Families of Succulent Plants EuphorbiaceaeReferences to Euphorbiaceae
| These references are mainly related to the many biochemical substances found in the Euphorbiaceae, their toxicity and potential uses. It is not intended to cover descriptve or taxonomic material. Use the FIND function in your browser to search for the word in which you are interested. A more complete search is possible using Google. Right: Candelilla plant (Euphorbia antisyphyllitica) |
 habitat photograph: RJ Hodgkiss |
1: J Med Chem 2002 Jun 6;45(12):2425-31
Discovery and biological evaluation of a new family of potent modulators of
multidrug resistance: reversal of multidrug resistance of mouse lymphoma cells
by new natural jatrophane diterpenoids isolated from euphorbia species.
Hohmann J, Molnar J, Redei D, Evanics F, Forgo P, Kalman A, Argay G, Szabo P.
Departments of Pharmacognosy, Medical Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and
Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary, and Institute
of Chemistry, Chemical Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1525
Budapest, Hungary.
The effects of 15 jatrophane diterpene polyesters (1-3 and 5-16) isolated from
lipophilic extracts of Euphorbia serrulata, E. esula, E. salicifolia, and E.
peplus (Euphorbiaceae) on the reversion of multidrug resistance of mouse
lymphoma cells were examined. The structures of five new compounds (1-5) were
elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including HRFABMS, ESIMS, (1)H-(1)H
homonuclear and (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear correlations, long-range correlation
spectra, and NOESY experiments. The stereochemistry and absolute configuration
of one compound (3) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The
structure-activity relationship is discussed.
PMID: 12036352 [PubMed - in process]
2: Planta 2002 May;215(1):41-50
Characterization of germination-specific lipid transfer proteins from Euphorbia
lagascae.
Edqvist J, Farbos I.
Department of Plant Biology, SLU, Box 7080, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden,
johan.edqvist@vbiol.slu.se
The endosperm of Euphorbia lagascae Spreng. seeds contains high levels of the
epoxidated fatty acid vernolic acid ( cis-12-epoxyoctadeca-cis-9-enoic acid). To
obtain transgenic oilcrops producing high levels of vernolic acid, better
knowledge of its endogenous metabolism is needed. In this paper we study the
gene activities involved in the mobilization and oxidation of vernolic acid
during germination. A cDNA library was constructed from mRNA isolated from
germinating E. lagascae seeds. Over 300 cDNA clones were partially characterized
by DNA sequencing. Of the sequenced cDNAs, 18% encoded proteins with a putative
function related to the metabolism of lipids or fatty acids. Among these cDNAs
were genes coding for lipase, thiolase, acyl-CoA reductase and epoxide
hydrolase. Of the sequenced clones, 4.5% encoded lipid-transfer proteins (LTPs),
indicating the high abundance of such proteins during germination. We isolated
the full-length sequences of the E. lagascae cDNAs encoding the LTPs ElLTP1 and
ElLTP2. These proteins share only 38% identity, but both show high similarity to
LTPs from other plant species. Both sequences contain eight cysteine residues,
which are conserved in most plant LTPs. Expression analysis revealed that both
genes were specifically expressed during germination.
PMID: 12012240 [PubMed - in process]
3: Pest Manag Sci 2002 May;58(5):479-82
Molluscicidal and anti-feedant activities of diterpenes from Euphorbia paralias
L.
Abdelgaleil SA, el-Aswad AF, Nakatani M.
Pesticide Chemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Elshatby), Alexandria
University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Nine known diterpene polyesters of segetanes, jatrophenes and paralianes have
been isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias L. The molluscicidal
activity of isolated compounds was evaluated on Biomphalaria alexandrina
(Ehrenberg). Paraliane diterpene,
(2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,8R,12S,13S,14R,15R)-5,8,14-triacetoxy-3-benzoyloxy-15-
hydroxy-9-oxo-paraliane, was the most potent compound against the snail.
Anti-feedant activity was tested by a conventional leaf disc method against
third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd). Jatrophene diterpene,
(2R,3R,4S,5R,7S,8R,13R,15R)-2,3,5,7,15-pentaacetoxy-8-angeloyloxy-14,15-
dioxojatropha-6(17)-11E-diene, had the highest anti-feedant activity among the
compounds tested.
PMID: 11997975 [PubMed - in process]
4: J Environ Manage 2002 Feb;64(2):153-69
Evaluation of a forage allocation model for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Irby LR, Norland JE, Westfall JA Jr, Sullivan MA.
Ecology Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA.
ubili@montana.edu
We developed a forage allocation model using a deterministic, linear
optimization module in a commercially available spreadsheet package to help
resource managers in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), North Dakota
determine optimum numbers of four ungulate species, bison (Bison bison), elk
(Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and feral horses, in the
Park. TRNP staff actively managed bison, elk, and feral horse numbers within
bounds suggested by our model from 1983 to 1996. During this period, we measured
vegetation at 8 grassland and 12 wooded sites at 1-3 year intervals to determine
if model solutions were appropriate for maintaining stable conditions in
important plant communities in the Park. The data we recorded at these sites
indicated minimal change in plant communities from 1983 to 1996. Changes in most
vegetation categories that we expected when animal numbers exceeded model
optimums for short periods (decreases in coverage/stem numbers of palatable
plant species, increases in bare ground or unpalatable plant species) did not
occur consistently under high or low precipitation conditions. The lack of
sensitivity of our model to decreases in overall production of palatable plant
species that occurred due to drought, fire, expansion of black-tailed prairie
dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies, and the spread of leafy spurge (Euphorbia
esula) in areas of the Park where we did not have monitoring sites suggested
that the model under-estimated the total number of ungulates that the Park could
support. Management for population levels of ungulates defined by the model
probably led to over protection of common plant communities and insufficient
protection of rare plant communities. Detecting changes in rare plant
communities could have been accomplished by re-designing our vegetation
monitoring program, but changing emphasis to protection of rare plants would
have likely promoted under use of grazing-tolerant habitat types,
dissatisfaction in tourists visiting the Park to see large mammals, and large
increases in cost and intrusiveness of management activities such as fencing and
control of ungulate populations. The model was a flawed representation of
grazing dynamics in TRNP, but we believe it succeeded in making management
personnel aware of the biological constraints they face when making management
decisions.
PMID: 11995238 [PubMed - in process]
5: Hautarzt 2002 Mar;53(3):192-5
[Article in German]
Thumm EJ, Bayerl C, Goerdt S.
Klinik fur Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Klinikum Mannheim gGmbH,
Universitatsklinikum, Fakultat fur Klinische Medizin Mannheim,
Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim.
We describe a 36-year-old female patient with angioedema-like swellings and
rhinoconjunctivitis for 1 year occurring exclusively at her home. The clinical
history revealed no correlation with foods, food additives, drugs, or
aeroallergens. The complaints always started immediately after contact with the
sandbox tree (Hura crepitans) placed in her apartment. Scratch testing resulted
in a two-fold positive reaction towards leaves and stem, while five controls
remained negative. Thus we suggest the reaction of the patient to be allergic in
nature. Hura crepitans belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae, whose largest
genera are Euphorbia and Croton. The toxic reactions to the milky sap, the
so-called latex, of these plants are caused by ingredients such as phorbol
esters, croton oil, lectins, and terpens. Various terpens are also well known as
allergens. Phytotoxic and phytoallergic reactions are growing increasingly
important and should therefore be included in the differential diagnosis in
dermatology.
PMID: 11974592 [PubMed - in process]
6: Acta Pharm Hung 2001 Oct;71(3):289-92
[New diterpene polyesters isolated from Hungarian Euphorbia species]
[Article in Hungarian]
Evanics F, Hohmann J, Redei D, Vasas A, Gunther G, Dombi G.
Sixteen new diterpene polyesters were isolated and identified from Hungarian
Euphorbiaceae species. Two of them (21, 23) are based on formerly unknown
diterpene core. The structures of three jatrophane type diterpene heptaester
were elucidated (1, 3, 6), which are diterpenoids with the highest degree of
esterification identified from this plant family. Some of the isolated compounds
have pharmacological effects, others are under testing now.
PMID: 11961895 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
7: Plant Physiol 2002 Apr;128(4):1439-46
Molecular analysis of signals controlling dormancy and growth in underground
adventitious buds of leafy spurge.
Horvath DP, Chao WS, Anderson JV.
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,
Biosciences Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 5674, State University Station, Fargo,
North Dakota 58105-5674.
Dormancy and subsequent regrowth of adventitious buds is a critical
physiological process for many perennial plants. We have used the expression of
hormone and cell cycle-responsive genes as markers to follow this process in
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). In conjunction with earlier studies, we show
that loss of mature leaves results in decreased sugar levels and increased
gibberellin perception in underground adventitious buds. Gibberellin is
sufficient for induction of S phase-specific but not M phase-specific gene
expression. Loss of both apical and axillary buds or inhibition of polar auxin
transport did not result in induction of S phase- or M phase-specific gene
expression. Loss of polar auxin transport was necessary for continuation of the
cell cycle and further bud development if the S phase was previously initiated.
PMID: 11950992 [PubMed - in process]
8: Yao Xue Xue Bao 1998;33(2):128-31
[Studies on diterpenoids from the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata]
[Article in Chinese]
Wang W, Ding X.
Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan 250062.
