Euphorbia Ingens Research Articles

Plant species from the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family used for medicinal purposes in Zimbabwe: A review

The present review was aimed at documenting medicinal uses of species of the Euphorbiaceae family in Zimbabwe. Literature was collected from online databases such as BioMed Central, Web of Science, Springerlink, Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Science Direct, ACS Publications, Scopus and JSTOR. This study showed that 29 species are used to manage human and animal diseases in Zimbabwe. These species are used against 49 medical conditions, mainly as ethnoveterinary medicine (21 use reports), and traditional medicine against respiratory (23 use reports), gastro-intestinal (14 use reports), male reproductive (11 use reports), antenatal and postpartum (10 use reports each) and sexually transmitted infections (9 use reports). Acalypha brachiata, Bridelia cathartica, B. mollis, Crotonmegalobotrys, Euphorbia ingens, E. matabelensis, Flueggea virosa, Monadenium lugardiae, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Ricinus communisand Spirostachys africanahave the highest number of medicinal uses. There is need to unravel the therapeutic potential of the family through further ethnopharmacological research.

Microfungi associated with dying Euphorbia mauritanica in South Africa and their relative pathogenicity.

Euphorbia mauritanica is a succulent shrub that is indigenous to South Africa and widely distributed throughout the country. Dying plants have been observed in their natural habitat in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa in recent years. Stems displaying lesions were collected and the emerging cultures were identified based on ITS, LSU, ACT, RPB2, TEF1 and/or TUB2 sequence data. Four filamentous fungi were consistently observed and isolated. One was identified as Alanphillipsia (Ala.) aloes, and the other three were new to science and are described here as Cytospora euphorbiicola sp. nov., Nothomicrosphaeropsis namakwaensis sp. nov. and Austrophoma (Aus.) euphorbiae gen. et sp. nov. These new species and Ala. aloes were the most commonly encountered, and their pathogenicity was tested on E. mauritanica plants in a greenhouse trial. All four species gave rise to lesions that were significantly larger than those associated with the controls, but they were not significantly different to each other. Although the lesions associated with the inoculations were well-developed, they did not give rise to plant death, suggesting that they are not responsible for the large-scale die-off of E. mauritanica in the field. The primary cause of the death of E. mauritanica in the studied area remains unknown and could be due to environmental factors such as has been found with the die-off of Euphorbia ingens in South Africa. Citation: Marincowitz S, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Roets F, Wingfield MJ (2023). Microfungi associated with dying Euphorbia mauritanica in South Africa and their relative pathogenicity. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 59-71. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.04.

Antiproliferative activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Euphorbia ingens against prostate cancer cell line: An in silico and in vitro analysis

Current prostate cancer (PCa) treatments often lead to severe side effects, prompting the exploration of safer alternatives. Euphorbia ingens is a medicinal plant used for cancer treatment in African communities; however, there is no scientific validation of its anticancer activity. This study therefore evaluated the antiproliferative activity of E. ingens on the DU-145 human PCa cell line. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) bio-assay was used to determine the antiproliferative activity of E. ingens ethyl acetate-, and water-fractions. Only the ethyl acetate fraction was considered to be active. It inhibited DU-145 cell growth selectively without toxicity to non-cancerous Vero E6 cells. The IC50 was 9.71 ± 0.4 µg/ml and had a selectivity index of 8.26, indicating promising efficacy and cellular safety. Qualitative phytochemical screening identified the presence of phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and saponins in the ethyl acetate fraction. An additional 18 chemical compounds with potential synergistic roles were identified through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Network pharmacology was then employed to predict molecular targets and mechanisms of action for drug-like chemical compounds, implicating key targets such as ESR1, IL6, MMP9, CDK2, MAP2K1, AR, PRKCD, CDK1, CDC25B, and JAK2 with regulation of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways suggested to be the potential mechanism of action. Further, gene expression analysis of selected targets through reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed downregulation of AR and BCL2 levels, along with upregulation of p53 and caspase-3 in fraction-treated DU-145 cells compared to the 0.2 % DMSO-negative control. In conclusion, the findings of this study validate the traditional use of E. ingens in cancer management. The identified drug-like compounds, their targets, and associated signaling pathways could serve as a foundation for developing novel strategies for prostate cancer management. However, we recommend additional in vitro and in vivo studies to further substantiate these findings.

