Conventional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, and Biological Activities of Euphorbia officinarum L.: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The Moroccan endemic plant Euphorbia officinarum is a traditional medicinal plant, known locally as “Daghmus.” Plants in the genus Euphorbia are well known for the chemical diversity of their diterpenoids and isoprenoid constituents, which perform many activities such as cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as different biological properties, that cannot be overlooked. The effect of bioactive compounds (antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antioxidant). Euphorbia officinarum is an important conventional medicine for the treatment of various conditions, including skin and ophthalmological diseases. It is also used against human pathogens (intestinal parasites). E. officinarum latex is the major part of the plant used for conventional medicine and synthesizing new bioactive compounds. The characterization and isolation of its components are necessary to exploiting and enhancing its therapeutic potential. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review is available to date. In order to have and define a research question, we adopt a strategy by considering the items of the PRISMA checklist. Therefore, this review aims to cover E. officinarum taxonomy, botanical description, distribution, conventional uses, and phytochemical compounds of this plant, including the biological activities of compounds isolated and of these semisynthesized compounds. This article provides a foundation for any further studies from this plant.

Enzymes Inhibition and Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants Growing in Oman

“…Herbs have been used as a source of medicine since the dawn of human civilization, and they continue to play an important role in clinical use and quality control for a variety of health issues [46].…”

Antimicrobial Triterpenoids and Ingol Diterpenes from Propolis of Semi-Arid Region of Morocco

“…Compounds 2 and 9 – 11 are newly isolated from propolis. Unless 2 was exclusively found in oleoresin of the berries of Schinus molle [ 33 ], the rest of triterpenoids are common plant metabolites, including for various Euphorbia succulents [ 56 , 57 , 62 , 63 ]. Obtusifoliol ( 12 ), together with 31-norlanostenol, for example, are major latex triterpenoids of Moroccan E. officinarum L. [ 64 ].…”

“…and Coss. [ 71 ] (basionym) [ 63 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. This species was also indicated as a source for propolis production by the local beekeepers.…”

“…is known to possess antimicrobial activities, along with other beneficial properties such as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities [ 56 ]. This material is widely used in traditional medicine around the world [ 80 , 81 ] as E. officinarum and E. echinus , for example, are used for the treatment of ophthalmic and various skin diseases [ 59 , 63 ], and the dry latex of E. resinifera , called euphorbium, which is also commercially available in many countries, is used for the treatment of neurological problems, chronic pain, tuberculosis, etc. [ 82 ].…”

Biological Properties of Latex, Aqueous Extracts and Bee Products of Euphorbia officinarum L.: A Short Review

“…Euphorbiaceae family encloses 6000 species of plants, and genus Euphorbia is the largest in the spurge family. Euphorbia are succulent plants that may be found from Africa to the Canary Islands, in Madagascar, India, and the Americas and even Australia [ 1 ]. Euphorbia officinarum L. ( Figure 1 ) is a Moroccan endemic plant known as “Tikiout” and “Daghmus”.…”