Croton gratissimus Burch. (Lavender croton): A Review of the Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Nutritional Constituents and Pharmacological Activities doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i6.3
Main Article Content
Abstract
Croton gratissimus Burch. is a deciduous shrub used in traditional medicines and a local traditional herbal tea in South Africa. C. gratissimus is used in treating several disease conditions, including cough, influenza, colds, malaria, fever, bleeding gums, chest complaints, indigestion, skin inflammation, earache, respiratory disorders, diabetes, and oedema.This review focuses on the botanical attributes, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, nutritional constituents and pharmacological properties of C. gratissimus. A wide-range search of previous literature on various scientific databases, including Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, theses, dissertations, and ethnobotanical textbooks, was conducted. The search showed that C. gratissimus has several reported traditional uses, with over 55 compounds identified and isolated from it. Some of the compounds include cembrane-, trachylobane- and pimarane- type diterpenes, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, sterols, flavonoids and flavonoids glycosides. The bioactive compounds had biological activities such as antioxidant, antiplasmodial, anticancer, antibacterial, vasorelaxant, and cholinesterase inhibitory action. C. gratissimus is reported to have antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, haemostatic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, toxicity, and immune-boosting properties. Other pharmacological activities of C. gratissimus include analgesic, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, nephroprotective, and ulcerogenic properties. C. gratissimus' nutritional constituents include total sugar, protein, amino acids, fat, dietary fibre, carbohydrate, energy, ash, moisture, dry matter, and calcium. It is hoped that the present review will add further value to the scientific research on C. gratissimus and boost the increased interest in the study, development, and sustainable commercial exploitation of C. gratissimus as a medicine and as a health herbal tea. .
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Dlamini MD. Croton gratissimus.[online]. 2005 [cited 2019 Nov 14] Available from: http://pza.sanbi.org/crotongratissimus.
Tropical Plants Database. Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. [online]. [cited 2020 Aug 16] Availabe from: http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Croton+gratissimus.
Kirsten K andMoolman K. Croton gratissimus. [online]. [cited 2020 April 23]. Available from: http://plantinfo.co.za/plant/croton-gratissimus/.
Van Wyk BE, Oudtshoorn BV, Gericke N. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 1997. 304 p.
Random Harvest. Croton gratissimus. [online]. 2020 [cited 2020 Jun 10] Avaialble from: https://www.randomharvest.co.za/en-us/South-AfricanIndigenous-Plants/Show-Plant/PlantId/31/Plant/Crotongratissimus.
van Vuuren SF and Viljoen AM. In vitro evidence of phyto-synergy for plant part combinations of Croton gratissimus (Euphorbiaceae) used in African traditional healing. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008; 119(3):700-704.
Watt JM and Breyer-Brandwijk MG. The Medicinal and Poisonous plants of Southern and Eastern Africa. (2nd ed.). Livingstone: London; 1962. 196p
Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham AB. Zulu Medicinal Plants – An Inventory. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press. 1996. 450 p.
Von Koenen E. Medicinal, Poisonous and Edible Plants in Namibia. Windhoek: Klaus Hess; 2001.
Okokon J, Ofodum K, Ajibesin K, Danladi B, Gamaniel K. Pharmacological screening and evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of Croton zambesicus against Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice. Indian J Pharmacol. 2005; 37:243–246.
Okokon J, Bassey A, Obot J. Antidiabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus muell. (thunder plant) in alloxan diabetic rats. Afr J Trad Compl Altern Med. 2006; 3:21–26.
Pujol J. Naturafrica- the Herbalist Handbook.. Durban: Jean Pujol Natural Healers? Foundation; 1990.192p
Bryant AT. Zulu Medicine and Medicine-Men. Cape Town: Struik Publishers; 1966. 115 p
Mabogo DEN. The ethnobotany of the Vhavenda: University of Pretoria. South Africa: Department of Botany; 1990.
Tree SA. Croton gratissimus. [online]. 2020 [cited 2020 Jun 27]. Available from: https://treesa.org/crotongratissimus/#:~:text=The%20Genus%20Croton%20has%2013,Assessed%3A%202005%20(R.H.
