Academic Journal
Traditional Herbal Medicine Euphorbia milii Des Moul: Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities.
| Title: | Traditional Herbal Medicine Euphorbia milii Des Moul: Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Chen L; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China; Yibin Institute of Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin, 644000, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: linch@swjtu.edu.cn., Cai TT; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China; Yibin Institute of Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin, 644000, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: tt2192136142@163.com., Chen HY; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: chenhongying@my.swjtu.edu.cn., Su HY; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: 1348436518@qq.com., Deng MY; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: dengmengyi1993@163.com., Huang S; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: 31497596@qq.com., Zhou XL; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, PR China; Yibin Institute of Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin, 644000, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address: zhouxl@swjtu.edu.cn. |
| Source: | Journal of ethnopharmacology [J Ethnopharmacol] 2026 Sep 15; Vol. 368, pp. 121772. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 30. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Review |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Elsevier Sequoia Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 7903310 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-7573 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03788741 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Ethnopharmacol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Limerick : Elsevier Sequoia Original Publication: Lausanne, Elsevier Sequoia. |
| MeSH Terms: | Euphorbia*/chemistry , Phytochemicals*/pharmacology , Phytochemicals*/chemistry , Phytochemicals*/isolation & purification , Phytochemicals*/therapeutic use , Phytochemicals*/toxicity , Medicine, Traditional*/methods , Plant Extracts*/pharmacology , Plant Extracts*/chemistry, Animals ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Ethnopharmacology ; Herbal Medicine |
| Abstract: | Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Euphorbia milii Des Moul is a plant with a long history of use in traditional medicinal and is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Traditionally, its sap has been used in folk medicine to treat various conditions such as skin inflammations, pain, and boils. To date, it remains a commonly used herbal medicine in clinical practice. Aims of the Study: This paper systematically reviews the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of E. milii to assess its therapeutic potential and guide future studies. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed based on multiple s databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Elsevier, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang. Additionally, taxonomic databases such as Flora of China and Plants of the World Online (POWO) were consulted to verify the plant's nomenclature and distribution. Results: To date, 85 compounds have been identified from E. milii, comprising 74 diterpenoids, 6 triterpenoids, 2 steroids, 2 flavonoids, and 1 macrocyclic lactone. These phytochemicals exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-gout, molluscicide, and anti-parasitic effects. Conclusion: Given its long history of traditional use, rich phytochemical composition, and diverse pharmacological activities, E. milii can be considered an important botanical resource for applications not only in traditional medicine but also in modern ecological and potential pharmacological contexts. However, in vivo and clinical studies remain limited. Future research should emphasize pharmacokinetic profiling to strengthen the basis for clinical applications and new drug development. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Bioactivity; Diterpenoids; Euphorbia milii Des Moul; Toxicity; Triterpenoids |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Phytochemicals) 0 (Plant Extracts) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260502 Date Completed: 20260716 Latest Revision: 20260716 |
| Update Code: | 20260716 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121772 |
| PMID: | 42069164 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1872-7573 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121772 |