Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg. (B): A Review

Abstract

Euphorbia resinifera (Zaggûm or Tikiut) is an endemic species of Morocco that grows in the Middle Atlas Mountain range. It is used in folk medicine to treat several diseases, especially various types of cancer. Aim of the review: In this review, we critically highlighted and discussed previous reports on E. resinifera, concerning its botanical description, taxonomy, geographical distribution, and medicinal use. In addition, bioactive compounds, toxicology, and pharmacological effects were reported. Materials and methods: We searched various scientific databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink, SciFinder, Wiley Online, and Google Scholar, to collect data on E. resinifera. Studies involving E. resinifera or its bioactive compounds with regards to antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antiprotease, immunomodulatory, irritant, and lysosomal activities are discussed here. Results: E. resinifera has been widely used in folk medicine practice in Morocco to treat several diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and inflammatory skin conditions, as well as to heal wounds. In phytochemistry studies, biochemical compounds have been identified from E. resinifera belonging specially to terpenoids. Indeed, in vitro and in vivo pharmacological investigations showed that extracts and compounds from the latex of E. resinifera exhibited a wide spectrum of biological properties, particularly antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, and immunomodulatory and neuroprotective activities. Conclusion: The use of E. resinifera in conventional medicine is supported by processes founded on biological evidence. However, in-depth research is necessary to prove the safety and efficacy of E. resinifera latex extracts and their compounds and to clarify their pharmacological mechanisms. In addition, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies are required for extracts and bioactive compounds.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in the Western Middle Atlas region (Morocco)

“…This species is exclusive to Morocco. Many researchers have documented the pharmacological activity of Euphorbia resinifera extracts, including antioxidant (Boutoub et al 2020;Benrahou et al 2022), antitumoral (Talbaoui et al 2020;Hmidouche et al 2023), antibacterial (Moujanni et al 2017;Talbaoui et al 2020;Benjamaa et al 2020), and antifungal activities (Ourhzif et al 2022).…”

Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Sarcophyte: a review

“…However, rapidly increasing human populations, urbanization, climate change, and habitat destruction are harming essential medicinal plants and their resources ( Okello and Kiringe, 2004 ; Kamau et al, 2016 ; Razgour et al, 2020 ). To address this, it is imperative to carefully investigate and document the ethnomedicinal information, pharmacological activities, and phytochemistry of promising plants to preserve the knowledge and facilitate further research aimed at valorizing their efficacy as potential sources of new drugs and to support conservation programs ( Kamau et al, 2016 ; Kigen et al, 2014 ; Haque et al, 2022 ; Hmidouche et al, 2023 ). Accordingly, we reviewed the local and traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemistry of plants within the genus Sarcophyte because of the lack of comprehensive scientific information and because they are rarely encountered.…”