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This study documents the Euphorbiaceae family of plants in Southern Africa, with a focus on their traditional medicinal applications, pharmacological properties, toxicity, and active secondary metabolites. A review of the literature from scientific journals, books, dissertations, and conference papers spanning from 1962 to 2023 was conducted for 15 Euphorbia species. Recent findings indicate that specific compounds found in Euphorbia plants exhibit significant biological and pharmacological properties. However, the white sticky latex sap they contain is highly toxic, although it may also have medicinal applications. Phytochemical analyses have demonstrated that these plants exhibit beneficial effects, including antibacterial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-HIV activities. Key phytochemicals such as euphol, cycloartenol, tirucallol, and triterpenoids contribute to their therapeutic efficacy, along with various proteins like lectin and lysozyme. Despite some Euphorbiaceae species undergoing screening for medicinal compounds, many remain insufficiently examined, highlighting a critical gap in the research literature. Given their historical usage, further investigations are essential to evaluate the medicinal significance of Euphorbia species through detailed studies of isolated compounds and their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This research will serve as a valuable resource for future inquiries into the benefits of lesser-studied Euphorbia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global rise in temperatures due to climate change has made it difficult even for specialised desert-adapted plant species to survive on sandy desert soils. Two of Namibia's iconic desert-adapted plant species, Welwitschia mirabilis and the quiver tree Aloidendron dichotomum, have recently been shown to be under threat because of climate change. In the current study, three ecologically important Namibian Euphorbia milk bushes were evaluated for their climate change response. By comparing good-quality aerial photographs from the 1960s and recent 2020s high-resolution satellite images, it was determined by QGIS remote sensing techniques that very high percentages of the large succulents E. damarana, E. gummifera, and E. gregaria have died during the last 50 years in arid areas of Namibia. Areas like Brandberg (northern Namibia), Klein Karas (south-east), and Garub (south-west), with a high sandy-textured ground cover, have seen the loss of around 90% of E. damarana and E. gregaria and about 61% of E. gummifera in this period. This is alarming, as it could threaten the survival of several animal species adapted to feed on them, especially during droughts. This study focused on large succulent euphorbias, distinguishable in satellite images and historical photographs. It was observed that many other plant species are also severely stressed in arid sandy areas. The obtained results were ground-truthed and species identification was confirmed by the chemical analysis of remaining dead twigs using GC-MS and metabolomics. The ERA5 satellite's 2 m above-ground temperature data show a 2 °C rise in annual average noon temperatures since 1950 at the three locations analysed. Annual daily temperatures increased by 1.3 °C since 1950, exceeding the global average rise of about 1.0 °C since 1900. This suggests that euphorbias and other plants on low-water-capacity sandy soils in Namibia face greater climate change pressure than plants globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphjatrophanes H–L (1–5), four new jatrophane-type and one new lathyrane-type diterpenoid, were isolated from Euphorbia peplus, along with eight known diterpenoids (6–13). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic experiments. All compounds were subjected to bioactivity evaluation using flow cytometry in autophagic flux assays with HM mCherry-GFP-LC3 cells, the human microglia cells which stably expressed the tandem monomeric mCherry-GFP-tagged LC3. Compounds 1–3, 5–10, and 12 significantly increase autophagic flux, and compounds 1 and 12 displayed relatively high BBB permeability, with logPe values of −4.853 and −5.017, respectively. These findings indicated that jatrophane diterpenoids could serve as a valuable source for innovative autophagy inducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EH (Euphorbia Humifusa) is commonly known as ground spurge, contains various compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, sterols, tannins, and phenolic acids. It exerts a wide spectrum of properties including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, anti-viral, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor. In this article, we focus on the antitumor effects of EH and its active constituents, providing evidence for further research on this medicinal herb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Background: Euphorbia hirta is a common roadside weed seen in many parts of India. The aim of the present study is to determine and isolate the bioactive compounds, by GC-MS analysis, which successively will then serve to develop "Phytotherapy" for various ailments among human beings using the Euphorbia hirta plant. Materials and Methods: The Euphorbia hirta plant is sundried and powdered, and the powder is subjected to soxhlet extraction with ethanol as solvent. The crude extract obtained is subjected to gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Mass spectra were obtained over the scan range of m/z 40–600. The compounds were identified by comparison of their mass spectra with those of the NIST 05 L mass spectral library. Results: More than 20 biologically active components were identified using GC-MS analysis. Anti-microbial effects are seen due to heneicosane, methyloctosane, tetracosane, and beta sitosterol. The Anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to n-Hexadeconoic acid, hexacosane, alpha-amyrin, and beta-amyrin. Extracts possess antioxidant effects due to the presence of vitamin E and squalene. Conclusion: The crude ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta possess analgesic, anti - inflammatory, anti - microbial, anti - oxidant, anti - cancer, anti - diabetic, and anti - lipidemic effects. This herb can serve as a potential source of medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is classified as a pathogen with the potential to cause a pandemic. This situation becomes more alarming since no approved drug exists to combat the virus. The present research aims to demonstrate the anti-CHIKV activity of molecules present in the latex of Euphorbia grandicornis. Therefore, a biodirected assay was carried out to find the molecules with anti-CHIKV activity. Extractions with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol and subsequent purification by column chromatography were carried out to later evaluate cytotoxic activity by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and antiviral activity by plaque assay. Our findings show that unlike the others, methanolic extract has a low cytotoxic effect and a good anti-CHIKV effect (EC50 = 26.41 µg/mL), which increases when obtaining the purified active fraction (pAFeg1) (EC50 = 0.4835 µg/mL). Time-of-addition suggests that the possible mechanism of action of pAFeg1 could be inhibiting any of the non-structural proteins of CHIKV. In addition, both the cytotoxic and anti-CHIKV activity of pAFeg1 demonstrate selectivity since it killed cancer cells and could not inhibit DENV2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Pain is a significant global healthcare problem, usually resulting from either medical procedure, injury, or illness. It can be chronic or acute. In this study, the analgesic effect of the ethanol extract of Euphorbia hirta and Ziziphus spina-christi at different concentrations in Wistar albino mice was determined. In addition, the phytochemical composition of the extracts was studied in the