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Ubos bark has a long history of use among the Indians and local people in the Amazon.* In South America this tree bark is considered a good anti-inflammatory and analgesic and used for inflamed and painful conditions like arthritis, rheumatism, and skin rashes.* For more information about ubos (Spondias mombin), please refer to the Database File for Ubos in the Tropical Plant Database. More information can also be found in the new Antimicrobial Guide. To see pictures of ubos, click here.

Traditional Uses:* as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, muscle and joint injuries, etc.; as a pain-reliever for various types of internal and external pains; as an astringent and antiseptic wound healer for rashes, cuts, wounds, abrasions and other skin conditions; for rotoviral diarrhea and dysentery; for ovarian and uterine cancer

Suggested Use:* This plant is best prepared as a decoction. Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Bring to a boil and gently boil in a covered pot for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and settle for 10 minutes and strain warm liquid into a cup (leaving the settled powder in the bottom of the pan). It is traditionally taken in 1 cup dosages 2-3 times daily. This decoction is also traditionally applied to the skin. For more complete instrutions on preparing herbal decoctions see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.
Contraindications: Ubos bark is traditionally used as a contraceptive. While no animal or human studies support this traditional use, women seeking to become pregnant should probably avoid use of this plant.
Drug Interactions: None known

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Published Research on Ubos

All available third-party research on ubos can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published research on ubos updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Uterine Stimulant, Antifertility & Abortive Actions:
Pakoussi, T., et al. "How do Spondias mombin L (Anacardiaceae) leaves extract increase uterine smooth muscle contractions to facilitate child birth in parturient women?" Afr. Health Sci. 2018 Jun; 18(2): 235-243.
Asuquol, O., et al. "Antigonadotrophic effect of Spondias mombin leaf extract in male Wistar rats." J. Bio. Agr. Health. 2012; 2(7): 14-17.
Uchendu, C., et al. "Antifertility activity of aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) in rats." Afr Health Sci. 2008 Sep; 8(3): 163-7.
Offiah, V., et al. "Abortifacient activity of an aqueous extract of Spondias mombin leaves." J. Ethnopharmacol 1989; 26(3): 317-320.
Akubue, P., et al. "Preliminary pharmacological study of some Nigerian medicinal plants." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1983; 8(1): 53-63.
Barros, G., et al. "Pharmacological screening of some Brazilian plants." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1970; 22: 116.

Muscle Relaxant & Antispasmodic Actions:
Akubue, P., et al. "Preliminary pharmacological study of some Nigerian medicinal plants." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1983; 8(1): 53-63.
Uchendu, C., et al. "Spasmogenic activity of butanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin in isolated uterine muscle of the rat: role of calcium. J. Nat. Rem. 2005; 5(1): 7-14.

Anti-anxiety, Antidepressant, Sedative & Anti-epileptic Actions:
Dos Santos, S., et al. "Leaves of Spondias mombin L. a traditional anxiolytic and antidepressant: Pharmacological evaluation on zebrafish (Danio rerio). J. Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Oct; 224: 563-578.
Ayoka, A., et al. "Sedative, antiepileptic and antipsychotic effects of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) in mice and rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan; 103(2): 166-75.
Ayoka, A., et al. "Studies on the anxiolytic effect of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) extracts." J. Trad. CAM. 2005: 2(2): 153-165.

Neuroprotective & Memory Enhancement Actions:
Ishola, I., et al. "Protective role of Spondias mombin leaf and Cola acuminata seed extracts against scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction," Alex. J. Med. 2018 Mar; 54(1): 27-39
Elufioye, T., et al. "Anticholinesterase constituents from the leaves of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae). Biologics. 2017 Aug; 11: 107-114.
Ayoka, A., et al. "Effect of fractionated extracts and isolated pure compounds of Spondias mombin (L. Anacardiaceae) leaves on novelty-induced rearing and grooming behaviours in mice." Afr. J. Tradit. Complement. Altern Med. 2013 Aug; 10(5): 244-55.
Asuquo, O., et al. "Effects of Spondias mombin leaf extract on the cytoarchitecture of the cerebal cortex and on learning and memory in wistar rats." Int. J. Sci. Res. 2013; 2 (9)

