Euphorbia Research Articles

De Novo Biosynthesis of the Anticancer Compound Euphol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Euphol is a euphane-type tetracyclic triterpene which is primarily found in the Euphorbia genus. Euphol has been renowned because of its great potential as a promising anticancer drug. Surprisingly, despite its diverse antitumor effects, the respective gene for euphol biosynthesis had not been identified until this study. In our experiments with Euphorbia tirucalli, euphol was detected predominantly in latex, the element that is often used for cancer treatments in Brazil. Two latex-specifically expressed oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) from E. tirucalli, designated as EtOSC5 and EtOSC6, were functionally characterized by expression in a lanosterol synthase knockout yeast strain GIL77. EtOSC5 produces euphol and its 20S-isomer tirucallol as two of the major products, while EtOSC6 produces taraxasterol and β-amyrin as the major products. These four compounds were also detected as the major triterpenes in the E. tirucalli latex, suggesting that EtOSC5 and EtOSC6 are the primary catalysts for the formation of E. tirucalli latex triterpene alcohols. Based on a model structure of EtOSC5 followed with site-mutagenesis experiments, the mechanism for the EtOSC5 activity was proposed. By applying state-of-the-art engineering techniques, the expression of EtOSC5 together with three other known precursor genes were chromosomally integrated into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting engineered yeast strain YS5E-1 produced 1.84 ± 0.17 mg/L of euphol in shake flasks.

Euphorbia lakshminarasimhanii: a new pygmy succulent species from Konkan region of Maharashtra, India

Euphorbia lakshminarasimhanii (Euphorbiaceae), a new pygmy species belonging to the genus Euphorbia subg. Euphorbia sect. Euphorbia is described and illustrated from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is easily distinguished from all known Indian species by its unique sparsely‐branched pygmy habit, closely spaced and horizontally flattened tubercles, trapezoidal spine shields which are very close and overlapping at the apical region, giving a pouch like appearance, bifurcated spines completely separated by the leaf scar, leaves forming a crown, long bracts extending past the gland edge, coral red colored glands with indented margins, male florets 10 per fascicle, and capsule having globose cocci with thin keels.

The complete chloroplast genome of Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae), a commonly used medicinal plant in China

Plants in the genus Euphorbia have been widely used as herbal medicine, and for ornamental horticulture and biofuel production. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome of Euphorbia hirta which is known as the ‘asthma-plant’ due to its medicinal use. The chloroplast genome of this species is 164,340 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) (27,354 bp) that are divided by a large single-copy region (LSC) (91,373 bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC) (18,259 bp). The chloroplast genome of E. hirta contains 111 unique genes (77 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and four rRNA), 19 of which are duplicated in the IR regions. The overall GC content is 35.4%. Phylogenetic analysis fully resolved E. hirta groups with other species of Euphorbia. The complete chloroplast genome of E. hirta provides useful information that can be used to distinguish related species and reconstruct evolutionary relationships.

Flavonoids from the Genus Euphorbia: Isolation, Structure, Pharmacological Activities and Structure-Activity Relationships.

Plants of the genus Euphorbia are widely distributed across temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Asia and Africa with established Ayurvedic, Chinese and Malay ethnomedical records. The present review reports the isolation, occurrence, phytochemistry, biological properties, therapeutic potential and structure–activity relationship of Euphorbia flavonoids for the period covering 2000–2020, while identifying potential areas for future studies aimed at development of new therapeutic agents from these plants. The findings suggest that the extracts and isolated flavonoids possess anticancer, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-venom, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatitis and antioxidant properties and have different mechanisms of action against cancer cells. Of the investigated species, over 80 different types of flavonoids have been isolated to date. Most of the isolated flavonoids were flavonols and comprised simple O-substitution patterns, C-methylation and prenylation. Others had a glycoside, glycosidic linkages and a carbohydrate attached at either C-3 or C-7, and were designated as d-glucose, l-rhamnose or glucorhamnose. The structure–activity relationship studies showed that methylation of the hydroxyl groups on C-3 or C-7 reduces the activities while glycosylation loses the activity and that the parent skeletal structure is essential in retaining the activity. These constituents can therefore offer potential alternative scaffolds towards development of new Euphorbia-based therapeutic agents.

