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Euphorbia yadgirensis is a new species described and illustrated from the scrub forest of Rayangole village, Yadgiri District of Karnataka, India. It belongs to E. subg. Chamaesyce sect. Hypercifoliae and resembles Euphorbia kadapensis. However, it differs in nature of stipules and bracteole, structure of limbs, lack of sutures on capsules, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (Snuhi) (Euphorbiacea family) is a traditional medicine which is included under multiple catagories such as Upavisha, Purgatives and Anthelminthic drugs. Preferably, an anthelminthic agent should have comprehensive deed, high fraction of rehabilitation with a single analeptic hit, denuded noxiousness to the host and should be economical. Even the intricacy like retching, wobbliness and bowel interruption have been shown by the prevalent drugs like piperazine particles. High consequence of the existing drugs and hostility of the parasites to their action sanction the hunt for revived anthelminthic molecules. In the ritualistic remedy implementation, the genesis of many worthwhile drugs is found and to evaluate denizenlore healing herb for their proclaimed anthelminthic virtue, several researchers have undertaken studies. Reinforced governance integrated with Chemical command of helminthes has been the important world-wide worm constraint tactics. Still, global multiplying resistance of gastrointestinal trichostronglides of household petty ruminants hostile to accustomed antihelminthes.[1,2] The expertise of molding employ of even a solitary Drug with their sorting and amalgam to escort a concluding upgraded outcome is Yukti. Not forgetting the safety and fruitfulness of the medicament, it is the fundamental notion of empirical drug lay out. This review describes the key information related to botanical description of E. neriifolia, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions, its purification, clinical studies and better utilization as anthelminthic-purgative package. The author emphasizes the need for evidence-based clinical studies to expand Snuhi pharmacological activities, clinical efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2020, Euphorbia leucocephala plants exhibiting symptoms of powdery mildew were observed in the Botanical Garden of Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati, Maharashtra, India. Based on morphological identification, DNA sequence analysis, and pathogenicity, the fungal pathogen of the disease was identified as Leveillula clavata. This is the first report of L. clavata on Euphorbia leucocephala from India and in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia ravii is described as a new species from Nigidi hills, Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It belongs to the subgenus Euphorbia section Euphorbia, it is closely allied to E. caducifolia but differs in many attributes which are discussed here. An updated key for Indian E. caducifolia group is also provided for easy identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The typification of names validated in a paper of 1803 concerning the plants encountered on a journey through what is now Tamil Nadu in southern India is reviewed. A number of name changes are necessitated. Psilotrichum patulum becomes the correct name for P. elliotii, Euphorbia glaucescens is the correct name for E. corrigioloides, Oldenlandia pusilla is the correct name for O. attenuata and Kohautia attenuata is the correct name for K. aspera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background: The well-known medicinal plants Ricinus communis L. and Euphorbia hirta L. have been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments in the India and other countries. Objective: In the present research, a simple, rapid, reliable, and accessible HPTLC technique has been established for concurrent quantification of phenolic compounds (syringic acid and vanillic acid) and evaluation of their anti-oxidant capacity. Method: The chromatographic separation was conceded on pre-coated silica gel plates 60 F254 as the stationary phase. The appropriate mobile phase combination of toluene–ethyl acetate–formic acid (7:2.5:0.5, v/v/v) were developed to expand the plates which separated components according to the marker compounds. Further, the anti-oxidant potential of methanol extract of R. communis (MERC) and E. hirta (MERH) were also assessed with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) by using UV spectrophotometry. Results: Densitometric scanning was performed with a Camag V scanner and measured at two different wave lengths, 272 and 318 nm. The marker compounds were practically resolved with RF 0.560.04 for syringic acid and 0.660.06 for vanillic acid. The results obtained in the study of anti-oxidant activity of MERC and MERH showed significant free radical scavenging capacity against DPPH-generated free radicals. Conclusions: The developed HPTLC method was validated for accuracy, linearity, precision, and specificity. Both the extracts revealed considerable antioxidant activity. The reported existing phenolic and flavonoids compounds are responsible for antioxidant activity of plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia species are known for their diversity of terpenoid constituents. Euphorbia vajravelui is an endemic plant species distributed in the southern Western Ghats of India. Though conventional spectroscopic techniques are common in structure elucidation of secondary metabolites from plants, X-ray