Coates Palgrave M. Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers: Cape Town: Struik Publishers. 2002. 1221 p.
CJBG (Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques) and SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute). [online]. 2012 [cited 2020 Sep 7] Croton gratissimus Burch. African Plant Database. Available from: http://www.villege.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=
GBIF. Croton gratissimus Burch. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset [online]. 2019 [cited 2020 Sep 7]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei
The Plant List. Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; [online]. 2013 [cited 2020 Jun 17]. Availabe from: http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-50054
Archer RH and Victor JE. Croton gratissimus Burch. var. gratissimus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.[online]. 2005 [cited 2020 Sept 7]. Available from: http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=583-2.
Venter A. Croton gratissimus. [online] 2011[cited 2020 Oct 20] Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croton_gratissimus.
Photographs distributed under a CC-BY-SA 3.0 license.
Semenya SS and Maroyi A. Plants used by Bapedi traditional healers to treat asthma and related symptoms in Limpopo province, South Africa. Evid-Based Compl Altern Med. 2018; 2018:1-33.
Cheikhyoussef A, Shapi M, Matengu K, Ashekele HM. Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2011; 7(1):1-11.
Burkill HM. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, second ed. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, Great Britain. 1985. 960 p.
Ajibesin KK, Ekpo BA, Bala DN, Essien EE, Adesanya, SA. Ethnobotanical survey of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008; 115:387-408.
Abo KA, Ogunleye VO, Ashidi JS. Antimicrobial potential of Spondias mombin, Croton zambesicus and Zygotritonia crocea. Phytother Res. 1999; 13(6):494-497.
Leffers A. Gemsbok bean & Kalahari truffle: Traditional plant use by Jul'hoansi in north-eastern Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan. 2003.202 p.
Ngadjui BT, Abegaz BM, Keumedjio F, Folefoc GN, Kapche GW. Diterpenoids from the stem bark of Croton zambesicus. Phytochem. 2002. 60(4):345-349.
Ali H, König GM, Khalid SA, Wright AD, Kaminsky R. Evaluation of selected Sudanese medicinal plants for their in vitro activity against hemoflagellates, selected bacteria, HIV-1-RT and tyrosine kinase inhibitory, and for cytotoxicity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 83(3):219-228.
Block S, Stevigny C, De Pauw-Gillet MC, de Hoffmann E, Llabres G, Adjakidje V, Quetin-Leclercq J. entTrachyloban-3ß-ol, a new cytotoxic diterpene from Croton zambesicus. Planta Med. 2002; 68(07):647-649.
Block S, Baccelli C, Tinant B, Van Meervelt L, Rozenberg R, Jiwan JLH, Quetin-Leclercq J. Diterpenes from the leaves of Croton zambesicus. Phytochem. 2004; 65(8):1165-1171.
Hedberg I and Staugård F. Traditional Medicine in Botswana. Traditional Medicinal Plants. Ipeleng Publishers, Gaborone. 1989. 324 p.
Mthethwa NS, Oyedeji BA, Obi LC, Aiyegoro OA. Antistaphylococcal, anti-HIV and cytotoxicity studies of four South African medicinal plants and isolation of bioactive compounds from Cassine transvaalensis (Burtt. Davy) codd. BMC Compl Altern Med. 2014; 14(1):512.
Gelfand M, Mavi S, Drummond RB, Ndemera B. The Traditional Medical Practitioner in Zimbabwe. His Principles of Practice and Pharmacopoeia. Mambo Press, Gweru. 1985. 411 p.
Boyom FF, Kemgne EM, Tepongning R, Ngouana V, Mbacham WF, Tsamo E, Zotto PHA, Gut J, Rosenthal PJ. Antiplasmodial activity of extracts from seven medicinal plants used in malaria treatment in Cameroon. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 123(3):483-488.
Palmer E, Pitman N, Codd LEW. Trees of Southern Africa: covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland. 1972; Vol 1 & 2. 1497 p.
Van Wyk BE, van Oudshoorn B, Gericke N. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Briza, South Africa. 2000. 336 p.