Phytochemical Analysis of Bioactive Extracts and Seed Oil of Three Euphorbia Species from Algerian Flora by LC-MS and GC-MS

Euphorbia species possess pharmacological properties that have been widely used for medical purposes worldwide. In this paper, three plants belonging to the Euphorbia genus growing in North-East of Algeria were studied. The phenolic contents were identified using LC-MS, while the fatty acid composition of their fixed oils was determined with GC-MS. The quantification of the total condensed tannins and the leaves' entire anthocyanin content were performed using photometric methods. The main constituents of the polyphenolic compounds identified by LC-MS were ascorbic, chlorogenic, and ellagic acids. The oil yield of the seeds of E. terracina, E. biumbellata, and E. dendroides was 17.48%, 18.5%, and 20.05%, respectively. Quantitative analyses of these oils using GC-MS showed variations in the species' fatty acid constituents' concentrations and compositions. Besides, the phytochemical screening results showed that E. terracina possessed a high amount of tannin and anthocyanin content compared with other studied plants.

Evolving the structure: climatic and developmental constraints on the evolution of plant architecture. A case study in Euphorbia

Plant architecture strongly influences ecological performance, yet its role in plant evolution has not been explored in depth. By testing both phylogenetic and environmental signals, it is possible to separate architectural traits into four categories: development constraints (phylogenetic signal only); convergences (environmental dependency only); key confluences to the environmental driver (both); unknown (neither). We analysed the evolutionary history of the genus Euphorbia, a model clade with both high architectural diversity and a wide environmental range. We conducted comparative analyses of 193 Euphorbia species world-wide using 73 architectural traits, a dated phylogeny, and climate data. We identified 14 architectural types in Euphorbia based on trait combinations. We found 22 traits and three types representing convergences under climate groups, 21 traits and four types showing phylogenetic signal but no relation to climate, and 16 traits and five types with both climate and phylogenetic signals. Major drivers of architectural trait evolution likely include water stress in deserts (selected for succulence, continuous branching), frost disturbance in temperate systems (selected for simple, prostrate, short-lived shoots) and light competition (selected for arborescence). Simple architectures allowed resilience to disturbance, and frequent transitions into new forms. Complex architectures with functional specialisation developed under stable climates but have low evolvability.

In vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative potential of roots extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn

Aim: The main aim of this current study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of alcoholic extract of the roots of euphorbia hirta. Genus Euphorbia contains many therapeutic plants which are widely studied. This study is designed to explore the effects of alcoholic roots extract of euphorbia hirta, on selected cell lines of Human Breast cancer (MCF - 7). Methods: The Human Breast Cancer cell lines i.e. MCF – 7 cell lines were treated with alcoholic roots extract of euphorbia hirta at different concentrations. Anti-proliferative effect of the alcoholic extract was evaluated by assessing the cell viability. MTT assay was used to determine the cell viability at the wavelength of 570 nm. Antiinflammatory potential of extract was evaluated by calculating the percentage inhibition of protein denaturation. Results: The results showed the significant anti-inflammatory potential as it effectively inhibits the protein denaturation. The alcoholic roots extract of euphorbia hirta also showed moderate cytotoxic effect against MCF - 7 cell-lines (P ≤0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that this extract had significant anti-inflammatory potential and moderate anti-proliferative effect, as extract was able to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. Hence, it seems to be a virtuous contender to protect against growth of tumor cells.

Germination behavior in some Sicilian species of the Euphorbia genus

Germination behavior in some Sicilian species of the Euphorbia genus

Thrombin-like serine protease, antiquorin from Euphorbia antiquorum latex induces platelet aggregation via PAR1-Akt/p38 signaling axis