Euphorbia ebractolata has been used as insecticide and tuberculocide. Four
crystalline compounds were isolated from the root of this plant. They were
characterized by their physico-chemical properties and spectral data as: 3-acety
alpha-amyrin (I), Jolkinolide B (II), ebracteolatanolide A (III) and
ebracteolatanolide B (IV). I and II were isolated for the first time from E.
ebracteolata Hayata. III and IV are new compounds.
PMID: 11938948 [PubMed - in process]
9: Planta Med 2002 Mar;68(3):249-52
Cytotoxic Diterpenoids from Euphorbia pekinensis.
Kong LY, Li Y, Wu XL, Min ZD.
Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University,
Nanjing, P.R.China. lykong@jlonline.com
A new diterpenoid, named euphpekinensin, along with three known diterpenoids,
was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia pekinensis for the first time and the
structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. The 2D-NMR techniques such as
(1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra were mainly applied to determine
the structure of the new diterpenoid. The four diterpenoids showed cytotoxic
activity against human KB cells in vitro.
PMID: 11914963 [PubMed - in process]
10: Planta Med 2002 Mar;68(3):244-8
New macrocyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia esula.
Liu LG, Meng JC, Wu SX, Li XY, Zhao XC, Tan RX.
Institute of Functional Biomolecules, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing
University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
The structures of two new macrocyclic jatrophane diterpenoid esters from the
whole herb of Euphorbia esula, were established as
11,14-epoxy-3beta,5alpha,7beta,8alpha,9alpha,15beta-hexaacetoxy-12-oxo-13alphaH-
jatropha-6(17)-ene (1) and
1alpha,3beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,7beta-dibenzoyloxy-9,14-dioxo-11beta,12alpha-epoxy
-2alpha,8alpha,15beta-trihydroxy-13betaH-jatropha-6(17)-ene (2) by a combination
of 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques as well as UV, IR and mass spectral data. Bioassay
evaluation of all isolates against the human tumor cell lines (B16, KB, SMMC and
BGC) indicated that ester 2 was cytotoxic to B16 with the IC50 value being 1.81
microg/ml. In addition, the irritant activity assay indicated that both
diterpenoids were inactive (ID(24)50 > 100 microg/ear).
PMID: 11914962 [PubMed - in process]
11: Biochem Pharmacol 2002 Mar 1;63(5):951-7
Jolkinolide B induces neuroendocrine differentiation of human prostate LNCaP
cancer cell line.
Liu WK, Ho JC, Qin G, Che CT.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
New Territories, Shatin, Hong Kong. ken-liu@cuhk.edu.hk
Euphorbia fischeriana is a Chinese herbal medicine which has been reported to
possess chemotherapeutic effects, yet the underlying mechanism is unclear. In
order to understand its possible anti-tumor property, we have isolated a number
of chemical compounds from the roots of this plant [Phytochemistry 52 (1999)
117] and studied their in vitro effects by using human prostate LNCaP cancer
cell line. Among the six compounds tested, jolkinolide B exhibited the most
potent anti-proliferative activity (IC(50)=12.5 microg/mL=40 microM) and it
inhibited DNA synthesis by down-regulating bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)
incorporation in LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner. Jolkinolide B, at
concentrations up to 25 microg/mL, induced G1 arrest and neuroendocrine
differentiation of LNCaP cells. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the increased
expression of neuroendocrine markers, keratin 8/18 (K8/18) and neuron specific
enolase (NSE), in these cells. Apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation were
observed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry when the cells were
exposed to a concentration higher than 25 microg/mL jolkinolide B. Taken all
data together, jolkinolide B seems to play a role in the regulation of
proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of LNCaP cells.
PMID: 11911847 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
12: J Nat Prod 2002 Feb;65(2):158-62
Eupha-7,9(11),24-trien-3beta-ol ("antiquol C") and other triterpenes from
Euphorbia antiquorum latex and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus
activation.
Akihisa T, Kithsiri Wijeratne EM, Tokuda H, Enjo F, Toriumi M, Kimura Y, Koike
K, Nikaido T, Tezuka Y, Nishino H.
College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, 1-8 Kanda Surugadai,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan. akihisa@chem.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp
The structures of three triterpene alcohols isolated from the latex of Euphorbia
antiquorum were established to be eupha-7,9(11),24-trien-3beta-ol (2; antiquol
C), 19(10-->9)abeo-8alpha,9beta,10alpha-eupha-5,24-dien-3beta-ol (3; antiquol
B), and 24-methyltirucalla-8,24(24(1))-dien-3beta-ol (4; euphorbol) on the basis
of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 3 and 4 have previously been assigned the
erroneous structures of 10alpha-cucurbita-5,24-dien-3alpha-ol and
24-methyleupha-8,24(24(1))-dien-3beta-ol, respectively. Compounds 2-4 and four
other known compounds isolated from the latex, euphol (1),
lemmaphylla-7,21-dien-3beta-ol (5), isohelianol (6), and camelliol C (7), showed
potent inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA)
activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate
(TPA).
PMID: 11858748 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
13: Plant Physiol 2002 Feb;128(2):615-24
Transgenic production of epoxy fatty acids by expression of a cytochrome P450
enzyme from Euphorbia lagascae seed.
Cahoon EB, Ripp KG, Hall SE, McGonigle B.
DuPont Crop Genetics, Experimental Station, Wilmington, DE 19880-0402, USA.
Edgar.B.Cahoon@usa.dupont.com
Seed oils of a number of Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae species are enriched in
12-epoxyoctadeca-cis-9-enoic acid (vernolic acid), an unusual 18-carbon
Delta(12)-epoxy fatty acid with potential industrial value. It has been
previously demonstrated that the epoxy group of vernolic acid is synthesized by
the activity of a Delta(12)-oleic acid desaturase-like enzyme in seeds of the
Asteraceae Crepis palaestina and Vernonia galamensis. In contrast, results from
metabolic studies have suggested the involvement of a cytochrome P450 enzyme in
vernolic acid synthesis in seeds of the Euphorbiaceae species Euphorbia
lagascae. To clarify the biosynthetic origin of vernolic acid in E. lagascae
seed, an expressed sequence tag analysis was conducted. Among 1,006 randomly
sequenced cDNAs from developing E. lagascae seeds, two identical expressed
sequence tags were identified that encode a cytochrome P450 enzyme classified as
CYP726A1. Consistent with the seed-specific occurrence of vernolic acid in E.
lagascae, mRNA corresponding to the CYP726A1 gene was abundant in developing
seeds, but was not detected in leaves. In addition, expression of the E.
lagascae CYP726A1 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was accompanied by production
of vernolic acid in cultures supplied with linoleic acid and an epoxy fatty acid
tentatively identified as 12-epoxyoctadeca-9,15-dienoic acid
(12-epoxy-18:2Delta(9,15)) in cultures supplied with alpha-linolenic acid.
Consistent with this, expression of CYP726A1 in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana
tabacum) callus or somatic soybean (Glycine max) embryos resulted in the
accumulation of vernolic acid and 12-epoxy-18:2Delta(9,15). Overall, these
results conclusively demonstrate that Asteraceae species and the Euphorbiaceae
E. lagascae have evolved structurally unrelated enzymes to generate the
Delta(12)-epoxy group of vernolic acid.
PMID: 11842164 [PubMed - in process]
14: Nat Prod Lett 2001;15(5):363-9
Cycloartane triterpenes from Euphorbia tuckeyana.
Ferreira MJ, Pinto FC, Ascenso JR.
CECF, Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
mjuferreira@ff.ul.pt
Investigation of the acetone extract of the whole plant of Euphorbia tuckeyana
afforded a new cycloartane-type triterpene named as cyclotucanol. Its structure
was established as cycloartane-24-methylene-3beta,25-diol (1). The known
cycloartane triterpenes cycloeucalenol (2), 3beta-hydroxycycloart-25-en-24-one
(3), cycloart-25-ene-3beta,24-diol (4),
25,26,27-trisnor-3beta-hydroxycycloartan-24-al (5) and
cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol (6) were also isolated and identified.
PMID: 11841121 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
15: Phytochemistry 2002 Feb;59(3):331-5
Macrocyclic diterpenes from Euphorbia nivulia.
Ravikanth V, Niranjan Reddy VL, Prabhakar Rao T, Diwan PV, Ramakrishna S,
Venkateswarlu Y.
Natural Products Laboratory, Organic Chemistry Division-I, Indian Institute of
Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, India.
The latex of Euphorbia nivulia afforded two ingol diterpenes
3,12-diacetyl-8-benzoylingol (4) and 3,12-diacetyl-7-benzoyl-8-nicotinylingol
(5) along with three known ingol diterpenes 1, 2,and 3, and two known
triterpenes cycloart-25-en-3beta-ol and cyclonivulinol. Their structures have
been assigned on the basis of their structural data as well as their acetylated
products. The diterpenes 1-5 were tested for the LPS induced PGE(2) inhibition
activity.
PMID: 11830142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
16: J Chem Ecol 2001 Dec;27(12):2397-423
Male-specific sesquiterpenes from Phyllotreta and Aphthona flea beetles.
Bartelt RJ, Cosse AA, Zilkowski BW, Weisleder D, Momany FA.
USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization
Research, Peoria, Illinois 61604, USA. BartelRJ@NCAUR.USDA.gov
It was previously reported that males of the crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta
cruciferae, feeding on host foliage are attractive to both males and females in
the field. Based on this evidence for an aggregation pheromone, volatiles were
collected from male and female P. cruciferae feeding on cabbage (Brassica
oleracea) and analyzed. For comparison, volatiles were also collected from males
and females of three other flea beetle species, Aphthona flava, A. czwalinae,
and A. cyparissiae, all feeding on their host, leafy spurge foliage (Euphorbia
esula). Six male-specific compounds were isolated from P. cruciferae, and the
same compounds plus two additional ones were isolated from males of Aphthona
flava, A. czwalinae, and A. cyparissiae. The blends of compounds were relatively
consistent within species, but there were characteristic differences between
species. Compound structures were studied by mass spectrometry, NMR
spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, polarimetry, chiral and achiral gas
chromatography, molecular modeling, and microchemical tests. Three of the
compounds were identified as (+)-ar-himachalene; (+)-trans-alpha-himachalene;
(+)-y-cadinene. Two others were new enantiomers of himachalene hydrocarbons that
were previously identified from the fir trees, Abies alba and Abies
nordmanniana. Finally, there were two himachalene alcohols and one
norsesquiterpene ketone that is a himachalene analog. Only (+)-ar-himachalene
and (+)-y-cadinene are previously known natural products. Electrophysiological
activity was demonstrated for five of the compounds. The chemical and
electrophysiological patterns are consistent with, but do not prove, a
pheromonal function.
PMID: 11789948 [PubMed - in process]
17: Phytochemistry 2001 Dec;58(7):1135-9
Diterpenoids from Euphorbia paralias.
Abdelgaleil SA, Kassem SM, Doe M, Baba M, Nakatani M.
Department of Pesticide Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria
University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Two segatane diterpenoids containing a bicyclic [4,3,1] ring system were
isolated, together with 11 known diterpenoids, four segetanes, five jatrophanes
and two paralianes, from the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias. The structures
of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic means, including by 2D
NMR and CD spectroscopic analyses. The antifeedant and antiviral activities of
the isolated compounds are also described.
PMID: 11730879 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
18: Phytochem Anal 2001 Jul-Aug;12(4):255-62
HPLC-UV and HPLC-positive-ESI-MS analysis of the diterpenoid fraction from caper
spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) seed oil.
Bicchi C, Appendino G, Cordero C, Rubiolo P, Ortelli D, Veuthey JL.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125
Torino, Italy. bicchi@pharm.unito.it
Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L.) seed oil contains a series of diterpenoids
known as Euphorbia factors, or L-factors, L1-L9. They are esters of several
polyols (lathyrol, epoxylathyrol, hydroxylathyrol and ingenol) and account for
about 3-5% of the oil. The percentage of ingenol-based L-factors is very low,
less than 5% of the diterpenoid fraction, but some of them (factors L5 and L6)
are responsible for the irritant and co-carcinogenic activities of the oil. This
paper reports an HPLC-UV and HPLC-positive-ESI-MS analysis of the diterpenoid
fraction of caper spurge seed oil before and after selective hydrolysis of
ingenol-based L-factors. Separation of lathyrane polyols and esters, and ingenol
and its esters was achieved using a chromatographic system consisting of a C18
stationary phase and acetonitrile: water as mobile phase. A new macrocyclic
constituent, the deoxy Euphorbia factor L1, was identified in the oil.
PMID: 11705332 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
19: J Org Chem 1996 Mar 8;61(5):1707-1709
Terracinolides A and B, Two Bishomoditerpene Lactones with a Novel Carbon
Framework from Euphorbia terracina.
Marco JA, Sanz-Cervera JF, Yuste A, Jakupovic J, Lex J.
Departamento de Quimica Organica, Universidad de Valencia, E-46100 Burjassot,
Valencia, Spain, Institut fur Organische Chemie, Technische Universitat Berlin,
D-10623 Berlin, Germany, and Institut fur Organische Chemie, Universitat Koln,
D-50939 Koln, Germany.
A methanolic extract of Euphorbia terracina L. has been shown to contain two
peracylated polyhydroxy terpenoid lactones with a novel C(22) carbon framework.
These metabolites, which have been named terracinolides A (1) and B (2), are
based on the same parent compound, but differ in the nature of one of the acyl
residues. This novel skeletal system is formally derived from the jatrophane
framework by addition of a two-carbon fragment on C-17 (jatrophane numbering).
PMID: 11667040 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
20: Bot Mus Lealf Harv Univ 1978;26:277-309
A neglected Mayan galactagogue, Ixbut (Euphorbia lancifolia).
Rosengarten F.
Publication Types:
Historical Article
PMID: 11619638 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
21: J Ethnopharmacol 2001 Nov;78(1):1-5
Enhanced antifungal activity of ketoconazole by Euphorbia characias latex
against Candida albicans.
Giordani R, Trebaux J, Masi M, Regli P.
Universite de la Mediterranee, Faculte de Pharmacie, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385
Cedex 05, Marseille, France.
The in vitro suseptibility of Candida albicans to ketoconazole and Euphorbia
characias latex alone or in combination was tested using the macrobroth dilution
method. The MIC 80% of crude latex and ketoconazole are respectively 159 microg
protein/ml and 0.3901 microg/ml. This method permits us to determine an affinity
constant K(aff) for crude latex (0.015 microg(-1) protein ml) and ketoconazole
(23.828 microg(-1) ml). The utilization of a mixture of latex at several
concentrations (7.8-15.62-31.25-62.5 and 125 microg protein/ml) and ketoconazole
indicates a synergistic effect between latex and ketoconazole. For latex
concentrations of 31.25 and 62.5 microg protein/ml the MIC 80% of ketoconazole
were inferior (0.194 and 0.183 microg/ml respectively) to that obtained with
ketoconazole alone (0.390 microg/ml). A synergistic effect is therefore obtained
between ketoconazole on the one hand and two concentrations of Euphorbia
characias latex.
PMID: 11585681 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
22: Planta Med 2001 Oct;67(7):672-4
Cytotoxicities and anti-herpes simplex virus activities of diterpenes isolated
from Euphorbia species.
Mucsi I, Molnar J, Hohmann J, Redei D.
The cytotoxicities of nine diterpene polyesters obtained from Euphorbia species
were assayed by measuring their effects on the growth of Vero cells. Their
antiviral effects on the multiplication of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
were studied by using the virus yield reduction method in cell cultures. With
the exception of the strongly cytotoxic
2alpha,5alpha,14beta-triacetoxy-3beta-benzoyloxy-8alpha,15beta-dihydroxy-7beta-i
sobutanoyloxy-9alpha-nicotinoyloxyjatropha-6(17),11E-diene (CC(50) 3.5
microg/ml), all the tested diterpenes exhibited a pronounced or moderate
anti-herpes virus effect (IC(50) values between 2.5 and 8.3 microg/ml). The
observed HSV-2 inhibitory activities were not associated with virucidal effects.
Publication Types:
Letter
PMID: 11582549 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
23: Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2001 Aug;8(4):207-12
Antiviral action of Euphorbium compositum and its components.
Glatthaar-Saalmuller B, Fallier-Becker P.
Labor Dr. Glatthaar, Reutlingen. LaborDr.Glatthaar@t-online.de
INTRODUCTION: Euphorbium compositum SN (Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH,
Baden-Baden, Germany, a homeopathic combination preparation available in form of
drops, nasal spray, and injection solution), is prescribed for inflammation of
the mucosae of the nose and sinuses. Infections in these areas are primarily of
viral origin although bacterial superinfections are also common. OBJECTIVE: The
main question was whether or not this homeopathic remedy shows an activity
against viruses responsible for infections of the respiratory tract.
METHODS:This in vitro study using virus plaque reduction assays examined the
effect of Euphorbium compositum SN against pathogens causing various viral
infections: influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human
rhinovirus (HRV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). RESULTS: Analysis of
virus production after treatment of the infected cells with the remedy showed an
antiviral activity of Euphorbium compositum SN against RSV and HSV-1. In
addition, an antiviral effect against influenza A virus and HRV, though minimal,
was, also noted. Analyses of the plant-derived components of Euphorbium
compositum SN, e.g. Euphorbium resinifera, Pulsatilla pratensis and Luffa
operculata for their antiviral activity revealed a clear activity of Euphorbium
resinifera and Pulsatilla pratensis against RSV. In contrast, no effect was
detected using the same protocol with Luffa operculata. CONCLUSIONS: Euphorbium
resinifera and Pulsatilla pratensis as components of Euphorbium compositum SN
are responsible for its antiviral activity. Copyright 2001 S. Karger GmbH,
Freiburg
PMID: 11574744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
24: J Nat Prod 2001 Aug;64(8):1064-8
New jatrophane diterpenoid esters from Euphorbia turczaninowii.
Liu LG, Tan RX.
Institute of Functional Biomolecules, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing
University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China.
Five new (1-5) and one known (6) jatrophane diterpenoid esters were isolated
from the ethanol extract of the whole herb of Euphorbia turczaninowii. Their
structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods. The absolute
stereochemistry of 3 beta,5 alpha,8 alpha,15 beta-tetraacetoxy-7
beta-benzoyloxyjatropha-6(17),11E-dien-9,14-dione (1) was confirmed by a
single-crystal X-ray analysis coupled with the exciton chirality circular
dichroism method. Compounds 1-6 were inactive when evaluated both in a mouse ear
inflammation assay and for cytotoxicity against the B16 mouse melanoma cell
line.
PMID: 11520228 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
25: Planta Med 2001 Aug;67(6):501-4
Inhibitory activity for chitin synthase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by
tannins and related compounds.