English

Euphorbia ingens is a woody, succulent tree with ethnomedicinal applications; however, its chemical constituents are not well documented. This study determined the phytochemical profile of Euphorbia ingens dichloromethane-methanol root bark extract. Following sample collection and preparation, extraction was done using the cold percolation technique. This was followed by qualitative phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. This study reports relative high abundance of phenols, tannins and saponins with moderate and low levels of flavonoids and terpenoids respectively in E. ingens dichloromethane-methanol root bark extract. However, alkaloids, quinones and sterols were not identified in this study. Additionally, 14 phytocompounds were identified through GC-MS analysis, including undecane; copaene; 3,4-altrosan; 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid; hexadecanoic acid; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid; lanosterol; androst-2-en-17-one; lanosterol; 2-Bornanol; octadecanoic acid; squalene; 6-Pentylidene-4,5-secoandrostane-4,17.beta.-diol, and ethyl trans-4a, cis-4b, trans-8a, cis-10a-perhydro-trans-2,4a,8a-trimethyl-8-oxophenanthrene-2-carbothiolate. These phytocompounds have been documented to have diverse pharmacological activities from antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, hypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it was assumed in this study that these phytocompounds could be responsible for documented E. ingens pharmacological activities. Thus, the results of this study could support to some extent the ethnomedical uses of E. ingens. However, further biological investigations to validate the reported ethnobotanical uses of E. ingens are required. Key words: Euphorbia ingens, phytocompounds, ethnomedical, pharmacological potential, biological activity.

Examine medicinal plants from South Africa for suppression of Meloidogyne incognita under glasshouse conditions.

The nematicidal activity of crudely milled powders of stems, leaves, and bulbs of Cassia abbreviata, Cissus cactiformis, Euphorbia ingens, Ipomoea kituiensis, Synadenium cupulare, Senna petersiana, Urigenia sanguinea, Maerua angolensis, and Tabernaemontana elegans on eggs and J2 population densities of Meloidogyne incognita race 2 on tomato was examined under glasshouse conditions. These plant species have medicinal properties and are being used in South Africa by traditional healers as so-called “muti.” All plant species showed a suppressive effect. Relative to untreated control, the soil amendments consistently suppressed M. incognita population densities in tomato roots and the reproductive potential (RP) of the nematode. When compared to fenamiphos, a commercial systemic chemical nematicide, the soil amendments performed comparable or better in suppressing nematode populations in the root systems in 2008 and 2009, but fenamiphos performed better than all soil amendments in 2011. The RP of M. incognita was comparable for both soil amendment- and fenamiphos-treated plants. No consistent trend in the effect of the soil amendments on plant root and shoot bioweight was observed, except when plants were treated with T. elegans-based soil amendments and both root and shoot bioweight were consistently higher compared with untreated control plants. Our results show that the plant species examined are potential sources of phytonematicides effective against M. incognita race 2.

Seasonal Flight Patterns of Curculionidae (Cossoninae and Scolytinae) Infesting DyingEuphorbia ingensin South Africa1

Abstract There is limited knowledge regarding the biology of beetles in Cossoninae and Scolytinae (Curculionidae) in South Africa. It has recently been found that beetles in these two weevil subfamilies are associated with Euphorbia ingens E. Meyer: Boissier die-offs in the country. Lindgren traps baited with 95% ethanol were set at three sites in two provinces of South Africa to gain an understanding of the seasonal activity of the beetles that infest E. ingens. Temperature and relative humidity were monitored at each site to correlate environmental conditions with beetle flight patterns. Seven beetle species, of which six were in Scolytinae and one in Cossoninae, were captured in the traps over a period of 20 mo. Eccoptopterus spinosus Olivier, Premnobius cavipennis Eichhoff and Xyleborinus spinifer Eggers were the most commonly caught beetles. Ambrosiodmus natalensis Schedl, E. spinosus, P. cavipennis, and X. spinifer are reported from South Africa for the first time. Of the seven beetle species, two,...