Plant latex proteases (PLPs) are pharmacologically essential and are integral components of traditional medicine in the management of bleeding wounds. PLPs are known to promote blood coagulation and stop bleeding by interfering at various stages of hemostasis. There are a handful of scientific reports on thrombin-like enzymes characterized from plant latices. However, the role of plant latex thrombin-like enzymes in platelet aggregation is not well known. In the present study, we attempted to purify and characterize thrombin-like protease responsible for platelet aggregation. Among tested plant latices, Euphorbia genus latex protease fractions (LPFs) induced platelet aggregation. In Euphorbia genus, E. antiquorum LPF (EaLPF) strongly induced platelet aggregation and attenuated bleeding in mice. The purified thrombin-like serine protease, antiquorin (Aqn) is a glycoprotein with platelet aggregating activities that interfere in intrinsic and common pathways of blood coagulation cascade and alleviates bleeding and enhanced excision wound healing in mice. In continuation, the pharmacological inhibitor of PAR1 inhibited Aqn-induced phosphorylation of cPLA2, Akt, and P38 in human platelets. Moreover, Aqn-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by pharmacological inhibitors of PAR1, PI3K, and P38. These data indicate that PAR1-Akt/P38 signaling pathways are involved in Aqn-induced platelet aggregation. The findings of the present study may open up a new avenue for exploiting Aqn in the treatment of bleeding wounds.

The new records of alien species of the genus Euphorbia L. in the south of Ukraine

Euphorbia davidii Subils (=Euphorbia dentata Michx) та Euphorbia maculata L. – адвентивні види рослин північноамериканського походження, що вперше було виявлені в Україні на при кінці ХХ століття і відомі з небагатьох місцезнаходжень. В останні роки нами було знайдено декілька нових місцезнаходжень цих рослин на Півдні України. Euphorbia davidii виявлено в 2 локалітетах: м. Олешки Херсонської області та в околицях с. Прогресівка Березанського району Миколаївської області. Для Миколаївської області E. davidii наводиться нами вперше. Усі раніше відомі в Україні локалітети E. davidii приурочені до залізниць та портів, тобто вирогідних первинних осередків інвазії. Знайдено нами нові локалітети є досить віддаленими від первинних осередків інвазії, що свідчить про поширення E. davidii територією України в межах вторинного ареалу. Виявлені в останні роки нові місцезнаходження E. davidii – на залізниці в різних частинах України, та поява виду за межами первинних осередків інвазії вказує на тенденцію до натуралізації його в Україні. Euphorbia maculata знайдено в 7 локалітетах в Херсонській (м. Херсон та околиці, м. Скадовськ, околиці м. Олешки) та Дніпропетровській (м. Кривий Ріг) областях. Для Херсонської області E. maculata наводиться нами вперше. Значна кількість нових місцезнаходжень, в тому числі за межами первинних осередків розселення, висока чисельність особин в більшості з них, свідчить про успішну натуралізацію рослини. Принаймні в Херсонській області E. maculatа можна вважати епекофітом. Крім того у 2019 році E. maculata було знайдено нами в Азербайджані (м. Баку), де він є дуже рідкісним. З високою ймовірністю можна прогнозувати подальше поширення E. davidii та E. maculata в Україні.

Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Metabolic Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Euphorbia cyparissias Extracts.

Plants of the Euphorbia genus present a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study is aimed at investigating new antidigestive enzyme agents from Euphorbia cyparissias through inhibition of lipid and carbohydrate absorption, to evaluate their potential applications for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Lipase, phospholipase, protease, α-amylase, β-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase activities under treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia cyparissias were observed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of these extracts, as well as their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. Results showed that ethanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited important inhibitory activity in a concentration-related manner on digestive enzymes, which is more effective than the commercial drugs used as controls. Results also showed that, out of the two extracts tested, the ethanolic extract presented the most promising results in inhibiting the activities of all digestive enzymes used. Moreover, the two extracts displayed a higher reducing power than that of the positive control used. The obtained results, together with previous reports in the literature, strongly suggest that Euphorbia cyparissias extracts may be natural inhibitors of the digestive enzymes and thus a potential new drug for metabolic syndrome treatment.

