A Case of Acute Keratoconjunctivitis from Exposure to Latex of Euphorbia Tirucalli (Pencil Cactus)

Effect of crude latex from Euphorbia tirucalli on DMBA-induced carcinogenesis

“…Each cage was lined with wood shavings, contained a maximum of five animals and was cleaned twice per week. The animals were individually weighed at 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19 and 20 weeks using an analytical scale (Gehaka®, model BG 440).…”

“…However, studies have reported the toxicity of this latex to skin and mucous membranes [13,14] due to the presence of phorbol esters in species of the family Euphorbiaceae [5,15]. As there is controversy regarding the anticarcinogenic effects and modulatory activity of the latex from E. tirucalli in cases of carcinogenesis [16][17][18]34], studies are needed to demonstrate its activity.…”

Medicinal Value of Euphorbia Tirucalli

“…[19,20,31,32] Also latex of E. tirucalli and E. royleanais known to cause conjunctivitis on contact with eyes. [33,34] In the northeast region of Brazil, the latex of E. tirucalli is used; as an antimicrobial agent; a laxative agent; to control intestinal parasites; to treat asthma, cough, earache, rheumatism, verrucae, cancer, chancre, epithelioma, sarcoma, skin tumors, and as a folk remedy against syphilis. [20] Uses…”

“…[65] Disuses A number of disuses have also been mentioned. Associated with its vesicant and rubifacient features, E. tirucalli latex is reported to cause conjunctivitis [68][69][70][71] when it accidentally gets in contact with the eyes. Symptoms range from mild epithelial keratoconjunctivitis to severe keratitis with stromal edema, epithelial sloughing, and anterior uveitis, which usually heal in 2-7days but can also result into permanent blindness.…”

The antigenotoxic activity of latex from Himatanthus articulatus

“…Even in opium, the best known example of medicinal latex and the most powerful analgesic medicine, dual effects such as dependence and addiction have been observed concomitantly (Nicolaou & Montagnon, 2008). Several studies have been published about latex properties, while some papers have reported toxic effects such as keratoconjunctivitis (Shlamovitz et al, 2009), mutagenic action (Lopes et al, 2004), irritant activity to skin (Hohmann & Molná r, 2004), cytotoxicity (Wang et al, 2008) other papers present pharmacological, anti-ulcer (Bharti et al, 2010), antinociceptive (Soares et al, 2005), anti-inflammatory (Fernandez-Arche et al, 2010), and analgesic (Dewan et al, 2000) activities. The latex consumption is one of the innumerable ways that medicinal plants are used by the popular medicine in Brazil.…”