Fructus Crotonis
From HerbLab, herbal encyclopedia of Chinese traditional medicine
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Fructus Crotonis(巴豆)
It was reported in Essentials of Materia Medico that: "The drug ia acrid, hot and extremely poisonous. Its toxicity is more severe when immature but becomes less severe when ripe. "
Fructus Crotonis is the dried seed of Croton tiglium L. of the family Euphorbiaceae, which is distributed in most places of China. Its root, leaf, bark and the croton oil of kernel are also of medical use. The seed contains 34-57% of croton oil, in addition to crotin, crotonoside and β-sitosterol.
ANTICANCER PHARMACOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
1. Tumor-inhibiting experiments in vivo with rats proved that the extract ofFructus Crotonis had aremarkable inhibitive effect on solid and ascitic sarcoma-ISO, solid and ascitic cervical carcinoma-14, solid liver carcinoma and Ehriich's ascites carcinoma. The inhibition rate is over 30% (P<0.05). 2. Trypan-blue staining method showed that the extract of Fructus Crotonis or Fructus Crotonis injection had an action to kill cells of Ehriich's ascites carcinoma and ascitic liver carcinoma in tube. 3. The hot water extract of Fructus Crotonis has an inhibitory rate of 50-70% on JTC-26.
EXPERIMENTAL FORMULAS
For cervical cancer:
Fructus Crotonis, peeled and coated with yellow wax is taken 5 to 6 granules once daily and ten doses make a therapeutic course. (Shanghai Journal of Medicinal Herbs, Vol. 9, 1984)
For ulceration of tumor:
Fructus Crotonis is peeled, baked, powdered and finally made into plaster for application to the ulcer.(Proved Recipes for Carbuncle and Cellulitis)
For cancer of the nasopharynx, the rectum and the urinary bladder:
Fructus Crotonis 7 granules Arsenium 15g Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae 7 pieces Chinese Onion Tassels 3.5Kg
Crush Fructus Crotonis (peeled) and Arsenium into fine powder, and pound Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae and Chinese Onion Tassels into paste after steaming. Then put the powder and the paste together and wrap it up in a piece of cloth to be held in hands for 12 hours each time, every other day. The hands should be washed afterwards. (Diagnosis' Treatment and Prevention of Tumors)
HISTORICAL COMMENTS
It was described in Materia Medica in Decoction that: "To cure acute diseases of the digestive tract, the herb is taken raw with its peel, kernel, skin and oil removed. To cure chronic diseases such as food retention and abdominal mass, the herb is burnt black and pulverized into powder before administration. It is widely known that the drug clears the bowel and cures diarrhea."
It was reported in Essentials of Materia Medica that: "Acute paralysis of the throat may cause death if delayed. Jiedu Wan, made of Realgar (30 grams), Radix Curcumae (3 grams) and peeled Fructus Crotonis (14 granules), is very effective for this illness, when 1.5 gram of it is taken each time. Realgar clears away accumulated qi. Radix Curcumae dissipates extravasated blood and Fructus Crotonis moves away thick saliva. The pill is very devastating and should be used with care. "
THE HERBLAB.ORG'S NOTE
Despite its antineoplastic action, Fructus Crotonis is limited in usage because of its toxicity. Experiments with rats showed that exposure of rat's skin to croton oil for a long period of time will cause papilloma and carcinoma.
It is thought that croton oil is not carcinogenic but the crotyl dihydroxybenzene alcoholate in the oil is. Thereupon, when used as an antineoplastic drug, it is better to have the oil removed l)efore use.