Ethnobotanical Studies of flora of Jebel Aulia district, Khartoum state with emphasis to toxicity of the common medicinal plants

علم استخدام النباتي هو الدراسة العلمية للعلاقات الموجودة بين الناس والنباتات. يهدف علماء استخدام النباتي إلى توثيق ووصف وشرح العلاقات المعقدة بين الثقافات والنباتات، مع التركيز بشكل أساسي على كيفية استخدام النباتات وإدارتها وإدراكها عبر المجتمعات البشرية. وهذا يشمل استخدام الطعام والملابس والعملة والطقوس والأدوية والصبغ والبناء ومستحضرات التجميل.. غالبًا ما تكون الدراسات الاستخدام النباتي مهمة في الكشف عن أنواع نباتية مهمة محليًا خاصة لاكتشاف الأدوية الخام. وقد وثق توثيق الحافة المعرفية التقليدية، خاصة في الاستخدامات الطبية للنباتات. وقد قدم العديد من الأدوية المهمة في العصر الحديث. من إجمالي النباتات المزهرة المبلغ عنها من العالم، يتم استخدام أكثر من 50000 للأغراض الطبية (Govaerts, 2001). أجريت الدراسة في منطقة جبل أولياء لفترة 2013 الي 2015. ولقد أسفرت الدراسة عن توثيق 117 نوع نباتي تتبع 100جنس و45 فصيلة نباتية. وجد أن الفصيلة النجيلية من الفصائل في منطقة الدراسة حيث مثلت ب 13 نوع نباتي. تليها كل من الفصيلة البغمية والفصيلة اللبنية والفصيلة الطلحية بكل منها 7 أنواع نباتية ومن ثم الفصيلة المركبة حيث مثلت ب 6 أنواع نباتية. وفي تحليل الغطاء النباتي للمنطقة وجد أن النباتات العشبية سائدة بنسبة (62. 40%) تليها الأشجار بنسبة (15. 40%) والشجيرات بنسبة (8. 5%). يعتبر جنس Euphorbia أكثر الاجناس من حيث عددية الأنواع اذ يضم 4 أنواع نباتية، يليه جنس Ipomea حيث يضم 3 أنواع نباتية. تم لأول مرة توثيق الاستخدامات الطبية لنباتي الضريسة والسعدة (ثمر بلادي) ومن ثم تم إدراجهما كنباتات طبية. وجد أن الثمار هي الجزء النباتي الأكثر استخداما في تحضير الادوية العشبية يليه كل من الاوراق والبذور. تعتبر طريقة النقع (25%) هي الطريقة السائدة في تحضير الادوية العشبية يليها طريقة الغلي (14. 3%) وتليها طريقة الحبوب (10. 7%) والاكل المباشر (10. 7%). تعتبر طريقة الشراب عن طريق الفم هي الطريقة الشائعة في تناول الأدوية العشبية في الطب الشعبي. وجد أن إلتهابات المجاري البولية والكلى ومشاكل البطن هي أكثر الامراض الشائعة في المنطقة والتي تعالج عن طريق الطب التقليدي. ايضا تشير الدراسة الي أن مصدر الادوية العشبية كل من النباتات البرية بنسبة (41. 66%) والمستزرعة بنسبة (33. 34%) و(25%) من النباتات تشتري من الأسواق. ويعتبر نبات السنمكةSenna alexandrina ذو اهمية في منطقة الدراسة حيث يتردد كثيرا بين المعالجين أو المستبينين ويليه كل من Ziziphus spina-christi نبات السدر, Acacia nilotica السنط, Solenostemma argel الحرجل cymbopogon proximus والمحريب. كما أجمع المستبينون أن النباتات لها فوائد طبية ويكمن استخدامها في الغذاء والأثاث. تعتبر نباتات (Ziziphus spina- Christi, Acacia senegal Cinnamomum verum and ( sativum Allium ذات أعلى قيمة من حيث الاستخدام في مدي من (0. 062 to 0. 05). تمت دارسة السمية لنباتات الأكثر ترددا من حيث الاستخدام، وتمت دارسة مستخلصاتها المائية والكحولية، حيث أثبتت دراسة السمية أن نصف الجرعة القاتلة للمستخلص الكحولي والمائي لنبات السنط أكبر من µg/ml 1000وذلك يشير أن هذه المستخلصات غير سامة عند هذه الجرعة. بينما أن نصف الجرعة القاتلة للمستخلص الكحولي والمائي لنبات السنمكة هي (µg/ml (256. 206 - 409. 6079 وهي أقل µg/ml 1000 وهي تعتبر سامة نوعا ما وهذه النتائج تشير الاستخدام الحذر عند تناول نبات السنمكة في العلاجات العشبية.