Hwang EI, Ahn BT, Lee HB, Kim YK, Lee KS, Bok SH, Kim YT, Kim SU.
Antibiotics Research Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and
Biotechnology, Yusung, Taejon, Korea.
In the course of search for potent inhibitors of chitin synthase II from natural
resources, seven tannins and related compounds were isolated from the aerial
part of Euphorbia pekinensis and identified as gallic acid (1), methyl gallate
(2), 3-O-galloyl-(-)-shikimic acid (3), corilagin (4), geraniin (5),
quercetin-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucoside (6), and
kaempferol-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucoside (7). These and nine related
compounds, (-)-quinic acid (8), (-)-shikimic acid (9), ellagic acid (10),
kaempferol (11), quercetin (12), quercitrin (13), rutin (14),
quercetin-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-rutinoside (15) and
1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (16), were evaluated for the inhibitory
activity against chitin synthase II and III. They inhibited chitin synthase II
with IC(50) values of 18-206 microM, except for two organic acids, (-)-quinic
acid (8) and (-)-shikimic acid (9). Among them, 3-O-galloyl-(-)-shikimic acid
(3) was the most potent inhibitor against chitin synthase II of Saccharomyces
cerevisiae with an IC(50) value of 18 microM. The inhibition appears to be
selective for chitin synthase II, as they did not appreciably inhibit chitin
synthase III.
PMID: 11509967 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
26: Fitoterapia 2000 Sep;71(5):562-3
Antinociceptive activity of Euphorbia heterophylla roots.
Vamsidhar I, Mohammed AH, Nataraj B, Madhusudana Rao C, Ramesh M.
K.M. College of Pharmacy, Madurai 625107, India.
Following an identified use of the plant as analgesic in traditional medicine,
the hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla root
have been tested for antinociceptive activity in rats. All extracts showed
significant effects at doses of 150-300 mg/kg i.p.
PMID: 11449508 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
27: Org Lett 2001 May 31;3(11):1609-12
Unnatural natural products from the transannular cyclization of lathyrane
diterpenes.
Appendino G, Tron GC, Jarevang T, Sterner O.
Universita del Piemonte Orientale, DiSCAFF, Viale Ferrucci 33, 28100 Novara,
Italy. appendin@pharm.unito.it
The potential of macrocyclic diterpenoids to afford natural product-like
polycyclic compounds was demonstrated by the conversion of two lathyrane
Euphorbia factors into a series of densely functionalized diterpenoids of
unnatural skeletal type. Apparently, Nature is far from having fully exploited
the built-in reactivity of these compounds to generate chemical diversity.
PMID: 11405667 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
28: J Theor Biol 2001 Jun 7;210(3):385-8
Aposematic (warning) coloration associated with thorns in higher plants.
Lev-Yadun S.
Department of Biology, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon, 36006, Israel.
levyadun@research.haifa.ac.il
Aposematic coloration, a well-known phenomenon in animals, has been given little
attention in plants. Here I discuss two types of conspicuousness of thorns which
are typical of many plant species: (1) colorful thorns, and (2) white spots, or
white and colorful stripes, associated with thorns in leaves and stems. Both
types of aposematic coloration predominate the spine system of taxa rich with
spiny species-Cacti, the genera Agave, Aloe and Euphorbia. The phenomena have
been recorded here in over a thousand species originating in several continents
of both the Old and New World. I propose that this is a case of vegetal
aposematic coloration analogous to such coloration of poisonous animals, and
which communicates between plants and herbivores. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
PMID: 11397139 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
29: Acta Trop 2001 May 25;79(2):165-70
The control of the schistosome-transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata by the
plant Molluscicide Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (syn milli Des. Moul): a
longitudinal field study in an endemic area in Brazil.
Schall VT, Vasconcellos MC, Rocha RS, Souza CP, Mendes NM.
Departamento de Biologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
vtschall@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Under laboratory conditions, latex from Euphorbia splendens has shown promise as
a plant molluscicide for control of Biomphalaria species, intermediate hosts for
Schistosoma mansoni. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its efficiency
under field conditions. Application of filtered latex at 12 ppm to one stream in
an endemic rural area in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in September 1995, did
result in a reduction in snail density as compared to an untreated stream but
the snail population recovered quickly. However, two applications with a
two-week interval of unfiltered E. splendens latex at 5 ppm in November 1996 in
the same stream resulted in complete disappearance of B. glabrata and snails did
not reappear until the 14th month after the applications. In the control stream,
without treatment, the snails were found during all months. Laboratory studies
confirmed that unfiltered latex is a more potent molluscicide than filtered
latex. Considering the advantages of the latex such as its low toxicity to other
aquatic animals and its photobiodegradability, as well as the simple method of
application, this natural product is promising as an effective molluscicide.
PMID: 11369309 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
30: Biomed Sci Instrum 2001;37:391-7
Utilizing image processing techniques to compute herbivory.
Olson TE, Barlow VM.
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3295, USA.
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L. sensu lato) is a perennial weed species common
to the north-central United States and southern Canada. The plant is a foreign
species toxic to cattle. Spurge infestation can reduce cattle carrying capacity
by 50 to 75 percent [1]. University of Wyoming Entomology doctoral candidate
Vonny Barlow is conducting research in the area of biological control of leafy
spurge via the Aphthona nigriscutis Foudras flea beetle. He is addressing the
question of variability within leafy spurge and its potential impact on flea
beetle herbivory. One component of Barlow's research consists of measuring the
herbivory of leafy spurge plant specimens after introducing adult beetles.
Herbivory is the degree of consumption of the plant's leaves and was measured in
two different manners. First, Barlow assigned each consumed plant specimen a
visual rank from 1 to 5. Second, image processing techniques were applied to
"before" and "after" images of each plant specimen in an attempt to more
accurately quantify herbivory. Standardized techniques were used to acquire
images before and after beetles were allowed to feed on plants for a period of
12 days. Matlab was used as the image processing tool. The image processing
algorithm allowed the user to crop the portion of the "before" image containing
only plant foliage. Then Matlab cropped the "after" image with the same
dimensions, converted the images from RGB to grayscale. The grayscale image was
converted to binary based on a user defined threshold value. Finally, herbivory
was computed based on the number of black pixels in the "before" and "after"
images. The image processing results were mixed. Although, this image processing
technique depends on user input and non-ideal images, the data is useful to
Barlow's research and offers insight into better imaging systems and processing
algorithms.
PMID: 11347423 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
31: Zhong Yao Cai 2001 Jan;24(1):28-9
[Identification of a confused species of Euphorbia hirta L. E. indica Lam.]
[Article in Chinese]
Chu X, Cao L, Yuan C.
Jiangxi College of TCM, Nanchang, 330006.
The article reported the morphological and histological identification for
Euporbia hirta L. and its confused species E. indica Lam.. It provided evidences
for identifying Euphorbia hirta L..
PMID: 11341025 [PubMed - in process]
32: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2001 Jan;96(1):123-5
The molluscicidal activity of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii on
Melanoides tuberculata (Thiaridae), a snail associated with habitats of
Biomphalaria glabrata (Planorbidae).
Giovanelli A, da Silva CL, Medeiros L, de Vasconcellos MC.
Departamento de Biologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900,
Brasil.
The use of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii was considered as an
effective control method for Biomphalaria glabrata in Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro.
However, the appearance and expansion of the snail Melanoides tuberculata since
August 1997, with the concomitant reduction of the population of B. glabrata
suggest that competitive exclusion might be taking place. Depending on the
susceptibility of the thiarid to the E. splendens toxin, the natural control
that is occurring could be interrupted by the employment of the latex if the
planorbid were less susceptible to the toxin. The aim of this study is to
investigate the molluscicidal activity of the latex on M. tuberculata. We used
420 M. tuberculata, from Sumidouro. Fourteen different latex concentrations were
tested using World Health Organization general methodology. Probit analysis was
used for LD90 and LD50 determination. The LD50 was 3.57 mg/l and LD90 was 6.22
mg/l. At the highest concentration (10 mg/l) there was no survival. No
significant differences among replicas (chi2 = 8.31; gl = 13; p > 0.05) were
found. The LD90 dose for M. tuberculata was 13.8 times greater than that for B.
glabrata, so that the molluscicide in the presence of the thiarid may have a
synergic effect on reduction of Biomphalaria populations.
PMID: 11285483 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
33: J Asian Nat Prod Res 2000;2(4):257-61
An isopimarane diterpene from Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata.
Xu ZH, Qin GW, Xu RS.
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
From the ethanolic extract of the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata four
compounds were isolated. They are 24-methylenecycloartanone, tirucallol,
procesterol and a new isopimarane diterpene, namely yuexiandajisu C. The
structure of yuexiandajisu C was elucidated by spectral analysis. The bioassay
in vitro showed yuexiandajisu C exhibited immunomodulatory activity.
PMID: 11249607 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
34: J S Afr Vet Assoc 2000 Dec;71(4):240-3
The use of herbal preparations for tick control in western Ethiopia.
Regassa A.
National Animal Health Research Centre, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
Information on the traditional tick control methods used in Keffa, Illubabor and
Wellega Provinces in western Ethiopia was obtained from 86 veterinary clinics
and 865 peasant farmers through a questionnaire survey. Latexes of Euphorbia
obovalifolia and Ficus brachypoda, juice of crushed leaves of Phytolaca
dodecandra and Vernonia amygdalina, fruit juice of Solanum incanum, crushed
seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with fresh cattle faeces, juice of crushed
leaves and bark of Calpurnea aurea and commercially available spice of Capsicum
spp. mixed with butter, were used by peasant farmers to control ticks.
