Jatropha curcas

A SEMINAR PRESENTED

BY

OLADIPUPO, LABAKE RISIKAT

SUBMITTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

DECEMBER, 2015.
ABSTRACT

This seminar focuses on Jatropha curcas. J. curcas is a drought resistant, perennial

plant that grows even in the marginal and poor soil. Raising Jatropha is easy. It

keeps producing seeds for many years. The latex of Jatropha contains alkaloids

including Jatrophine, Jatropham and curcain with anti-cancerous properties. It is

also used externally against skin diseases, piles and sores among the domestic

livestock. The leaves contain apigenin, vitexin and isovitexin etc. which along with

other factors enable them to be used against malaria, rheumatic and muscular

pains. The soap prepared from Jatropha oil is efficient against skin diseases. The

medicinal properties of the Jatropha plant should be evaluated keeping in mind the

toxicity and other risk factors.

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INTRODUCTION

Jatropha curcas is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family,

Euphorbiaceae, that is native to the American tropics, most likely Mexico and

Central America (Janick and Robert, 2008). It is cultivated in tropical and

subtropical regions around the world, becoming naturalized in some areas. The

specific epithet, "curcas", was first used by Portuguese doctor Garcia de Orta more

than 400 years ago and is of uncertain origin (WAC, 2009). Common names

include Barbados nut, purging nut, physic nut, or JCL (abbreviation of Jatropha

curcas Linnaeus).

Botanical features

Leaves: The leaves have significant variability in their morphology. In general, the

leaves are green to pale green, alternate to subopposite, and three- to five-lobed

with a spiral phyllotaxis.

Flowers: Male and female flowers are produced on the same inflorescence,

averaging 20 male flowers to each female flower, or 10 male flowers to each

female flower. The petiole length ranges from 6.1–23.1 mm. The inflorescence can

be formed in the leaf axil. Plants are monoecious and also presents hermaphroditic

flowers occasionally (Nahar and Ozores-Hampton, 2011).

Fruits: Fruits are produced in winter, or there may be several crops during the year

if soil moisture is good and temperatures are sufficiently high. Most fruit

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production is concentrated from midsummer to late fall with variations in

production peaks where some plants have two or three harvests and some produce

continuously through the season (Nahar and Ozores-Hampton, 2011).

Seeds: The seeds are mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow. The

seeds contain around 20% saturated fatty acids and 80% unsaturated fatty acids,

and they yield 25%–40% oil by weight. In addition, the seeds contain other

chemical compounds, such as saccharose, raffinose, stachyose, glucose, fructose,

galactose, and protein. The oil is largely made up of oleic and linoleic acids.

Furthermore, the plant also contains curcasin, arachidic, myristic, palmitic, and

stearic acids and curcin (Nahar and Ozores-Hampton, 2011).

Cultivation of Jatropha curcas

Jatropha curcas grows in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant can

grow in wastelands and grows on almost any terrain, even on gravelly, sandy and

saline soils. It can thrive in poor and stony soils, although new research suggests

that the plant's ability to adapt to these poor soils is not as extensive as had been

previously stated. Complete germination is achieved within 9 days. Adding manure

during the germination has negative effects during that phase, but is favorable if

applied after germination is achieved. It can be propagated by stem cuttings, which

yields faster results than multiplication by seeds (Juhász et al., 2009).

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 The flowers only develop terminally (at the end of a stem), so a good

ramification (plants presenting many branches) produces the greatest amount of

fruits. The plants are self-compatible (Juhász et al., 2009). Another productivity

factor is the ratio between female and male flowers within an inflorescence; more

female flowers mean more fruits. Jatropha curcas thrives on a mere 250 mm

(10 in) of rain a year, and only during its first two years does it need to be watered

in the closing days of the dry season. Ploughing and planting are not needed

regularly, as this shrub has a life expectancy of approximately forty years. The use

of pesticides is not necessary, due to the pesticidal and fungicidal properties of the

plant. It is used in rural Bengal for dhobi itch (a common fungal infection of the

skin) (Kimberling, 2011).

While Jatropha curcas starts yielding from 9-12 months’ time, the best

yields are obtained only after 2–3 years’ time. The seed production is around 3.5

tons per hectare (seed production ranges from about 0.4 tons/hectare in the first year to

over 5 tons/hectare after 3 years). If planted in hedges, the reported productivity of

Jatropha is from 0.8 to 1.0 kg of seed per meter of live fence (Shetty et al., 2006).