crystal structure analysis of a compound offers valuable information with minimum sample requirement. The present study reports the characterization of a new triterpene, 3,23-cycloglutin-5(10)-ene isolated from E. vajravelui, using single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Triclinic crystalline system was obtained for the compound, having P1 space group with unit cell parameters; a = 6.2907(8) Å, b = 7.4458(10) Å, c = 14.5802(18) Å, α = 94.899(6)°, β = 95.365(6)°, γ = 114.392(6)β, V = 613.43(14) ų and Z = 1. The triterpene has a glutinane skeletal structure containing a cyclopropane ring with a methyl group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosociological study of herbs and grasses in winter season on the bottoms of protected and unprotected ravines of Ottangan river has been done by standard methods in two years. During the course of study, it has been observed that frequency, density, abundance, presence and sociability increased in protected ravine in comparison to unprotected ravine. Euphorbia hirta Linn., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet. were more abundant and more successful species inspite of biotic interference in unprotected ravine. Cynodon dactylon was in more reduced form in unprotected ravine in comparison to other species due to grazing factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of an African soft scale Hemilecanium theobromae Newstead (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in India is reported for the first time. The scale was collected on phylloclades of Euphorbia caerulescens Haw. (family Euphorbiaceae) growing in rocky hills of Kailasagiri village, Chintamani Taluk, Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, South India. Herein we provide basic diagnostic information for H. theobromae for both live and slide-mounted specimens and discuss its affinities with closely-related species. A key to separate the four species of Hemilecanium recorded from the Oriental Region, i.e. Hemilecanium imbricans(Green), H. mangiferae Kondo & Williams, H. theobromae and H. uesatoi Kondo & Hardy, is provided. Aspects of the distribution and economic importance of H. theobromae are briefly discussed. The presence of this alien insect in India is alarming and represents a possible major threat to cacao plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inventory to prepare the checklist of angiosperm species in the lateritic hillocks of northern Kerala was conducted in five sampling sites during April 2013-March 2015. In total, we recorded 364 genera with 535 species, of which 334 are native and 201 are non-native. Native species were represented in 102 families, namely, Poaceae (28), Fabaceae (25), Acanthaceae (22), Rubiaceae (17) Euphorbiaceae (14), Commelinaceae (11), Phyllanthaceae (7), etc., whereas, non-native species were represented in 99 families. Among the native species herbs are the predominant habit with 147 species (44%). Out of the 72 endemic species, three taxa namely, Syzygium travancoricum, Santaium album and Hopea ponga are red listed species documented from the study area. Twenty-seven invasive species were also recorded and major threats to the laterite ecosystems are by Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha, Pennisetum polystachyon, Ipomoea spp., and Senna spp. Most part ofthe laterite has been converted to plantations, building sites and mining sites. The indiscriminate mining for laterite, soil and demolishing the hillocks have severelythreatened the very existence ofthe flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Euphorbia antiquorum is a fleshy shrub belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is widely distributed in the hotter parts of India. It is used as a substitute for the Ayurvedic drug 'Snuhee' whose accepted botanical source is Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. The leaf, stem, latex and root of Snuhee are used in treatment of diseases and conditions like, diabetes, coryza, and oedema. Objective: The present study is aimed to investigate the renal protective effect of E. antiquorum alcoholic extracts of the stem on alloxan (150mg/kg) induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: All animals were treated for 21 days and sacrificed on the last day. Unwanted placebo effect in case of the control group was blocked by executing appropriate vehicle treatment and same animal handling pattern. Extract and standard drug doses given orally were suspended in 0.9% normal saline. Blood samples were drawn from retro orbital sinus using Diethyl-ether anesthesia at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Blood samples were labeled in such a way that analysis team was kept blind about groups and nature of the study design. Body weight measurement and blood sampling were done on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of the study. Conclusion: 21 days daily treatment with a test drug of ethanolic extract of stems of Euphorbia antiquorum significantly reduced the elevated Blood glucose level, Urinary Albumin, urine creatinine, serum creatinine in alloxan induced diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) commonly known as dudheli in vernacular language (Gujarati) commonly grows, widely in most parts of India and in other tropical countries, especially on roadsides and on wasteland. The Euphorbia thymifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) commonly known as nani dudheli in vernacular language (Gujarati). The E. thymifolia is a prostrate, annual herb; stems