Jayapala

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Jayapala
Latin/Botanical	Croton tiglium L.

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

• {‘use’: ‘Purgative (Virechana, Bhedana) for constipation and abdominal disorders’, ‘validation’: “Croton oil’s powerful purgative action is well-established pharmacologically. It acts by stimulating intestinal secretion and motility through PKC-mediated prostaglandin release and direct irritation of GI mucosa. Used historically in Western medicine as a drastic cathartic before safer alternatives were developed.”}
• {‘use’: ‘Anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor (Shothahara, Granthi)’, ‘validation’: ‘Paradoxically, while phorbol esters are tumor promoters, specific fractions and derivatives of Croton tiglium show anti-tumor activity. Research demonstrates PKC-modulated apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines. Traditional application as external anti-inflammatory paste (after purification) is supported by its counter-irritant properties.’}

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Jamadagni P, Ranade A, Bharsakale S and others 2023. Impact of Shodhana an Ayurvedic purification process on cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Croton tiglium Linn. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 37230917 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100710
  Shodhana process significantly reduced cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Croton tiglium seeds. Purified seeds showed reduced DNA damage potential in Ames test and reduced cytotoxicity in cell viability assays while retaining purgative efficacy.
• Poowanna R, Pulbutr P, Kijjoa A and others 2025. Purgative Effect, Acute Toxicity, and Quantification of Phorbol-12-Myristate-13-Acetate and Crotonic Acid in Croton tiglium L. Seeds Before and After Treatment by Thai Traditional Detoxification Process. International journal of molecular sciences. PMID 40869036 · doi:10.3390/ijms26167714
  Thai traditional detoxification (analogous to Shodhana) reduced phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate content from 5.2 mg/100g to 1.8 mg/100g, with crotonic acid becoming undetectable in purified samples.
• Pal PK, Nandi MK, Singh NK 2014. Detoxification of Croton tiglium L. seeds by Ayurvedic process of Śodhana. Ancient science of life. PMID 25538350 · doi:10.4103/0257-7941.144619
  Cow’s milk used in Shodhana removes oil-soluble phorbol esters and crotonic acid from seeds. The casein and fat globules in milk act as extraction media for toxic nonpolar constituents, providing scientific rationale for the ancient purification method.

Recent safety updates

• {‘type’: ‘Poisoning case’, ‘detail’: ‘Croton tiglium poisoning cases documented in Southeast Asia and India from accidental ingestion of seeds. Symptoms include rapid onset (within 30 minutes) of severe purging, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiovascular collapse in severe cases.’}
• {‘type’: ‘Poisoning case’, ‘detail’: ‘Occupational exposure to croton oil during seed processing causes severe contact dermatitis with vesiculation, erythema, and pustule formation. Skin contact alone can cause systemic symptoms.’}
• {‘type’: ‘Antidote’, ‘detail’: ‘No specific antidote. Treatment is supportive: aggressive IV fluid and electrolyte replacement for dehydration from severe purging, antiemetics, GI protectants (demulcents), activated charcoal if within 1 hour of ingestion. Skin decontamination with soap and water for dermal exposure.’}
• {‘type’: ‘Maximum dose’, ‘detail’: ‘Purified (Shuddha) Jayapala seeds: 15-30 mg per day. Croton oil dose: 1-2 drops (maximum) in milk or capsule. NEVER use unpurified seeds internally. Severe purgation occurs with even small amounts.’}
• {‘type’: ‘Safety alert’, ‘detail’: ‘Classified under Upavisha in Ayurveda and Schedule E1 in D&C Rules. Seeds must undergo Shodhana before any internal use. Avoid in pregnancy, children, elderly, and patients with GI disorders. 439 Ayurvedic formulations contain Jayapala - all require proper processing.’}

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
• Standardized on primary bioactive markers

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Shodhita Beeja Churna (purified seed powder), Taila (oil - external only)

Standard Dosage: 60-125mg Shodhita (purified) seed powder ONLY under strict physician supervision. HIGHLY TOXIC in crude form.

Bioavailability: Croton tiglium seed contains phorbol esters (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate/TPA), croton oil (fixed oil with crotonic acid), and proteins (crotin - a ribosome-inactivating protein). Phorbol esters are rapidly absorbed through skin and GI tract. Croton oil is a powerful irritant and vesicant. High bioavailability contributes to toxicity; even small doses produce drastic purgation.

Optimal Timing: Only under direct physician supervision in controlled clinical setting. Traditional use: early morning on empty stomach (Shodhita preparation only).

Standardized Extract: NO standardized extract recommended for commercial purposes due to toxicity. Shodhita preparation only, with validated reduction in phorbol ester content.

Shelf Life: Not applicable for commercial products. Research/Shodhita preparations: 6 months (powder, tightly sealed)

Storage: Locked storage, clearly labeled as TOXIC/POISONOUS. Restricted access. Full safety documentation required. Not for general commercial storage or distribution.

Marker Compounds: 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA/PMA) - toxic marker, must be monitored, Croton oil (irritant), Crotonic acid, Crotin protein (toxalbumin), Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate

Extraction Methods

• NOT recommended for extraction in standard R&D settings due to extreme toxicity
• Traditional Shodhana (purification) process: seeds wrapped in cloth and boiled in Dolayantra (double-boiling apparatus) with cow’s milk, followed by Bhavana with specific juices
• Oil expression by cold pressing (for external use only, with extreme caution)

Synergistic Combinations

• Traditionally combined only in specific polyherbal formulations under expert Vaidya guidance
• With Triphala for modulating purgative intensity (traditional, NOT for modern product development)