Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Croton megalobotrys Mϋll Arg: A systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: To provide an overview of the ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Croton megalobotrys as to understand its potential value and importance in primary health care systems of local communities throughout its distributional range.Methods: The literature search for information on ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of C. megalobotrys was undertaken using databases such as Web of Science, BMC, Science Direct, Elsevier, Scopus, PubMed and Scielo. Other relevant literature sources included books, book chapters, websites, theses, conference papers and other scientific publications.Results: Croton megalobotrys is an important herbal medicine in southern Africa used as an abortifacient and purgative,and as remedy for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) opportunistic infections, malaria, muscle aches or pain, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and skin infections. The chemical constituent of C. megalobotrys is mainly composed of alkaloids and cinnamate derivative isolated from the stem bark. The biological activities demonstrated include antibacterial, antiplasmodial, anti-HIV and radical scavenging activities.Conclusion: The historical traditional usage of C. megalobotrys as herbal medicine in southern Africa calls for detailed phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the species aimed at identifying the compounds responsible for its wide usage as an herbal medicine.Keywords: Alkaloids, Croton megalobotrys, Ethnopharmacology, Primary health, Southern Africa

Evaluation of two Non-Edible, Wild Indigenous Botswana Crops (Croton megalobotrys (Motsebi/Letsebi/Moshoole) and Ricinus communis (Mokhure)) as Potential Feedstocks for Petroleum and Cosmetic Industries

“…C. megalobotrys in these areas are known as Motsebi or Letsebi tree. The tree is also found in the central district along rivers in the Tswapong region where it is known as the Moshoole tree (Setshogo and Venter, 2003;Maroyi, 2017). The seeds and bark of the species have a considerable reputation among local communities as a remedy for fever or malaria (Maroyi, 2017).…”

“…The tree is also found in the central district along rivers in the Tswapong region where it is known as the Moshoole tree (Setshogo and Venter, 2003;Maroyi, 2017). The seeds and bark of the species have a considerable reputation among local communities as a remedy for fever or malaria (Maroyi, 2017). Table 1 shows the different uses of C. megalobotrys by locals in Botswana while Figure 1 shows a picture of C. megalobotrys tree at Malaka village, Central District of Botswana with its fruits and seeds.…”

Formulation of Neem Leaf and Croton Seed Essential Oils as a Natural Insecticide Tested on Mosquitoes and Cockroaches

“…10 , 11 It is also regarded as a multipurpose tree by subsistence farmers for the provision of several ecosystem goods and services such as increasing soil productivity in semiarid areas and pharmacological activities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. 12 , 13 In addition to Croton macrostachyus , the neem ( Azadirachta indica A. Juss) plant, which belongs to the family of Meliaceae, contains several biologically active compounds responsible for diverse activities such as insect antifeedant, growth disrupting, insecticidal, nematicidal, fungicidal, and bactericidal. Neem is a life-giving drought-resistant tree, especially for the dry coastal, southern districts.…”

“…Croton macrostachyus is one of the eight Croton species found in Ethiopia and is known as medicinal and insecticidal plants used by rural communities; this plant belongs to the species of the genus Croton L ., Euphorbiaceae family, commonly known as the spurge family. Numerous species of Croton are producers of essential oils, which have significant medicinal activities. , It is also regarded as a multipurpose tree by subsistence farmers for the provision of several ecosystem goods and services such as increasing soil productivity in semiarid areas and pharmacological activities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. , In addition to Croton macrostachyus, the neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) plant, which belongs to the family of Meliaceae, contains several biologically active compounds responsible for diverse activities such as insect antifeedant, growth disrupting, insecticidal, nematicidal, fungicidal, and bactericidal. Neem is a life-giving drought-resistant tree, especially for the dry coastal, southern districts.…”

Phylogeny, Phytomedicines, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Toxicity of Croton gratissimus Burch (Euphorbiaceae)

“…It has inhibited ovarian cancerous cell line growth through apoptosis [ 15 , 16 ]. Anti-HIV [ 17 ] and anti-inflammatory effects have also been established [ 18 , 19 ]. Its ethnomedicinal usefulness has been applied since time immemorial to treat respiratory disorders, malaria, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and gonorrhea [ 20 ].…”