Euphorbia neriifolia (Indian Spurge Tree): A Plant of Multiple Biological and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Although India has a well-established and growing economy surrounding synthetic drug chemistry with an antibiotic base, a large part of the population, especially in forested villages and tribal belts, is relying solely on plant-derived drugs. This is due to a lower number of side effects, low chances of resistance development against pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the diversity and affordability of such drugs. In the Indian subcontinents, Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (EN) is one of the valuable plants from the big family of Euphorbiaceae, which is usually found in rocky and hilly areas. E. neriifolia was found to be useful in curing tumors, abdominal swelling, bronchial infection, hydrophobia, earache, cough and cold, asthma, leprosy, gonorrhea, spleen enlargement, leucoderma, snake bites, scorpion stings, and causing appetite improvement, etc. Different in vitro and in vivo experimental studies were performed to determine the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, wound healing, anti-atherosclerosis, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, anti-thrombotic, dermal irritation, hemolytic, analgesic, anti-fertility, diuretic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrheal, and anti-carcinogenic activities of the various parts of EN. Several bioactive compounds, such as euphol, nerifoliol, taraxerol, euphonerins A–G, lectin, etc., were isolated from E. neriifolia and need to be investigated further for various biological activities (cardiovascular and neuronal diseases). In the pharmaceutical sector, E. neriifolia was selected for the development of new drugs due to its broad pharmacological activities. Therefore, in the present review, distribution, classification, morphological and microscopical description, phytochemical investigation, pharmacological activities, medicinal uses, harmful effects, and their treatment were evaluated, especially against different lifestyle-related diseases.

Regulatory Mechanisms for the Conservation of Endangered Plant Species, Chlorophytum tuberosum—Potential Medicinal Plant Species

“…However, the government policy concerning Safed Musli is liable for unsustainable resource use, which widens the gap between the affluent and the poor. The mechanism of sustainable forest management is not being followed, which leads to excessive collection of forest resources by forest dwellers and over-cultivation due to medicinal values [90][91][92][93][94]. The Supreme Court of India plays a decisive role in matters related to the environment and biological diversity.…”

β-SITOSTEROL ISOLATED FROM ETHYL ACETATE LEAF EXTRACT OF Cissus populnea AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

“…Phytosterols are alcohol-soluble and hydrophobic. -sitosterol is abundant throughout the plant kingdom [14].…”

Microscopic characterization, TLC fingerprinting and optimization of total lipid content from Euphorbia neriifolia (L.) using response surface methodology

“…If plant extracts have the similar TLC pattern, it determines to have same pharmacological activity (Zahiruddin et al, 2021). All of the mobile phases can be extracted using different solvents (Chaudhary, Singh, et al, 2023).…”

“…Euphorbia tirucalli and E. neriifolia grains were found to be oval or dumb-bell-shaped, whereas E. antiquorum grains were amoeba-shaped. Chhattisgarh tribal people used E. neriifolia latex as an aphrodisiac mixture, and they treated cracks in their foot soles by boiling latex with castor oil and salt (Chaudhary, Singh, et al, 2023).…”

“…The EN has been traditionally used for the cure of asthma, leprosy, syphilis, scabies, ulcers, urinary disorders, cold, piles, bronchitis, cancer, and skin diseases etc. (Chaudhary & Janmeda, 2021;Chaudhary, Singh, et al, 2023). This plant is reported to exhibit antidote, antifertility, CNS depressant, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-cancer activities.…”