Euphorbia tirucalli L.: Review on morphology, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

New insights into the anti-inflammatory and anti-melanoma mechanisms of action of azelaic acid and other Fusarium solani metabolites via in vitro and in silico studies

Metabolites exploration of the ethyl acetate extract of Fusarium solani culture broth that was isolated from Euphorbia tirucalli root afforded five compounds; 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), tyrosol (3), azelaic acid (4), malic acid (5), and fusaric acid (6). Fungal extract as well as its metabolites were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperpigmentation potential via in vitro cyclooxygenases and tyrosinase inhibition assays, respectively. Azelaic acid (4) exhibited powerful and selective COX-2 inhibition followed by fusaric acid (6) with IC50 values (2.21 ± 0.06 and 4.81 ± 0.14 μM, respectively). As well, azelaic acid (4) had the most impressive tyrosinase inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 8.75 ± 0.18 μM compared to kojic acid (IC50 = 9.27 ± 0.19 μM). Exclusive computational studies of azelaic acid and fusaric acid with COX-2 were in good accord with the in vitro results. Interestingly, this is the first time to investigate and report the potential of compounds 3-6 to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes. One of the most invasive forms of skin cancer is melanoma, a molecular docking study using a set of enzymes related to melanoma suggested pirin to be therapeutic target for azelaic acid and fusaric acid as a plausible mechanism for their anti-melanoma activity.

The Role of Plant Latex in Virus Biology

At least 20,000 plant species produce latex, a capacity that appears to have evolved independently on numerous occasions. With a few exceptions, latex is stored under pressure in specialized cells known as laticifers and is exuded upon injury, leading to the assumption that it has a role in securing the plant after mechanical injury. In addition, a defensive effect against insect herbivores and fungal infections has been well established. Latex also appears to have effects on viruses, and laticifers are a hostile environment for virus colonization. Only one example of successful colonization has been reported: papaya meleira virus (PMeV) and papaya meleira virus 2 (PMeV2) in Carica papaya. In this review, a summary of studies that support both the pro- and anti-viral effects of plant latex compounds is provided. The latex components represent a promising natural source for the discovery of new pro- and anti-viral molecules in the fields of agriculture and medicine.

A Comprehensive Review on Euphorbiaceae lectins: Structural and Biological Perspectives

Euphorbiaceae, also known as the spurge family, is a large group of flowering plants. Despite being tropical natives, they are now widespread. Due to its medicinal and commercial importance, this family of plants attracted a lot of attention in the scientific community. The distinctive characteristic of the family is production of milky latex, which is a rich source of several lectins, the proteins that bind carbohydrates. Although their function is unclear, they are believed to defend plants against damaging phytopathogenic microorganisms, insects, and predatory animals. Additionally, they serve as crucial metabolic regulators under a variety of stressors. Detection, separation, purification, and characterization of lectins from the Euphorbiaceae family - mostly from the latex of plants - began over 40 years ago. This effort produced over 35 original research papers that were published. However, no systematic review that compiles these published data has been presented yet. This review summarizes and describes several procedures and protocols employed for extraction and purification of lectins belonging to this family. Physicochemical properties and biological activities of the lectins, along with their medicinal and pharmacological properties, have also been analyzed. Additionally, using examples of ricin and ricin agglutinin, we have structurally analyzed characteristics of the lectin known as Ribosome Inactivating Protein Type II (RIP-Type II) that belongs to this family. We anticipate that this review article will offer a useful compendium of information on this important family of lectins, show the scientists involved in lectin research the gaps in our knowledge, and offer insights for future research.

Tissue succulence in plants: Carrying water for climate change

Tissue succulence in plants involves the storage of water in one or more organs or tissues to assist in maintaining water potentials on daily or seasonal time scales. This drought-avoidance or drought-resistance strategy allows plants to occupy diverse environments including arid regions, regions with rocky soils, epiphytic habitats, and saline soils. Climate-resilient strategies are of increasing interest in the context of the global climate crisis, which is leading to hotter and drier conditions in many regions throughout the globe. Here, we describe a short history of succulent plants, the basic concepts of tissue succulence, the anatomical diversity of succulent morphologies and associated adaptive traits, the evolutionary, phylogenetic, and biogeographical diversity of succulent plants, extinction risks to succulents due to poaching from their natural environments, and the myriad uses and applications of economically important succulent species and the products derived from them. Lastly, we discuss current prospects for engineering tissue succulence to improve salinity and drought tolerance in crops.

