Euphorbia Research Articles

Comparative Chloroplast Genomics of Endangered Euphorbia Species: Insights into Hotspot Divergence, Repetitive Sequence Variation, and Phylogeny.

Euphorbia is one of the largest genera in the Euphorbiaceae family, comprising 2000 species possessing commercial, medicinal, and ornamental importance. However, there are very little data available on their molecular phylogeny and genomics, and uncertainties still exist at a taxonomic level. Herein, we sequence the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of two species, E. larica and E. smithii, of the genus Euphorbia through next-generation sequencing and perform a comparative analysis with nine related genomes in the family. The results revealed that the cp genomes had similar quadripartite structure, gene content, and genome organization with previously reported genomes from the same family. The size of cp genomes ranged from 162,172 to 162,358 bp with 132 and 133 genes, 8 rRNAs, 39 tRNA in E. smithii and E. larica, respectively. The numbers of protein-coding genes were 85 and 86, with each containing 19 introns. The four-junction regions were studied and results reveal that rps19 was present at JLB (large single copy region and inverted repeat b junction) in E. larica where its complete presence was located in the IRb (inverted repeat b) region in E. smithii. The sequence comparison revealed that highly divergent regions in rpoC1, rpocB, ycf3, clpP, petD, ycf1, and ndhF of the cp genomes might provide better understanding of phylogenetic inferences in the Euphorbiaceae and order Malpighiales. Phylogenetic analyses of this study illustrate sister clades of E. smithii with E. tricullii and these species form a monophyletic clade with E. larica. The current study might help us to understand the genome architecture, genetic diversity among populations, and evolutionary depiction in the genera.

Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata and their chemotaxonomic significance

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Euphorbia formosana Hayata resulted in the isolation of 33 compounds, including various derivatives of ellagic acid and gallic acid. The chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and comparison with relevant data from the literature. The chemotaxonomic significance and distribution of these derivatives of ellagic acid and gallic acid in the genus Euphorbia are discussed.

Species richness and distribution of the largest plant radiation of Angola: Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae)

Knowledge of species richness and distribution of African biodiversity comes primarily from fauna studies, despite the tremendous richness of the flora. The genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) is one of the most diverse plant genera, and shows a great diversity across Africa. This genus is the largest endemic plant radiation in Angola, including 82 native species with a large diversity of life forms (e.g. herbs, shrubs and trees, and several succulent species) 61% of which are endemics. Considering the great diversity of species, habitats and climatic conditions of Angola, this study aims to: (i) update the inventory of the Euphorbia in this country; (ii) investigate the distribution of these species in the Koppen–Geiger climatic regions, WWF ecoregions, and within the protected areas network; and (iii) use these new findings to devise future conservation programs to protect Angola’s high plant diversity. Our results revealed that there are 49 endemic Euphorbia species (54 endemic taxa) in Angola, most of which occur in the extensive Miombo woodlands, although some species are restricted to the arid zones of southern Angola. The representation of Euphorbia endemics in protected areas was low, with Iona National Park and the Partial Reserve of Namibe showing the best potential for species protection. Centres of diversity and endemism were found in Serra da Chela (Huila province) and the Angolan Kaokoveld Desert (Namibe province) and must be considered of conservation importance. A re-evaluation of Angola’s protected areas network might be required to facilitate and promote effective conservation of the unique plant diversity of the country.

Nouveautés taxonomiques et nomenclaturales dans le genre Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) à Madagascar

Castillon, J.-P. & J.-B. Castillon (2019). Taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties in the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in Madagascar. Candollea 74: 159–167. In French, English and French abstracts.The identity of Euphorbia neobosseri Rauh is clarified. A new combination Euphorbia mahafalensis var. itampolensis (Rauh) J.-P. Castillon & J.-B. Castillon is proposed. Euphorbia rubrostriata Drake is decribed in detail and neotypified. The origin and typification of Euphorbia annamarieae Rauh is discussed. Lectotypes are designed for: Euphorbia annamarieae Rauh, Euphorbia erythroxyloides Baker, and Euphorbia mangorensis Leandri. Five new synonymies are proposed.

