Abegaz Berhanu (PhD)emberu, Dirshaye2022-01-242023-11-092022-01-242023-11-091981http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/29561The root- bark powder of Croton macrostachys Hochstex. A. Rich . (Euphorheaceae) ( n nCj') , used in Ethiopia for curing spreading wounds, was extraced with diethyl ether . The crude extract, on fractionation by column chromatography (Silica gel) yielded a major solid compound A (mp 210- 212o ) crystallizable from acetone- methanol (9 ; l) into be autiful needle aggregates, the structure of which was identified , using I R, PHR and MS data , to be that of lupeol , aknown antitumor agent. The tumor inhibitor y compound Crotepoxide which was previously isolated from the fruits could not be detecte in t he rootbark extract. Preliminary investigation also showed the presence of trace solids B and C having the same Rf on TLC. B was water isoluble white solid while C was water soluble and showed strong blue fluorescence unde r UV- I amp. The presence of quaternary alkaloid was also confirmed in the root- bark .enThesis