Fluorophoresrich natural powder from selected medicinal plants for detection latent fingerprints and cyanide

Forensic science is currently fast-growing for the development detection of the latent fingerprint. Currently, chemical dust quickly enters the body through touch or inhalation and will be affected by the user. In this research, a study on the comparison of natural powder from four species of medicinal plants (Zingiber montanum, Solanum Indicum L., Rhinacanthus nasutus, and Euphorbia tirucall) for the detection of latent fingerprints is carried out that has fewer adverse effects on the user's body by using such natural substances instead. In addition, the fluorescence properties of the dust have been found in some natural powder for sample detection and appear on multi-colored surfaces to show that the latent fingerprints are more pronounced than ordinary dust. In this study, medicinal plants have also been applied to detect cyanide, as it has been known that it is hazardous for humans and can be used as a poisonous compound to kill someone. The characteristics of each powder have also been analyzed using naked-eye detection under UV light, Fluorescence spectrophotometer, FIB-SEM, and FTIR. All the powder obtained can then be used for high potential detection of latent fingerprints on the non-porous surface with their specific characteristics and trace amounts of cyanide using turn-on-off fluorescent sensing method.

Euphorbia tirucalli latex loaded polymer nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro release and in vivo antinociceptive action

The encapsulation of drugs in micro and nanocarriers has helped to resolve mechanisms of cellular resistance and decrease drug side effects as well. In this study, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was used to encapsulate the Euphol active substance-containing latex from Euphorbia tirucalli (E-latex). The nanoparticles (NP) were prepared using the solvent evaporation method and the physical and chemical properties were evaluated using spectrophotometric techniques. FTIR was used to prove the formation of the ester bond between the E-latex and PLGA-NP. The UV-Vis spectroscopic technique was used to show that more than 75% of the latex was encapsulated; the same technique was used to determine the release profile of the compound at different pH values, as well as determining the speed with which the process occurs through kinetic models, and it was observed that the best adjustments occurred for the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and the Higuchi model. The DLS technique was used to determine the diameter of the particles produced as well as their zeta potential (ZP). The sizes of the particles varied from 497 to 764 nm, and it was observed that the increase in E-latex concentration causes a reduction in the diameter of the NP and an increase in the ZP (-1.44 to -22.7 mV), due to more functional groups from latex film being adsorbed to the NPs surfaces. The thermogravimetric experiments exhibit the glass transition temperatures (Tg) that is appropriate for the use of formulated NPs as a stable drug delivery device before use. The in vivo activity of E-NPs (30 and 100 mg/Kg/p.o.) was tested against carrageenan-induced mechanical hypernociception. The data demonstrated a significantly antinociceptive effect for E-NPs, suggesting that E-latex nanoencapsulation preserved its desired properties.

The Role of Ingenane Diterpenes in Cancer Therapy: From Bioactive Secondary Compounds to Small Molecules

Diterpenes are a class of critical taxonomic markers of the Euphorbiaceae family, representing small compounds (eg, molecules) with a wide range of biological activities and multi-target therapeutic potential. Diterpenes can exert different activities, including antitumor and multi-drug resistance-reversing activities, and antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects, mainly due to their great structural diversity. In particular, one polycyclic skeleton has been highlighted: ingenane. Besides this natural diterpene, promising polycyclic skeletons may be submitted to chemical modification—by in silico approaches, chemical reactions, or biotransformation—putatively providing more active analogs (eg, ingenol derivatives), which are currently under pre-clinical investigation. This review outlines the current mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic implications of ingenol diterpenes as small cancer molecules.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with Euphorbia tirucalli extract and its protection against microbial decay of strawberries during storage

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be produced through an easy and safe process called green synthesis and have been considered an efficient antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles green synthesized with E. tirucalli (aveloz) can be a promising technique for preserving stored strawberries. The objective of this work was to perform a green synthesis of AgNPs with aveloz extract (Av) and evaluate its effect on the physiology and preservation of stored strawberries. Silver nitrate was reduced with Av to produce Av-AgNPs. The Av-AgNPs were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry, and laser diffraction. The in vitro antifungal activity of Av-AgNPs was evaluated against Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer. Strawberries were treated with Av-AgNPs and stored (5 °C) for 12 days. Respiratory rate, decay, fresh mass loss, firmness, total phenolics and antioxidant activity of the strawberries were evaluated. According to the results, Av-AgNPs synthesis was performed, and it presented sizes between 40 and 90 nm. Av-AgNPs inhibited B. cinerea but was less effective for R. stolonifer. Total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, fresh mass loss and firmness of strawberries were not influenced by Av-AgNPs. Treated strawberries had a lower respiratory rate than the control and showed no symptoms of microbiological deterioration until 9 days of storage, while in the control the deterioration symptoms started after 3 days. This study showed that the green synthesis of AgNPs with Av produced nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm, and that they were effective against strawberries decay during storage, indicating to be a promising protection technique against decay.

Biochemical characterization and phytotoxic activity of protein extract from Euphorbia tirucalli L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Euphorbia tirucalli L., a tropical and subtropical plant, also known by the popular name avelós, has been used in folk medicine against many diseases as rheumatism, asthma, toothache, and cancer. Studies have shown that natural compounds contained in this plant species may be associated with these functions. However, little is known about its potential toxicity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Several proteins conduct biological functions, in particular, proteinases, play a crucial role in many mechanisms of living beings, including plants, animals and microorganisms. However, when poorly regulated, they can generate consequences, such as the non-production of certain substances, or even the abnormal multiplication of cells, which leads to tumors. On the other hand, by regulating these enzymes, proteinase inhibitors act by reducing the activity of proteinases, thus preventing their malfunction. The objective of this work was to evaluate the toxicity of the protein extract of E. tirucalli and to purify a protease inhibitor that may be associated with the biological medicinal functions of the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxic and mutagenic properties of the protein extract produced from the stem of avelós was investigated using the Ames test. The protein extract was also submitted to a protease inhibitor purification process using the gel filtration chromatography technique and the purified protein was biochemically characterized.

