Abstract
Bark extracts from the trunk of the trees of the Copaifera L. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) genus have been used by the population against inflammations and tumors, especially in the North of Brazil. The Copaifera species has been well studied; however, there are no reports on the bark chemical composition. Phytochemical studies with bark extracts from Copaifera langsdorfii Desf. led to the isolation and identification of ent-kaurenoic and betulinic acids as major components from extracts obtained with hexane and ethyl acetate, respectively, together with sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, sterols and other diterpenes e triterpenes. The anti-inflammatory and antitumoral activities of these two acids have been reported in the literature.