Brine Shrimp Lethality of Alkaloids from Croton sylvaticus Hoechst

Abstract

Three compounds were isolated from the leaves of Croton sylvaticus (Euphorbiaceae) and evaluated for their brine shrimp lethality. Julocrotine, a glutarimide alkaloid, was very toxic in vitro with a LC₅₀ (95% confidence interval) value of 0.074 (0.052-0.105) μg/ml. Lupeol and penduliflaworosin were not toxic. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Keywords: Croton sylvaticus, Euphorbiaceae, julocrotine, lupeol, penduliflaworosin, brine shrimp lethality

East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical SciencesVol. 15 (2012) 35-37