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi persist in dying Euphorbia ingens trees

Forest declines have been reported with increasing regularity during the last decade and are expected to increase due to the ongoing environmental changes. During adverse environmental conditions, plant symbioses with mycorrhizas can help to reduce plant stress. Mycorrhizas are symbiotic associations between fungi and roots of living plants. Plants offer carbohydrates to the fungus and the fungus improves the acquisition of nutrients and water to the plant. Specifically, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are the most abundant mycorrhizas. In South Africa, there are increasing reports describing the decline of native Euphorbia ingens trees. This study analysed the presence and abundance of AM fungal colonisation in the roots of E. ingens trees, and the number of AM fungal spores in the surrounding soil, with the aim to improve the understanding of the rapid decline of these trees. AM fungal colonisation and spores in relation to the soil properties were also analysed. Soil and root samples were collected from different rates of declining E. ingens trees at three sites in South Africa. AM fungal colonisation of the roots was assessed and fungal spores in the surrounding soil were enumerated. Soil phosphorus, mineral nitrogen and pH were analysed from the soil samples. The results showed that AM fungi are associated with E. ingens trees. AM abundance was influenced by site specific properties and not by E. ingens health. Moreover, the level of soil NO3− and soil texture significantly influenced AM colonisation in roots and the number of spores enumerated. These preliminary findings provide background information for further research into the large-scale decline of E. ingens populations in South Africa.

Landscape degradation may contribute to large-scale die-offs of Euphorbia ingens in South Africa

Euphorbia ingens, a large succulent tree species native to southern African savanna ecosystems, has died in large numbers in recent years in some areas of South Africa. A previous study found that changes in climate (higher temperatures and lower or more variable rainfall) likely play an important role in causing mortality. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that stress due to habitat degradation may also contribute to E. ingens die-offs. In this study, we evaluated E. ingens die-offs in South Africa at 10 sites. Specifically, we aimed to examine the roles of both climate and landscape degradation in causing the die-offs. We used a combination of climate data, estimates of tree mortality and ratings of die-off symptoms (categories of grey discoloration and rotting associated with moth attacks), and proxies for landscape degradation associated with livestock grazing. We assessed which sites exhibited greater mortality and die-off associated symptoms, and whether they exhibited spatial auto-correlation (did distance between sites correlate with severity of E. ingens die-off?). We also used correlation analysis to compare tree mortality to proxies of savanna ecosystem degradation. These proxies were dung counts (livestock), woody debris counts, plant and bare soil cover, soil nutrients, and density of Dichrostachys cinerea (Fabaceae), a savanna plant that dominates when disturbance is high. Minimum and maximum temperatures as well as precipitation were compared among sites. There was no spatial auto-correlation between distance and die-off severity among sites, and sites with greater levels of tree mortality were associated with proxies indicating degradation. This suggests that die-offs of E. ingens are likely due to a complex of stressors, including both changes in climate and poor land-use practices. Our results indicate that sustainable rangeland practising of South African savannas may aid in conserving E. ingens and retaining this iconic tree on the landscape.

Fungi and insects associated with Euphorbia ingens die-off in South Africa

Euphorbia ingens, landmark succulent trees in savannas of South Africa, have been dying in large numbers over the last 10–15 years. Initial studies conducted in the Limpopo province of South Africa revealed a diverse group of biotic agents including fungi, beetles and moths associated with dying trees, but due to the limited geographic extent of these studies, it was not known if the same agents were associated with dying trees regionally. In this study, diseased and insect-infested trees were sampled for fungal pathogens and insects at six sites in four provinces located across South Africa. Fungi were identified based on morphology and DNA sequencing of the ITS, LSU, β-tubulin and TEF 1-α gene regions, and insects were identified based on morphology. Fungal isolates were identified as Aureovirgo volantis, Fusarium solani, Lasiodiplodia × egyptiacae, Ophiostoma thermarum and a Readeriella species. Five insects were identified, all in the family Curculionidae, including two ambrosia beetles, Cyrtogenius africus and a Stenoscelis species. All fungi and insects collected are known to be opportunistic and occur on stressed trees as secondary agents of mortality or disease. These results suggest that the die-off is not related to attack of the trees by aggressive insects or pathogens, but rather that E. ingens in this region is under stress from environmental factors that supports the ability of opportunistic insects and pathogens to establish.