many, spreading on the ground. The quantitative analysis of phenols manly done through Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method to determine total phenolic content as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) of plant extracts. Quantitation and validation assay of an analytical method implicated to the extracts from E. hirta and E. thymifolia are fundamental factors for quality control parameters. The linearity of GA is found to be ranging from 10-100 mg/L (R2 = 0.9998). The highest total phenolic content of E. hirta is found 21.216 ± 6.03 % W/W and 2.7 % W/W of dry extract and dry wet of herb respectively. Hence, the proposed method was found to be specific, accurate, precise, linear and reproducible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the reporting and description of the first fossil record of Mallotus Lour. fruit from all over the world. The edible parts of plants are too soft to be preserved and therefore, are rare in fossil records. Fossil fruit of Mallotus mollissimus (Geiseler) Airy Shaw (Euphorbiaceae), a rainforest tree, is described from the early Eocene Palana Formation (Gurha lignite mine) of northwest India. The occurrence of M. mollissimus, along with earlier described fossils from the area demonstrates the existence of dense tropical forests in the area during the depositional time in contrast to the desertic conditions in the area today. This discovery from the early Eocene succession substantiates the Gondwanan origin for the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia hirta is used traditionally for medicinal purposes. A vast stretch of land in West Bengal is arsenic affected, where agricultural activities present the hazard of arsenic entering the food chain putting the entire community at health risk. The present work tried to study if these areas could be safely utilized to grow this medicinal plant. In this study, the medicinal plant Euphorbia hirta and a known hyperaccumulator Brassica juncea were exposed to a high level of arsenic, and after a certain span of time, arsenic translocation in both the plants was checked. The data revealed that Euphorbia hirta is not a hyperaccumulator and does not translocate high levels of arsenic to the aerial parts of the plant as compared to Brassica juncea. It was also found that the biochemical and genetic effects of arsenic stress were enhanced significantly more in Brassica juncea than in Euphorbia hirta. Thus, the present study points to the growth potential of the common medicinal weed Euphorbia hirta in the arsenic-affected areas without being a cause of human health concern., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Energy security is one of the major challenges of 21st century. A shift to next-generational fuels and increased use of renewable source of energy are increasingly being considered as viable options. Government of India has recognized bio-ethanol and bio-diesel as major players in the national energy scenario. Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) with about 1,500 species has a huge potential to supply future fuel demand as source of petroleum. Euphorbia lathyris L. is one of the most-suitable species that falls into the category of hydrocarbon yielding plants. This plant is suitable to grow in arid and semiarid climate. Latex of this species contains fairly high percentage of terpenoids which can be converted into high grade transportation fuel. Similarly the carbohydrates (hexoses) from such plants can be used for ethanol formation. This papers deals with the analysis of hexane extracts of E. lathuris which establishes its potential as biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the status of forest degradation through inventory of tree species in the tropical forests of Bodamalai, Indian Eastern Ghats. The Bodamalai complex was divided into ten 6.25 km x 6.25 km grids. Within each grid a 0.5 ha transect (5 m x 1 km) was inventoried for tree diversity. A total of 64 tree species (≥ 30 cm girth at breast height) representing 50 genera and 32 families were recorded from the total 5 ha area inventoried. The stand density, basal area and AGB for the total 5 ha area were 1449 stems, 27.72 m2 and 315.91 Mg, respectively. A positive correlation was obtained between altitude and stand density, species richness, basal area and AGB, and also with density of evergreen species. While a negative correlation was obtained between altitude and the density of dominant species Euphorbia antiquorum (one of the indicator species of scrub! degraded forests). This reveals that tropical forests of Bodamalai located at low altitudes are prone to high degradation. Although, Bodamalai is included tinder reserve forest category, the human population has unlimited and unspecified right of firewood collection, felling, lopping and herding cattle for grazing, browsing, etc. Further, illegal extraction of Santalum album (sandal wood), one of the valuable bioresources is also witnessed. We recommend the following for developing the degraded forest land of Bodamalai: (i) to create awareness on forest degradation among the local people, (ii) planting some important indigenous trees and (iii) to organize a village committee for maintenance of afforested landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latexes of the three Euphorbia species, namely E. antiquorum L., E. nerifolia L., and E. tirucalli L., are highly valued in the Indian system of medicine as purgatives, in addition to their specific and distinct therapeutic activities. In