Propagation of Jatropha curcas

Jatropha curcas has limited natural vegetative propagation and is usually

propagated by seed. Propagation through seed (sexual propagation) leads to a lot of

genetic variability in terms of growth, biomass, seed yield and oil content. Low

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seed viability and the recalcitrant nature of oil seeds also limit seed propagation.

However, clonal techniques can help in overcoming these problems that hinder

mass propagation of this tree-borne oilseed species. Vegetative propagation has

been achieved by stem cuttings, grafting, budding as well as by air layering

techniques. The investigation leads to the recommendation that cuttings should be

taken preferably from juvenile plants and treated with 200 micro gram per litre of

IBA (rooting hormone) to ensure the highest level of rooting in stem cuttings.

These vegetative methods have potential for commercial propagation of these

plants (Gadekar, 2006).

Processing of Jatropha curcas

Seed extraction is made simple with the use of the Universal Nut Sheller, an

appropriate technology designed by the Full Belly Project.

Oil content varies from 28% to 30% and 80% extraction, one hectare of

plantation will give 400 to 600 litres of oil if the soil is average.

The oily seeds are processed into oil, which may be used directly ("Straight

Vegetable Oil") to fuel combustion engines or may be subjected to

transesterification to produce biodiesel. Jatropha oil is not suitable for human

consumption, as it induces strong vomiting and diarrhea.

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Medicinal Uses of Jatropha curcas

External Uses

 The oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is used in helping with rashes and

parasitic skin diseases.

 Sap form the bark is used to dress wounds and ulcers and can also be used to

stop bleeding.

 When you mix oil from the seeds with benzyl benzoate, it becomes effective

against scabies and dermatitis (Kemberling, 2011).

Internal Uses

 Jatropha is most commonly used to purge the stomach, causing vomiting

and diarrhea.

 When you drink it in a tea, it can help with the reduction of fevers and will

also help with jaundice and gonorrhea.

 Many people chew on the seeds to aid in constipation.

 The stems of young leaves are said to aid urinary infections.

 Tea made from the bark of Jatropha is given to people with rheumatism and

leprosy.

 The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, says the

roots can be used to make an antidote for snakebites.

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 The fruits and seeds of Jatropha are said by jstor.org to contain a

contraceptive principle (Kemberling, 2011).

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS/CONSTITUENTS OF Jatropha curcas

A lot of work on chemical constituents of Jatropha curcas and other species

has been done all over the world. A long list of chemicals identified and/or purified

from various parts of the plant body of Jatropha species exists. These chemicals

may be broadly classified as terpenes, phytosterols, proteins, alkaloids and

flavonoids. The structure of some important ones is depicted in Fig (1).

Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oil of many types of plants

and their flowers. Oxidation of terpenes on their skeleton carbon results in the

synthesis of terpenoids. Vitamin A is an example of terpenes. These are classified

on the basis of presence of number of isoprenoid units in their structure. For

example, monoterpenes contain 2-isoprene units, whereas, di, tri and tetra terpenes

bear 4, 6 and 8 isoprenoid units, respectively. Polyterpenes contain long chain of

such units. Some terpenes are also classified as hemiterpenes that contain single

isoprenoid unit and sesquiterpenes with three units of isoprenoids. Phytosterols are

chemically akin to cholesterol which is generally found in animals. Sterol consists

of three fused cyclohexane rings with hydrophenanthrene ring arrangement with

varying side chains. They are waxy, clear solids soluble in most organic solvents

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but insoluble in water, and contain alcohol (OH) as a functional group.

Stigmasterol shows strong anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically

(García-Alvarado et al., 1999). It reduces TPA-induced edema and inhibits

metalloperoxidase activity. Alpha amyrin also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.

It is known to inhibit PKA (protein kinase A) as well as select proteases e.g.

chymotrypsin which is inhibited by 18-M of-amyrin (Antonio et al., 2000).

Fig. (1). Structure of some of the active compounds purified from Jatropha curcas

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THERAPEUTIC VALUES OF VARIOUS PARTS OF Jatropha curcas

Latex

The genus name Jatropha has been derived from the Greek words jatros

(Doctor) and trophe (food) which implies superiority of the plant as a medicinal

herb. The latex of Jatropha contains an alkaloid known as jatrophine. The latex is

known for anti-cancerous properties. It also serves as a disinfectant. Four

compounds, such as, jatrophine, jatropham, jatrophone and curcain have been

reported from the latex of various species of Jatropha. Jatrophine and Jatropham

have been demonstrated as anti-cancer. The latex is applied topically to get relief

from bee and wasp stings. In Cuba and various other parts of the world the latex is

used against toothache, burns, hemorrhoids, ringworm and ulcers. The latex also

has an antimicrobial property against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,

Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans.