The distribution and interaction between Pappea capensis and Euphorbia ingens growing on termite mounds in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The distribution and interaction between Pappea capensis and Euphorbia ingens growing on termite mounds in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Novel ophiostomatalean fungi from galleries of Cyrtogenius africus (Scolytinae) infesting dying Euphorbia ingens.

Euphorbia ingens trees have been dying in large numbers in the Limpopo Province of South Africa for approximately 15 years. The ambrosia beetle Cyrtogenius africus is often found infesting diseased and dying trees. The aim of this study was to identify the ophiostomatoid fungi occurring in the galleries of C. africus. Logs infested with this beetle were collected from the KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West Provinces of South Africa. Fungi belonging to the Ophiostomatales were identified based on morphology and comparison of sequence data for the β-tubulin, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and LSU gene regions. A novel species of Ophiostoma and a novel genus in the Ophiostomatales were identified. Inoculation studies with these fungi produced lesions in the branches of healthy E. ingens trees.

Die-off of giant Euphorbia trees in South Africa: Symptoms and relationships to climate

Euphorbia ingens is the largest of the succulent tree Euphorbias in Southern Africa. In South Africa, it is most abundant in the northern portion of the country, especially in the Limpopo and North West Provinces. In the mid-nineties, E. ingens were noted to show symptoms of disease, and by 2000 severe mortality had begun to occur in the Limpopo Province. Various factors have been suggested as possible causes of this mortality. We investigated the possible involvement of changes in climate in the sudden die-offs of E. ingens. Four sites within the severely affected Limpopo Province and two sites in the less affected North West Province were included. Nine linear transects were established at each site. Each tree within a transect was scored as alive or dead, and as mature or juvenile. Insect and disease symptoms, and environmental variables were also evaluated. Trees in the Limpopo Province were more severely affected by disease and insects and exhibited higher levels of mortality compared to trees in the North West Province. Analyses of weather data revealed greater upward trends in temperature and downward trends in precipitation in the Limpopo Province compared with the North West Province. Estimates of potential evapotranspiration and water balance indicated an increase in water demand while precipitation has remained the same or has decreased. The dramatic degree of mortality of E. ingens that has been observed since about 2000 appears to be linked to increasing moisture deficits resulting in tree stress, which in turn allows opportunistic fungal pathogens and insects to increase in severity, ultimately contributing to tree mortality.

New species of Gondwanamyces from dying Euphorbia trees in South Africa

Gondwanamyces and its Custingophora anamorphs were first described from Protea infructescences in South Africa. Subsequently these unusual fungi were also found on Cecropia in Central America. During an investigation into the decline and death of native Euphorbia trees in South Africa, several fungal isolates resembling the anamorph state of Gondwanamyces were obtained from diseased tissues. In this study these isolates are identified based on morphology and comparisons of DNA sequences. Two previously unknown Gondwanamyces species were identified, both were associated with damage caused by beetles (Cossonus sp.). Inoculation studies showed that the new species of Gondwanamyces are pathogenic on Euphorbia ingens and may contribute to the decline of these trees.

Lasiodiplodia species associated with dying Euphorbia ingens in South Africa

Various species of Euphorbia occur in South Africa, including herbaceous, succulent and woody types. The largest of the succulent Euphorbia spp. in South Africa is Euphorbia ingens. These trees have been dying at an alarming rate in the Limpopo province during the course of the last 15 years. Investigations into the possible causes of the death have included the possible role of fungal pathogens. Amongst the fungi isolated from diseased trees were species in the Botryosphaeriaceae. The aim of this study was to identify these fungi using morphology and DNA sequence data of two gene regions (TEF 1-α and ITS). Results showed that Lasiodiplodia theobromae and L. mahajangana were present, representing the first report of Lasiodiplodia species on a succulent Euphorbia species. Pathogenicity studies showed that these Lasiodiplodia species can cause infections on healthy E. ingens trees, implicating them as contributors to the decline of E. ingens.

