Croton oil  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to:
navigation, search   Croton oil is the source of the organic
compound phorbol.[1] Today croton oil is the basis of
rejuvenating chemical peels, due to the caustic exfoliating
effects it has on the dermal components of the skin. Used in
conjunction with phenol solutions, it results in an intense
reaction which leads to initial skin sloughing and then eventual
regeneration. Tumor promotion activity was traced to phorbol
esters present in croton oil.[2] Pure phorbol 12-myristate
13-acetate is now used widely for laboratory study of tumor
development.  Since croton oil is very irritating and painful,
it is used in laboratory animals to study how pain works, pain-
relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunology. [3]
During World War II, the United States Navy added a small amount
of croton oil to the neutral grain spirits which powered
torpedoes. The oil was intended to prevent sailors from drinking
the alcohol fuel. Sailors devised crude stills to