laboratory. Materials and Methods: Ethanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta and Ziziphus spina-christi at concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg were administered to mice, and the results were compared with negative (10 ml/kg distilled water) and positive (30 mg/kg paracetamol) controls using hot plate method. The experiments were done by 24 mice for lethal dose (LD50) study, and 24 mice for the main study. The administration was done via oral route, and the mice were placed on hot plate after every 30 min of administration (six mice in each group). Results and Conclusion: The plants contained tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, anthraquinone, saponins, and alkaloids, but triterpenoids were not detected. No acute toxicity or mortality was found in each group after 24 h administration of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extracts. The plants had lethal dose (LD50) of = 5000 mg/kg, and Euphorbia hirta had more significant analgesic effects than Ziziphus spina-christi. After administration, the mice were be placed immediately on a hot plate to observe how many minutes they will jump off the hot plate due to the heat. The highest extended mean time reaction for Euphorbia hirta was at the 30th min at a dose of 1000 mg/kg (3.97 ±0.27 min), while that of Ziziphus spina-christi was at the 90th min at a dose of 1000 mg/kg (2.22 ±0.41 min). We conclude that both extracts are potent candidate as natural analgesic agent in pain alleviation. However, more toxicological studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have evolved as essential preventive and therapeutic aids for various ailments. Approximately 2.5 million species of higher plants remain unexplored for their pharmacological activities. This study was aimed at screening of phytochemical properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves, stem, flower, and whole parts of Euphorbia hirta extract. Fresh leaves, stem, flower and the whole plant of Euphorbia hirta were collected from the Centenary Park, opposite 44 Reference Army Hospital, Kaduna North, Kaduna, Nigeria. The entire plant was identified and authenticated by a Botanist from the department of Biological Sciences, NDA. The collected plant parts were processed in the laboratory using standard procedure. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the phytochemical properties of the leaves stem, and flower of Euphorbia hirta was carried out using standard method. Results obtained from this study indicated that aqueous extracts yielded mean values of 7.93 mg/g for flowers, 8.18 mg/g for leaves, 8.65 mg/g for stems, and 6.3 mg/g for the whole plant. For the ethanolic extracts, the highest value was observed in the stem with 5.8 mg/g, followed by the whole plant with 6.43 mg/g, the leaves with 5.35 mg/g, and the flowers with the lowest value at 0.84 mg/g. Phytochemical properties of E. hirta could be employ in the pharmacological studies as these compounds have been known to possess antimicrobial properties.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new succulent species Euphorbia duerrii is described and illustrated from the Dhule District of Maharashtra state in India. This new species is allied to Euphorbia sahyadrica but differs in shape of the podaria, short obovate leaves, 2-4 times branched peduncles, fimbriate bracts in male flowers and colliculate capsules. Euphorbia duerrii sp. nov. belongs to Euphorbia section Euphorbia based on the presence of succulent stems, spine shields, ecarunculate seeds, and glands of the cyathium lacking appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) has near-cosmopolitan distribution and serves as a significant resource for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. Despite its economic importance, Euphorbia's taxonomy has long been challenged by the intricate nature of morphological traits exhibiting high levels of convergence. While molecular markers are essential for phylogenetic studies, their availability for Euphorbia has been limited. To address this gap, we conducted comparative analyses focusing on the chloroplast (CP) genomes of nine Euphorbia species, incorporating three newly sequenced and annotated accessions. In addition, phylogenetic informativeness and nucleotide diversity were computed to identify candidate markers for phylogenetic analyses among closely related taxa in the genus. Our investigation revealed relatively conserved sizes and structures of CP genomes across the studied species, with notable interspecific variations observed primarily in non-coding regions and IR/SC borders. By leveraging phylogenetic informativeness and nucleotide diversity, we identified rpoB gene as the optimal candidate for species delimitation and shallow-level phylogenetic inference within the genus. Through this comprehensive analysis of CP genomes across multiple taxa, our study sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics and taxonomic intricacies of Euphorbia, offering valuable insights into its CP genome evolution and taxonomy.

Abstract Background Colon cancer, a prominent contributor to global cancer-related deaths, prompts the need for innovative treatment strategies. Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus Hook. f. & Coss Vindt (E. echinus) and their bee-derived products have been integral to traditional Moroccan medicine due to their potential health benefits. These plants have historical use in addressing various health issues, including cancer. However, their effects against colon cancer remain unclear, and the specific mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer effects lack comprehensive investigation. Methods The study aimed to assess the potential anti-cancer effects of Euphorbia extract on colon cancer cell lines (DLD-1) through various techniques. The apoptosis, migration, and proliferation of DLD-1 cells were measured in DLD-1 cells. In addition, we conducted High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify the profile of phenolic compounds present in the studied extracts. Results The extracts demonstrated inhibition of colon cancer cell migration. E. resinifera flower and E. echinus stem extracts show significant anti-migratory effects. Regarding anti-proliferative activity, E. resinifera flower extract hindered proliferation, whereas E. echinus flower extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibition. Apoptosis assays revealed E. resinifera flower extract inducing early-stage apoptosis and E. echinus flower extract promoting late-stage apoptosis. While apoptotic protein expression indicated, E. resinifera stem and propolis extracts had minimal impact on apoptosis. Conclusion The findings provide evidence supporting the beneficial effects of E resinifera and E. echinus extracts on colon cancer and exerting anti-cancer properties.

Introduction: We aimed to describe a case of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis after exposure to the toxic sap of Euphorbia lathyris. Case Report: A 76-year-old gentleman presented after exposure to E. lathyris whilst he was gardening. He had 6/12 visual acuity in his right eye, and 6/4 in his left. Examination revealed marked periocular dermatitis, conjunctival injection and corneal oedema in the right eye with diffuse punctate epithelial staining. He was treated with ocular irrigation, topical steroids, antibiotics, cycloplegics and lubricants. Over 48 h, his left eye started to become symptomatic. He developed bilateral corneal epithelial defects and anterior chamber inflammation. His visual acuity worsened to 6/36 right and 6/24 left. At his 3-week follow-up, there was marked improvement in the resolution of the toxic keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes. Conclusion: Toxic sap from E. lathyris can cause severe keratoconjunctivitis. Irrigation of both eyes despite unilateral symptoms and early follow-up should be considered signs of toxicity may only become evident after 24–48 h.