Masevhe NA, McGaw LJ, Eloff JN. The traditional use of plants to manage candidiasis and related infections in Venda, South Africa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015; 168:364-372.
Xu WH, Liu WY, Liang Q. Chemical constituents from Croton species and their biological activities. Molecules. 2018; 23(9):2333.
Langat MK, Crouch NR, Smith PJ, Mulholland DA. Cembranolides from the leaves of Croton gratissimus. J Nat Prod. 2011; 74:2349–2355.
Mulholland DA, Langat MK, Crouch NR, Coley HM, Mutambi EM, Nuzillard JM. Cembranolides from the of the southern african medicinal plant, Croton gratissimus (Euphorbiaceae). Phytochem. 2010; 71:1381-1386.
Sadgrove NJ, Madeley LG, Van Wyk BE. Volatiles from African species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae), including new diterpenes in essential oil from Croton gratissimus. Heliyon. 2019; 5(10):e02677.
Baccelli C, Navarro I, Block S, Abad A, Morel N, QuetinLeclercq J. Vasorelaxant activity of diterpenes from Croton zambesicus and synthetic trachylobanes and their structure- activity relationships. J Nat Prod. 2007; 70(6):910-917.
Martinsen A, Baccelli C, Navarro I, Abad A, QuetinLeclercq J, Morel N. Vascular activity of a natural diterpene isolated from Croton zambesicus and of a structurally similar synthetic trachylobane. Vasc Pharmacol. 2010; 52(1-2):63-69.
Block S, Gerkens P, Peulen O, Jolois O, Mingeot-Leclercq MP, De Pauw-gillet MC, Quetin-Leclerco J. Induction of apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cells by a natural trachylobane diterpene. Anticancer Res. 2005; 25:363-368.
Baccelli C, Block S, Van Holle B, Schanck A, Chapon D, Tinant B, Meervelt LC, Morel N, Quetin-Leclercq J.Diterpenes isolated from Croton zambesicus inhibit KClinduced contraction. Planta Med. 2005; 71:1036-1039.
Ngadjui BT, Folefoc GG, Keumedjio F, Dongo E, Sondengam BL, Connolly JD. Crotonadiol, a labdane diterpenoid from the stem bark of Croton zambesicus. Phytochem. 1999; 51(1):171-174.
Vázquez LH, Palazon J, Navarro-Ocaña A. The Pentacyclic Triterpenes?,?-amyrins: A Review of Sources and Biological Activities. In: Phytochemicals-a global perspective of their role in nutrition and health. IntechOpen. 2012; 487-502.
Gallo MB and Sarachine MJ. Biological activities of lupeol. Int J Biomed Pharm Sci. 2009; 3(1):46-66.
Adebayo SA, Shai LJ, Eloff JN. First isolation of glutinol and a bioactive fraction with good anti-inflammatory activity from n-hexane fraction of Peltophorum africanum leaf. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2017; 10(1):42-46.
Kangsamaksin T, Chaithongyot S, Wootthichairangsan C, Hanchaina R, Tangshewinsirikul C, Svasti J. Lupeol and stigmasterol suppress tumor angiogenesis and inhibit cholangiocarcinoma growth in mice via downregulation of tumor necrosis factor-a. PLoS One. 2017; 12(12):e0189628.
Aderogba MA, McGaw LJ, Bezabih M, Abegaz BM. Isolation and characterisation of novel antioxidant constituents of Croton zambesicus leaf extract. Nat Prod Res. 2011; 25(13):1224-1233.
Ndhlala AR, Aderogba MA, Ncube B, Van Staden J. Antioxidative and cholinesterase inhibitory effects of leaf extracts and their isolated compounds from two closely related Croton species. Mol. 2013; 18(2):1916-1932.
Pudumo J, Chaudhary SK, Chen W, Viljoen A, Vermaak I, Veale CGL. HPTLC fingerprinting of Croton gratissimus leaf extract with preparative HPLC-MS-isolated marker compounds. S Afr J Bot. 2018; 114:32-36.
