Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae): A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of This Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae), widely known as “bellyache bush,” is a medicinal plant largely used throughout Africa and America. Several human and veterinary uses in traditional medicine are described for different parts and preparations based on this plant. However, critical reviews discussing emphatically its medicinal value are missing. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the traditional uses, as well as the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity data of J. gossypiifolia species, in view of discussing its medicinal value and potential application in complementary and alternative medicine. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated significant action of different extracts and/or isolated compounds as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antihypertensive, and anticancer agents, among others, supporting some of its popular uses. No clinical trial has been detected to date. Further studies are necessary to assay important folk uses, as well as to find new bioactive molecules with pharmacological relevance based on the popular claims. Toxicological studies associated with phytochemical analysis are important to understand the eventual toxic effects that could reduce its medicinal value. The present review provides insights for future research aiming for both ethnopharmacological validation of its popular use and its exploration as a new source of herbal drugs and/or bioactive natural products.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Jatropha Species from Costa Rica Using AFLP Markers

“…This suggests that J. curcas with J. stevensii and J. costaricensis could have a common ancestor and more distant J. gossypifolia. This is consistent with the reports that point J. curcas, J. integerrima, J. glandulifera, and J. gossypifolia as native from America, and that they have been introduced to tropical countries in Africa and South East Asia (Indian, Indonesia, Malaysia and China) [30] [31] [34] [35].…”

Genotoxic potential of leaf extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

“…Although, J. gossypiifolia is considered an important plant with potential for the generation of pharmacological and/or biotechnological products (Félix-Silva et al, 2014), the assays performed in this study indicated cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and/or mutagenicity at the chromosome level for all the tested concentrations of the ethanolic leaf extract and for the concentrations 0.01 mg/mL or above, of the aqueous leaf extract of J. gossypiifolia, particularly for the three highest concentrations. This alerts us to the eventual possibility of J. gossypiifolia leaf extracts posing risk to human health, even though they possess various medicinal applications.…”

“…The phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extract of J. gossypiifolia has revealed the presence of steroids, phenols, tannins, saponins, oils, monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, and sesquiterpenes in the stem, leaves, and roots (Mariz et al, 2010;Devappa et al, 2011;Sabandar et al, 2013). However, phytochemical evaluations of aqueous extracts are still incipient, even though the plant is popularly used in the form of an infusion or decoction (Félix-Silva et al, 2014).…”

Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of <em>Jatropha pelargoniifolia</em> Root Native to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Jatropha species are used in folk medicine to treat various diseases, such as skin inflammation, eye infection, chest pain, stomach pain, itching, and as a vermifuge or as ornamental plants and energy crops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia [3]. Several known species from the genus Jatropha, such as J. gossypiifolia, J. elliptica, J. curcas, and J. mollissima, among others, have been reported for their chemical constituents, biological activities, and medicinal uses [4].…”