Exploring Modern Insights into Phytochemistry, Pharmacological, Toxicology, and Industrial Potential of Euphorbia tirucalli Linn

Abstract

Medicinal plant often referred as phytomedicine or botanical medicine or plant medicine. For thousands of years, traditional healthcare systems throughout the world have relied heavily on herbal medicines. In addition to reflecting the knowledge of past societies these natural cures nevertheless have an impact on contemporary medical procedures. Herbal therapy is now prized for its cost, accessibility and all-encompassing approach to health. The goal of this narrative review summarizes the available literature on the phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, toxicological profile, industrial potential and current information on the phytochemical compositions and therapeutic uses of different portions of Euphorbia tirucalli. This plant is known for a variety of medicinal applications E. tirucalli is the family of Euphorbiaceae which is also known as ‘pencil tree’ or ‘Barki Tohar’. Despite being native to Americas, the species has effectively adapted and is now widely distributed throughout India, where it is acknowledged as a commonly used medicinal herb. Both the milky latex and the stem bark are used in traditional methods. The latex has dose dependent effects in little amounts, it functions as a moderate purgative, but in greater doses, it becomes bitter, counter irritating and emetic. Pharmacological studies in-vitro and in-vivo have shown that the latex and bark exhibit a variety of biological activities, such as antimutagenic, antibacterial and antiherpetic qualities. It’s interesting to note that the latex has both cocarcinogenic and anticarcinogenic capabilities. Its ethnomedical significance across culture is further demonstrated by the traditional use of it as a folk treatment against syphilis in northeastern Brazil. The phytochemistry, taxonomical distribution, morphology, and other pharmacological characteristics of E. tirucalli are highlighted in this paper, which may encourage a thorough assessment of the plant as a therapeutic agent.