Preliminary in vitro efficacy tests of these plant preparations were performed
on engorged female Boophilus decoloratus. Preparations of Capsicum spp., E.
obovalifolia, S. incanum and F. brachypoda were found to have 30-100% killing
effects. Subsequently, in vivo treatment trials of these preparations were
conducted using indigenous Bos indicus cattle naturally infested with ticks.
Results indicate that treatments at the rate of once per day for 5 consecutive
days with the latexes of E. obovalifolia and F. brachypoda can reduce tick
burdens by up to 70% on cattle.
PMID: 11212935 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
35: Inflamm Res 2000 Dec;49(12):732-6
Neutrophil migration and aggregation induced by euphorbin, a lectin from the
latex of Euphorbia milii, var. milii.
Dias-Baruffi M, Sakamoto M, Rossetto S, Vozari-Hampe MM, Roque-Barreira MC.
Department of Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao
Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To study the neutrophil migration and aggregation induced
by euphorbin, a D-galactose binding lectin from Euphorbia milii var. milli
latex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Euphorbin-induced neutrophil migration was
evaluated in vivo and in vitro, in the absence or presence of soluble
D-galactose. Neutrophil aggregation induced in vitro by euphorbin was determined
by light microscopy. RESULTS: The neutrophil migration inducing activity of
euphorbin was dose-dependent and inhibited by soluble D-galactose. Neutrophil
aggregation was rapidly reversed when provoked by 0.1 mg/ml euphorbin. In higher
concentrations, euphorbin caused persistent and more extensive neutrophil
aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: Euphorbin induced neutrophil migration through its
sugar recognition property. The transitory neutrophil aggregation, induced by a
euphorbin quantity similar to that able to cause maximal chemotactic response,
is characteristic of homotypic neutrophil adhesion, whereas persistent
aggregation, provoked by higher euphorbin quantities, corresponds to cell
agglutination by a multivalent lectin.
PMID: 11211926 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
36: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2001 Jan;127(1):40-7
Dietary cancer risk from conditional cancerogens (tumor promoters) in produce of
livestock fed on species of spurge (Euphorbiaceae). V. Skin irriitant and
tumor-promoting diterpene ester toxins of the tigliane and ingenane type in the
herbs Euphorbia nubica and Euphorbia helioscopia contaminating fodder of
livestock.
Zayed SM, Farghaly M, Soliman SM, Gotta H, Sorg B, Hecker E.
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Irritant diterpene ester toxins were isolated from Euphorbia nubica and E.
helioscopia, which are contaminants of the green fodder of livestock in Egypt.
Fractionations of methanol extracts of aerial parts of both plants were
monitored by the irritation unit on the mouse ear. Plant extracts were subjected
to multiplicative distribution methods, yielding irritant hydrophilic fractions
that were further purified by column chromatography. Final purification of the
materials was achieved by TLC (silica gel) followed by HPLC, or by TLC alone. In
this way, from E. nubica, five Euphorbia factors (Nu1-Nu5) were isolated and
characterized as short-chain polyfunctional diterpene esters of tigliane-type
parent alcohols. The two weak irritants Nul and Nu3 were triesters of
4-deoxy(4alpha)phorbol. Nu2 was shown to be a triester of the stereoisomeric
tigliane-type parent alcohol 4-deoxyphorbol. Weak irritant Nu4 probably is a
positional isomer of Nu2. Nu5 was characterized as a short-chain triester of
4,20-dideoxy-5xi-hydroxyphorbol. From E. helioscopia, six short- to medium-chain
polyfunctional diterpene esters of the ingenane type, generally containing
unsaturated acids were obtained, i.e., four irritant esters of ingenol
(Euphorbia factors H1, H2, H5, and H6) and two esters of 20-deoxyingenol
(non-irritant Euphorbia substance HS4, and irritant Euphorbia factor H8). All
irritant Euphorbia factors of the tigliane and ingenane diterpene ester type
described in this investigation are considered to be more or less active tumor
promoters, i.e., conditional (non-genotoxic) cancerogens. The Euphorbia factors
assayed exhibited moderate (H1) to low (H8) relative tumor-promoting potency in
comparison to the ingenane prototype DTE tumor promoter 3-TI.
PMID: 11206270 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
37: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2001 Jan;127(1):34-9
Dietary cancer risk from conditional cancerogens (tumor promoters) in produce of
livestock fed on species of spurge (Euphorbiaceae). IV. Toxicologic and
pathophysiologic observations in lactating goats and their suckling kids fed on
the irritant herbs Euphorbia nubica and Euphorbia helioscopia: an etiologic
model for investigations on the putative risk of cancer by consumption of food
p.
Nawito M, Ahmed YF, Shalaby SI, Nada A, Zayed SM, Hecker E.
Department of Animal Reproduction, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo,
Egypt.
The feeding of lactating goats on usual green fodder, contaminated with
Euphorbia helioscopia or E. nubica, results in poisoning of the dams as well as
their suckling kids. General signs of toxicity were emaciation, depression,
shedding of body hair, arching of back, and possible death. Post-mortem changes
of dams and dead suckling kids included congestion and hemorrhage in cardiac
muscle, lung, liver, and kidneys. Blood analyses of goats exposed to these
contaminants showed an increased level of serum alanine amino transferase
compared to control samples, indicating cellular destruction in the liver. The
latter was confirmed by histopathological changes in the organ which include
severe congestion, necrosis, and degenerative changes. The goats also suffered
from deterioration of renal function as indicated by increased blood urea
nitrogen and creatinine levels. In histopathologic inspections of kidney, severe
congestion, hemorrhage in the cortex and medulla, as well as necrosis of
epithelial cells of kidney tubules were noticed. Considerable degenerative
changes were also observed in heart and lung. The pathophysiological appearances
indicate that by feeding on the Euphorbia species mentioned above, the goats are
poisoned in a way similar to the case of E. peplus reported previously. Such
intoxication most likely is due to irritant and hyperplasiogenic diterpene ester
(DTE) toxins, usually present in the aerial parts of Euphorbia species and well
known as tumor promoters in mouse skin. After ingestion of the toxic plant parts
by the goats, the DTE toxins might be metabolized and thereby partially
detoxified. Yet, at least in part, they may show up in the milk of the goats, as
indicated by severe poisoning of their suckling kids. As discussed previously in
lactating goats fed on fodder contaminated with E. peplus, tumor promoters of
the DTE type may enter the human food chain via this source of milk. Such milk
may be considered a valuable etiologic model for the investigation of economic,
ecologic, and public health problems raised by human diet polluted with tumor
promoters, i.e., conditional (non-genotoxic) cancerogens.
PMID: 11206269 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
38: Biochem Soc Trans 2000 Dec;28(6):855-7
Characterization of a Euphorbia lagascae epoxide hydrolase gene that is induced
early during germination.
Edqvist J, Farbos I.
Department of Plant Biology, SLU, Box 7080, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Johan.Edqvist@vbiol.slu.se
In Euphorbia lagascae the major fatty acid in triacylglycerol is the epoxidated
fatty acid vernolic acid (cis-12-epoxyoctadeca-cis-9-enoic acid). The enzymic
reactions occurring during the catabolism of epoxidated fatty acids during
germination are not known, but it seems likely that the degradation requires the
activity of an epoxide hydrolase. Epoxide hydrolases are a group of functionally
related enzymes that catalyse the cofactor-independent hydrolysis of epoxides to
their corresponding vicinal diols by the addition of a water molecule. Here we
report the cloning and characterization of an epoxide hydrolase gene from E.
lagascae. The structure of the gene is unusual since it lacks introns. A
detailed investigation of the transcription pattern of the epoxide hydrolase
gene shows that the gene is induced during germination. We have used in situ
hybridization to identify in which tissues the gene is expressed during
germination. We speculate that this epoxide hydrolase enzyme is involved in the
catabolism of epoxidated fatty acids during germination of E. lagascae seeds.
PMID: 11171232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
39: Biochem Soc Trans 2000 Dec;28(6):703-5
The involvement of phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferases in
triacylglycerol production.
Banas A, Dahlqvist A, Stahl U, Lenman M, Stymne S.
Scandinavian Biotechnology Research AB, SE-268 31 Svalov, Sweden.
antoni.banas@vv.slu.se
We have characterized three CoA-independent types of enzyme, phospholipases,
phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferases (PDATs) and
cholinephosphotransferases, responsible for the removal of unusual fatty acids
from phosphatidylcholine (PC) in microsomal preparations from developing oil
seeds. The metabolism of sn-2-[(14)C]acyl-PC was monitored in microsomal
preparations from various oilseeds having either medium-chain, acetylenic, epoxy
or hydroxy fatty acids as their major fatty acids in the oil. The results
indicate that PDAT plays a major role in removing ricinoleic acid and vernolic
acid from phospholipids in Ricinus communis and Crepis palaestina seeds,
respectively. However, vernolic, crepenynic and capric acids are primarily
removed from phospholipids by phospholipases in Euphorbia lagascae, Crepis rubra
and elm seeds, respectively. Further, we show that significant PDAT activity is
also present in vegetative tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana.
PMID: 11171177 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
40: Acta Trop 2001 Jan 15;78(1):23-9
Laboratory evaluation of the molluscicidal properties of some Saudi Arabian
euphorbiales against Biomphalaria pfeifferi.