Bioactive diterpenoid metabolism and cytotoxic activities of genetically transformed Euphorbia lathyris roots

Plants in the genus Euphorbia produce a wide variety of pharmacologically active diterpenoids with anticancer, multidrug resistance reversal, and antiviral properties. Some are the primary industrial source of ingenol mebutate, which is approved for treatment of the precancerous skin condition actinic keratosis. Similar to other high value phytochemicals, Euphorbia diterpenoids accumulate at low concentrations in planta and chemical synthesis produces similarly low yields. We established genetically transformed root cultures of Euphorbia lathryis as a strategy to gain greater access to diterpenoids from this genus. Transformed roots produced via stem explant infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834 recapitulated the metabolite profiles of field-grown plant roots and aerial tissues. Several putative diterpenoids were present in transformed roots, including ingenol and closely related structures, indicating that root cultures are a promising approach to Euphorbia-specific diterpenoid production. Treatment with methyl jasmonate led to a significant, albeit transient increase in mRNA levels of early diterpenoid biosynthetic enzymes (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, and casbene synthase), suggesting that elicitation could prove useful in future pathway characterization and metabolic engineering efforts. We also show the potential of transformed E. lathyris root cultures for natural product drug discovery applications by measuring their cytotoxic activities using a panel of human carcinoma cell lines derived from prostate, cervix, breast, and lung.

Nephroprotective and antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate fraction of Euphorbia geniculata Ortega family Euphorbiaceae

In continuation of our work on genus Euphorbia, the phytochemical investigation of ethyl acetate fraction of the aerial parts of Euphorbia geniculata Ortega (Eg) family Euphorbiaceae revealed the isolation and identification of eight polyphenolic compounds; gallic acid (1), ellagic acid (2), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) (rutin) (3), quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside-7-O-rhamnoside (4), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (5), quercetin-3-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (6), and quercetin-3-O-β-D-arabinoside (7) and quercetin (8) using spectrophotometric and physicochemical analysis. Quantitative estimation of total flavonoids and phenolics contents were carried out for total methanolic extract. Biological activities of ethyl acetate fraction including nephroprotective and antioxidant activities were evaluated for the first time. The nephroprotective potential of Eg was evaluated in male rats with thioacetamide induced kidney injury. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH method.Results; Quantitative estimation of total phenolics and flavonoids content in the total methanolic extract of Eg revealed high phenolics content (285.4 mg GAE /gm extract) in comparison with flavonoids content (36.9 mg RE /gm extract). Isolation and characterization of eight polyphenolic compounds. The nephroprotictive activity was studied using thioacetamide as nephrotoxicant agent resulted in marked nephrotoxicity. While pretreatment of rats with ethyl acetate fraction of Eg significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity through alteration of kidney biomarkers, improving the redox status of the tissue and so brought the serum biochemical parameters nearly toward the normal levels. The study revealed significant antioxidant activity of Eg in comparison with ascorbic acid. Conclusion; The results suggested that E. geniculata Ortega ethyl acetate fraction could be used in future therapy as nephroprotective and antioxidant drugs of natural source.

A Review of the Ethnomedicinal Uses, Biological Activities, and Triterpenoids of Euphorbia Species.

