Effects of the gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil on the central nervous system.

The gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil isolated as white crystals (CP crystals) significantly reduced pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Indomethacin (4 mg/kg) and atropine (0.044 mg/kg) significantly reversed the action of CP crystals on pentobarbitone sleeping time with indomethacin having a profound reversal effect. CP crystals significantly reduced the mean onset of convulsions and the mean death time in mice treated with a surely convulsive dose of strychnine. CP crystals significantly reduced the intensity of morphine and pethidine analgesia and prolonged the duration of pethidine analgesia. Most actions of CP crystals suggest that it stimulates the CNS and reduces the intensity of opioids (except codeine) while prolonging their duration of analgesic action.