Chemical composition, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of Croton matourensis Aubl. Leaves extracts obtained by supercritical CO2

[Display omitted] •Larixol was found as major compound in SC−CO2 extracts (24.88–50.57 %).•The highest extraction yield with SC−CO2 was at 50 °C/400 bar (5.60 ± 0.06 %).•The extracts showed high TPC (51.81 ± 2.03–79.53 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g extract).•All Croton matourensis leaves extracts exhibited antioxidant activity.•SC−CO2 extract presents anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect. Croton matourensis leaves extract was studied for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects after experimental stroke. The study investigated the extracts obtained with supercritical CO2 (SC−CO2) under different operational conditions of temperature (40 and 50 °C) and pressure (100−400 bar), assessing their global yield isotherms, chemical composition and antioxidant activity, in comparison to extracts obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and n-hexane (HE). The highest yields were obtained with SC−CO2 at 50 °C and 400 bar (5.60 ± 0.06 %) and in the HE (5.73 ± 0.26 %). The major compound found in HD and HE was linalool (35.26 and 69.98 %, respectively), whereas in SC−CO2 extraction was larixol (24.88–50.57 %). The extracts showed high total phenolic contents, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity with maximum percent inhibition of DPPH radical of 83.26 ± 0.58 %. The treatment suggests a potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect, showing reduction in the injury of the animals treated with the SC−CO2 extract.