Croton megalocarpus Hutch. in Tropical Africa: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Medicinal Potential

Croton megalocarpus (C. megalocarpus) is widely used as herbal medicine by the local people in tropical Africa. The potential of C. megalocarpus as traditional medicine, the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of its parts used as traditional medicines are reviewed. The extensive literature survey revealed that C. megalocarpus is traditionally used to treat or manage at least 41 human and animal diseases and ailments. The species is used as herbal medicine for diseases and ailments such as colds, cough, respiratory diseases, fever and malaria, gastro-intestinal tract diseases, wounds, intestinal worms and as ethnoveterinary medicine. Multiple classes of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, clerodane diterpenoids, fatty acids, flavones, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, reducing sugars, saponins, sterols, tannins and triterpenoids have been isolated from the species. Scientific studies on C. megalocarpus indicate that it has a wide range of pharmacological activities which include antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, molluscicidal, wound healing and Epstein-Barr virus-activating potency.
Source: Research Journal of Medicinal Plant - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research