SANGRE DE GRADO (Croton lechleri) 

"Sangre de Grado"  is the popular name given to the latex exudated  tearing the bark of some tropical species of plants. It is a viscous liquid with a blood red colour and astringent taste. 

The most representative genus of species of Sangre de Grado is Croton (Euphorbiaceae), and the specie most used and studied is C. lechleri. 

The  species of plants known as Sangre de Grado are distributed in tropical and subtropical America from southern Mexico and Central America to tropical and subtropical South America countries. Lechleri ​​Croton is native of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, and in some countries is cultivated for the production of latex 

The components mainly isolated from Sangre de Grado of Croton lechleri are: catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin. Among the minor compounds, are the alkaloid taspine, a lignan known as dimethylcedrusine and diterpenes like acid hardnickic, bicantriol, crolequinol, crolequinic acid, korberine A and korberine B. 

Sangre de grado is one of the most widely popular products used in the humid tropics areas of Central and South America. It is mainly used as a cicatrizant substance. Also ascribed as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and haemostatic as well as beneficial effects in treating diarrhea. It is used in the treatment of digestive ulcers, uterine cramps and in cases of urinary retention, when taken in small doses. In addition, anticancer action is attributed. Other uses include the treatment of fevers of digestive causes and pyorrhea, its use in bathrooms, for bleeding after childbirth. In all these indications in traditional medicine, it is used about 8 drops (although a dose can reach 20 to 30 drops), which are usually added to an infusion of any aromatic plant. In countries of origin is common to find this latex at various trade shows in both liquid and incorporated into various preparations. 

One of the most known and first studied properties of  Sangre de Grado is as a cicatrizant substance, and on this is involved more than one active ingredient. Sangre de Grado stimulates contraction of the wound, it helps in the formation of the crust and it regenerates the skin quickly by helping to form collagen. To this action contributes the taspine, the 3'-4-O-dimethylcedrusine and polyphenols  (Catechins and proanthocyanidins), and it has been demonstrated that the total latex is more active than isolated components. The Sangre de Grado mixed with zinc oxide can be used in the treatment of painful dried alveolitis, as it induces the formation of granulation tissue of the dry alveoli, it removes pain and odor present in this disease over periods ranging between 24 hours and 4 days after treatment. 

The Sangre de Grado facilitates healing of gastric ulcers by reducing myeloperoxidase activity, ulcer size and sepsis. Polyphenols play an important role in the cicatrizant action of the latex, probably due to the scavenging action of free radicals. Proanthocyanidins stimulate wound contraction and formation of a dark crust covering the wound. 

Many researches support the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of Sangre de Grado, and mainly from the SP-303. This proanthocyanidin inhibits various DNA and RNA viruses, including herpes virus (HSV types 1 and 2), hepatitis (A and B), influenza virus A (FLU-A) and parainfluenza virus. Viral activity against the two types of herpes simplex virus, includes type I deficient timidinaquinase. 

The Sangre de Grado has shown immunomodulatory activity in vitro. Clinical observations of a group of doctors from CEIA (Reymond, 1999) have suggested the possible interest of the Sangre de Grado of C. lechleri ​​as an adjuvant in the treatment of a number of diseases, which share an important immunological component (autoimmune, cancerous, neurological and viral). 

The phagocytic activity is the main mechanism by which the immune system eliminates most pathogens. The Sangre de Grado stimulates or inhibits phagocytosis in human neutrophils and monocytes depending on the concentration 

The antiinflammatory effect of Sangre de Grado at 5 mg / kg is comparable at 20 mg / kg of naproxen during the first 4 hours.