order to distinguish these latexes and develop their diagnostic microscopic and chemical markers, we performed extensive chemical and microscopic studies. The three latexes differ significantly in their microscopic features by exhibiting characteristic starch grain patterns. Although amoebic structures were found to be characteristic of E. antiquorum, dumb-bell and oval structures are characteristic of E. nerifolia and E. tirucalli, respectively. In addition, these latexes showed bone-shaped structures as a common feature, but these differed considerably in their length (10–60, 30–55, and 50–70 μm in length in E. antiquorum, E. nerifolia, and E. tirucalli, respectively). The chemical markers nerifoliene and euphol were found to be common to both E. antiquorum and E. nerifolia, whereas euphol is the only marker for E. tirucalli. A reverse-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed to distinguish these three latexes and to generate their standard fingerprinting patterns. Most significantly, the markers nerifoliene and euphol could be resolved by RP-18 F254s precoated aluminium plates and the latexes have been quantitatively estimated with respect to these markers. The developed microscopic, chemical and HPTLC patterns can be used to distinguish the three latexes. (Managing editor: Wei Wang) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of attached and detached leaves of Euphorbia caducifolia, the latter collected from morphologically different plants, suggested that this species exhibited typical crassulacean features of acid metabolism. Fluctuations in acidity were found to be due mostly to the appearance and disappearance of malic acid in dark and light respectively. Deacidification also took place when leaves were kept in dark for a longer period. The TAN showed a fall when the leaves aged and were about to fall. A remarkable feature found in this species was the high percentage of total acids which ranged up to 8240 mg/100 g fresh weight of leaves, together with great differences in the constituents analysed. This suggests that morphological diversity is correlated with physiological diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia hirta L. from the family of Euphorbiaceae is an annual herb, which grows as a roadside weed in most tropical countries. It is prominently used by the traditional healers in rural India for the treatment of snakebites. However, the mechanisms and the major bioactive compounds behind its inhibition activity are relatively unknown. From our preliminary in silico studies, it was found that a group of pentacyclic triterpenoids from this plant are playing a major role in inhibiting the snake venom proteins. The present study was aimed at standardizing methods for obtaining callus from this medicinal plant at a much faster rate by hormone pretreatment of explants and, thus, by developing suspension cultures to obtain bioactive secondary metabolites in vitro. The results were promising that longer incubation of explants with hormone treatment showed early induction of callus. The major bioactive compounds responsible for the anti-snake venom activity were characterized from natural plant material as well as from suspension cultures, and the efficiency was found to be relatively high. The secondary metabolite analysis from suspension culture and natural plant extracts revealed that a major compound 'Taraxerol' and its derivatives was found abundant along with few other triterpenoids. This compound showed high inhibitory activity against pit viper snake venoms from our in silico studies with molecular docking tools. Hence, this study with identification of potential bioactive compounds against snake venom with standardization of In vitro culture methods would help in developing natural alternative medicine for snakebites in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ambient air pollution, land use, and soil properties on ground cover vegetation in the urban area of Varanasi city, situated in the Indo Gangetic Plain of India. Twelve leaf functional traits were assessed on eight most dominant herbaceous species belonging to four angiospermic families in three different land uses with varying air pollution loads and soil properties. Particulate matter (PM 10 and TSP), gaseous pollutants (SO 2 , NO 2 , and O 3 ), land uses (built-up area, shrub, and grass cover), and soil properties showed significant variability among the land uses. Air pollution was identified as the major stress factor which influenced leaf functional traits of ground cover vegetation followed by soil properties and land uses. Among the plants, Croton sparsiflorus was found to be the most responsive plants to all the factors. Plants responded differently under varying environmental factors as Euphorbia hirta was maximally influenced by air pollution, whereas the effect of land use was maximum in C. sparsiflorus. Influence of soil properties was highest in Digitaria ciliaris and Scoparia dulcis. All the environmental factors in combination maximally influenced non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid and polyphenolics) followed by photosynthetic pigments among the different leaf functional traits. Among the environmental factors, NO 2 and PM were identified as the most influencing factors regulating leaf functional traits followed by K level in soil and shrub cover. It can be concluded that responses of different leaf functional traits of ground cover vegetation varied with different environmental factors and responses were mostly species specific.