The genus Euphorbia is one of the largest genera in the spurge family, with diversity in range, distribution, and morphology. The plant species in this genus are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, ranging from respirational infections, body and skin irritations, digestion complaints, inflammatory infections, body pain, microbial illness, snake or scorpion bites, pregnancy, as well as sensory disorders. Their successes have been attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemicals like polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes with various pharmacological properties. As a result, Euphorbia diterpenes are of interest to chemists and biochemists with regard to drug discovery from natural products due to their diverse therapeutic applications as well as their great structural diversity. Other chemical constituents such as triterpenoids have also been reported to possess various pharmacological properties, thus supporting the traditional uses of the Euphorbia species. These triterpenoids can provide potential leads that can be developed into pharmaceutical compounds for a wide range of medicinal applications. However, there are scattered scientific reports about the anticancer activities of these constituents. Harnessing such information could provide a database of bioactive pharmacopeia or targeted scaffolds for drug discovery. Therefore, this review presents an updated and comprehensive summary of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and the anticancer activities of the triterpenoids of Euphorbia species. Most of the reported triterpenoids in this review belong to tirucallane, cycloartanes, lupane, oleanane, ursane, and taraxane subclass. Their anticancer activities varied distinctly with the majority of them exhibiting significant cytotoxic and anticancer activities in vitro. It is, therefore, envisaged that the report on Euphorbia triterpenoids with interesting anticancer activities will form a database of potential leads or scaffolds that could be advanced into the clinical trials with regard to drug discovery.

Diversity, distribution, endemism and conservation status of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in SW Asia and adjacent countries

In order to evaluate the diversity, endemism, distribution and conservation of the genus Euphorbia in SW Asian countries, we generated an updated and annotated checklist of 249 taxa belonging to the current accepted four Euphorbia subgenera, 30 sections and five subsections, based on floristic compilations followed by extensive verification of nearly 24,000 herbarium vouchers from the region. We also provide updated distribution maps for 247 of the 249 taxa treated. The predominant group is Euphorbia subg. Esula, with 19 sections and 184 taxa (176 species), followed by subg. Chamaesyce (six sections, 32 species), subg. Euphorbia (two sections, 21 species) and subg. Athymalus (three sections, 12 species). Turkey, Iran and Syria are the most diverse countries, with 102, 92 and 50 species, respectively. The richest concentration of Euphorbia species in SW Asia are the eastern part of the Mediterranean region in Lebanon with 27–34 taxa; Alborz, Zagros (Iran), Lesser Caucasus, and Anti-Taurus (S Turkey) with 21–27 taxa each are the second richest areas. The highest number of endemics occurs in Iran (21 taxa), followed by Turkey (12 taxa) and Yemen (7 taxa). All 134 endemic and subendemic taxa were evaluated by the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Among the known Euphorbia species in the region, 10 of them (4.4%) are adventive. Life-form spectra show that the majority of species (80.7%) are hemicryptophytes, therophytes and chamaephytes. Twelve new records are reported here for Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Turkey, six synonyms and three sectional transfers are suggested.

The importance of threatened host plants for arthropod diversity: the fauna associated with dendroid Euphorbia plants endemic to the Canary and Madeira archipelagos

The arthropod fauna associated with seven endemic dendroid Euphorbia was sampled and studied in the Canary and Madeira archipelagos. The stem-diameter of the plants was considered, along with their genetic affinity, habitat and number of localities and islands where present. The arthropod assemblages and richness found on each Euphorbia species were statistically analysed, to determine which variables influenced the survey results. A total of 179 arthropod species were found, identified, and classified into characteristic or accompanying fauna, according to their relationship with the plants and their types of diet. Faunal assemblages and arthropod species richness differed among the Euphorbia species, each thus showing a strong and almost unique host relationship. Species richness increased with the architectural complexity of the host-plant species and number of localities and islands where present. The similarity of faunal assemblages was mainly related to stem diameter. Among diet types, a great number of exclusive and/or endemic taxa associated with this plant genus were xylophages. Our survey revealed that rich arthropod communities are associated with the genus Euphorbia, especially on its rare endangered species, and highlights the need to protect their host plants. This in turn will contribute to the conservation of their arthropod communities and their ecosystem functions.