On the Ecology of Weeds in the Orchards habitat During Summer Season in Nile Delta, Egypt

The present study aims to investigate the ecology of weed communities associated with some orchards habitat using the variations in environmental factors to determine the distribution and abundance of the recognized weed communities in the study areas. The sampled stands were distributed in four Governorates. Field visits were started from January 2014 to September 2015, 45 stands were selected for sampling the vegetation types during summer season. The application of TWINSPAN classification based on the importance values of 49 plant species recorded in selected 45 sampled stands representing the summer orchards sites in the study areas led to the recognition of four vegetation groups (Euphorbia heterophylla, Commelina benghalensis, Cynanchum acutum and Xanthium strumarium were the dominate plants). In summer season, the application of DCA technique proved that, the plant communities recognized by TWINSPAN classification were markedly distinguishable and having clear pattern of segregation on the ordination plane. The application of CCA technique was used to determine the most effective soil variables controlling the abundance and distribution of weed communities associated during summer season.

Euphorbia-Derived Natural Products with Potential for Use in Health Maintenance.

Euphorbia genus (Euphorbiaceae family), which is the third largest genus of angiosperm plants comprising ca. 2000 recognized species, is used all over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the traditional Chinese medicine. Members of this taxa are promptly recognizable by their specialized inflorescences and latex. In this review, an overview of Euphorbia-derived natural products such as essential oils, extracts, and pure compounds, active in a broad range of biological activities, and with potential usages in health maintenance, is described. The chemical composition of essential oils from Euphorbia species revealed the presence of more than 80 phytochemicals, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, while Euphorbia extracts contain secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The extracts and secondary metabolites from Euphorbia plants may act as active principles of medicines for the treatment of many human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and microbial infections. Besides, Euphorbia-derived products have great potential as a source of bioactive extracts and pure compounds, which can be used to promote longevity with more health.

Chemical constituents of Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Euphorbia tirucalli has not been chemically studied much in Vietnam. This research described the isolation and elucidation of compounds isolated from the plant collected in Binh Thuan. Multiple chromatographic methods were applied, including normal phase silica gel column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Seven compounds were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis as well as comparing their data with the ones in the literature. They are arjunolic acid (1), eriodictyol (2), quercitrin (3), afzelin (4), scopoletin (5), 3,3′,4- trimethylellagic acid (6), and gallic acid (7). Among them, compound 1 a major component was isolated for the first time in Euphorbia genus, while three compounds 2, 4, and 5 were isolated from this species for the first time.

Assessing Specialized Metabolite Diversity in the Cosmopolitan Plant Genus Euphorbia L.

Coevolutionary theory suggests that an arms race between plants and herbivores yields increased plant specialized metabolite diversity and the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution predicts that coevolutionary interactions vary across geographic scales. Consequently, plant specialized metabolite diversity is expected to be highest in coevolutionary hotspots, geographic regions, which exhibit strong reciprocal selection on the interacting species. Despite being well-established theoretical frameworks, technical limitations have precluded rigorous hypothesis testing. Here we aim at understanding how geographic separation over evolutionary time may have impacted chemical differentiation in the cosmopolitan plant genus Euphorbia. We use a combination of state-of-the-art computational mass spectral metabolomics tools together with cell-based high-throughput immunomodulatory testing. Our results show significant differences in specialized metabolite diversity across geographically separated phylogenetic clades. Chemical structural diversity of the highly toxic Euphorbia diterpenoids is significantly reduced in species native to the Americas, compared to Afro-Eurasia. The localization of these compounds to young stems and roots suggest a possible ecological relevance in herbivory defense. This is further supported by reduced immunomodulatory activity in the American subclade as well as herbivore distribution patterns. We conclude that computational mass spectrometric metabolomics coupled with relevant ecological data provide a strong tool for exploring plant specialized metabolite diversity in a chemo-evolutionary framework.

Chemical Characterization of Euphorbia heterophylla L. Essential Oils and Their Antioxidant Activity and Allelopathic Potential on Cenchrus echinatus L.