The article focuses on the rediscovery and characteristics of the botanical plant Chamaescyce sebastinei from Hyderabad City in Andhra Pradesh, India. It states that these plant species has been described based on the collections of K. M. Sebastine species from the Moosi River bank in the City. It mentions that Chamaescyce sebastinei, which is identified as Euphorbia sebastinei, is somehow related to Chamaescyce thymifolia. Moreover, its habitat is in transitional area of land and water.

The article discusses the molluscicidal properties of medicinal plants from Uttar Pradesh, India including Thevetia peruviana, Alstonia scholaris and Euphorbia pulcherima. It notes that the said plants contain groups of compounds which are proven lethal against aquatic snails that serve as intermediate hosts for larva of parasitic flatworms including Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. It also examines the advantages of biodegradability of plant compounds.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: [corrected] Euphorbia caducifolia is a Euphorbiaceae species native to Thar Desert of India, where latex of E. caducifolia (ECL) is used by the local inhabitants for treatment of bleeding wound, cutaneous eruption and other skin diseases. Looking to the medicinal importance of the plant, it was considered worthwhile to scientifically evaluate the ECL for the wound healing activity., Material and Methods: In vitro methods, clotting of platelet free plasma and angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CCM) were used for studying effect of ECL on clotting and angiogenesis. Excision and incision wounds model were used to study effect of ECL on wound contraction, tensile strength and hydroxyproline and DNA content., Results: ECL treatment stimulates the blood vessel formation in CCM, at the all dose levels. 56.77, 74.48 and 78.09% increase in area of angiogenesis was observed in ECL 2.5, 5.0 and 10mg/ml treated groups respectively. The excised skin of ECL 5.0 and 10mg/ml treated animals found to have higher content of hydroxyproline and DNA, when compared with control group. An acceleration of the wound closure was observed with an enhanced number of fibroblasts and collagen content in ECL treated mice., Conclusion: Result of in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that ECL exerts significant wound healing activity, demonstrating its relevant therapeutic potential., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mortality caused by the aqueous extracts of leaf and stem bark of four plants belonging to family Euphorbiaceae and Apocynaceae against freshwater fish Channa punctatus has been reported. It was found that dilute aqueous solutions of leaf and stem bark were active in killing the fishes. The toxic effect of stem bark of all the plants were time as well as dose dependent. There was significant negative correlation between LC50 and exposure periods. Thus, the LC50 values of stem bark extracts of Euphorbia royleana, Jatropha gossypifolia, Nerium indicum and Thevelia peruviana were decreased from 0.050 g/l (24 h) > to 0.020 g/l (96 h); 4.61 g/l (24 h) > to 4.34 g/l (96 h); 0.097 g/l (24 h) > to 0.041 g/l (96 h) and 4.05 g/l (24 h) > to 3.17 g/l (96 h), respectively. It has been suggested that these plant products cannot be used directly in freshwater bodies, without their detailed studies on long-term effects on non-target organism as well their structure activity relationship.