Hura crepitans (Hourglass) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Hura crepitans (Hourglass, Sabliyé, Sablier) — family Euphorbiacées.

Scientific synonyms : Hura brasiliensis-Willd, H senegalensis-B, H strepens-Wiild.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 9 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 40 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to HALIMAT LY (2024)

     Excerpt This study evaluated the antidiabetic potential of methanolic extract of Hura crepitans using in vitro, in vivo, & in silico approach. Likewise, the extract increased serum &pancreatic insulin levels, & signicantly ameliorated neuronal oxidative stress & inammation by reducing the expression levels of cholinesterase, NF-κB, & COX-2 in the brain of hyperglycemic rats.

   • According to Igwenyi T (2017)

     Excerpt The Hura crepitans (Sandbox tree) seed extract (HSE) is used traditionally in the treatment of certain diseases & conditions like diabetes mellitus & its complications in Nigeria; however, there are no systematic investigations that have confirmed its antidiabetic potential. The study investigated the antidiabetic & hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extract of HC seed in alloxan-induced diabetic rats so as to ascertain its therapeutic value, safety & possible toxicity.

   • According to CHELOTTI ME (2025)

     Excerpt This study aims to critically review the scientific literature on the medicinal use of Hura crepitans L. Plant parts—particularly latex, seeds, & bark—contain bioactive metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, daphnane-type diterpenes, lectins, & ribosome-inactivating proteins, associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, & antiparasitic activities.

2. 2

   Hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Owojuyigbe. Os (2020)

     Excerpt This paper reviews the potential of the Hura crepitans plant in protecting the liver against drug-induced toxicity.

   • According to Owojuyigbe OS (2021)

     Excerpt Hura crepitans is commonly used to treat liver diseases in Nigeria & Ghana. Materials & methods The protective activities of ethanolic extract of HC stem bark was evaluated in CCl4-induced subacute liver damage in rats (1:1 v/v in olive oil, intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice weekly for 8 weeks).

   • According to Ezeh G (2020)

     Excerpt This study investigated thetoxicity profile of methanol extract of Hura crepitans leaf on albino rats. This study suggests that methanol extract of HC has hepatoprotective activity, promotes weight gain & could precipitate anemia when taken for a long period.

   • According to Owojuyigbe OS (2020)

     Excerpt crepitans stem bark in CCl 4-induced liver injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. EE, AE, & silymarin displayed significant hepatoprotective activities by ameliorating the activities of transaminase (ALT & AST) & alkaline phosphatase (ALP) & decreased the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) following increases induced by CCl 4.

   • According to OLATUNYA A (2024)

     Excerpt The bioactive lipids (fat-soluble vitamins, phytosterol, & fatty acids), phospholipids, & phytochemicals present in Hura crepitans seed oil were investigated using standard analytical procedures.

3. 3

   Inflammatory conditions: osteoarthritis, arthritis, rheumatism, oedema

   Plant part used: Stem bark.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Owojuyigbe. Os (2020)

     Excerpt However much more biochemical studies need to be done to establish the hepatoprotective potentials of the various parts & various phytochemicals of Hura crepitans with the need for more preclinical & clinical studies.

   • According to Owojuyigbe OS (2021)

     Excerpt Hura crepitans is commonly used to treat liver diseases in Nigeria & Ghana. The plant also mitigated liver injury as evidenced in the significantly reduced levels of AST, ALT & ALP, while it inhibited the inflammatory process via the inhibition of NF-κB, & consequently down-regulateed the pro-inflammatory cytokines COX-2, IL-17 & IL-23, respectively.

   • According to KUO YC (2025)

     Excerpt Despite the recognized therapeutic potential of Hura crepitans, its mechanistic antioxidant & anti-inflammatory actions remain underexplored. Anti-inflammatory activities, including protein denaturation, proteinase inhibition, & membrane stabilization, demonstrated IC50 values between 77.29-171.30 µg/mL.

   • According to Igwe KK (2017)

     Excerpt Igwe KK et al, Screening for secondary metabolites in Hura crepitans bark ethanol extract using GC-MS analysis: a preliminary study approach, Jl of Sci & Technol Adv., 2017; 2 (1): 8-15. Conclusions: The bioactivity studies showed that HC bark could be a urinary acidifier, inhibitor of uric acid production, antibacterial, prevents inflammation & vasodilatation.

   • According to CHELOTTI ME (2025)

     Excerpt Plant parts—particularly latex, seeds, & bark—contain bioactive metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, daphnane-type diterpenes, lectins, & ribosome-inactivating proteins, associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, & antiparasitic activities. This study aims to critically review the scientific literature on the medicinal use of Hura crepitans L.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.