Oxidant effects and toxicity of Croton campestris in Drosophila melanogaster.

CONTEXT: Croton campestris A.St.-Hil. (Euphorbiaceae) is a species native to Northeast Brazil used by traditional communities for the treatment of a variety of health problems. However, potential toxicological effects of this plant are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The potential toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves on Drosophila melanogaster insect model, additionally with phytochemical constitution and cellular mechanisms mediating the action of extract were analysed in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Constituents of the extract were evaluated by HPLC. In vitro antioxidant potential of extract was analysed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Flies injected culture medium mixed with extract (0.1-50 mg/mL) for 72 h. After, ROS production was evaluated by DCF-DA oxidation. Phosphorylation of MAPK signalling pathway was investigated by Western blotting method. Activity of antioxidant enzymes was analysed in homogenates. RESULTS: Major components of the extract include quercetin (38.11 ± 0.06 mg/g), caffeic acid (20.06 ± 0.17 mg/g) and kaempferol (15.45 ± 0.05 mg/g). Consumption of the extract impaired locomotor performance and induced fly death of flies (LC50 of 26.51 mg/mL). Augmented ROS formation and SOD, CAT and GST activity were observed from 0.1 mg/mL. JNK and p38 kinases phosphorylation was modulated and Paraquat-induced toxicity was augmented by extract. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our data show important toxicological effects of C. campestris leading to increased mortality and impaired locomotor performance accompanied by induction of cell stress markers in flies. The study draws attention to the indiscriminate use of plant extracts.

Protective effects of Croton campestris A. St-Hill in different ulcer models in rodents: evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide and prostaglandins.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as "velame do campo", is a species native from savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for a variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation and gastritis. The present study investigates the possible gastric antiulcer activity of Croton campestris root extract (CCRE) and mechanisms of action underlying this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric lesions were induced in mice by ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin. CCRE was previously administered orally in doses ranging from 50 to 750 mg/kg. Stomach lesions were measured. The involvement of Nitric Oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channel and adrenergic receptor was investigated through specific inhibitors. RESULTS: CCRE produced significant antiulcer activity against absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesions. The pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, reversed the antiulcer action of CCRE. CONCLUSION: Taking together, these results suggest that the antiulcer activity of CCRE is dependent of NO and prostaglandin pathways possibly due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of NO, and activation of endogenous prostaglandin production. Therefore, the use of CCRE in traditional Brazilian medicine against gastric disorders has a scientific basis.

Antiulcerogenic Activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves of Croton campestris A. St.-Hill in Rodents.

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as "velame do campo," is a species native to the savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation, and gastritis. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves (HELCC) was assessed for its antiulcerogenic effect in gastric lesion models and effect on intestinal motility in mice, and possible mechanisms of action were examined. HELCC showed significant gastroprotective action in all models of gastric ulcer evaluated; the results suggest that this action probably involves the nitric oxide pathway. HELCC did not show alteration of intestinal motility in mice. It was also found that C. campestris represents a promising natural source with important biological potential, justifying some of its uses in folk medicine.