RESULTS

A protease inhibitor, called tirustatin, was isolated 1.84-fold by Biogel P100. The calculated molecular mass of the isolated protein is 25.97 kDa. The inhibitor was stable at pH 3-10, with pronounced activity at pH 6. Thermostability was observed even at elevated temperature (100 °C) with inhibitory activity increased by 1.14-fold compared to inhibitor activity at room temperature. Incubation at basic pH values for up to 60 min caused little reduction (0.25-fold) in the papain inhibitory activity of tirustatin. The stoichiometry of the papain-tirustatin interaction was 1.5: 1 and 28.8 pM of the inhibitor effected 50% inhibition. With an equilibrium dissociation constant of 8.74 x 10-8M for the papain enzyme, it is possible to evaluate the isolated protein as a non-competitive inhibitor. In addition, the protein extract of E. tirucalli even at the maximum concentration used (20 μg/mL), did not show a cytotoxic and mutagenic profile in a bacterial model.

CONCLUSION

The results presented in this work provide data that reinforce the idea of the potential use of proteins produced in E. tirucalli as pharmacological and biotechnological agents that can be exploited for the development of efficient drugs.

Staphyloxanthin as a Potential Novel Target for Deciphering Promising Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Agents

Staphylococcus aureus is a fatal Gram-positive pathogen threatening numerous cases of hospital-admitted patients worldwide. The emerging resistance of the pathogen to several antimicrobial agents has pressurized research to propose new strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance. Novel strategies include targeting the virulence factors of S. aureus. One of the most prominent virulence factors of S. aureus is its eponymous antioxidant pigment staphyloxanthin (STX), which is an auspicious target for anti-virulence therapy. This review provides an updated outline on STX and multiple strategies to attenuate this virulence factor. The approaches discussed in this article focus on bioprospective and chemically synthesized inhibitors of STX, inter-species communication and genetic manipulation. Various inhibitor molecules were found to exhibit appreciable inhibitory effect against STX and hence would be able to serve as potential anti-virulence agents for clinical use.

A new tigliane-type diterpenoid from Euphorbia tirucalli

Five tigliane (1-5) and one ingenane (6) diterpenoids were isolated from the ethanol extract of Euphorbia tirucalli. The structures of these compounds were identified based on analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 12-O-(2E,4E,6E,8E-tetradecatetraenoyl)-13-O-isobutyroyl-4β-deoxyphorbol (1) was a new tigliane. The Rho123 effluxion assay showed that tiglianes with a trans-fused 5/7 ring system such as compounds 1, 2, and 4 had potent inhibitory activity against P-glycoprotein in HepG2/ADR cells.

Coronavirus disease 2019 drug discovery through molecular docking

Background: The dawn of the year 2020 witnessed the spread of the highly infectious and communicable disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally since it was first reported in 2019. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is the main causative agent. In total, 3,096,626 cases and 217,896 deaths owing to COVID-19 were reported by 30th April, 2020 by the World Health Organization. This means infection and deaths show an exponential growth globally. In order to tackle this pandemic, it is necessary to find possible easily accessible therapeutic agents till an effective vaccine is developed. Methods: In this study, we present the results of molecular docking processes through high throughput virtual screening to analyze drugs recommended for the treatment of COVID-19. Results: Atovaquone, fexofenadine acetate (Allegra), ethamidindole, baicalin, glycyrrhetic acid, justicidin D, euphol, and curine are few of the lead molecules found after docking 129 known antivirals, antimalarial, antiparasitic drugs and 992 natural products. Conclusions: These molecules could act as an effective inhibitory drug against COVID-19.

Euphorbia-Derived Natural Products with Potential for Use in Health Maintenance

Euphorbia genus (Euphorbiaceae family), which is the third largest genus of angiosperm plants comprising ca. 2000 recognized species, is used all over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the traditional Chinese medicine. Members of this taxa are promptly recognizable by their specialized inflorescences and latex. In this review, an overview of Euphorbia-derived natural products such as essential oils, extracts, and pure compounds, active in a broad range of biological activities, and with potential usages in health maintenance, is described. The chemical composition of essential oils from Euphorbia species revealed the presence of more than 80 phytochemicals, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, while Euphorbia extracts contain secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The extracts and secondary metabolites from Euphorbia plants may act as active principles of medicines for the treatment of many human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and microbial infections. Besides, Euphorbia-derived products have great potential as a source of bioactive extracts and pure compounds, which can be used to promote longevity with more health.