Background: Euphorbia hirta L., a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is extensively used as a folk medicine across various regions. In China, its decoction is traditionally consumed to alleviate diarrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activities of Euphorbia hirta and to identify its bioactive constituents through a bioactivity-guided isolation technique. Methods: Oral administration of E. hirta extract to mice was conducted to assess its effects on diarrhea. The anti-diarrheal effects were investigated in an aqueous extract and in three fractions of varying polarities derived from the aqueous extract, as well as in different eluates from D-101 macroporous resin, and in the compounds quercitrin and isoquercitrin, using mouse models with castor oil-induced diarrhea. Results: The aqueous extract demonstrated significant anti-diarrheal activities in a dose-dependent manner in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model. Notably, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed prominent effects. Through bioactivity-guided isolation, two major compounds, isoquercitrin and quercitrin from the active fraction were found to possess antidiarrheal effects. Molecular docking studies revealed that the affinity energy of isoquercitrin and quercitrin were −8.5 and −8.2  kcal  mol−1, respectively, which were comparable to the reference drug loperamide, with an affinity energy of −9.1  kcal  mol−1. Conclusion: This research provides evidence supporting the development of E. hirta as a therapeutic agent for diarrhea, with isoquercitrin and quercitrin emerging as two key constituents that are likely responsible for its antidiarrheal activity. These findings validate the traditional use of E. hirta and highlight its potential as a natural treatment for diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis, an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder, seriously affects the quality of life of nearly four percent of the world population. Euphorbia helioscopia L. is the monarch constituent of Chinese ZeQi powder preparation for psoriasis, so it is necessary to illustrate its active ingredients. Thus, twenty-three diterpenoids, including seven new ones, were isolated from the whole herb of E. helioscopia L. Compounds 1 and 2, each featuring a 2,3-dicarboxylic functionality, are the first examples in the ent-2,3-sceo-atisane or the ent-2,3-sceo-abietane family. Extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR, and HRMS data) and computational methods were used to confirm their structures and absolute configurations. According to the previous study and NMR data from the jatropha diterpenes obtained in this study, some efficient 1H NMR spectroscopic rules for assigning the relative configurations of 3α-benzyloxy-jatroph-11E-ene and 7,8-seco-3α-benzyloxy-jatropha-11E-ene were summarized. Moreover, the hyperproliferation of T cells and keratinocytes is considered a key pathophysiology of psoriasis. Anti-proliferative activities against induced T/B lymphocytes and HaCaT cells were tested, and IC50 values of some compounds ranged from 6.7 to 31.5 μM. Compounds 7 and 11 reduced the secretions of IFN-γ and IL-2 significantly. Further immunofluorescence experiments and a docking study with NF-κB P65 showed that compound 13 interfered with the proliferation of HaCaT cells by inhibiting the NF-κB P65 phosphorylation at the protein level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia hirta is of the family Euphorbiaceae, owning various pharmacological properties like anti-inflammatory activity. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic-autoimmune systemic diseasethat can be characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial hyperplasia, inflammation, and joint damage. Objective of the study is to assess the anti-arthritic activity of methanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta. Freund’s complete adjuvant induced arthritic Model was followed for the evaluation. 0.1 mL of the FCA by intraplanar injection was used to induce arthritis in Wistar rats. Methanolic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) of Euphorbia hirta were given to Wistar rats. Euphorbia hirta extract showed significant anti-arthritic activity in a dose-dependent manner. However, Euphorbia hirta extract (200mg/kg) showed potential anti-arthritic activity. From the study, it can be concluded that Euphorbia hirta possesses marked anti-arthriticactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as the pencil cactus or milk bush plant, is used as an alternative medicine. The current study evaluated the phytochemical contents, antibacterial, anticandidal, and antisporicidal potential of the E. tirucalli methanolic extract. The antibacterial and anticandidal activity of E. tirucalli methanolic extract was determined by performing a disc diffusion assay, MIC, MBC, and MCC. The sporicidal activity was tested at different concentrations of extract and exposure times. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and tannins in E. tirucalli methanolic extract. Results demonstrated inhibition zones of the extract against Gram-positive bacteria were in range of 22.00-7.00 mm. Meanwhile, inhibition zones of the extract against Gram-negative bacteria were in range of 13.00-7.00 mm. All bacteria were inhibited with MIC values at 1.56-25.0 mg/ml and can be completely killed with MBC values of 20-200 mg/ml. Inhibition zones of E. tirucalli methanolic extract against Candida spp. were in the range of 20.00-8.00 mm. All Candida spp. were inhibited with MIC values at 1.56-100.00 mg/ml and MBC values of 100-300 mg/ml. All concentrations of the extract inhibited all Bacillus spp. spores at different exposure times. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of E. tirucalli exhibits antibacterial, anticandidal, and sporicidal activities. The findings indicated that the methanolic extract of E. tirucalli has good potential for prospective nature-based antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effects of gamma irradiation on the antioxidant activity and metabolite profiles of Euphorbia maculata calli (PC3012). Gamma irradiation at various doses (0, 0.05, 0.5, and 10 kGy) significantly enhanced the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS+) radical scavenging activities of the callus extracts of PC3012 in a dose-dependent manner. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) analyses revealed that irradiation increased the lysophospholipid content, although no new antioxidant compounds were formed. Furthermore, a PLS-DA analysis revealed evident metabolic differences between non-irradiated and irradiated samples, which were further verified by statistical validation. These findings suggest that gamma irradiation induces specific biochemical modifications that enhance the bioactive properties of PC3012 calli. This technology exhibits potential for utilization in the natural product and food sectors, particularly in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals with improved health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we sought to validate the use of Euphorbia calyptrata (L.), a Saharan and Mediterranean medicinal plant, in traditional pharmacopeia. GC‐MS/MS identified volatile compounds of potential therapeutic interest. Antioxidant tests were performed using β‐carotene decolorization, DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, beta‐carotene bleaching, and TAC. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated on solid and liquid media for bacterial and fungal strains to determine the zone of inhibition and the minimum growth concentration (MIC) of the microbes tested. The hemolytic activity of these essential oils was assessed on red blood cells isolated from rat blood. Phytochemical characterization of the terpenic compounds by GC‐MS/MS revealed 31 compounds, with alpha‐Pinene dominating (35.96 %). The antioxidant power of the essential oils tested revealed an IC50 of 67.28 μg/mL (DPPH), EC50 of 80.25.08±1.42 μg/mL (FRAP), 94.83±2.11 μg/mL (beta carotene) and 985.07±0.70 μg/mL (TAC). Evaluating solid media's antibacterial and antifungal properties revealed a zone of inhibition between 10.28 mm and 25.80 mm and 31.48 and 34.21 mm, respectively. On liquid media, the MIC ranged from 10.27 μg/mL to 24.91 μg/mL for bacterial strains and from 9.32 μg/mL to 19.08 μg/mL for fungal strains. In molecular docking analysis, the compounds naphthalene, shogunal, and manol oxide showed the greatest activity against NADPH oxidase, with Glide G scores of −5.294, −5.218 and −5.161 kcal/mol, respectively. For antibacterial activity against E. coli beta‐ketoacyl‐[acyl carrier protein] synthase, the most potent molecules were cis‐Calamenene, alpha.