Hypoglycemic & Anti-Diabetic Actions:
Nkeiruka, E., et al. "Changes in organ and body weight, serum amylase and antidiabetic effects of tannins from Spondias mombin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." J. Insulin Resist. 2018 Dec; 3(1): a40.
Ajiboye, K., "Spondias mombin modulates glucose handling mechanisms in Type I diabetic Wistar rats." Intl. J. Adv. Res. 2018 Jan; 6(1): 1334-1340.
Nwaogwugwu, J., et al. "Antidiabetic and haematological effect of aqueous extract of root of Spondias mombin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats." Global Sci. J. 2018 Nov; 6(11).
Ojo, O., et al. "Inhibitory effects of solvent-partitioned fractions of two Nigerian herbs (Spondias mombin Linn. and Mangifera indica L.) on α-amylase and α-glucosidase." Antioxidants. 2018 May; 7(6).
Goodies, M., et al. "Antidiabetic activity and toxicity evaluation of aqueous extracts of Spondias mombin and Costus afer on Wistar rats." Br. J. Pharm. Res. 2018 Apr; 6(5): 333-342.
Emeka, E., et al. "Hypoglycemic effect, biochemical and histological changes of Spondias mombin Linn. and Parinari polyandra Benth. seeds ethanolic extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats." J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2011; 6 (2): 101-112.
Adediwura, F., et al. "Antidiabetic activity of Spondias mombin extract in NIDDM rats." Pharma. Bio. 2009; 47(3): 215-218
Fred-Jaiyesimi A., et al. "Hypoglycaemic and amylase inhibitory activities of leaves of Spondias mombin Linn." Afr. J. Med. Med. Sci. 2009 Dec; 38(4): 343-9.

Cardioprotective Actions:
Lourenço, M., et al. "Spondias mombin supplementation attenuated cardiac remodelling process induced by tobacco smoke." J. Cell. Mol. Med. 2018 Aug; 22(8): 3996–4004.
Akinmoladun, A., et al. "Ramipril-like activity of Spondias mombin Linn against no-flow ischemia and isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rat heart." Cardiovasc. Toxicol. 2010 Dec; 10(4): 295-305.

Anthelmintic (worm-expelling), Anti-parasitic & Insecticidal Actions:
Ajaegbu, E., et al. "Mosquito adulticidal activity of the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin L. against Aedes aegypti L. and isolation of active principles." J. Vector Borne Dis. 2016 Mar; 53(1): 17-22.
Eze E., et al. "Larvicidal activity of the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin Linn. (Anacardiaceae) from various solvents against malarial, dengue and filarial vector mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)." J. Vector Borne Dis. 2014 Dec; 51(4): 300-6.
Traore, M., et al. "In vitro antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activity of ethnopharmacologically selected Guinean plants." Planta Med. 2014 Oct; 80(15): 1340-4.
Accioly, M., et al. "Leishmanicidal activity in vitro of Musa paradisiaca L. and Spondias mombin L. fractions." Vet. Parasitol. 2012 Jun; 187(1-2): 79-84.
Gbolade, A., et al. "Anthelmintic activities of three medicinal plants from Nigeria." Fitoterapia. 2008 Apr; 79(3): 223-5. d
Ademola, I., et al. "Anthelmintic activity of extracts of Spondias mombin against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep: Studies in vitro and in vivo." So. Trop Anim. Health Prod. 2005 Apr; 37(3): 223-35.
Caraballo, B., et al. "Preliminary assessment of medicinal plants used as antimalarials in the south-eastern Venezuelan Amazon." Rev. Bras. Med. Trop. 2004; 37(2): 186-188.
            
Antioxidant Actions:
Lourenço, M., et al. "Spondias mombin supplementation attenuated cardiac remodelling process induced by tobacco smoke." J. Cell. Mol. Med. 2018 Aug; 22(8): 3996–4004.
Saheed, S., et al. "Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) enhances detoxification of hepatic and macromolecular oxidants in acetaminophen-intoxicated rats." Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 2017 Nov; 30(6): 2109-2117.
Oladimeji, A., et al. "Identification and comparison of the volatile constituents of fresh and dried leaves of Spondias mombin found in North-central Nigeria: in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities." Pharm. Biol. 2016 Nov; 54(11): 2674-2678.
Cabral, B., et al. "Phytochemical study and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Spondias mombin leaves." Rev. Bras. Farmacog. 2016 Jun; 26(3): 304-11.
Awogbindin, I., et al. "Assessment of flavonoid content, free radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activities of Ocimum gratissimum and Spondias mombin in rats treated with dimethylnitrosamine." Arch. Bas. App. Med. 2014; 2: 45-54.
da Silva, A., et al. "Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two Spondias species from Northeastern Brazil." Pharm. Biol. 2012 Jun; 50(6): 740-6.
Akinmoladun, A., et al. "Evaluation of antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacities of some Nigerian indigenous medicinal plants." J. Med. Food. 2010 Apr; 13(2): 444-51.
Calderon, A., et al. "Forest plot as a tool to demonstrate the pharmaceutical potential of plants in a tropical forest of Panama." Econ. Bot. 2000; 54(3): 278-294.
Kramer, A., et al. "Ethnobotany and biological activity of plants utilized during pregnancy and childbirth in the Peruvian Amazon." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University.
Pauly, G., et al. "Cosmetic containing plant extracts." U.S. Patent No. 6,406,720. June 18, 2002.

