Phytochemical profiling and their pharmacological activities of traditional plants of Euphorbiacece family:A Review

Abstract

The Euphorbiaceae family has long been recognized for its diverse array of medicinal plants, containing bioactive
compounds with significant pharmacological properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the
pharmacological potential of the Euphorbiaceae family. Through an extensive literature search, we identify and analyze
studies highlighting the various pharmacological activities exhibited by members of this botanical family. These
activities include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, analgesic, and anti-oxidant effects, among
others. Furthermore, we delve into the underlying mechanisms of action of these bioactive compounds, shedding light
on their therapeutic relevance. Additionally, we discuss the traditional uses of Euphorbiaceae plants in indigenous
systems of medicine, as well as their integration into modern pharmaceutical practices. Overall, this review underscores
the significance of the Euphorbiaceae family in drug discovery and development, emphasizing the need for further
research to fully harness its potential for the benefit of global health.

Full text

Citation: Shreya Maddhesiya, Neha Srivastava, Shiwani Jaiswal. Phytochemical Profiling and their Pharmacological Activities
of Traditional Plants of Euphorbiaceae Family: A Review. Sch Acad J Pharm, 2024 Jun 13(6): N/A.
1
Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy
Abbreviated Key Title: Sch Acad J Pharm
ISSN 2347-9531 (Print) | ISSN 2320-4206 (Online)
Journal homepage: http://saspublishers.com
Phytochemical Profiling and their Pharmacological Activities of
Traditional Plants of Euphorbiaceae Family: A Review
Shreya Maddhesiya1*, Neha Srivastava1, Shiwani Jaiswal1
1Buddha Institute of Pharmacy, GIDA, Gorakhpur (U.P.), India-273209
DOI: 10.36347/sajp.2024.v13i06.00X | Received: 29.04.2024 | Accepted: 01.06.2024 | Published: X
*Corresponding author: Shreya Maddhesiya
Buddha Institute of Pharmacy, GIDA, Gorakhpur (U.P.), India-273209
Abstract
Review Article
The Euphorbiaceae family has long been recognized for its diverse array of medicinal plants, containing bioactive
compounds with significant pharmacological properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the
pharmacological potential of the Euphorbiaceae family. Through an extensive literature search, we identify and analyze
studies highlighting the various pharmacological activities exhibited by members of this botanical family. These
activities include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, analgesic, and anti-oxidant effects, among
others. Furthermore, we delve into the underlying mechanisms of action of these bioactive compounds, shedding light
on their therapeutic relevance. Additionally, we discuss the traditional uses of Euphorbiaceae plants in indigenous
systems of medicine, as well as their integration into modern pharmaceutical practices. Overall, this review underscores
the significance of the Euphorbiaceae family in drug discovery and development, emphasizing the need for further
research to fully harness its potential for the benefit of global health.
Keywords: Euphorbiaceae Family, Medicinal Plants, Bioactive Compounds with Significant Pharmacological
Properties.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original
author and source are credited.
INTRODUCTION
A enormous family of blooming plants is the
spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. They are commonly
referred to as euphorbias in common English, which is
also the name of a genus within the family. With over
300 genera and 7,500 species, the Euphorbiaceae are one
of the largest families of plants. They are primarily
monoecious herbs, shrubs, and trees, although they can
sometimes occasionally be succulent and cactus-like.
The primary goals of this review study were to uncover
the mystery surrounding the Euphorbiaceae family of
plants' therapeutic properties, identify potential further
uses for the plant, and compile scientific evidence
supporting the plant's therapeutic worth [1]. Numerous
members serve as vital food sources. Others are harmful
because of their toxic fruits, leaves, or sap; helpful
because of their waxes and oils and as a source of
therapeutic medications; or beautiful because of their
unique forms or colorful bracts, which are leaf-like
structures that are found directly below flower clusters.
The majority of the family's species are located in
temperate or tropical regions, yet they do flourish around
the world with the exception of frigid arctic or alpine
environments. The family includes woody shrubs and
trees, as well as a few climbers, as well as annual and
perennial herbs [2].
A highly specialized kind of pseudodanthium,
known as a cyathium (a "false flower" composed of
many actual blossoms), is found in the species belonging
to the family Euphorbieae, subtribe Euphorbiinae
(Euphorbia and related allies). Usually encircling a ring
of male flowers, each with a single stamen, is a tiny, cup-
shaped involucre made of peripheral nectary glands and
joined bracts. A solitary pistil with branched stigmas
represents the female flower situated in the center of the
cyathium. This arrangement looks like one single flower.
Usually a schizocarp, the fruit can sometimes
occasionally be a drupe. The regma is a classic example
of a schizocarp. It is a capsular fruit with three or more
cells that splits apart into different sections at maturity
and then bursts away explosively, dispersing the tiny
seeds. A wide range of phytotoxins, or poisons made by
plants, are included in this family; the most common
ones are glycosides, alkaloids, diterpene esters, and ricin-
type toxins [3].
Distribution: The Euphorbia family comprises 283
genera and 7,300 species, found globally but not in arctic
Pharmacy