Anilkumar K, Reddy GV, Azad R, Yarla NS, Dharmapuri G, Srivastava A, Kamal MA, Pallu R. Evaluation of antiinflammatory properties of isoorientin isolated from tubers of Pueraria tuberosa. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2017; 2017:1-10.
Yuan L, Wang, J, Wu W, Liu Q, Liu X, Effect of isoorientin on intracellular antioxidant defence mechanisms in hepatoma and liver cell lines. Biomed Pharmacother. 2016; 81:356-362.
Akintunde JK, Ayeni SA, Adeoye MA, Shittu AO.Rat liver and kidney post-mitochondrial dysfunction by addition of chronic mixed metal intoxication and hepatorenal wellness mediated by phenolic components from Croton zambesicus leaves. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020; 74:103293.
Kahkeshani N, Farzaei F, Fotouhi M, Alavi SS, Bahramsoltani R, Naseri R, Momtaz S, Abbasabadi Z, Rahimi R, Farzaei MH, Bishayee A. . Pharmacological effects of gallic acid in health and diseases: A mechanistic review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2019; 22(3):225-237.
Espíndola KMM, Ferreira RG, Narvaez LEM, Rosario ACRS, da Silva AHM, Silva AGB, Vieira APO, Monteiro MC. Chemical and pharmacological aspects of caffeic acid and its activity in hepatocarcinoma. Front Oncol. 2019; 9:541.
Imran M, Rauf A, Abu-Izneid T, Nadeem M, Shariati MA, Khan, IA, Imran A, Orhan IE, Rizwan M, Atif M, Gondal TA, Mubarak MS.Luteolin, a flavonoid, as an anticancer agent: A review. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019; 112:108612.
Colunga Biancatelli RML, Berrill M, Catravas JD, Marik PE. Quercetin and vitamin C: an experimental, synergistic therapy for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 related disease (COVID-19). Front Immunol.2020; 11:1451.
Batiha GES, Beshbishy AM, Mulla ZS, Ikram M, El-Hack MEA, Taha, AE, Algammal AM, Elewa YHA. The pharmacological activity, biochemical properties, and pharmacokinetics of the major natural polyphenolic flavonoid: quercetin. Foods. 2020; 9(374):1-16.
Salehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, Kregiel D, Sharifi-Rad J, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Souto EB, Novellino E, Antolak H, Azzini E, Setzer WN, Martins N .The therapeutic potential of apigenin. Int J Mol Sci. 2019; 20(1305):1-26.
Mahmoud AB, Danton O, Kaiser M, Khalid S, Hamburger M, Mäser P. HPLC-based activity profiling for antiprotozoal compounds in Croton gratissimus and Cuscuta hyalina. Front Pharmacol. 2020; 11:1246.
Matsabisa MG, Bala A, Digashu MM, Rautenbach F, Erhabor, JO, Braga FC, et al . Unpublished results. esearching and Developing South African Traditional Indigenous Teas – Toxicities, Antioxidant potential Caffeine and Nutritional Content: A Comparative study with South African Commercial Branded Teas. Unpublished manuscript. 2020.
van Vuuren SF, Naidoo D. An antimicrobial investigation of plants used traditionally in southern Africa to treat sexually transmitted infections. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010; 130(3):552-558.
Okokon JE, Nwafor PA, Okokon, PJ, Umoh EE, Udobang JA. Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of ethanolic root extract of Croton zambesicus on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Asian J Pharm Biol Res. 2011; 1(4):493-499.
Njoya EM, Eloff JN, McGaw LJ. Croton gratissimus leaf extracts inhibit cancer cell growth by inducing caspase 3/7 activation with additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. BMC Compl Altern Med. 2018; 18(1):305.
Mukanganyama S, Dumbura SC, Mampuru L. Antiproliferative effects of plant extracts from Zimbabwean medicinal plants against Human Leukaemic Cell Lines. Afr J Plant Sci Biotehnol. 2012; 6(1):14-20.
Islam MT. Diterpenes and their derivatives as potential anticancer agents. Phytother Res. 2017; 31(5):691-712.