Ingenol Protects Human T Cells From HIV-1 Infection

ObjectivesMany natural compounds have been investigated as drug candidates to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with low cytotoxicity. We tested whether ingenol from Euphorbia ingens exerts anti-HIV effects in human T cell lines. Methods and ResultsIngenol effectively maintained high cell viability (CD50, >1 mM) in H9 and MT4 T cells. The efficacy of ingenol to inhibit HIV-1 infection was dose dependent. ED50 for 100 and 200 TCID50 of HIV-1 was 5.06 and 16.87 μM, respectively. Gag p24 antigen production in ingenol-treated MT4 cells was reduced by 24.5% on day 6 post-infection. While p24 antigen was reduced in ingenol-treated cells, levels of cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 and chemokines such as RANTES and MCP-1 were increased. dUTP level related to late apoptotic events was increased on day 2 post-infection of HIV by ingenol treatment, whereas expression of annexin V was unchanged. Reduced levels of iNOS and ZAP-70 after HIV infection were recovered by ingenol treatment. ConclusionIngenol helps T cells to survive longer against viremia after HIV-1 infection, without exerting cytotoxic effects. Ingenol can be considered a safe and efficacious candidate for immune-boosting therapy for AIDS patients.

Consideration of factors associated with Euphorbia ingens decline in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Consideration of factors associated with Euphorbia ingens decline in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Discovery of new fungi associated with the decline and death of Euphorbia ingens in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Discovery of new fungi associated with the decline and death of Euphorbia ingens in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Preliminary results on the ichthyocidal properties of Euphorbia ingens (Euphorbiaceae)

Euphorbia ingens belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, which includes a variety of latex-producing plants, the majority of them having ichthyocidal properties (Coates-Palgrave 2000). Tests to determine the degree of virulence of E. ingens latex used Cyprinus carpio and Xenopus laevis as the main test organisms. Fish and frogs were exposed to various concentrations of latex to determine the concentration lethal only to the fish. The same concentrations were then used to determine the stability of the latex, by exposing fish in tanks with and without biological filtration. The breakdown period varied, with it breaking down quicker with biological filtration than without it. Once the stability of the latex within a system was determined, crabs, aquatic snails, frogs and fish were all simultaneously tested in a tank at the same concentration as before. Within 12 hours all the fish and half the frogs died, whereas the crabs and snails appeared not to suffer any detrimental effects. The poison degraded and became harmless to fish within 48 hours. Thus, the latex of Euphorbia ingens is a temporarily effective ichthyocide when applied in the correct concentrations.

Association of three succulent plant species with woody canopy in the mixed bushveld, South Africa

Succulents are an important component of the mixed bushveld. Although the nurse plant syndrome is known from arid areas, association of succulents with woody canopy has ot been studied in non-arid areas. The study was done in two phases, the first being to confirm the existence of an association and the second being to investigate a possible cause of the association. The three species studied were all significantly associated with woody canopy. All of the relatively small (0-1 m) Euphorbia ingens plants and most of the relatively small (0-0.5m) Aloe marlothii and Opuntia vulgaris plants encountered were beneath woody canopy. There was a very strong significant association between being damaged by fire and growing between woody canopies for all three species. Fires are likely to be lethal to any plants of the study species that are shorter than about 1 m. In any area where fires are frequent there are likely to be fewer young plants of the study species between woody canopies than there will be within the protection of a bush clump.

The candelabra tree (<i>Euphorbia ingens</i>): a source of water for black rhinoceros in Liwonde National Park, Malawi

The introduction of two rhinoceros into a 15 km2 fenced sanctuary within Liwonde National Park provided an opportunity for close observation of the animals feeding on the toxic succulent Euphorbia ingens. Feeding invariably caused the death of the plant and for plants with basal diameters between 5-17 cm, mortality ranged from 40-90 . During the severe drought of 1994 rhinoceros did not drink from the artificial waterhole from approximately 15 July to at least 23 September. As this waterhole was the only source of free water it is believed that the rhinoceros obtained their water from browsing on E. ingens.