Gastroprotective & Anti-ulcer Actions:
Brito, S., et al. Antiulcer activity and potential mechanism of action of the leaves of Spondias mombin L." Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2018 Apr; 2018: 1731459.
Sabiu, S., et al. "Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats: Ameliorative roles of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata. Pharm. Biol. 2016; 54(1): 180-6.
Sabiu, S., et al. "Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats: Protective roles of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata." Toxicol. Rep. 2015 Jan; 2: 261-7.

Anti-inflammatory & COX-Inhibitory Actions:
Cabral, B., et al. "Phytochemical study and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Spondias mombin leaves." Rev. Bras. Farmacog. 2016 Jun; 26(3): 304-11.
Nworu, C., et al. "The leaf extract of Spondias mombin L. displays an anti-inflammatory effect and suppresses inducible formation of tumor necrosis factor-a and nitric oxide (NO)." J. Immunotoxicol. 2011 Jan-Mar; 8(1): 10-6.
Abad, M., et al. "Antiinflammatory activity of some medicinal plant extracts from Venezuela." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 55: 63-68.
Calderon, A., et al. "Forest plot as a tool to demonstrate the pharmaceutical potential of plants in a tropical forest of Panama." Econ. Bot. 2000; 54(3): 278-294.
Abad, M., et al. "Anti-inflammatory activity of some medicinal plant extracts from Venezuela." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 55(1): 63-68.

Antimicrobial Actions (bacteria, virus, fungi, candida):
Ubos bark has been reported with antibacterial actions in test tube studies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. It was also reported to inhibit human rotovirus by 82% in vitro which might explain its long standing use for diarrhea. In other in vitro testing researchers also reported that ubos bark has strong antifungal and anticandidal actions. The bark and the leaves of this tree have shown to have antibacterial and antifungal actions against some species that are stronger than the conventional drugs used to treat them.
Temitope, O., et al. "Synergistic antibacterial and antifungal activities of Spondias mombin extracts and conventional antibiotic and antifungal agents on selected clinical microorganisms." Sch. J. App. Med. Sci. 2017; 5(2A): 307-318
Olugbuyiro, J., et al. "Phytosterols from Spondias mombin Linn with antimycobacterial activities." Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 2013 Jan; 16(1): 19-24.
Olugbuyiro, J., et al. "Anti-tubercular compounds from Spondias mombin." Intl. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Tech. 2013; 19(2): 76-87.
Okwuosa O., et al. "Phytochemical and antifungal activities of Uvaria chamae leaves and roots, Spondias mombin leaves and bark and Combretum racemosum leaves." Afr. J. Med. Med. Sci. 2012 Dec; 41 Suppl: 99-103.
da Silva, A., et al. "Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two Spondias species from Northeastern Brazil." Pharm. Biol. 2012 Jun; 50(6): 740-6.
Silva, A., et al. "Antiviral activities of extracts and phenolic components of two Spondias species against dengue virus." J. Venom. Anim. Toxins Trop. Dis. 2011; (17)4: 406-413.
Amadi, E., et al. "Studies on the antimicrobial effects of Spondias mombin and Baphia nittida on dental caries organism." Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 2007 Feb; 10(3): 393-7.
Kang, E., et al. "The flavonoid ellagic acid from a medicinal herb inhibits host immune tolerance induced by the hepatitis B virus-e antigen." Antiviral Res. 2006; 72(2): 100-6.
Goncalves, J., et al. "In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhea." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jul; 99(3): 403-7.
Herforth, A., "Anti-fungal plants of the Peruvian Amazon: A survey of ethnomedical uses and biological activity." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean. Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University
Kramer, A., et al. "Ethnobotany and biological activity of plants utilized during pregnancy and childbirth in the Peruvian Amazon." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University.
Flood, K., et al. "Phytochemical analysis of Cedrela odorata and Spondias mombin, two dietary sources of Callithrix pygmea on the Yarapa river in the Amazon basin of Peru." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University.
Calderon, A., et al. "Forest plot as a tool to demonstrate the pharmaceutical potential of plants in a tropical forest of Panama." Econ. Bot. 2000; 54(3): 278-294.
Banos, S., et al. "Antifungal screening of plants of the state of Morelos, Mexico against four fungal postharvest pathogens of fruits and vegetables." Rev. Mex. Fitopath. 2000 Jun; 18(1): 36-41.
Abo, K., et al. "Antimicrobial potential of Spondias mombin, Croton zambesicus and Zygotritonia crocea." Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(6): 494-497.
Coates, N., et al. "SB-202742, A novel beta-lactamase inhibitor isolated from Spondias mombin." J. Nat. Prod. 1994; 57(5): 654-657.
Berghe, D. et al., "Antibacterial and molluscicidal phenolic acid from Spondias mombin." Planta Medica. 1994 Oct; 60(5): 460-3.
Corthout, J. et al. "Antiviral caffeoyl esters from Spondias mombin." Phytochemistry 1992; 31(6): 1979-1981.
Corthout, J., et al. "Antiviral ellagitannins from Spondias mombin. Phytochemistry. 1991; 30(4): 1129-30.
Ramirez, V., et al., "Vegetales empleados en medicina tradicional Norperuana." Banco Agrario Del Peru & Nacl. Univ. Trujillo, Trujillo, Peru, June, 1988 Page 54.
Corthout, J., et al. "Antivirally active Gallotannins from Spondias mombin." Planta Med. 1988 Dec; 54(6): 573.
Corthout, J., et al. "Antivirally active substances from Spondias mombin L." Pharm. Weekbl. 1987; 9(4): 222.
Corthout, J., et al. "Antivirally active substances from Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae)." Abstr. Internat. Res. Cong. Nat. Prod. Coll Pharm. Univ. July 7-12 1985 Abstr. - 53. N. Carolina University, Chapel Hill, NC
Ajao, A., et al. "Antibacterial effect of aqueous and alcohol extracts of Spondias mombin, and Alchornea cordifolia - two local antimicrobial remedies." Int. J. Crude Drug Res. 1985; 23(2): 67-72.

Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions:
Flood, K., et al. "Phytochemical analysis of Cedrela odorata and Spondias mombin, two dietary sources of Callithrix pygmea on the Yarapa river in the Amazon basin of Peru." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University.
Herforth, A., "Anti-fungal plants of the Peruvian Amazon: A survey of ethnomedical uses and biological activity." Emanations from the Rainforest and the Carribean Vol. 4 Sept. 2002, Cornell University.
Quignard, E., et al. "Screening of plants found in Amazonas state for lethality towards brine shrimp." Acta Amazonica. 2003; 33(1): 93-104.
Idu, M., et al. "Studies on the nutritional value and anti-tumour property of the bark of Spondias mombin L." J. Med. Biomed. Res. 2002; 1(2): 223-228.

Anti-aging & Sunscreen Actions:
Pauly, G., et al. "Cosmetic containing plant extracts." U.S. Patent No. 6,406,720. June 18, 2002.

Toxicity Studies / Non-Toxic Effect:
Oyeyemi, I,, et al. "Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity study of aqueous and hydro-methanol extracts of Spondias mombin L., Nymphaea lotus L. and Luffa cylindrical L. using animal bioassays." Interdiscip. Toxicol. 2015 Dec; 8(4): 184-92.

Studies on Ubos Fruit or Fruit Juice:
Soares, J., et al. "Comprehensive characterization of bioactive phenols from new Brazilian superfruits by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS, and their ROS and RNS scavenging effects and anti-inflammatory activity." Food Chem. 2019 May; 281: 178-188.
Brito, S., et al. "Evaluation of gastroprotective and ulcer healing activities of yellow mombin juice from Spondias mombin L." PLoS One. 2018 Nov; 13(11): e0201561.
Santos Felix, A., et al. "Mixture design and doehlert matrix for the optimization of the extraction of phenolic compounds from Spondias mombin L apple bagasse agroindustrial residues." Front. Chem. 2018 Jan; 5: 116.
Pereira, A, et al. "Synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects of fruit mixtures on total antioxidant capacities and bioactive compounds in tropical fruit juices." Arch. Latinoam. Nutr. 2015 Jun; 65(2): 119-27.
Bailão, E., et al. "Bioactive compounds found in Brazilian cerrado fruits." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015 Oct; 16(10): 23760-83.
de Carvalho, J., et al. "Effect of processing on physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds and enzymatic activity of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) tropical juice." J. Food Sci. Technol. 2015 Feb; 52(2): 1182-7.
Zielinski, A., et al. "The association between chromaticity, phenolics, carotenoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity of frozen fruit pulp in Brazil: an application of chemometrics." J. Food Sci. 2014 Apr; 79(4): C510-6.
Silva, L., et al. "[Development of mixed beverages made of caja (Spondias mombin L.) and cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale) added of fructooligosaccharides and inulin]" Arch. Latinoam. Nutr. 2011 Jun; 61(2): 209-15.

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