Al-Zanbagi NA, Barrett J, Banaja A.
Department of Biology, King Abdul-Aziz University Saudi Arabia, P.O. Box 42626
21515, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the molluscicidal properties of
three Saudi Arabian Euphorbiales. The results showed that the methanol extract
of Euphorbia schimperiana has a high molluscicidal potency. The activity remains
stable over a wide range of temperature and pH values, in the presence of
organic and inorganic substrates and after exposure of the solutions to
ultraviolet radiation.
PMID: 11164747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
41: Fitoterapia 2000 Dec;71(6):655-62
Anti-inflammatory activity of the hydrosoluble fraction of Euphorbia royleana
latex.
Bani S, Kaul A, Jaggi BS, Suri KA, Suri OP, Sharma OP.
Department of Pharmacology, Regional Research Laboratory, Canal Road, Jammu,
India.
The hydrosoluble fraction of Euphorbia royleana latex (AER), administered by
gavage at doses of 50-200 mg/kg, showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and
anti-arthritic effects in different acute and chronic test models in rats and
mice. It reduced the exudate volume and the migration of leukocytes and showed a
poor inhibitory effect on the granuloma formation induced by cotton pellets,
while it had a low ulcerogenic score. The oral LD(50) was more than 1500 mg/kg
in both rats and mice.
PMID: 11077172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
42: Parasitol Res 2000 Oct;86(10):843-50
Ultrastructural analysis of Phytomonas species from Euphorbia pinea reveals
trans-cytoplasmic filaments 10 nm in diameter.
Page AM, Lagnado JR.
Biomedical Imaging Unit, General Hospital, Southampton, UK. a.page@soton.ac.uk
Phytomonas sp. derived from Euphorbia pinea are digenetic plant trypanosomes
that are transmitted by the squashbug Stenocephalus agilis and exist exclusively
as promastigotes. The stable sub-pellicular microtubular array, the flagellar
axoneme and the paraflagellar rod represent the major cytoskeletal components
common to all trypanosomes. The work described in this paper examines in detail
the ultrastructural morphology of the organism and highlights a number of novel
structural features, and in particular, the presence of some detergent-resistant
proteins which take the form of bundles of trans-cytoplasmic filaments of ca. 10
nm in diameter, seen in cells from both log- and stationary-phase cultures. The
ultrastructural morphology and immunological cross-reactivity of these filaments
are described, and their relationship to filamentous bundles previously reported
in stationary-phase cultures of Crithidia fasciculata and to intermediate
filaments of animal cells is discussed.
PMID: 11068818 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
43: Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2000 Jul;46(3):342-50
Toxicity of Euphorbia milii latex and niclosamide to snails and nontarget
aquatic species.
Oliveira-Filho EC, Paumgartten FJ.
Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, The National School of Public Health,
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21045-900, Brazil.
The toxicity of Euphorbia milii molluscicidal latex and niclosamide (NCL) to
target snails (Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila) and nontarget
aquatic organisms is evaluated. Planorbidae snails were killed by very low
concentrations of lyophilized latex (48-h LC(50), mg/L: B. glabrata, 0.12; B.
tenagophila, 0.09; Helisoma duryi, 0.10). Latex was less toxic (48-h LC(50) or
EC(50), mg/L) to oligochaeta (Tubifex tubifex, 0.31), planktonic crustacea
(Daphnia similis, 0.38; C. dubia, 1.07; Artemia sp., 0.93), and fishes (Danio
rerio, 0.96; Poecilia reticulata, 1. 39), and considerably less toxic to
Ampullariidae snails (Pomacea sp. , 10.55) and frog tadpoles (Rana catesbeiana,
7.50). Latex (up to 100 mg/L) was not toxic to bacteria (P. putida and V.
fischeri), algae (Selenastrum capricornutum and Chlorella vulgaris), and
mosquito larvae (Anopheles albitarsis, Aedes aegypti, Aedes fluviatilis). NCL
was very toxic (48-h LC(50) or EC(50), mg/L) to Planorbidae snails (B. glabrata,
0.15, B. tenagophila, 0.13; H. duryi, 0.10), T. tubifex (0.11), crustacea (D.
similis, 0.19; Ceriodaphnia dubia, 0.47; Artemia sp. 0.18), fishes (D. rerio,
0.25; P. reticulata, 0.29), R. catesbeiana (0.16), and Pomacea sp. (0.76). NCL
was toxic to bacteria, algae (96-h IC(50), mg/L: S. capricornutum, 0.34; C.
vulgaris, 1.23) and slightly toxic to mosquito larvae. In conclusion, E. milii
latex, as compared with the reference molluscicide niclosamide, presents a
higher degree of selectivity toward snails which are intermediate hosts of
Schistosoma trematodes. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
PMID: 10903832 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
44: J Econ Entomol 2000 Jun;93(3):813-9
Imidacloprid applications by subirrigation for control of silverleaf whitefly
(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia.
van Iersel MW, Oetting RD, Hall DB.
Department of Horticulture, Georgia Station, University of Georgia, Griffin
30223-1797, USA.
The objective of this study was to determine whether silverleaf whiteflies,
Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, on poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima
Willdenow ex Klotsch, can be controlled with imidacloprid applied by
subirrigation. Different amounts of imidacloprid uptake by the growing medium
were obtained by not watering the subirrigated plants for 0, 1, 2, or 4 d before
the imidacloprid application. These treatments resulted in absorption of 12-175
ml of imidacloprid solution by the growing medium. These treatments were
compared with untreated control plants and plants that were treated with a
standard drench application (100 ml) to the top of the growing medium. All
imidacloprid treatments resulted in a significant decrease in both the survival
of adult whiteflies and number of immature whiteflies on the plants.
Subirrigation treatments resulted in better control of adult and immature
whiteflies than drench application. Withholding water for 2 or 4 d before the
imidacloprid application by subirrigation improved control of immature
whiteflies. This indicates that the application of imidacloprid to poinsettia by
subirrigation is a practical and efficient method to control silverleaf
whiteflies.
PMID: 10902335 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
45: J Econ Entomol 2000 Jun;93(3):623-9
An economic comparison of biological and conventional control strategies for
whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in greenhouse poinsettias.
Stevens TJ 3rd, Kilmer RL, Glenn SJ.
Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, Gainesville
32611-0240, USA.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs of biologically
controlling infestations of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows &
Perring, in New England greenhouse operations on poinsettia, Euphorbia
pulcherrima Wild, ex Koltz, using the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa Gahan
(Nile Delta strain). Partial budget analysis was used to compare costs for
conventional verses biological control regimens. Four alternative whitefly
control budgets are developed; two conventional chemical-based control budgets
formulated with and without the use of imidacloprid, and two biological control
budgets which demonstrate the impact of possibly greater pest monitoring efforts
necessary to implement this type strategy successfully. The analysis shows that
biological whitefly control costs were > 300% greater than conventional
chemical-based control strategy costs. Most of this increase is caused by the
higher costs of Encarsia formosa as the material control input. If monitoring
costs are held constant across different strategies, labor costs actually
decline for biological control. This is because of a significant reduction in
the number of control applications made and the relatively lower cost of
applying E. formosa. If more extensive monitoring efforts are required to
implement biological control successfully, labor costs increase by 56% over the
conventional pre-imidacloprid regimen. Based on these results, the authors
conclude that cheaper and more reliable means of producing E. formosa must be
developed before this strategy will become economically viable for commercial
poinsettia greenhouse production.
PMID: 10902307 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
46: Virology 2000 Jun 5;271(2):289-97
Sequence analysis and genome organisation of poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV)
reveal closer relationship to marafiviruses than to tymoviruses.
Bradel BG, Preil W, Jeske H.
Biologisches Institut, Abt. fur Molekularbiologie und Virologie der Pflanzen,
Universitat Stuttgart, Germany.
Sequence comparison and genome organisation of poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV), a
putative member of the tymoviruses, revealed a closer relationship to
marafiviruses. The complete nucleotide sequence of PnMV was determined. The
6099-nt RNA genome encodes a putative 221-kDa polyprotein that lacks a stop
codon between the replicase and the coat protein genes, as in most tymovirus
RNAs. The genomic RNA has a poly(A) tail at its 3'-terminus in contrast to the
tRNA-like structure found in the RNA of most tymoviruses, and no homology was
observed to the conserved noncoding region of the tymoviral 3'-termini. The
tymobox of PnMV, a 16-nt region of the subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) promoter shared by
most tymoviruses, differs in 3 nt from the RNA sequence of tymoviruses but is
identical to the sequence of marafiviruses. At least three sgRNAs were found in
PnMV-infected Euphorbia pulcherrima and in isolated PnMV particles; one that is
650 nt long encodes the 21.4-kDa coat protein, and the others are about 3.5 and
1.7 kb and contain the 5'- and the 3'-terminal parts of genomic RNA,
respectively. Like tymoviruses, PnMV particles sediment as top and bottom
components. The particles of the top component contain the sgRNA (650 nt)
encoding the coat protein, and those of bottom component contain both genomic
and sgRNAs. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
PMID: 10860883 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
47: Planta Med 2000 Apr;66(3):291-4
Diterpenoids from Euphorbia peplus.
Hohmann J, Evanics F, Berta L, Bartok T.
From a pro-inflammatory active extract of Euphorbia peplus, two new diterpene
polyesters based on the pepluane and jatrophane skeletons were isolated,
together with four known ingenane and jatrophane diterpenes. The structures were
determined on the basis of extensive NMR studies. Ingenol 3-angelate, which was
obtained for the first time from this plant, is an irritant toxin with high
activity.