Phenolic compounds analysis of three Euphorbia species by LC-DAD-MSn and their biological properties

Members of the genus Euphorbia have attracted much interest as potential sources of bioactive compounds. In this study, the ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of three Euphorbia species namely Euphorbia hirta L., Euphorbia heterophylla L. and Euphorbia convolvuloides Hochst. ex Benth. were screened for their antioxidant [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric antioxidant reducing capacity (CUPRAC), metal chelating, total antioxidant capacity (phosphomolybdenum)], and enzymatic properties [α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetyl- (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE)]. Total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and phytochemical profile were established via LC-DAD-MSn. Results showed that the methanolic and aqueous extracts of the three plants yielded the highest TPC with values ranging from 35.84–141.90 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. E. hirta was the most potent DPPH scavenger and chelator reporting the highest equivalent [DPPH: 195.22 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, chelator: 30.73 mg ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid equivalent (EDTAE)/g], while E. heterophylla demonstrated the most significant Fe3+ and Cu2+ reducing potential (FRAP: 194.28 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 631.25 mg TE/g) and possessed the highest total antioxidant capacity (3.76 mmol TE/g). The AChE, BChE, α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory effects of the three species were relatively the same. However, E. hirta exhibited the highest anti-tyrosinase activity (109.71 mg kojic acid equivalent /g). Euphorbia convolvuloides showed low antioxidant activities and enzymatic inhibitory effects compared to other. LC-DAD-MSn fingerprint of the phenolics of the three species showed the presence of different derivatives. Quantitative data revealed tannins and flavonoids (25 and 20 mg/g respectively) for E. hirta, high amount of tannins 63 and 21 mg/g of flavonoids for E. heterophylla, while high flavonoid contents for E. convolvuloides, 56 mg/g. Euphorbia hirta proved to the most promising among the three tested species and thus can be explored further by isolating and characterizing active bioactive agents that could be used to manage oxidative stress-related diseases and hyperpigmentation problems.

Chemical Profile and Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Euphorbia paralias and Euphorbia geniculata (Euphorbiaceae) from Egypt

Background: Plants belonging to the genus Euphorbia were used traditionally to treat several health disorders and diseases. Objective: the aim of this study is evaluation of secondary metabolites and hepatoprotective activity of the ethyl acetate fractions of the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias (Ep) and Euphorbia geniculata (Eg). Materials and Methods: UPLC-ESI-MS/ MS technique was used for identification of the secondary metabolites. The hepatoprotective potential of the two plants was evaluated for the first time in male rats with thioacetamide induced liver injury. Results: A total of 32 secondary metabolites were identified in the ethyl acetate fractions of the aerial parts of both species. Ellagitannins such as tetragalloyl hexoside, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and flavonoids such as kaempferol-3-O-β-(6''-galloyl-Oglucopyranoside), quercetin glycosides (glucoside and arabinoside) were found to be the major components in Ep whereas flavonoid glycosides including quercetin rutinoside, quercetin glycosides (glucoside, arabinoside and rhamnoside) and kaempeferol glycoside derivatives were highly abundant in Eg. Administration of thioacetamide resulted in marked elevation in liver enzymes, elevation of lipid profile and alteration in oxidative stress parameters. While pretreatment of rats with Ep and Eg ethyl acetate fractions significantly attenuated the hepatic toxicity through reduction of liver biomarkers, improving the redox status of the tissue and so brought down the serum biochemical parameters and lipid profile nearly toward the normal levels. Conclusion: The studied fractions show hepatoprotective potential with promising value as hepatoprotective drugs of natural origin in comparison with silymarin as the standard hepatoprotective drug.

Terpenoid Compounds in the Latex of Euphorbia Azorica from Azores

Plants of Euphorbia genus are well known for their irritant milky latex rich in bioactive terpenoids and their use in traditional medicine worldwide for treatment of several diseases, including cancer that is the second leading cause of death in the world. This research evaluates, for the first time, the major terpenoid compounds from the latex of Azorean E. azorica. Five triterpene alcohols of the euphane, lanostane and cycloartane-type skeleton (namely euphol, obtusifoliol, lanosterol, cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartenol) were isolated from the n-hexane fraction. In addition, the diterpene alcohol ingenol was obtained from the ether fraction following to alkaline hydrolysis, which indicates the presence of potential bioactive ingenane diterpenoid esters. Their structures were elucidated by physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectra) and comparison with literature data. The referred triterpenols have been recently reported to possess anti-inflamatory and/ or antitumor activities. Furthermore, ingenol constitutes the core of a recently approved anticancer drug. Thus, the terpenoid composition of E. azorica latex may indicate their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potentials on anticancer strategies, which should be investigated.