Year - 2026Volume - 4Issue - 1Pages - 32-36
Medicinal Uses of Croton Tiglium: A Comprehensive Review
18 Mar 2026
2
About Author
Kagane D1,Kelkar D2,Nandedkar D3,
1 PG scholar, Dept. of Agad Tantra avum Vidhi Vaidyaka, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
2 Assistant professor, Department of Agad Tantra avum Vidhi Vaidyaka, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
3 Professor & HOD Dept. of Agadtantra, YMT Ayurved Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Correspondence Address
Plot no.18, Deshmukh Nagar, Dondaicha, 425408
Contact No. : 7057393001, Email : kaganenakul@gmail.com
Date of Acceptance : 31 Mar 2026
Date of Publication : 31 Mar 2026
Article ID : SD-IJAY_166
How to cite this article : http://doi.org/10.55552/SDNJAY.2026.4106
Abstract
Croton tiglium, a plant from the Euphorbiaceae family, has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries across Asia for its purgative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This paper reviews its medicinal applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological evidence in IMRaD format, drawing from ethnobotanical and scientific literature. Key findings highlight its potential in treating gastrointestinal disorders, skin conditions, and tumors, though toxicity limits safe use.(1,2)
Introduction
Croton tiglium Linn., commonly known as purging croton or jamalgota, is a small tree native to tropical regions like India and Southeast Asia. It has a long history in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and folk remedies, primarily for its seeds, oil, leaves, and bark.(1,4) Traditional uses include purgation for constipation, treatment of skin diseases, snakebites, and inflammation, but modern research explores its bioactive compounds like tigliane diterpenoids.(5,7) This review synthesizes evidence on its medicinal potential while addressing toxicity concerns.
Discussion
Croton tiglium's efficacy stems from alkaloids, flavonoids, diterpenes, and essential oils, aligning traditional claims with modern pharmacology—e.g., purgative action matches smooth muscle effects, and antidermatophytic activity validates skin use.(2,5,6) However, high toxicity (e.g., croton oil irritates skin/mucosa) necessitates detoxification and low doses; it's contraindicated in pregnancy due to abortifacient risks.(1,4) Gaps include limited clinical trials and standardized extracts. Future research should prioritize safe formulations for anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory applications.(7) Overall, it holds promise for Ayurvedic-modern drug integration.(2)
Conclusion
Croton tiglium demonstrates substantial therapeutic potential across gastrointestinal, dermatological, and oncological domains, substantiated by phytochemical and pharmacological data that corroborate centuries-old traditional applications.(1,2,4) While detoxification strategies mitigate its inherent toxicity, the paucity of human clinical trials remains a critical barrier to mainstream adoption.(7) Targeted research into standardized, low-toxicity extracts could unlock novel therapeutics, bridging ethnomedicine with contemporary pharmacology for global health benefits.(2,10)
References
1. Useful Tropical Plants Database. Croton tiglium.
2. Review on pharmacological activities of Croton tiglium. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020.
3. Homeopathic uses of Croton tiglium. Materia Medica.
4. Phytochemistry and traditional uses of Croton tiglium. Phytother Res. 2018.
5. Antidermatophytic activity of Croton tiglium extracts. Mycoses. 2015.
6. Anti-inflammatory properties of Croton tiglium. Inflammopharmacology. 2021.
7. Ethnopharmacology of Croton species. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011.
8. Neuroprotective effects of Croton tiglium on microglia. Neuropharmacology. 2022.
9. Smooth muscle relaxant activity of Croton tiglium. Phytomedicine. 2019.
10. Antitumor diterpenoids from Croton tiglium. Anticancer Res. 2023.