It is a tree that can measure between 18 and 30 meters in height, while the diameter of the trunk can average 70 cm.

Bursera simaruba. Patrice78500

- Species: Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg- palo mulato.

Explanation

From a geographical point of view, Bursera simaruba shows details that suggest that it may be several species. In this case, B. simaruba shares habit, habitat, number, shape and size of leaflets, and presence of pubescence with four other Bursera species. These are collectively referred to as satellite species.

For example, the satellite species B. attenuata, B. itzae, B. roseana, and B. ovalifolia, could have originated from isolated populations of B. simaruba. In phylogenetic terms this could mean that each satellite species appeared nested in a paraphyletic group of B. simaruba.

In all cases, it appears that Bursera simaruba forms a species complex, which includes tropical trees with a knotty taxonomic history that resulted from the overlapping geographic distributions of their species.

Currently 15 species are known within the Bursera simaruba complex, which are included by combinations of evolutionarily labile characters, rather than by a synapomorphy.

In addition to morphological characteristics such as number of leaflets and pubescence, ecological qualities seem to help to delimit one species from another. These correspond, above all, to genetic differences.

Medicinal properties

Bursera simaruba is a tree that has shown potential use from an ethnobotanical point of view. Several extracts from parts of this tree have been reported to yield metabolites with anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, expectorant, and analgesic potential, among others.

Against malaria

Bursera simaruba has antimalarial components that can be extracted from the stem. In turn, it has been shown that three quasinoids (alaynthinone, glaucarubinone, and halacanthone) isolated from the palo mulato, showed in vivo and in vitro activity against malaria.

Against amoebic dysentery and diarrhea

Several extracts, mainly stem, have been shown to have properties against amoebae, especially Entamoeba histolytica.

Against viral infections

Extracts from the stem of B. simaruba have been shown to have antiviral activity against herpes, influenza, polio, and other similar problems. The researchers suggest that this activity is largely due to some quasinoids present in its structure.

Against leukemia

The extracted and purified oils from Bursera simaruba have shown antitumor potential against different cancer cell lines. Low doses of glaucarubinone, alianthionone, and dehydroglaucarubinone from palo mulato have been found to have cytotoxic effects against cancer cells of leukemia.

Antioxidants

Different metabolites with active properties can be found in the stem resin of B. simaruba. Many of these metabolites are derived from triterpenes and have been characterized as having antioxidant potential. The best known are lupeol, epilupeol, epiglutinol, α-amyrin, and ß-amyrin. In addition, the antioxidant flavonoid luteolin has also been isolated from the resin of the stem of the palo mulato.

Luteolin chemical structure. Source: wikimedia commons

Antibiotics

Several components, especially those derived from the lignin fraction, have been isolated from B. simaruba, and have been characterized by showing antibiotic potential against several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.

Other uses

Bursera simaruba is widely known for its medicinal properties, especially in traditional medicine. However, this tree is also used as a logger, because it produces a resistant wood. Although it does not have a great commercial recognition, it is used by the settlers to make different tools and for the manufacture of veneer.

In addition, B. simaruba is also used as an agroforestry tree, since the specimens serve closely to divide the plots.

For its part, the resin from the bark is used as a homemade glue, and in varnishes as a substitute for gum arabic. The resin of this tree has been used as incense by the Mayans, and today it is used in rural populations.

In turn, this tree has been used as a forest resource for the reforestation of forests. While it also has a use as an ornamental tree, since having a wide crown, it provides shade. Thus, it is common to see it in the gardens of many houses.

Contraindications

Currently there are no reports of poisoning from Bursera simaruba, making it a plant widely accepted as safe by the scientific community and by doctors who practice traditional medicine. In fact, various experts have suggested the need to remove poisonous ornamental plants and replace them with examples of palo mulato.

References

1. BAH, M., Gutiérrez -Avella, D., Mendoza, S., Rodríguez -López, V., Castañeda -Moreno, R. 2014. Chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from branch bark of Bursera simaruba. Latin American and Caribbean Bulletin of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 13 (6): 527-536.
2. Espinosa, D., Llorente, J., Morrone, JJ 2006. Historical biogeographical patterns of the species of Bursera (Burseraceae) and their taxonomic implications. Journal of Biogeography, 33: 1945–1958.
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8. Noguera, B., Díaz, E., García, MV, San Feliciano, A:, López-Pérez, JL, Israel, A. 2004. Anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extract and fractions of Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg (Burseraceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 92: 129–133.
9. Peraza-Sánchez, SR, Salazar-Aguilar, NE, Peña-Rodríguez, LM 1995. A New Triterpene from the Resin of Bursera simaruba. Journal of Natural Products, 58 (2): 271–274.
10. Plant For a Future (1996-2012). Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. Taken from: pfaf.org.
11. Orwa et al. 2009. Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. Agroforestry Database 4.0. 1-5,
12. Raintree (2019). The tropical plant database: gumbo-limbo. Taken from: rain-tree.com.
13. Rosell, JA, Olson, ME, Weeks, A., De-Nova, JA, Medina, R., Pérez, J., Feria, TP, Gómez-Bermejo, R., Montero, JC, Eguiarte, LE 2010. Diversification in species complexes: Tests of species origin and delimitation in the Bursera simaruba clade of tropical trees (Burseraceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 57: 798–811.
14. Universal Taxonomic Services (2004-2019). Taxon: Species Bursera simaruba (Linnaeus) Sarg. - gumbo limbo (plant). Taken taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl