Cecropia is a genus of neotropical trees mainly distributed in Mexico and Central and South America. Currently, 63 species have been described, some of which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and wound healing, among others. In recent times, modern phytochemical studies have succeeded in isolating individual compounds with potential specific medicinal applications. This review aims to examine the literature data regarding isolated terpenes and their correlation with pharmacological activities, with the goal of unveiling the future potential of the genus.

The genus Cecropia (Urticaceae) comprises 61 tree species primarily found in tropical rainforests from Mexico to South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Panama. These species are under-researched, with most studies focusing on phenolic derivatives from leaf extracts. Traditionally, Cecropia species are used to treat ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and diabetes. This study focuses on the underexplored species C. longipes from Panama, aiming to analyze triterpene derivatives in its leaves. Through a series of chromatographic separations and purifications, three pentacyclic triterpenoids were isolated. Using 1D and 2D NMR experiments and HRESI-MS analysis, the following compounds were identified: 19α hydroxyasiatic acid, 1α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and rosamultic acid. These compounds were isolated for the first time from C. longipes and the genus Cecropia. Genotoxicity tests using S. cerevisiae revealed that two compounds exhibited genotoxic activity at all concentrations. For 19α hydroxyasiatic acid, genotoxic potential was observed at higher concentrations, unrelated to oxidative stress, suggesting other mechanisms.

This study employed an untargeted metabolomic approach combined with chemometrics to investigate differences in the phytochemical composition of Cecropia peltata samples collected on the mainland and islands of the Panamanian Pacific. Twenty-three samples of C. peltata leaves were collected and analyzed using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis (LC-HRESI-MS). The results revealed a significant diversity of secondary metabolites. A supervised chemometric analysis model (OPLS-DA) was applied to differentiate specimens collected on the mainland from those collected on the islands. Among the metabolites identified as potential chemical markers in the studied specimens, five belong to the group of triterpenoid saponins. These compounds showed a significantly higher relative abundance in samples collected on the mainland than those collected on islands. In conclusion, this study highlights the chemical variability within C. peltata based on its geographic location. The findings suggest the importance of considering geographic origin when evaluating the therapeutic potential of this plant species in traditional and pharmaceutical medicine.

The genus Cecropia (Urticaceae) is of increasing scientific interest due to its diverse phytochemical profile and potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of Cecropia reticulata leaf extract in vivo using the forced swimming test in mice. The lyophilized extract was obtained by ultrasonic extraction with 70% methanol. Behavioral parameters, including activity and immobility time, were evaluated following acute (5-day) and chronic (10-day) administration at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, using VisionEngine, an artificial intelligence-based software for precise quantification of active and inactive periods. The results revealed a dose-dependent, non-linear effect. The most significant antidepressant-like activity was observed at the dose of 250 mg/kg after short-term administration. Double or even higher doses (1000 mg/kg) demonstrated inconsistent or reduced effects after long-term treatments. These results indicate that a methanolic extract of C. reticulata exhibits moderate antidepressant activity, possibly mediated indirectly by phenolic and terpenoid derivatives, which are commonly reported metabolites in the genus Cecropia . Further studies are essential to identify the active compounds and clarify the underlying mechanism of action.

The genus Cecropia, comprising approximately 61 species, is primarily distributed in Brazil and Latin America. These species are renowned in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and respiratory disease. Despite their ethnopharmacological importance, complete phytochemical data are lacking for many Cecropia species. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a comparative phytochemical analysis of six Cecropia species, C. insignis, C. longipes, C. obtusifolia, C. peltata, C. hispidissima and C. heterochroma, collected in Panama. Seven flavonoids and one phenolic acid were identified by LC-HRESI-MS. Rutin, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside are the major compounds in the evaluated Cecropia species. C. obtusifolia and C. hispidissima showed the most diverse flavonoid profiles. These results enhance our understanding of phytochemical diversity within the genus, provide the basis for developing herbal remedies using Cecropia species, and lay the groundwork for more in-depth phytochemical and pharmacological studies.