Oil

The external application of the J. curcas oil is useful against various skin

diseases and rheumatism (Heller, 1996). The oil is also considered as a hair growth

stimulant in various parts of Java and Indonesia (Table 1). It has been reported to

be arborificient, emetic, and laxative. Efficacy of oil has also been shown against

dropsy, sciatica, paralysis and sores in animals.

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Table 1: Medicinal Uses of Jatropha curcas

Source: Reena et al. (2008)

Leaves

Various parts of the plant body of Jatropha are used as herbal medicines in

many countries including India and Mexico. The leaves are large, green, alternate

to subopposite, three to five-lobed with spiral phyllotaxy. The inhabitants of

Cameroon apply the leaf decoction for relief in arthritis pain. Some people drink

the leaf decoction to cure venereal diseases and heartburn. Leaves are also used as

antiparasitic and, therefore, applied to cure scabies (Table 1). Some leaves are used

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as rubefacient while others are used as anti-paralytic and anti-rheumatic. The leaf

extract from J. curcas has been used for treating solid tumours (Staubamann et al.,

1997).

Seeds

The seeds of Jatropha have been used to cure stomachache, antidote for

poisoning and as an anthelmintic (Table 1). It is used also as a purgative and as a

styptic. Seeds are used against dropsy, gout and paralysis. Wei et al. (2005)

isolated -1,3-glucanase from the seeds of J. curcas that has been demonstrated to

possess anti-fungal activities against Rhizoctonia solani Kuha and Gibberelle zeae.

The anti-fungal activity of this enzyme (a protein) has been attributed to its ability

to hydrolyze the cell wall of the fungus. More recently, a protein, curcin has been

isolated from the seeds of Jatropha curcas that has been used as a cell-killing agent

against NCL-H446, SGC-7901 and S180 cells at very low concentrations (Luo et

al., 2007).

Roots

The roots are known to have strong anthelmintic action (Table 1).The

aqueous extract of the root is used as an antidote for snake bites. Some people use

root decoction against dysentery and as a mouth wash to take care of the bleeding

gums and teeth (Oudhia, 2001). These preparations are also used against eczema,

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ringworm and scabies. The sap flowing from the stem is used to arrest bleeding of

wounds.

Table 2: Various Countries Utilizing Jatropha Curcas as an Alternative Medicine

Source: Reena et al. (2008)

In the southern part of India, the bark of Jatropha curcus is rubbed with

asafetida or buttermilk and given for dyspepsia, diarrhea, rheumatism and leprosy

(Table 1). Recently, the crude bark extract of J. curcas has been demonstrated to

possess wound-healing properties measured in terms of accelerated

epithelialization, increased granulation tissue breaking strength and skin breaking

strength (Shetty et al., 2006). Branches are used as a chewing stick in Nigeria

(Isawumi, 1978).

Extracts from the roots and stem of Jatropha have been demonstrated to

possess pesticidal and insecticidal effects (Aiyelaagbe et al., 2007). It may,

therefore, be used as a preventive medicine against the insect and pest-vectors of

recently as antimicrobial, particularly against the sexually transmitted diseases.

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

The modern world is too conscious to accept things that do not stand the trial

of analytical (mechanism) wisdom. The need of the hour is to recognize this

traditional or alternative system of medicine and to analyze how it works. The

global awareness and market for this system has been growing consistently over

the years.

Jatropha curcas has been famous over the world because of its significance

as a renewable source of bioenergy. Oil extracted from its seeds is used to produce

biodiesel. The plant body of Jatropha along with its leaves, roots, seeds and oil has

been in application since the time immemorial as an alternative system of

preventive and actual medicine against several human and veterinary ailments.

The medicinal properties of the Jatropha plant should be evaluated keeping

in mind the toxicity and other risk factors. In view of the immense potentiality of

this plant as a good resource for several therapeutic products; it is recommended to

produce genetically engineered Jatropha plant that possesses energy and

pharmaceutical values without or with permissible toxicity.

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