Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Croton crassifolius

Croton crassifolius(CC)is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine rich in terpenoids,with among which diterpene species are the most.CC had biological activities in the treatment of cancer,inflammation,ulcerative colitis,osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.This study reviews the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of CC to provide reference for further research.

Norsesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Croton tiglium

Two new compounds,badounoids A(1)and B(2),together with 13 known norsesquiterpenes,were isolated from the leaves of Croton tiglium L.The structures of the new compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods.The absolute configuration of badounoid B was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.All the known compounds were isolated from Croton plants for the first time which added a new chemical facet for this genus.The selected compounds were evaluated for their cytostatic activity against several cancer cell lines.None of them was found to be active.

Total synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of a natural analgesic: crotonine

We report the first total synthesis of four possible absolute configurations and four other regional isomers of a naturally occurring alkaloid crotonine,which was isolated from Croton tiglium L.(Euphoriaceae)without elucidation of its absolute configuration.The concise five-step route with a chirally poor and regioselective strategy starting from monosaccharides was established,and the absolute structure of the natural crotonine was determined by comparison of the NMR spectra and optical rotations of the synthetic products.

Traditional usage,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Croton sylvaticus Hochst.ex C.Krauss

Croton sylvaticus(C. sylvaticus) is widely used as herbal medicine by the indigenous people of tropical Africa. The potential of C. sylvaticus as herbal medicine,the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of its parts used as herbal medicines are reviewed. The extensive literature survey revealed that C. sylvaticus is traditionally used to treat or manage at least 24 human and animal diseases and ailments. The species is used as herbal medicine for diseases and ailments such as abdominal pains,boils,fever,inflammation,malaria,rheumatism,swellings and tuberculosis and as ethnoveterinary medicine. Multiple classes of phytochemicals such as alkaloids,anthraquinones,essential oils,flavonoids,lignan,phenolics,sterols,tannins and terpenoids have been isolated from the species. Scientific studies on C. sylvaticus indicate that it has a wide range of pharmacological activities which include antibacterial,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,larvicidal and effects on the central nervous system. Although studies have confirmed that C. sylvaticus has a wide range of bioactives,further research on the exact bioactive molecules and mechanisms of action are required.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Capacity of <i>Croton bonplandianum</i>. Baill

The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Methanolic and Dichloromethane extracts of Croton bonplandianum Baill were evaluated in a bid to provide better scientific basis for the isolation of bioactive compounds from the plant. The DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the Methanolic extract were 59.62%, and Dichloromethane extract was not toxic. Gallic acid used as reference compounds showed higher antioxidant activities to the plant extracts. Both methanolic and dichloromethane extracts were evaluated for their brine shrimp lethality. Methanolic extract showed cytotoxic activity in vitro with a LD50 value of 115.76 (0.0048-3.76) μg/ml. Etoposide was used as standard drug. Put together, these results confirm that Croton bonplandianum extracts possess appreciable natural antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials, thereby providing good justification for the isolation of pure bioactive compounds.

Antiarthritic activity of Vernonia amygdalina in albino rats

Objective:To evaluate the antiarthritic activity of water extract of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina(V.A.) on arthritis induced model of rats.Methods:Arthritis was induced in male albino Wister rats by injection of croton oil(0.1 mL) into the left foot pad of the animals.Treatment with V.A.at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard Indomethacin(0.3 mg/kg) was started on the same day and continued up to the 12th day.The paw volume was measured on the 1st,5th,12th and 21st day,respectively for both the paws and anti-arthritic activity was evaluated.Results:The extract of V.A.produced reduction in the inflammation of the paw due to croton oil.The antiarthritic action started on the 5th day and continued till the 12th day and the activity was comparable to that of the standard on both days.V.A.significantly inhibited adjuvant induced arthritis and had significant ant-inflammatory effect(P【0.05).Conclusion:This report therefore clearly showed that V.A.significantly inhibited adjuvant induced arthritis in rats as it significantly reduced the paw volume on the 12th day and may explain the effectiveness of this plant when used in the tropics for the treatment of arthritis.

Chemical composition, antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oils from aromatic plants growing in Sudan

