Pharmacological significance, medicinal use, and toxicity of extracted and isolated compounds from 𝘌𝘶𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘢 species found in Southern Africa: a review

Abstract

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.