Publication Types:
Letter
PMID: 10821064 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
48: Phytochemistry 2000 Apr;53(8):947-50
Constituents and bioactivity of the tubers of Euphorbia sessiliflora.
Sutthivaiyakit S, Thapsut M, Prachayasittikul V.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok,
Thailand. somyote@raml.ru.ac.th
The diterpene ent-12-hydroxy-12[R]-abieta-8(14),13(15)-dien-16,12-olide was
isolated from the tubers of Euphorbia sessiliflora Roxb., together with four
known ent-abietadienolides, four known cycloartane triterpenes and ellagic
acid-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Two of these metabolates displayed moderate
antibacterial activities.
PMID: 10820809 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
49: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES 2000 May;161(3):435-445
Microstructure of Purified Rubber Particles.
Wood DF, Cornish K.
Purified rubber particles from Hevea brasiliensis (Brazilian rubber tree),
Parthenium argentatum (guayule), Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree), and
Euphorbia lactiflua were examined and compared using conventional scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission SEM, cryo-SEM, and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Rubber particles of all four species were spherical;
they varied in size and had a uniform homogeneous material, the rubber core,
surrounded by a contiguous monolayer (half-unit) membrane. Frozen-hydrated
and/or untreated particles from H. brasiliensis and P. argentatum deformed and
fused readily, whereas those from F. elastica and E. lactiflua retained their
spherical shapes. These results indicate that the surface components of the H.
brasiliensis and P. argentatum particles are more fluid than those of F.
elastica or E. lactiflua. When fixed in aldehyde, F. elastica particles retained
their spherical exterior shapes but had hollow centers, whereas H. brasiliensis
and P. argentatum particles completely collapsed. In aldehyde-osmium
tetroxide-fixed material, the rubber core of F. elastica was poorly preserved in
some particles in which only a small amount of the rubber core remained adhering
to the monolayer membrane, leaving a hollow center. Euphorbia lactiflua
particles were well preserved in terms of retaining the rubber core; however,
the membrane was not as easily discernible as it was in the other three species.
Both H. brasiliensis and P. argentatum were well preserved following fixation;
their cores remained filled with rubber, and their monolayer membranes were
defined. The addition of potassium permanganate to the fixation-staining regime
resulted in higher-contrast micrographs and more well defined monolayer
membranes.
PMID: 10817979 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
50: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES 2000 May;161(3):425-434
A Phylogenetic Study of Tribe Euphorbieae (Euphorbiaceae).
Park KR, Elisens WJ.
A phylogenetic investigation of a monophyletic lineage of spurge plants, tribe
Euphorbieae, was conducted to elucidate evolutionary relationships, to clarify
biogeographic patterns, and to reexamine the previous classification of
Euphorbieae. Cladistic analyses of the 52 morphological characters of 61 species
resulted in 2922 equally most parsimonious trees of 193 steps with a consistency
index of 0.34. The strict consensus tree indicates genus Anthostema of subtribe
Anthosteminae as a likely sister group to all other members of tribe
Euphorbieae. The morphological data support a monophyletic origin of subtribe
Euphorbiinae, but the subtribes Anthosteminae and Neoquillauminiinae did not
form monophyletic groups. Although the previous taxonomic treatments within
tribe Euphorbieae have supported the generic status of Pedilanthus, Monadenium,
Synadenium, Chamaesyce, and Elaeophorbia, the results of this analysis do not
support generic placement of them based on cladistic principles. Recognition of
these groups as genera results in Euphorbia becoming a paraphyletic group. One
solution to this problem in Euphorbieae is to divide the largest genus Euphorbia
into several monophyletic genera and to keep the generic ranks for previously
recognized genera. The distribution of basal endemic genera in Euphorbieae
showed African and east Gondwanan affinities and strongly indicated that the
ancestor of Euphorbieae originated prior to the breakup of Gondwanaland from an
old group in Euphorbiaceae. However, some recent African taxa of Euphorbia
should be interpreted by transoceanic dispersal from the New World ancestors.
PMID: 10817978 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
51: Phytomedicine 2000 Mar;7(1):31-8
Antiamoebic and spasmolytic activities of extracts from some antidiarrhoeal
traditional preparations used in Kinshasa, Congo.
Tona L, Kambu K, Ngimbi N, Mesia K, Penge O, Lusakibanza M, Cimanga K, De Bruyne
T, Apers S, Totte J, Pieters L, Vlietinck AJ.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Three major extracts from some traditional preparations, based on medicinal
plants, used as antidiarrhoeal agents were investigated for their putative
antiamoebic and spasmolytic activities in vitro. Results indicated that both
biological activities are concentrated in the polyphenolic fraction, and not in
the saponin or alkaloid containing fractions. The most active polyphenolic
extracts were those from Euphorbia hirta whole plant, leaves of Alchornea
cordifolia, Crossopteryx febrifuga, Nauclea latifolia, Psidium guajava, Tithonia
diversifolia, stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis, Mangifera indica,
Maprounea africana and Psidium guajava, inhibiting Entamoeba histolytica growth
with MAC < 10 micrograms/ml. The same extracts, at a concentration of 80
micrograms/ml in an organ bath, also exhibited more than 70% inhibition of
acetylcholine and/or KCl solution-induced contractions on isolated guinea-pig
ileum.
PMID: 10782488 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
52: J Ethnopharmacol 2000 May;70(2):119-25
Molluscicidal activity of some Saudi Arabian euphorbiales against the snail
Biomphalaria pfeifferi.
Al-Zanbagi NA, Banaja AA, Barrett J.
Department of Biology, King Abdul-Aziz University Saudi Arabia, Jeddah.
The comparative susceptibility of the snail vector of intestinal
schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria pfeifferi to the action of extracts from Saudi
Arabian Euphorbiales has been determined. Methanol and chloroform extracts of
the plants tested (Jatropha glauca, Euphorbia helioscopia and Euphorbia
schimperiana) were the most promising from the molluscicidal point of view with
LD(50) values in the range 10-100 ppm.
PMID: 10771201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
53: Phytochemistry 2000 Mar;53(6):639-44
Cucumisin-like protease from the latex of Euphorbia supina.
Arima K, Uchikoba T, Yonezawa H, Shimada M, Kaneda M.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kagoshima University, Japan.
A protease has been purified from the latex of Euphorbia supina Rafin by two
steps of chromatography. The Mr was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 80 kDa. Its
activity was inhibited strongly by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, but not by EDTA,
pepstatin, or cysteine protease inhibitors, indicating that the enzyme is a
serine protease. The specificity of the protease is broad, but the preferential
cleavage sites were C-terminal sites of hydrophobic amino acid residues. The
N-terminal sequence of the first fifteen residues was determined and six of the
residues match those in cucumisin [EC 3.4.21.25], a protease from the sarcocarp
of melon fruit (Cucumis melo L. var. Prince). The results indicate that the E.
supina protease is a cucumisin-like serine protease.
PMID: 10746875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
54: Fitoterapia 2000 Apr;71(2):134-42
Polycyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia characias.
Appendino G, Belloro E, Tron GC, Jakupovic J, Ballero M.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Via Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino,
Italy. appendin@pharm.unito.it
In addition to widespread flavonoids, a collection of Euphorbia characias from
Sardinia afforded 13 oxygenated diterpenoids of the atisane, abietane, pimarane,
and kaurane type. Four of these compounds (1, 3a, 7a,b) are new. The
accumulation of substantial amounts of biologically active diterpenoids of
limited availability, like ent-atisanes endowed with anti-HIV activity and
ent-abietanolides active on the central nervous system, makes E. characias an
interesting source of lead compounds for biomedical research.
PMID: 10727809 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
55: J Pharm Pharmacol 2000 Jan;52(1):119-24
Inhibitory effect of euphol, a triterpene alcohol from the roots of Euphorbia
kansui, on tumour promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in two-stage
carcinogenesis in mouse skin.
Yasukawa K, Akihisa T, Yoshida ZY, Takido M.
College of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan.
The anti-inflammatory activity of euphol, twelve other triterpene alcohols and
sitosterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from the dichloromethane extract of
the roots of Euphorbia kansui, has been evaluated in mice with inflammation
induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). TPA (1.7 nmol; 1.0
microg/ear) was dissolved in acetone and 10 microL delivered to the inner and
outer surfaces of the right ear of ICR mice. A triterpene alcohol, sterol
glucoside or vehicle (20 microL; chloroform-methanol 1:1), was applied topically
approximately 30 min before each TPA treatment. The ear thickness was measured
before treatment and then oedema was measured 6 h after TPA treatment. For the
two-stage carcinogenesis experiment, initiation was accomplished by
administration of a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
(DMBA; 195 nmol; 50 microg/mouse) to the shaved backs of mice. Promotion was
with 1.7 nmol (1.0 microg) TPA, applied twice weekly to the same shaved area,
begun one week after the initiation. Euphol (2.0 micromol; 853 microg), or its
vehicle (acetone-dimethylsulphoxide, 9:1; 100 microL), was applied topically 30
min before each TPA treatment. The number and diameter of skin tumours were
measured every other week for 20 weeks. All the compounds were found to possess
marked inhibitory activity and their 50% inhibitory dose for TPA-induced
inflammation was 0.2-1.0 mg/ear. Topical application of euphol (2.0 micromol;
853 microg/mouse) markedly suppressed the tumour-promoting effect of TPA (1.7
nmol; 1.0 microg/mouse) in mouse skin initiated with DMBA.