Objective: To explore the potential of essential oil, as therapeutic molecule source, from olibanum of Boswellia papyrifera(Burseraceae), leafy stems of Cymbopogon schoenanthus(Poaceae) and Croton zambesicus(Euphorbiaceae) and rhizome of Cyperus rotundus(Cyperaceae) found in Sudan. Respective essential oil was evaluated for antiproliferative, antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Methods: Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and then analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry(GCMS). Anti-proliferative activity was determined against human cell lines(MCF7 and MDAMB231, HT29 and HCT116) by the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide(MTT) procedure. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by diphenyl 2 pycril hydrazil(DPPH) assay. Antibacterial activity was determined against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria by microdilution method. Results: The essential oil from olibanum of Boswellia papyriferacontained mainly alcohol and ester derivatives(46.82%) while monoterpenes(69.84%) dominated in Corton zambesicus oil. Sesquiterpenes were the most highly represented classes of terpene derivatives in Cyperus schoenanthus(71.59%) and Cyperus rotundus(44.26%). Oil of Cymbopogon schoenanthus revealed the best anti-proliferative activity against HCT116 cell line with IC50 value at(19.1 ± 2.0) μg/m L. Oil of Croton zambesicus showed the best antioxidant activity [EC50(4.20 ± 0.19) mg/m L]. All oils showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) value ranged from 16 to 250 μg/m L. Conclusions: The results suggest that the essential oils of these plants could be used as a source of natural anti-proliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial agents.

Identification of Potential Species <i>Croton bonplandianum</i>, Sedges and <i>Balanitis aegyptiaca</i>for the Application of Phytoremediation

Heavy metal contamination to the environment is a serious problem in the developing countries due to anthropogenic activities, a threat needs to remediate to sustain the life on earth, technology includes use of microorganisms and different plant species. In consideration of biomass, phytoremediation is a very useful techniques above all, can be exploit by identification of hyperaccumulator, which accumulates the heavy metal under metal stress condition. In view of constraints of efficient plant species in present study thirty seven different plant species were screened for the identification of heavy metal accumulators. Croton bonplandianum, sedges and Balanites aegyptiaca amongst the all exhibit superior potential of heavy metal accumulation. This is the first report to unravel the heavy metal accumulation property of three different plant species which can be exploited for the bioremediation of heavy metals.

Repeated Exposure to Cruciferous Allyl Nitrile Protects against Chemically Induced Skin Inflammation in the Mouse

Repeated exposure to cruciferous allyl nitrile can induce antioxidant and phase 2 detoxification enzymes in various tissues. In the present study, we examined the effect of five days repeated exposure to allyl nitrile at subtoxic levels (0 - 400 μmol/kg/day) on the mouse ear. There was an increase in catalase activity in the ear at 100 - 400 μmol/kg/day, while elevated quinone reductase activity was observed at 400 μmol/kg/day only. Next, after repeated allyl nitrile exposure (0 - 400 μmol/kg/day), the skin irritant croton oil was applied to the ear to induce skin acute inflammation (oedema). Compared with the 0 μmol/kg/day group, animals in the 100 and 400 μmol/kg/day pre-treatment groups showed reduced oedematous response to croton oil. The reduced oedematous response was inversely associated with enhanced myeloperoxidase activity used as index of the presence of neutrophils. These data suggest that repeated exposure to allyl nitrile at subtoxic levels contributes to protection against croton oil-induced ear dermatitis, potentially through decreasing reactive oxygen species and through infiltration of neutrophils.

Constituents of Some Essential Oil Bearing Plants from Vietnam

Essential oils obtained from hydrodistillation of three medicinal plants grown in Vietnam were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The monoterpene hydrocarbons, α-pinene (50.2%), β-pinene (23.6%) and limonene (5.3%) were the most abundant constituents of the rhizome oil of Zingiber collinsii Mood & Theilade (Zingiberaceae). The main compounds of the stem oil of Croton kongensis Gagnep., (Euphorbiaceae) were benzyl benzoate (12.7%), β-selinene (9.8%), bulnesol (8.0%) and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline (7.4%). The leaf oil of Goniothalamus albiflous Ban., consisted mainly of α-pinene (26.2%), caryophyllene oxide (10.6%) and 1,8-cineole (9.7%). The composition of the oils of Zingiber collinsii and Croton kongensis was being reported for the first time.

Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids and a Phenolic Compound from the Leaves of a Thai Medicinal Plant, <i>Croton sublyratus</i>Kurz

From the leaves of a Thai medicinal plant, Croton sublyratus, collected in Thailand, two new cembrane-type diterpenoids, named sublylactones A and B, and a phenolic compound were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

REACTION OF M-DIMETHOXYBENZENE WITH CROTONIC ACID IN THE PRESENCE OF PPA

The reaction of m-dimethoxybenzene with crotonic acid in the presence of PPA affords an unexpected compound,which has been proved to be a dimer by H-NMR and MS.The x-ray struc- tural analysis has the same result.The phenomenon has not been reported.