‐Muurolene and Terpineol, with Glide G‐scores of −6.804, −6.424 and −6.313 kcal/mol, respectively. Hemolytic activity revealed a final inhibition of 9.42±0.33 % for a 100 μg/mL concentration. The essential oils tested have good antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic properties thanks to their rich phytochemical composition, and molecular docking analysis confirmed their biological potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants contain a variety of phytochemicals, which act as natural bioactive compounds to help plants enhance abiotic tolerance and promote growth. Therefore, plant extracts are considered to have great potential as environmentally friendly biostimulants in sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds and quantify nutrients present in three plant extracts, namely Euphorbia hirta, Polygonum minus, and Eleusine indica, as well as to explore the effect on the growth of maize seedlings (Zea mays L.). The plant powder was extracted using methanol, followed by a solid-liquid extraction procedure. The phytocompounds were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while mineral nutrients were quantified using inductively coupled plasma. Five concentrations of plant extracts, i.e., 5, 15, 25, 50, and 100%, were designed to evaluate seed germination and priming. The result showed that 53, 45, and 39 phytocompounds were identified from E. hirta, P. minus, and E. indica, respectively, and classified into different chemical groups (such as flavonoids and amino acids) and rich nutrients (for example, N, P, and K). Besides, P. minus and E. hirta extracts with lower concentrations (5 and 15%) showed a positive effect on germination, shoot length and fresh weight, and the Highest concentration (100%) of E. hirta and E. indica extracts exhibited strong toxicity. This study emphasizes that weed extracts containing abundant secondary metabolites and nutrients can be used as natural biostimulants for maize seed priming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colon cancer, a prominent contributor to global cancer-related deaths, prompts the need for innovative treatment strategies. Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus Hook. f. & Coss Vindt (E. echinus) and their bee-derived products have been integral to traditional Moroccan medicine due to their potential health benefits. These plants have historical use in addressing various health issues, including cancer. However, their effects against colon cancer remain unclear, and the specific mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer effects lack comprehensive investigation. Methods: The study aimed to assess the potential anti-cancer effects of Euphorbia extract on colon cancer cell lines (DLD-1) through various techniques. The apoptosis, migration, and proliferation of DLD-1 cells were measured in DLD-1 cells. In addition, we conducted High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify the profile of phenolic compounds present in the studied extracts. Results: The extracts demonstrated inhibition of colon cancer cell migration. E. resinifera flower and E. echinus stem extracts show significant anti-migratory effects. Regarding anti-proliferative activity, E. resinifera flower extract hindered proliferation, whereas E. echinus flower extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibition. Apoptosis assays revealed E. resinifera flower extract inducing early-stage apoptosis and E. echinus flower extract promoting late-stage apoptosis. While apoptotic protein expression indicated, E. resinifera stem and propolis extracts had minimal impact on apoptosis. Conclusion: The findings provide evidence supporting the beneficial effects of E resinifera and E. echinus extracts on colon cancer and exerting anti-cancer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Euphorbia that has been historically treated as E. dentata in Argentina is described and illustrated. The new species, Euphorbia subilsiae, is morphologically similar to E. pentadactyla, the only other native species of the “Euphorbia dentata alliance” in Argentina, but it has bifid styles and less brightly colored umbel bracts. Euphorbia davidii, long thought to be native in Córdoba Province, should be considered as recently introduced in Argentina. It is now a common weed across Buenos Aires Province but is apparently less common further north in the country. A discussion of the distinctions among these species and their taxonomic history in Argentina is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) has near-cosmopolitan distribution and serves as a significant resource for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. Despite its economic importance, Euphorbia's taxonomy has long been challenged by the intricate nature of morphological traits exhibiting high levels of convergence. While molecular markers are essential for phylogenetic studies, their availability for Euphorbia has been limited. To address this gap, we conducted comparative analyses focusing on the chloroplast (CP) genomes of nine Euphorbia species, incorporating three newly sequenced and annotated accessions. In addition, phylogenetic informativeness and nucleotide diversity were computed to identify candidate markers for phylogenetic analyses among closely related taxa in the genus. Our investigation revealed relatively conserved sizes and structures of CP genomes across the studied species, with notable interspecific variations observed primarily in non-coding regions and IR/SC borders. By leveraging phylogenetic informativeness and nucleotide diversity, we identified rpoB gene as the optimal candidate for species delimitation and shallow-level phylogenetic inference within the genus. Through this comprehensive analysis of CP genomes across multiple taxa, our study sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics and taxonomic intricacies of Euphorbia, offering valuable insights into its CP genome evolution and taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global rise in temperatures due to climate change has made it difficult even for specialised desert-adapted plant species to survive on sandy desert soils. Two of Namibia’s iconic desert-adapted plant species, Welwitschia mirabilis and the quiver tree Aloidendron dichotomum, have recently been shown to be under threat because of climate change. In the current study, three ecologically important Namibian Euphorbia milk bushes were evaluated for their climate change response. By comparing good-quality aerial photographs from the 1960s and recent 2020s high-resolution satellite images, it was determined by QGIS remote sensing techniques that very high percentages of the large succulents E. damarana, E. gummifera, and E. gregaria have died during the last 50 years in arid areas of Namibia. Areas like Brandberg (northern Namibia), Klein Karas (south-east), and Garub (south-west), with a high sandy-textured ground cover, have seen the loss of around 90% of E. damarana and E. gregaria and about 61% of E. gummifera in this period. This is alarming, as it could threaten the survival of several animal species adapted to feed on them, especially during droughts. This study focused on large succulent euphorbias, distinguishable in satellite images and historical photographs. It was observed that many other plant species are also severely stressed in arid sandy areas. The obtained results were ground-truthed and species identification was confirmed by the chemical analysis of remaining dead twigs using GC-MS and metabolomics. The ERA5 satellite’s 2 m above-ground temperature data show a 2 °C rise in annual average noon temperatures since 1950 at the three locations analysed. Annual daily temperatures increased by 1.3 °C since 1950, exceeding the global average rise of about 1.0 °C since 1900. This suggests that euphorbias and other plants on low-water-capacity sandy soils in Namibia face greater climate change pressure than plants globally.