The genus Euphorbia attracted the attention of many researchers worldwide from natural products, bioactivity, and ecological perspective. The essential oils (EOs) of Euphorbia heterophylla are poorly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide a detailed profile of the E. heterophylla EOs as well as to determine their antioxidant and allelopathic activities. The EOs from aerial parts of E. heterophylla were extracted using hydrodistillation and analyzed via GC/MS. The antioxidant activity was determined based on scavenging of the free radical, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and H2 O2 . Various concentrations of the EOs were tested against the noxious weed, Cenchrus echinatus. Thirty-five compounds were identified representing 100 % of the total mass. Four classes of components were characterized, among which terpenoids were the main components (88.70 %). Monoterpenes represented the main class (69.48 %), followed by sesquiterpenes (18.63 %), and only one diterpenoid, kaur-16-ene, was identified. 1,8-Cineole (32.03 %), camphor (16.54 %), β-elemene (5.92 %), endo-borneol (4.94 %), limonene (4.27 %), pentatriacontane (3.91 %), and α-pinene (3.89 %) were the major compounds. The EOs composition of Egyptian E. heterophylla ecospecies was comparable to that of other reported Euphorbia species, although it showed no correlation with Nigerian E. heterophylla ecospecies. The EOs from E. heterophylla aerial parts exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Moreover, a concentration of 100 μL L-1 of the EOs reduced the germination, root, and shoot growth of C. echinatus by about 93.95 %, 84.6 %, and 57.8 %, respectively. Therefore, the EOs from E. heterophylla could be integrated into the control of this weed, as eco-friendly biocontrol method. Further study is needed to characterize their allelopathic activity under field conditions as well as to evaluate their durability and biosafety.

Chemical constituents from Euphorbia stracheyi Boiss

The chemical investigation of whole plants Euphorbia stracheyi Boiss. led to the isolation of 14 compounds, including eight diterpenes (1–8), one monoterpene (9), three coumarins (10–12), and two phenols (13–14). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature. Compounds 1–6, and 8–12 were firstly isolated from E. stracheyi, while compounds 6, and 9 were isolated from Euphorbia genus for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated compounds is discussed.

Protein Kinase C: Targets to Regenerate Brain Injuries?

Acute or chronic injury to the central nervous system (CNS), causes neuronal death and irreversible cognitive deficits or sensory-motor alteration. Despite the capacity of the adult CNS to generate new neurons from neural stem cells (NSC), neuronal replacement following an injury is a restricted process, which does not naturally result in functional regeneration. Therefore, potentiating endogenous neurogenesis is one of the strategies that are currently being under study to regenerate damaged brain tissue. The insignificant neurogenesis that occurs in CNS injuries is a consequence of the gliogenic/non-neurogenic environment that inflammatory signaling molecules create within the injured area. The modification of the extracellular signals to generate a neurogenic environment would facilitate neuronal replacement. However, in order to generate this environment, it is necessary to unearth which molecules promote or impair neurogenesis to introduce the first and/or eliminate the latter. Specific isozymes of the protein kinase C (PKC) family differentially contribute to generate a gliogenic or neurogenic environment in injuries by regulating the ADAM17 mediated release of growth factor receptor ligands. Recent reports describe several non-tumorigenic diterpenes isolated from plants of the Euphorbia genus, which specifically modulate the activity of PKC isozymes promoting neurogenesis. Diterpenes with 12-deoxyphorbol or lathyrane skeleton, increase NPC proliferation in neurogenic niches in the adult mouse brain in a PKCβ dependent manner exerting their effects on transit amplifying cells, whereas PKC inhibition in injuries promotes neurogenesis. Thus, compounds that balance PKC activity in injuries might be of use in the development of new drugs and therapeutic strategies to regenerate brain injuries.

Evaluación microbiológica y composición química de extractos orgánicos de Euphorbia aff. viridis (Klotzsch & Garcke) Boiss sobre Staphylococcus Aureus, Klebsiella Pneumoniae y Escherichia Coli.

Euphorbia aff. Viridis (Klotzsch & Garcke) boiss, es una especie vegetal perteneciente a la familia Euphorbiaceae, forma parte de las más diversas del continente americano, y es empleada en múltiples tratamientos en medicina ancestral en los Andes Ecuatorianos. En el presente estudio se analizaron los compuestos orgánicos extraídos de las hojas de la planta. Se estableció la descripción y clasificación taxonómica de la especie vegetal. Para el estudio fitoquímico se analizó fenoles, taninos, saponinas, cumarinas, lactonas y flavonoides, observándose resultados positivos para cada compuesto químico. La caracterización química mediante Cromatografía de Gases acoplada a espectrometría de Masas GC-MS, mostró 36,66% de lanosterol, 12,25% β-sitosterol, 5,11% 3-β-colest-4-en-3-ol, 4,73% Ácido hexadecanoico como elementos mayoritarios. El ensayo microbiológico de extractos etanólicos mostró un porcentaje de inhibición del 44% sobre Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC70693) y 43% en Escherichia coli (ATCC10536) con una CMI de 30µl/ml para cada cepa, y se observó un resultado negativo de inhibición para Staphylcoccus aureus (ATCC24213). Los extractos orgánicos de Euphorbia aff. Viridis (Klotzsch & Garcke) Boiss, presentaron actividad antimicrobiana pudiéndose observar su potencial uso como agentes antimicrobianos.