Water Quality, Contamination, and Wetlands in the Croton Watershed, New York, USA

The Croton Watershed (New York State, USA) is a semi-urban region that provides 10% of the drinking water for the City of New York. Nonpoint source contamination in the watershed is a major concern for managers because the water supply is currently unfiltered water. Results are reported from three synoptic studies of surface water quality from 98 wetland-containing sub-catchments in the Croton Watershed designed to broadly characterize, at a reconnaissance level, the geochemical controls on water quality, in particular as it relates to wetlands. Total dissolved organic carbon concentrations in surface waters draining wetlands correlated well (average R2 of 0.93) with standard Gelbstoff (g440) color measurements, although there is very little correlation between dissolved organic carbon concentrations and wetland areas in the sub-catchments. This may be a potential indication of other sources of colored organic material. Concentrations of dissolved sodium and chloride, while related to road length, stochiometrically had more chloride than expected for pure road-salt dissolution. This offset is likely due to cation exchange and sorbtion of sodium by wetlands in the Croton watershed. The results show contamination in the Croton hydrologic system that should addressed in ongoing management policies and decision-making.

A History of the Urban Underground Tunnel (4000 B.C.E. - 1900 C.E.)

Generally hidden from public view, out of our daily thoughts, and literally under our feet, are myriad urban underground tunnels that make our modern megacities possible. From their ancient beginnings in antiquity, as a means of supplying fresh water and draining waste water from cities, underground tunnels evolved into a means of providing high capacity rail mass transit in our most densely populated urban centers. This paper provides a broad overview of the evolution of urban tunnels across a 6000 year time span and includes the specific engineering formulas/computations for the earliest 19th century subways/infrastructure projects based on the Roman vaulted arch tunnel.

Network pharmacology-based screening of the active ingredients and potential targets of the genus of Croton for application to lung cancer

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for several decades,and it was also the most common cause of death from cancer.Despite the several advances in the last few years into treatment of lung cancer,the survival remains extremely low.There is an urgent need to discover viable leads that can be developed into new clinically therapeutic drugs with good treatment effects.The analysis of current reported literatures suggest that natural products possess strong inhibitory efficacy against lung cancer.The plants of Croton genus belonging to Euphorbiaceae family,are widely used as herbal medicine in the folk.Which are reported to have abilities to treat several cancer cell lines especially lung cancer,a successive study was carried out to identify selective anticancer agents from these plants specie.Herein we employed a network pharmacological approach to understand its multi-therapeutics potentiality in Croton genus against lung cancer.In total,the database of the compound was established based on the methods of network pharmacology prediction and the compound-disease target network was constructed.We believed that our study would provide important clues for finding novel drug inhibitors for lung cancer.

Anti-hemorrhoidal activity of Lian-Zhi-San,a traditional Chinese medicine,in an experimental hemorrhoidal model in rats

Objective:Hemorrhoidal disease(HD)is the most common proctological disease,with an estimated prevalence rate of 4.4%,and a peak in individuals between 45 and 65 years of age.This study was done to evaluate whether Lian-Zhi-San(LZS),a clinically used anti-hemorrhoidal ointment could alleviate the inflammatory injury,with its associated changes of inflammatory cytokines and morphology of anorectal tissues,in an experimental model of HD in rats.Methods:HD was induced by croton oil preparation(COP)applied to the anorectal region.Rats were then treated with cotton swabs soaked in LZS ointment,water or white vaseline,twice a day for 7 d.At the end of the experiment,HD was evaluated by measuring hemorrhoidal and biochemical parameters along with histopathological observations.Results:In this study,COP induced a significant increase in the macroscopic severity score,anorectal coefficient and Evans blue extravasation,compared to normal rats.Additionally,it greatly enhanced the expression and secretion levels of some important inflammation-related cytokines along with marked histological damage,compared to normal rats.Rats treated with LZS ointment experienced significantly ameliorated Evans blue extravasation(P<0.05),decreased macroscopic severity score(0.86±0.14 vs.1.65±0.16)and the anorectal coefficient(P<0.01);its use also attenuated tissue damage and inhibited the expression and secretion levels of inflammation-related cytokines(interleukin-1 b,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a).Conclusion:This study validates a preliminary understanding of the use of LZS ointment to treat inflammatory factors and tissue damage in an experimental model of HD in rats.

圆叶巴豆中的新巴豆瑞士松醛

曾报道从圆叶巴豆(Croton oblongifolius)的茎皮中分离出巴豆瑞士松酸(crotocembraneic acid)(1)和新巴豆瑞士松酸(neocrotocembraneic acid)(2)。本次从该植物再分得新巴豆瑞士松酸的醛同系物新巴豆瑞士松醛(neocrotocembranal)(3)。 干燥圆叶巴豆茎皮(8.2kg),粉碎,用己烷反复提取,蒸发浓缩己烷粗提物得淡黄绿色油,经硅胶柱分离及TLC精制,

巴豆属植物Croton jatrophoides中3个新的昆虫拒食成分

作者从生长在东非的民间药用植物C．jatrophoides Pax．的根皮中分离得到3个新的柠檬苦素类似物（limonoids）zumketol（1）、zumsenin（2）和zumsenol（3），并研究了化合物1对2种昆虫幼虫的拒食活性。