Euphorbia, one of the largest genera of flowering plants, is well-known for containing many biofuel crops. Euphorbia tirucalli, an evergreen succulent mainly native to the Africa continent but cultivated worldwide, is a promising petroleum plant with high tolerance to drought and salt stress. However, the exploration of such an important plant resource is severely hampered by the lack of a reference genome. Here, we present the chromosome-level genome assembly of E. tirucalli using PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C technology. Its genome size was approximately 745.62 Mb, with a contig N50 of 74.16 Mb. A total of 743.63 Mb (99.73%) of the assembled sequences were anchored to 10 chromosomes with a complete BUSCO score of 97.80%. Genome annotation revealed 26,304 protein-coding genes, and 76.37% of the genome was identified as repeat elements. The high-quality genome provides valuable genetic resources that would be useful for unraveling the genetic mechanisms of biofuel synthesis and evolutionary adaptation of E. tirucalli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing soil contamination with nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) is a growing environmental concern, adversely affecting ecosystems and the survival of both plants and animals. This study investigated the morphological and physiological responses of Euphorbia marginata Pursh seedlings to varying concentrations of Ni and Cu over a 45-day period. The findings revealed that low concentrations of Ni and Cu enhanced morphological indexes, root indexes, biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content of E. marginata, while high concentrations inhibited these parameters. Compared to the control, Ni and Cu stresses induced membrane peroxidation, increased cell membrane permeability, and inhibited the synthesis of soluble proteins and proline in the leaves. The seedlings demonstrated an ability to mitigate Ni and Cu toxicity by increasing soluble sugar content and enhancing the activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Notably, E. marginata exhibited a higher capacity for Cu2+ enrichment and translocation compared to Ni2+. Combined Ni and Cu treatments reduced the maximum enrichment and translocation levels of both metals in E. marginata. This study highlights the superior tolerance of E. marginata to Ni and Cu stresses and elucidates the mechanisms underlying its response, providing a theoretical basis for the use of landscape plants in the remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the potential of two Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) strains, EP1-AS and EP1-BM, isolated from the halophyte Euphorbia prostrata, to enhance plant growth and provide abiotic stress resilience. The study addresses the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of challenges like soil salinization and heavy metal contamination. The investigation comprehensively analyzes the heavy metal and salt tolerance of the PGPB strains, revealing their potential applications in promoting plant growth under adverse environmental conditions. The research further explores the impact of these PGPB strains on wheat plants subjected to varying concentrations of heavy metals and salts. Results indicate that both PGPB strains, especially EP1-BM, exhibit significant tolerance to heavy metals and salt stress. EP1-BM demonstrates remarkable resilience even under high concentrations of these stressors. The study extends its findings to in vitro testing on wheat plants, revealing the positive influence of PGPB strains on germination, shoot length, and root length in the presence of salt and heavy metals. This research underscores the significance of understanding plant-microbe interactions, particularly in the context of promoting sustainable agriculture in challenging environments. The identified resilience of PGPB strains, especially EP1-BM, suggests their potential application as bio-remediators and plant growth promoters in soils affected by salinity and heavy metal stress. The promising results observed will be followed-up field trials. They will highlight the translational potential of these PGPB strains, offering a novel avenue for developing biofertilizer formulations with a cautious approach to safety concerns. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into harnessing the untapped potential of resilient plants and their associated microbial communities for sustainable agriculture. It addresses key global challenges outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal pollution in water, soil, and vegetation is an emerging environmental issue. Therefore, this study investigated the abundance of heavy metals (HMs) within roots and shoots of native plant species i.e., Bromus pectinatus, Cynodon dactylon, Poa annua, Euphorbia heliscopa, Anagallis arvensis, and Stellaria media grown in the adjoining area of municipal wastewater channels of a Pakistani city of Abbottabad. HMs concentrations (mg L−1) in municipal wastewater were: chromium (Cr) (0.55) > nickel (Ni) (0.09) > lead (Pb) (0.07) > cadmium (Cd) (0.03). Accumulation of HMs in both roots and shoots of plant species varied as B. pectinatus > C. dactylon > P. annua > E. heliscopa > A. arvensis > S. media. Irrespective of the plant species, roots exhibited higher concentrations of HMs than shoots. Higher amount of Cr (131.70 mg kg−1) was detected in the roots of B. pectinatus and the lowest amount (81 mg kg−1) in A. arvensis, Highest Cd concentration was found in the shoot of B. pectinatus and the lowest in the E. heliscopa. The highest concentration of Ni was found in the roots of S. media (37.40 mg kg−1) and the shoot of C. dactylon (15.70 mg kg−1) whereas the lowest Ni concentration was achieved in the roots of A. arvensis (12.10 mg kg−1) and the shoot of E. heliscopa (5.90 mg kg−1). The concentration of HMs in individual plant species was less than 1000 mg kg−1. Considering the higher values (> 1) of biological concentration factor (BCF), biological accumulation co-efficient (BAC), and translocation factor (TF), B. pectinatus and S. media species showed greater potential for HMs accumulation than other species. Therefore, these plants might be helpful for the remediation of HM-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Quaternary climatic fluctuations and long‐distance seed dispersal across the sea are critical factors affecting the distribution of coastal plants, but the spatiotemporal nature of population expansion and distribution change of East Asian coastal plants during this period are rarely examined. To explore this process, we investigated the genome‐wide phylogenetic patterns of Euphorbia jolkinii Boiss. (Euphorbiaceae), which grows widely on littoral areas of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Methods: We used plastome sequences and genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms in samples across the species range to reveal phylogeographic patterns and spatiotemporal distributional changes. We conducted ecological niche modeling for the present and the last glacial maximum (LGM). Results: Genetic differentiation was observed between the northern and southern populations of E. jolkinii, separated by the major biogeographic boundary, the Tokara Gap. These two groups of populations differentiated during the glacial period and subsequently intermingled in the intermorainic areas of the central Ryukyu Islands after the LGM. Ecological niche models suggested that the potential range of E. jolkinii was restricted to southern Kyushu; however, it was widespread in the southern Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan during the LGM. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of genetic differentiation among coastal plant populations separated by the prominent biogeographical boundary. Although coastal plants are typically expected to maintain population connectivity through sea‐drifted seed dispersal, our findings suggest that genetic differences may arise because of a combination of limited gene flow and changes in climate during the glacial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims – The study of factors and processes involved in evolutionary divergence can inform how biodiversity is generated and maintained. We evaluate shifts in phenology or in pollination systems as potential barriers to gene exchange and thus promoters of divergence at the population-species boundary in the plant ring-species Euphorbia tithymaloides in the Caribbean. Material and methods – Combining collections-based and field-based observations and measurements, we evaluate evidence supporting that shifts in tempo of reproductive activity (floral phenology) or pollinator guilds (using visitation as a proxy) could be acting as mechanisms promoting divergence in E. tithymaloides. We focus on the geographic region where evolutionary divergence in this species has been documented: Greater and Lesser Antilles. Phenology data were derived from herbaria and online databases, for a total of 376 records across the Greater and Lesser Antilles. We quantified and characterized reward (nectar n = 13 sites) and gathered visitation data using direct observation (n = 12 sites) for a total of over 133 hours of observation/site. Key results – The peak of floral activity of E. tithymaloides is in winter, when days are short (~late October–late May). Under natural conditions, plants in the Antilles produce up to 22.4 µL of nectar, with mean sugar concentrations of ~ 46.5 ºBrix that amount to up to 10.3 mg of total sugars, with no significant differences observed between plants of the Lesser and Greater Antilles. Hummingbirds are the main floral visitors of E. tithymaloides in both areas: Greater Antilles: 61%, Lesser Antilles: 85%, and network analyses support a floral visitor community turnover across islands/countries. Conclusion – Evolutionary divergence in Caribbean E. tithymaloides along the Greater and Lesser Antilles is not accompanied by shifts in floral phenology or pollinator systems. Other factors, like pollinator turnover or pollinatorplant trait matching, might be at play. We outline hypotheses to this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acalypha australis L. 1753 is a potherb popular among Asian populations and is a traditional herbal medicine. In the current study, the overall genetic diversity of A. australis still needs to be better. Here, we assembled and characterized the complete plastome of A. australis. The plastome is 168,885 bp in length with a large single-copy (LSC) of 94,576 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 19,715 bp, and two copies of inverted repeat region (IRs) of 27,297 bp each. The overall GC content is 34.9%. The plastome contains 127 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis of the representative species of Euphorbiaceae showed that A. australis and A. hispida formed a monophyletic sister clade. The results of this study will support further research on the evolution and conservation of the Euphorbiaceae species; they will benefit pharmaceutical applications and ornamentation of the medicinal plant A. australis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study presents the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta leaf extract. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was performed by in vitro assay. Our research employs a comprehensive approach combining experimental assays and computational simulations to assess the extract's potential bioactive components and their interactions with key biomolecules. Results: The study's results demonstrated a progressive rise in the percentage of inhibition, which was dependent on the dosage, in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This trend was observed for both the extract and the standard, encompassing concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 µg/ml. Conclusion: The results showed that Euphorbia hirta's possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and this may contribute to a traditional medicinal. The discoveries of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of Euphorbia hirta's medicinal properties and its potential as a source of natural therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the seventeenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Aizoaceae, Anacardiaceae, Asparagaceae, Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Cannabaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Casuarinaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Gentianaceae, Gramineae, Iridaceae, Labiatae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Onagraceae, Orobanchaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae, Portulacaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Solanaceae, Typhaceae, Violaceae and Vitaceae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Acer, Ampelopsis, Argania, Blackstonia, Buglossoides, Carduus, Carex, Casuarina, Celtis, Chenopodium, Clematis, Eleusine, Elytrigia, Eucalyptus, Euphorbia, Euphrasia, Fraxinus, Galium, Hibiscus, Hieracium, Iris, Koelreuteria, Lathyrus, Loeflingia, Ludwigia, Malus, Melampyrum, Mesembryanthemum, Muscari, Orobanche, Oxalis, Papaver, Physalis, Podranea, Portulaca, Pseudodictamnus, Pulmonaria, Ranunculus, Schinus, Sedum, Stachys, Typha, Viola and Vitis, and a new combination in Pseudodictamnus. Citation For the whole article: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.) 2024: Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 17. – Willdenowia 54: 5–45. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54101 For a single contribution (example): Fos S., Laguna E., Smith G. F. & Verloove F. 2024: Mesembryanthemum haeckelianum A. Berger. – Pp. 7–8 in: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.), Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 17. – Willdenowia 54: 5–45. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54101 Version of record first published online on 19 February 2024 ahead of inclusion in April 2024 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spodoptera frugiperda is the main pest of maize. One of the alternatives proposed for its control is the implementation of products of botanical origin, such as those derived from Ricinus communis. In this work, the insecticidal and insectistatic activities of methanolic and hydrolyzed methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of R. communis and kaempferol against S. frugiperda are evaluated. The methanolic extract presented a larval mortality rate of 55% and an accumulated mortality rate of 65% starting at 4000 ppm, with LC50 values of 3503 (larvae) and 2851 (accumulated); meanwhile, from a concentration of 1000 ppm, a decrease in pupa weight at 24 h of 20.5 mg was observed when compared to the control. The hydrolyzed methanolic extract presented a larval mortality and accumulated mortality rate of 60% from a concentration of 1000 ppm, and a decrease in pupa weight at 24 h of 35.31 mg was observed, when compared to the control. For the compound kaempferol 3-β-D-glucopyranoside, a larval mortality rate of 65% and an accumulated mortality rate of 80% were observed from 800 ppm, with LC50 values of 525.2 (larvae) and 335.6 ppm (accumulated); meanwhile, at 300 ppm, a decrease in pupa weight of 25.59 mg after 24 h was observed when compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a survey conducted in March 2023, Euphorbia hypogaea plants cultivated within greenhouses in Yongin, Korea exhibited water-soaked areas near the stem base, close to the soil. Subsequent isolation from diseased E. hypogaea led to the identification of a bacterial strain, designated as CBNUMPBL-103. The isolate was identified as Dickeya dadantii through sequencing of the 16s rRNA and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity of the isolate was confirmed by inoculating it into healthy E. hypogaea, resulting in the manifestation of similar symptoms observed during the survey. The re-isolated strain recovered from inoculated plants showed a similar morphology with the inoculated strain. This is the first documentation of D. dadantii causing soft rot of E. hypogaea in Korea.

AbstractEuphorbia prostrata Aiton 1789, an annual herb, is native to tropical and subtropical Americas and was introduced into many parts of the Old-World including Korea. We determined the genomic characteristics of the complete chloroplast genome of E. prostrata with a de novo assembly strategy. The complete chloroplast genome was 162,858 bp long, and harbored 86 protein coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA. The genome showed the typical quadripartite structure consisting of a large single copy (LSC) (90,580 bp), a small single copy (SSC) (18,570 bp) and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (26,854 bp). The phylogenetic tree inferred from chloroplast genomes of 25 taxa, which belong to Euphorbiaceae indicated that the Euphorbia is a monophyletic group and E. prostrata is closely related with E. humifusa, E. thymifolia and E. hirta, forming a well-supported clade. Our findings can be valuable for understanding the phylogenetic relationships and the evolution in Euphorbiaceae and will provide basic information for future studies on E. prostrata from genomic perspective.