Chemical ecology traits in an adaptive radiation: TPA-sensitivity and detoxification in Hyles and Hippotion (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera) larvae

The larvae of several species in the hawk moth genus Hyles, including H. euphorbiae, feed on plants of the genus Euphorbia containing phorbol esters and are insensitive to addition of the standard phorbol ester, tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to their artificial diet. Specialised non-Euphorbia feeding larvae were sensitive, whereas polyphagous ones were insensitive if their natural food plant spectrum also includes Euphorbia. Larvae of Hippotion celerio, an out-group species with polyphagous larvae not using Euphorbia as food plants, were sensitive. A highly conserved sequence of the TPA binding site of the protein kinase C in H. euphorbiae and Hippotion celerio demonstrates that intoxication by phorbol esters is not avoided by preventing target binding. H. euphorbiae larvae showed no vitality loss after chemical destruction of their peritrophic matrix and subsequent TPA treatment. TPA fed larvae that had putatively piperonyl butoxide (PBO)-inhibited cytochrome P450 enzymes also showed no deficits, indicating that this is not the only detoxification pathway in H. euphorbiae. Based on these qualitative results, we postulate that proto-Hyles was polyphagous with the ability to use Euphorbia as food plants. The most ancestral Hyles species presumably remained polyphagous, with the ability to switch to the toxic food plants if necessary. Within the youngest, Palearctic radiation, the species specialised on non-Euphorbia plants subsequently lost detoxification abilities, albeit not to 100%. The species in South America, the origin of Hyles, can detoxify TPA, indicating this ability to be a plesiomorphic character state within the genus that enabled its adaptive radiation in the Palearctic, the distribution and diversity centre of Euphorbia.

In vitro biological propensities and chemical profiling of Euphorbia milii Des Moul (Euphorbiaceae): A novel source for bioactive agents

The plants of Euphorbia genus have been extensively studied for their nutritive and therapeutic purposes. The present research is the foremost effort to investigate and compare the biological activities and chemical composition of dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) solvent extracts of Euphorbia milli Des Moul aerial and root parts. Antioxidant potential was determined using six different (FRAP, CUPRAC, Phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS and ferrous chelation) methods. The enzyme inhibition effects of the tested extracts were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-glucosidase, α-amylase and tyrosinase. Similarly, the amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed via spectrophotometric methods and individual secondary metabolites were also determined using UHPLC-MS analysis. Methanolic extracts from both aerial and root parts contained the highest contents for phenolic and flavonoids which tends to correlate with their significant DPPH, ABTS (radical scavenging), FRAP, CUPRAC (reducing power) and α-glucosidase inhibition potentials. While, both the DCM extracts containing the lowest bioactive contents were most active in the phosphomolybdenum assay, cholinesterases and tyrosinase inhibition. The root extracts proved to be a better source of bioactive antioxidant molecules. Additionally, UHPLC-MS profiling of both the methanolic extracts revealed the presence of total 16 secondary metabolites belonging to five major groups (phenolic, flavonoid, coumarin, glycoside and alkaloid). To conclude, our results suggest that E. milii can be considered as a promising lead origin for natural bioactive enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant compounds which could pave the way for industrial applications.

A Monograph of Euphorbia Polygona from the Perspective of an Amateur Botanist

A Monograph of Euphorbia Polygona from the Perspective of an Amateur Botanist

Characterization of the Chemical Profile of Euphorbia Species from Turkey by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and Liquid Chromatography–Ion Trap–Time-of-Flight–Mass Spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS) and Chemometric Analysis

The Euphorbiaceae family comprises of about 300 genera and 5000 species primarily distributed in America and tropical Africa. The Euphorbia genus is represented by 105 species and locally named as “Sütleğen” and “Xaşîl” in Turkey. The present study aimed to determine the chemical constituents of E. aleppica, E. eriophora, E. macroclada, E. grisophylla, E. seguieriana subsp. seguieriana, E. craspedia, E. denticulata, E. falcata, and E. fistulosa, and classify them by utilizing the chemometric techniques of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Linoleic acid, 17-tetratriacontane, palmitic acid, and hexatriacontane were the major fatty acids from the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. Characterization of 268 constituents of the studied species was achieved by liquid chromatography–ion trap–time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS). Furthermore, a new liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of 11 compounds (quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, rutin, hesperidin, eugenol, p-coumaric acid, piceatannol, scopoletin, dl-kavain, chrysophanic acid, and resiniferatoxin) in these species. The developed method was validated for the linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, repeatability, and recovery.