Abdalaziz MN, Ali A, Kabbashi AS. In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical screening of Croton zambesicus. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2016; 5(6):12-16.
Ahamed AA, Adam YSI, Hussien AM, Hassan ME.Effect of heat treatment on Antio.xidant and antimicrobial activity of Croton gratissimus and Xylopia aethiopica spices. J Agric Environ Vet Sci. 2020; 4(1):84–93.
Ofusori DA, Oluwayinka OP, Adelakun AE, Keji ST, Oluyemi KA, Adesanya, OA, Ajeigbe KO, Ayoka AO. Evaluation of the effect of ethanolic extract of Croton zambesicus on the testes of Swiss albino mice. Afr J Biotechnol. 2007; 6(21):2434-2438.
Ayanniyi RO, Olumoh-Abdul HA, Ojuade FI, Abdullahi R, Anafi SB. The protective effect of Croton zambesicus against carbon tetrachloride-induced renal toxicity in rats. Iran. J Toxicol. 2019; 13(1):5-8.
Ofusori D, Komolafe O, Adewole O, Obuotor E, Fakunle J.. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. J Cell Mol Biol. 2014; 12:19-30.
Okokon JE and Nwafor PA. Antiplasmodial activity of root extract and fractions of Croton zambesicus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 121(1):74-78.
Okokon JE and Nwafor PA. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of ethanolic root extract of Croton zambesicus. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2010; 23(4):385-392.
Okokon JE, Dar A, Choudhary MI. Immunomodulatory, cytotoxic and antileishmanial activity of phytoconstituents of Croton zambesicus. Phytopharmacol J. 2013; 4(1):31-40.
Robert S, Baccelli C, Devel P, Dogné JM, Quetin-Leclercq J.. Effects of leaf extracts from Croton zambesicus Müell. Arg. on hemostasis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010; 128(3):641-648.
Okokon JE, Nwafor PA, Noah K. Nephroprotective effect of Croton zambesicus root extract against gentimicininduced kidney injury. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011; 4(12):969-972.
Okokon JE. Antiplasmodial and pharmacological activities of ethanolic root extract of Croton zambesicus. Ph.D. Thesis submitted to University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. 2009.
Okokon JE and Nwafor PA. Antiulcer and anticonvulsant activity of Croton zambesicus. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2009; 22(4):384-390.
Okokon JE, Umoh UF, Udobang JA, Etim EI.. Antiulcerogenic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus Muell. Arg Afr J Biomed Res. 2011; 14(1):43-47.
Clarkson C, Maharaj VJ, Crouch NR, Grace OM, Pillay P, Matsabisa MG, Bhagwandin N, Smith PJ, Folb PI. In vitro antiplasmodial activity of medicinal plants native to or naturalised in South Africa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 92(2-3):177-191.
Ayanniyi RO and Wannang NN. Neuropharmacological activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (euphorbiaceae) in some laboratory animals. Iran J Pharmacol Ther. 2008; 7(2):161-164.
Shama IA and Ebtihal AS. Investigations on the effects of various oral doses of Croton zambesicus seeds? in wistar rats. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. 2013; 8:19-27.
Okokon JE, Iyadi KC, Effiong CO. Effect of sub chronic administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus on hematological parameters of rats. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2004; 19(1):10-13.
Okokon JE, Umoh UF, Udobang JA, Etim EI. Antiulcerogenic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus in rats. Afr J Biomed Res. 2010; 13(2):119-123.
Tietjen I, Gatonye T, Ngwenya BN, Namushe A, Simonambanga S, Muzila M, Mwimanzi P, Xiao J, Fedida D, Brumme ZL, Brockman MA, Andrae-Marobela K. Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg. and Vitex doniana (Sweet): Traditional medicinal plants in a three-step treatment
regimen that inhibit in vitro replication of HIV-1. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016; 191:331–340.
Ofusori DA, Komolafe OA, Adewole OS. Ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (MÜll. Arg.) improves gastric emptying capacity and gastric mucosa integrity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Int J Diabetes Res. 2012; 1(4):58-67.