Shreya Maddhesiya et al, Sch Acad J Pharm, Jun, 2024; 13(6): N/A
© 2024 Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy | Published by SAS Publishers, India
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regions. In India, it includes genera like Euphorbia,
Ricinus, Phyllanthus, Croton, and Pedilanthus.
Habit: Plants can be herbs, shrubs, or trees, including
annual or prennial herbs like Euphorbia hirta, E.
thymifolia, E. helioscopica, E. peplus, Phyllanthus
niruri, Croton sp., Acalypha indica [4].
Euphorbiaceae are a group of plants, including
herbs, shrubs, vines, and trees, which can be monoecious
or dioecious and contain latex in some major groups.
Stems in certain plants, such as Euphorbias, can be
characterized as succulent and cactus-like.
Leaves are simple, spiral, opposite, or whorled,
with stipules, glands, or spines, and inflorescence is a
cyme or cyathium in some Euphorbioideae.
The flowers are unisexual, actinomorphic, and
bracteate. The perianth is biseriate, uniseriate, or absent,
and the calyx is aposepalous. The corolla is apopetalous,
and the stamens are distinct. The gynoecium is
syncarpous, with a superior ovary, carpels, and locules.
A fruit can be classified as a schizocarp, drupe, berry, or
samara [5, 6].
Table 1: Phytochemical & pharmacological activities details of Euphorbiaceae family
S. No
Common
name
Scientific name
Active Ingredients
Chemical structure
Pharmacological action
1
Herbe
chatte
Acalypha indica
leaf
Acalyphin,
Acalyphamide,
Aurantiamide,
Succinimide,
pyranoquinolinone
alkaloid, flindersin
O
OH
OH
HO
HO O
N
O
O
OH
CN
acalyphin
O
N
H
OH
NH
O
acalyphamide,
antihelmintic, anti-
inflammation, anti-
bacterial, anti-cancer,
anti-diabetes, anti-
hyperlipidemic, anti-
obesity anti-venom,
hepatoprotective, hypoxi
a, and wound healing
medicine.
2
Croton
Codiaeum
variegatum
leaf
Glaucine,
Oxoglaucine and
Hemiargyrine
Glaucine
N
O
O
O
O
O
Oxoglaucine
antiamoebic antigiardial
antimicrobialantioxidant,
anticonvulsant, and
antiviral activities, anti-
inflammatory activity
3
Castor oil
Ricinus communis
seed
Ricinoleic acid
OH H H
OH
O
Ricinoleic acid
anticonceptive,
antidiabetic antifertility
anti-inflammatory,
antimicrobial,
antioxidant,
hepatoprotective,
insecticidal and wound-
healing activities

Shreya Maddhesiya et al, Sch Acad J Pharm, Jun, 2024; 13(6): N/A
© 2024 Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy | Published by SAS Publishers, India
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4
Hevea
Hevea brasiliensis.
Wood
Cyanogenic
glycosides,
Linamarase,α-
hydroxynitriles,β-
glycosidase
R
CO N
α-hydroxynitriles
analgesic
and antidiarrheal activity
analgesic
and antidiarrheal activity
analgesic
and antidiarrheal activity
antimicrobial activity,
antifungal, and
antioxidant, analgesic
and antidiarrheal
5
Smoketree
Euphorbia
cotinifolia
leaf
3-methylbutyl
formate, quinic
acid, N1- (4-
hydroxybutyl)-N3-
methylguanidine
acetate, and 2,3-
dihydro-3,5-
dihydroxy-6-
methyl-4H-pyran-
4-one
HO
OH
OH
HO
O
OH
quinic acid
H
NH
N
HO
NO
O
N1- (4-hydroxybutyl)-N3-methylguanidine acetate
O O
H
3-methylbutyl formate
O
O
OH
HO
2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one
antibacterial activity,
antimicrobial agents,
emetic and cathartic
6
Poinsettia
Euphorbia
pulcherrima
flower
Spinacetin,
Patuletin
O
O
HO
OH O
OH
O
OH
Spinacetin
O
O
HO
OH O
OH
OH
OH
Patuletin
hypermenorrhea, bruises,
traumatic hemorrhage,
and fracture
7
Acidocroto
n
Acidocrotonacura
ne
Clerodanediterpeno
id,Cembrane
diterpenoid,
Labdane
diterpenoid,
Casbane,
Halimane,
Pimarane&13-cis-
retinoic acid
Clerodane diterpenoid

Shreya Maddhesiya et al, Sch Acad J Pharm, Jun, 2024; 13(6): N/A
© 2024 Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy | Published by SAS Publishers, India
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H
H
H
Pimarane
H
H
HO
OH
H
H
H
13-cis-retinoic acid
8
Cephalocro
ton
Cephalocrotoncor
dofanus flower
Fatty acids
of C. cordofanus w
ere 8.60 % oleic,
17.2% linoleic,
64.2% vernolic,
and 2.0% coronaric
acids.
OH
O
OH
H
vernolic
9
Nettlespurg
e
Jatropha cuneata
stem
phenolic acids,
lignans,
flavonoids,
coumarins,
alkaloids, and
terpenes,
O
OO
O
O
O
O
HO H
lignans
O O
OH O
coumarins
antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory,
antidiarrheal,
antihypertensive, and
anticancer agents,
10
Wood
spurge
Euphorbia
amygdaloides
Wood
isoflavonoids (3-
phenylbenzopyrans
), neoflavonoids (4-
phenylbenzopyrans
), chalcones
N
H
N
NN
HO
HO
HO
O
H
H
chalcones
cytotoxic, antibacterial
and antitumor diseases.
CONCLUSION
The Euphorbiaceae family encompasses a rich
array of medicinal plants, offering a diverse range of
pharmacological benefits. Through the ages, these plants
have been valued for their natural compounds, including
diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids.
Pharmacologically, they exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-
cancer, and anti-diabetic properties. Their significance
spans traditions systems like Ayurvedic and Unani, as
well as modern medicine, showcasing their board
spectrum of therapeutic potential.
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2. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia.
"Euphorbiaceae". Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Jan.
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