Triterpenoids from Uygur medicine latex of Euphorbia resinifera

Ten triterpenes compounds were isolated from the methanol extraction of the latex of Euphorbia resinifera by means of various chromatographic methods such as silica gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and physicochemical properties. These isolated compounds were identified as 3β-hydroxy-25,26,27-trinor eupha-8-ene-24-oate (1), iso-maticadienediol (2), 25,26,27-trinorTirucall-8-ene-3β-ol-4-acid (3), dammarendiol Ⅱ (4), eupha-8,24-diene-3-ol-26-al (5), lnonotusane C (6), eupha-8,24-diene-3β-ol-7,11-dione (7), inoterpene A (8), inoterpene B (9), and eupha-24-methylene-8-ene-3β-ol-7,11-dione (10). Among them, compound 1 was a new natural product, compounds 2-4 were firstly isolated from the Euphorbiaceae and compounds 5 and 6 were isolated from the genus Euphorbia for the first time. The cytotoxicity of the compounds 1-10 against MCF-7, U937 and C6 cancer cell lines was evaluated, but none of the compounds was active.

Phylogenetic and population studies of geophytic Euphorbia species (subgenus Euphorbia) from some deciduous forests and hill top plateaus in India

Geophytic Euphorbia species are distributed across four sections in subgenus Euphorbia of genus Euphorbia. At least nine Indian geophytic Euphorbia species have been identified, but delimitation of...

Euphorbia Section Hainanensis (Euphorbiaceae), a New Section Endemic to the Hainan Island of China From Biogeographical, Karyological, and Phenotypical Evidence.

Euphorbia hainanensis is an endangered species endemic to the tropical Hainan Island in southern China and of historical importance for Chinese medicine. It is currently the only unplaced species of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) due to its isolated island distribution and debated placement by a previous molecular phylogenetic study. We sequenced nuclear ITS and chloroplast rbcL and ndhF for newly collected accessions of E. hainanensis and additional Euphorbia species found in Hainan, and analyzed the sequences in the context of the entire genus together with published data. All gene regions highly supported that E. hainanensis occupied an isolated phylogenetic position, showing no close affinity with any known Euphorbia sections suggesting it was a new section. ITS placed E. hainanensis sister to sect. Crossadenia (subgenus Chamaesyce) from Brazil with an estimated divergence time of 9.3-30.6 Mya while the chloroplast markers placed E. hainanensis at a position sister to the entire New World clade of Euphorbia subgenus Chamaesyce. In addition, our karyological results suggested a close affinity between E. hainanensis and the New World species of Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce, with which shared the same chromosome number 2n = 28 and basic chromosome number x = 7. Phenotypically, E. hainanensis is unique with no close resemblance to other species in Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce. Based on its isolated biogeographical, karyological, and phenotypical position, we propose a new section E. subgenus Chamaesyce section Hainanensis that might origin from long distance dispersal events because collective evidences showed a close affinity between the species from the Old World with those from the New World.

Taxonomic revision and phytogeographic studies in Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in the Khorassan provinces of Iran

This study is focused on the genus Euphorbia L. in a part of northeast Iran, viz. the three Khorassan provinces. Since there are many taxa of Euphorbia in Iran which are used in different industries and have significant effects on human and non‐human life it is important to revise their taxonomy. With about 90 species, following Turkey with 91 species, Iran is the second richest country for Euphorbia in Asia. Of these, 30 species are distributed in the Khorassan provinces. This is the first comprehensive work on the genus in this region. According to ‘Flora Iranica’, there are 17 species of Euphorbia in northeast Iran, while according to our results, there are 30 species of Euphorbia in the Khorassan provinces alone. In addition to various new taxonomic and biogeographic results, a new species, viz. E. chamanbidensis, is described. Euphorbia chamanbidensis is closely related to E. aucheri, but seed micro‐morphological characters differentiate them. Two identification keys to the Euphorbia species of the studied area are provided, one based on macro‐morphological characters and another based on seed micro‐morphological characters. Phytogeographic analysis and distribution maps for all species are also presented.