For a long time, it was considered that entomogamy was the only pollination mechanism in the Mediterranean area. However, data recorded in this review prove that ornithogamy and saurogamy also take place. With the exception of the nectarivorous Cinnyris osea (Nectariniidae) which pollinates the mistletoe Picosepalus acaciae in Israel, all birds responsible for the pollination of several plant species in this area are primarily insectivorous, sedentary, or migrating passerine birds, particularly Sylvia atricapilla, S. melanocephala, Phylloscopus collibita and Parus caeruleus. They contribute, together with insects, to the pollination of Anagyris foetida, three species of Scrophularia with big flowers, Rhamnus alaternus, Brassica oleracea, and some other plants. The lacertid lizard Podarcis lilfordi acts as a pollinating agent on several W Mediterranean islands, where it effectively pollinates Euphorbia dendroides, Cneorum tricocum, and presumably Rosmarinus officinalis and Chrithmum maritimum. The flowers of some other plant species are visited by birds or by Podarcis species in the Mediterranean area, where they could also contribute to their pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild fruits and vegetables (WFVs) have been vital to local communities for centuries and make an important contribution to daily life and income. However, traditional knowledge of the use of wild fruits is at risk of being lost due to inadequate documentation. This study aimed to secure this knowledge through intermittent field visits and a semi-structured questionnaire. Using various ethnobotanical data analysis tools and SPSS (IBM 25), this study identified 65 WFV species (52 genera and 29 families). These species, mostly consumed as vegetables (49%) or fruits (43%), were predominantly herbaceous (48%) in wild and semi-wild habitats (67%). 20 WFVs were known to local communities (highest RFC), Phoenix sylvestris stood out as the most utilized species (highest UV). Surprisingly, only 23% of the WFVs were sold at markets. The survey identified 21 unique WFVs that are rarely documented for human consumption in Pakistan (e.g., Ehretia obtusifolia, Euploca strigosa, Brassica juncea, Cleome brachycarpa, Gymnosporia royleana, Cucumis maderaspatanus, Croton bonplandianus, Euphorbia prostrata, Vachellia nilotica, Pongamia pinnata, Grewia asiatica, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Morus serrata, Argemone mexicana, Bambusa vulgaris, Echinochloa colonum, Solanum virginianum, Physalis angulata, Withania somnifera, Zygophyllum creticum, and Peganum harmala), as well as 14 novel uses and five novel edible parts. Despite their ecological importance, the use of WFVs has declined because local people are unaware of their cultural and economic value. Preservation of traditional knowledge through education on conservation and utilization could boost economies and livelihoods in this and similar areas worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the antioxidant effect of the extract of Euphorbia helioscopia in vitro and its effect on lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid. In this study, 25%, 50%, 75% methanol and ethanol were used to extract the powder by immersion method. The antioxidant activities of the different extracts were assessed, and the levels of total phenols and total flavonoids were measured. To establish a model of lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells, the cells were treated with 50% ethanol extract (at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 µg/mL) for 24 h to observe the formation of lipid droplets. The triglyceride (TG) content, total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the cells were determined. The findings demonstrated that all extracts exhibited concentrationdependent antioxidant activity. Among them, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant effect in a certain concentration range (P<0.05), with higher levels of total phenols (8.813%±1.344%) and total flavonoids (17.938%±0.819%) . Compared with the model group, the 50% ethanol extract displayed a concentration-dependent ability to decrease lipid droplets and TG values in HepG2 cells, while increasing the levels of GSH, T-AOC, and SOD activity. Therefore, the 50% ethanol extract showed potential in inhibiting oleic acid-induced fat accumulation in HepG2 cells and enhancing the endogenous antioxidant capacity of the cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents and evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of stem latex extracts from the endemic medicinal plant Euphorbia arbuscula found on Socotra Island, Yemen. The study aimed to assess the potential medicinal and veterinary uses of this plant, representing the first evaluation of its properties. The stem latex was extracted using ethanol, and the resulting oil underwent analysis using GC-MS to identify eight compounds. In addition, chromatographic techniques were employed to isolate two triterpenoids, lanosterol and lupeol, from the stem latex. The structures of these compounds were confirmed using IR, MS, and NMR techniques. The antibacterial activity of the extracts and isolated compounds was evaluated against three bacterial strains using the disc diffusion method, revealing only weak antibacterial effects. The study also investigated the antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay, where the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 value of ±13.55 µg/mL, followed by the chloroform extract with an IC50 of ±21.87 µg/mL. These findings emphasize the potential of Euphorbia arbuscula in the development of new medicines, particularly due to its notable antioxidant activity. The research methodology employed a scientifically rigorous approach, utilizing a comprehensive range of analytical techniques. However, further investigation is required to fully assess the plant's potential as a therapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant extracts are actively being used worldwide due to the presence of biologically active constituents helping in the preservation of food, and to aid against various diseases owing to their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. The present research work was carried out to investigate the phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity, and antioxidant activity of different extracted samples of Euphorbia parviflora. Anti-microbial studies were carried out by Agar well diffusion while the DPPH method was employed for investigating anti-oxidant activity. Three samples from methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extract were tested against five different bacterial strains comprising two species from Gram-negative bacteria i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and three species from Gram-positive bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia along two fungal strains i.e. Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that methanolic, chloroformic, and ethylacetate extract of Euphorbia parviflora consist of alkaloids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins. The total phenol and flavonoid content of E. parviflora showed that the methanolic extract of E. parviflora had a significantly higher total phenolic content (53.73 ± 0.30 mg of GAE/g) and flavonoid content (44.62 ± 0.38 mg of than other extracts. The content of total phenolic and flavonoids was more in methanolic extract as compared to other extracts of E. prolifera. The HPLC analysis showed that in the chloroform extract of E. parviflora Cinnamic acid (4.32 ± 2.89 mg/g) was dominant, in methanol extract quercetin (3.42 ± 2.89 mg/g) was dominant and in ethyl acetate extract of E. parviflora catechin (4.44 ± 2.89 mg/g) was found dominant. The antimicrobial activity revealed that amongst all the extracts the highest antibacterial activity was shown by methanolic extract against B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus as compared to the other extracts. The antioxidant activity revealed that methanolic extract of E. parviflora demonstrated higher antioxidant activity (82.42 ± 0.02) followed by chloroform extract (76.48 ± 0.08) at 150 µg/mL. The aim of this study was primarily to evaluate the potential of this plant as a reliable source of antimicrobials and antioxidants that may be used for the treatment of various infectious diseases in the future. The study provides evidence that this plant can act as a reliable source of antimicrobial and antioxidant agents and might be used against several infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia is a large genus of the Euphorbiaceae family. Around 250 species of the Euphorbia genus have been studied chemically and pharmacologically; different compounds have been isolated from these species, especially diterpenes and triterpenes. Several reports show that several species have anti-inflammatory activity, which can be attributed to the presence of diterpenes, such as abietanes, ingenanes, and lathyranes. In addition, it was found that some diterpenes isolated from different Euphorbia species have anti-cancer activity. In this review, we included compounds isolated from species of the Euphorbia genus with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic effects published from 2018 to September 2023. The databases used for this review were Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar, using the keywords Euphorbia with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic activity. In this review, 68 studies were collected and analyzed regarding the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of 264 compounds obtained from 36 species of the Euphorbia genus. The compounds included in this review are terpenes (95%), of which 68% are diterpenes, especially of the types ingenanes, abietanes, and triterpenes (approximately 15%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are gaining increasing attention in biomedical applications due to their unique properties. Green synthesis methods are environmentally friendly and have demonstrated potential for AgNP production. This study explores the green synthesis of AgNPs using the methanolic extract of Euphorbia milii, a plant known for its medicinal properties. The primary objectives of this research were to synthesize AgNPs using E. milii extract, characterize the nanoparticles (NPs) using various techniques, and evaluate their antibacterial and enzyme inhibitory activities. Methods: E. milii plant extract was utilized for the green synthesis of AgNPs. The characterization of the NPs was performed through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, while enzyme inhibitory assays were conducted against urease, α-glucosidase, carbonic anhydrase II, and xanthine oxidase. Results: The synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial effects, with a remarkable 20-mm zone of inhibition against S. aureus, surpassing the efficacy of the plant extract alone. Furthermore, the AgNPs demonstrated remarkable enzyme inhibition, achieving impressive percentages of 77.98% against α-glucosidase and 88.54% against carbonic anhydrase II. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration values for enzyme inhibition were highly promising, including 78.09 ± 1.98 µM for α-glucosidase, 0.22 ± 0.10 µM for carbonic anhydrase II, and 7.11 ± 0.55 µM for xanthine oxidase. Conclusion: In this study, AgNPs were successfully synthesized using E. milii extract and characterized using various techniques. The AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial and enzyme-inhibitory activities, showcasing their potential for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater diversity in functional morphology should be associated with the evolution of greater ontogenetic diversity, an expectation difficult to test in most long-lived wild organisms. In the cells derived from the wood meristem (vascular cambium), plants provide extraordinary systems for reconstructing ontogenies in often long-lived organisms. The vascular cambium produces files of cells from the stem center to the periphery, with each cambial derivative "deciding" which of four cell types it differentiates into. Wood cell files remain in place, allowing tracing of the ontogenetic "decisions" taken throughout the life of a stem. We compared cell files from the Pedilanthus clade (genus Euphorbia), which span a range of growth forms from small trees and shrubs of tropical habitats to desert succulents. Using language theory, we represented wood cell types as "letters" and combinations of cell types in cell files as "words," allowing us to measure the diversity of decisions based on word frequency matrices. We also used information content metrics to compare levels of predictability in "decision-making." Our analyses identified a wider array of developmental decisions in woody trees as compared to succulent shrubs, illustrating ways that woody plants provide unparalleled systems for studying the evolution of ontogeny in long-lived, non-model species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the plants of the genus Euphorbia are largely exploited by therapists in Morocco, the composition and antibacterial activities of propolis from these plants are still unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, and the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco and evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis samples was determined by the microdilution method, and the anti-adherence activity was evaluated by the crystal violet assay. The examination of anti-quorum-sensing proprieties was performed using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Pollen analysis revealed that Euphorbia resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, constituting 35% in P1 and 31% in P2, with α-pinene being the major component in both cases, at 16% in P1 and 15% in P2. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in both E. resinifera (P1) and E. officinarum (P2 and P3) propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum P2 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value ranged from 50 to 450 µL/mL against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor C. violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens. In summary, the current study evidences the potential use of E. officinarum propolis (P2 and P3) to combat important features of resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different herbal phytochemicals have potential in cancer treatment, Euphorbia genus has valuable secondary metabolites and is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. However, the specific constituents and biological activity of Euphorbia greenwayi remain largely unexplored. Results: Euphorbia greenwayi aerial parts were extracted using methanol. Consequently, the methanol extract was then fractionated with solvents of different polarities viz., n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. All were screened for their cytotoxic activity against different cell lines; MCF-7, HepG-2, and SW620. The n-hexane (HF) and chloroform (CF) fractions showed considerable activity against all tested cell lines especially MCF-7 with IC50 values at 18.6 ± 0.2 and 17.5 ± 0.6 μg/ml respectively. Therefore, a cell migration assay on the MCF-7 cell line was applied to both fractions as well as investigation and isolation of the main active constituents. Lupeol, β-sitosterol, and cycloartenol were isolated from the nonpolar fractions of E. greenwayi for the first time. Conclusions: Euphorbia greenwayi aerial parts exhibit considerable anti-cancer effects via cytotoxicity. Three chemical constituents with promising cytotoxic activity are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia prostrata Aiton 1789, an annual herb, is native to tropical and subtropical Americas and was introduced into many parts of the Old-World including Korea. We determined the genomic characteristics of the complete chloroplast genome of E. prostrata with a de novo assembly strategy. The complete chloroplast genome was 162,858 bp long, and harbored 86 protein coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA. The genome showed the typical quadripartite structure consisting of a large single copy (LSC) (90,580 bp), a small single copy (SSC) (18,570 bp) and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (26,854 bp). The phylogenetic tree inferred from chloroplast genomes of 25 taxa, which belong to Euphorbiaceae indicated that the Euphorbia is a monophyletic group and E. prostrata is closely related with E. humifusa, E. thymifolia and E. hirta, forming a well-supported clade. Our findings can be valuable for understanding the phylogenetic relationships and the evolution in Euphorbiaceae and will provide basic information for future studies on E. prostrata from genomic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential of plant-based sources of vernolic acid to provide agricultural producers with a market diversification opportunity and industrial manufacturers with a renewable, environmentally friendly chemical feedstock is immense. The herbaceous wild spurge or caper spurge (Euphorbia lagascae Spreng) is the most promising source of vernolic acid, containing an average oil content of 50%, of which around 60% is vernolic acid. Its seed yield ranges between 500 and 2000 kg ha−1, and a theoretical yield of 180 kg ha−1 of pure vernolic acid is possible. The objective of this research was to characterize the flower and whole plant morphology so to allow for the development of a method to efficiently hybridize E. lagasce plants for breeding purposes. Results: In this study, we have characterized the flower and whole plant morphology in detail, thereby, developing an efficient method for hybridization of E. lagasce to allow for its breeding and improvement as a novel oil crop. Such method was not described previously in the literature making it difficult to breed this crop. We believe that the method will be of great value to plant breeders working on optimizing the crop, particularly in terms of the development of non-shattering cultivars with enhanced germination potential. Conclusions: The successful development of this crop through plant breeding could provide substantial economic benefits to farmers by offering them a new industrial oilseed crop. This research could prove invaluable in unlocking the potential of E. lagasce, and in turn, the potential of vernolic acid as a renewable, environmentally friendly source of chemical feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are ubiquitous polyphenolic compounds that play a vital role in plants' defense response and medicinal efficacy. UV-B radiation is a vital environmental regulator governing flavonoid biosynthesis in plants. Many plants rapidly biosynthesize flavonoids as a response to UV-B stress conditions. Here, we investigated the effects of flavonoid biosynthesis via UV-B irradiation in Euphorbia lathyris. We found that exposure of the E. lathyris callus to UV-B radiation sharply increased the level of one O-methyltransferase (ElOMT1) transcript and led to the biosynthesis of several methylated flavonoids. The methyltransferase ElOMT1 was expressed heterologously in E. coli, and we tested the catalytic activity of recombinant ElOMT1 with possible substrates, including caffeic acid, baicalin, and luteolin, in vitro. ElOMT1 could efficiently methylate when the hydroxyl groups were contained in the core nucleus of the flavonoid. This molecular characterization identifies a methyltransferase responsible for the chemical modification of the core flavonoid structure through methylation and helps reveal the mechanism of methylated flavonoid biosynthesis in Euphorbiaceae. This study identifies the O-methyltransferase that responds to UV-B irradiation and helps shed light on the mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in Euphorbia lathyris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaempferol-3-O-α-D- (6"-coumaroyl)-glucopyronoside flavonoid was extracted from the flower of Euphorbia Hirta. This compound was characterized by UV, 13C, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The in-vitro anticancer study was performed using this flavonoid compound. Euphorbia Hirta flower showed good anticancer activity due to its higher content of flavonoids compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]