Phytochemistry and Bioactivity of Nigerian Croton lobatus Stem Bark

Croton lobatus L. (Euphorbiaceae) is an important medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine. In this study, the C. lobatus plant was subjected to detailed phytochemical investigation with the view to isolate and characterize its dichloromethane and methanol stem bark extracts. Using silica gel column chromatography, lupeol, lupenone, and octylferulate, were isolated and subsequently characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The evaluation of the antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials of the crude extracts and isolated compounds showed remarkable antioxidant activity at variable concentrations (0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 1.5 mg/mL), highlighting the therapeutic prospects of C. lobatus L. Furthermore, the stem bark extracts exhibited high toxicity, as evidenced by an LC50 value of 58.012 μg/mL observed during the brine shrimp toxicity assay. The study findings not only add to the understanding of the phytochemical composition of C. lobatus L. but also highlights the plant's potential as a source of bioactive chemicals with st-rong cytotoxic and antioxidant effects. Lastly, the findings will facilitate more pharmacological research and therapeutic applications by providing insightful information aboutthe plant's potential for medicinal use.