PMID: 10716613 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
56: J Nat Prod 2000 Feb;63(2):267-9
Nonpolar components of the latex of Euphorbia peplus.
Giner JL, Berkowitz JD, Andersson T.
Department of Chemistry, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA.
jlginer@syr.edu
The less polar fractions of the latex of Euphorbia peplus were found to contain
obtusifoliol, cycloartenol, 24-methylenecycloartanol, lanosterol, and
24-methylenelanosterol in the free and esterified triterpene alcohol fractions;
9-cis-tricosene as the major component of the hydrocarbon fraction; and a new
acyclic triterpene alcohol named peplusol (1). The structure of 1 was determined
as the R-isomer of (all-E)-2-(5,9-dimethyl-1-methylene-4,8-decadienyl)-5,9,
13-trimethyl-4,8,12-tetradecatrien-1-ol by spectral and chemical methods.
PMID: 10691725 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
57: J Nat Prod 2000 Jan;63(1):99-103
Bioactive steroids from the whole herb of Euphorbia chamaesyce.
Tanaka R, Kasubuchi K, Kita S, Tokuda H, Nishino H, Matsunaga S.
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
4-20-1 Nasahara, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1094, Japan. tanakar@oysun01.oups.ac.jp
Three new ergostane-type steroids, 3beta-hydroxy-4alpha,
14alpha-dimethyl-5alpha-ergosta-8,24(28)-dien-11 -one (1); 3beta,
11alpha-dihydroxy-4alpha,14alpha-dimethyl-5alpha -ergosta-8, 24(28)-dien-7-one
(2); and 3beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-4alpha,
14alpha-dimethyl-5alpha-ergosta-8,24(28)-dien-11 -one (3), were isolated,
together with two known triterpenoids, wrightial and
lup-20(30)-ene-3beta,29-diol from the whole herb of Euphorbia chamaesyce.
Compound 3 showed a potent inhibitory effect on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen
activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate
(TPA).
PMID: 10650087 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
58: Am J Bot 2000 Jan;87(1):48-55
Pollinator-mediated interactions between a pathogenic fungus, Uromyces pisi
(Pucciniaceae), and its host plant,Euphorbia cyparissias (Euphorbiaceae).
Pfunder M, Roy BA.
Geobotanical Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich,
Zurichbergstrasse 38,8044 Zurich, Switzerland.
The plant Euphorbia cyparissias is commonly infected by rust fungi of the
species complex Uromyces pisi. When infected, E. cyparissias is unable to
flower, but instead is induced by the fungus to form pseudoflowers.
Pseudoflowers are rosettes of yellow leaves upon which the fungus presents its
gametes in a sweet-smelling fungal nectar. We hypothesized that the fungi, as
they are heterothallic, are dependent on insect visitation to cross-fertilize
their mating types. We confirmed that insects are required with an insect
exclusion experiment. We further hypothesized that pseudoflowers of U. pisi
interact with uninfected true host flowers through insects during their period
of co-"flowering" in early spring. We conducted artificial array experiments in
the field to test whether the two species share insects and whether they
influenced each other's insect visitation. Insects moved between true flowers
and pseudoflowers, but true flowers received more visits over all. Pseudoflowers
and true flowers did not influence each other's visitation rates in mixtures.
However, shorter visits were observed on pseudoflowers in mixtures than
monocultures, suggesting that true flowers might be competitors for
pseudoflowers. Further experiments are needed to determine whether the
similarity of pseudoflowers to true flowers is adaptive.
PMID: 10636829 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
59: Arch Ophthalmol 2000 Jan;118(1):13-6
Comment in:
Arch Ophthalmol. 2000 Aug;118(8):1141.
The spectrum of ocular inflammation caused by euphorbia plant sap.
Eke T, Al-Husainy S, Raynor MK.
Department of Ophthalmology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVE: To report the spectrum of clinical findings in patients with ocular
inflammation caused by plant sap from Euphorbia species. DESIGN: Clinical case
series. SETTING: Ophthalmology emergency referrals in the United Kingdom.
PATIENTS: We examined 7 patients, all of whom gave a history of recent ocular
exposure to the sap of Euphorbia species. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were
treated with antibiotic drops or ointment (chloramphenicol). Cycloplegic and
steroid drops were also used for some patients. Patients were observed until all
signs and symptoms had resolved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms, visual acuity,
and clinical signs of inflammation. All patients provided a specimen of the
plant for formal identification. RESULTS: Initial symptoms were generally
burning or stinging pain with blurred vision. In most cases, visual acuity was
reduced between 1 and 2 Snellen lines. In 1 patient with age-related
maculopathy, acuity dropped from 20/80 to hand motions before recovering.
Clinical findings varied from a mild epithelial keratoconjunctivitis to a severe
keratitis with stromal edema, epithelial sloughing, and anterior uveitis. All
signs and symptoms had resolved by 1 to 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These cases
illustrate the range of severity of Euphorbia sap keratouveitis. The condition
seems to be self-limiting when managed supportively. People who work with
Euphorbia plant species should wear eye protection. Clinicians managing
keratopathy caused by Euphorbia species should be aware of the danger of
sight-threatening infection and uveitis, particularly during the first few days.
PMID: 10636407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
60: J Ethnopharmacol 1999 Dec 15;68(1-3):193-203
Antimalarial activity of 20 crude extracts from nine African medicinal plants
used in Kinshasa, Congo.
Tona L, Ngimbi NP, Tsakala M, Mesia K, Cimanga K, Apers S, De Bruyne T, Pieters
L, Totte J, Vlietinck AJ.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Twenty extracts including ten EtOH and ten CH2Cl2 from different parts of nine
African medicinal plants used in Congolese traditional medicine for the
treatment of malaria, were submitted to a pharmacological test in order to
evaluate their effect on P. falciparum growth in vitro. Of these plant species,
14 (70%) extracts including EtOH and CH2Cl2 from Cassia occidentalis leaves,
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta root bark, Euphorbia hirta whole plant, Garcinia kola
stem bark and seeds, Morinda lucida leaves and Phyllanthus niruri whole plant
produced more than 60% inhibition of the parasite growth in vitro at a test
concentration of 6 microg/ml. Extracts from E. hirta, C. sanguinolenta and M.
morindoides showed a significant chemosuppression of parasitaemia in mice
infected with P. berghei berghei at orally given doses of 100-400 mg/kg per day.
PMID: 10624878 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
61: Planta 1999 Nov;210(1):85-96
Rubber particles from four different species, examined by transmission electron
microscopy and electron-paramagnetic-resonance spin labeling, are found to
consist of a homogeneous rubber core enclosed by a contiguous, monolayer
biomembrane
Cornish K, Wood DF, Windle JJ.
USDA, ARS, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA
94710, USA.
The physical characteristics of rubber particles from the four rubber
(cis-1,4-polyisoprene) producing species Euphorbia lactiflua Phil., Ficus
elastica Roxb., Hevea brasiliensis Mull. Arg., and Parthenium argentatum Gray,
were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and
electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) spin labeling spectroscopy. Transmission
electron microscopy showed the rubber particles to be composed of a spherical,
homogeneous, core of rubber enclosed by a contiguous, electron-dense,
single-track surface layer. The biochemical composition of the surface layer and
its single-track TEM suggested that a monolayer biomembrane was the surface
structure most compatible with the hydrophobic rubber core. The EPR spectra for
a series of positional isomers of doxyl stearic acid, used to label the surface
layer of the rubber particles, exhibited flexibility gradients and evidence for
lipid-protein interactions for all four rubber particle types that is consistent
with a biomembrane-like surface. The EPR spectra confirmed that the surface
biomembrane is a monolayer. Thus, rubber particles appear similar to oil bodies
in their basic architecture. The EPR spectra also provided information on
protein location and degree of biomembrane penetration that correlated with the
known properties of the rubber-particle-bound proteins. The monolayer
biomembrane serves as an interface between the hydrophobic rubber interior and
the aqueous cytosol and prevents aggregation of the particles. An unexpected
observation for the probes in pure polyisoprene was evidence of an intrinsic
flexibility gradient associated with the stearic acid molecule itself.
PMID: 10592036 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
62: J Nat Prod 1999 Oct;62(10):1399-404
Diterpenoids from euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii
Appendino G, Belloro E, Tron GC, Jakupovic J, Ballero M.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Universita di Torino, Via
Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy, Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Universita di
Cagliari, Viale San Ignazio 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy, and Analyticon AG,
Hermannswe.
The aerial parts of Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii collected in Sardinia
afforded eleven novel diterpenoids belonging to the lathyrane (1a), premyrsinane
(4a-g), and tigliane (5a-c) types. Compounds 4a-g and 5a are esters of two new
parent alcohols, named premyrsinol and 4,12,20-trideoxyphorbol, respectively.
Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Puzzling
differences between the NMR data of lathyrol (1c) and its esters were
rationalized in terms of flipping of the exomethylene around the mean plane of
the macrocycle.
PMID: 10543901 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
63: Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 1999 Sep;215(3):203-4
[Dermatitis and conjunctivitis after contact with Euphorbia myrsinites (wolf's
milk extract)--a case report]
[Article in German]
Eberle MM, Erb C, Flammer J, Meyer P.
Universitats-Augenklinik Basel.
BACKGROUND: Fresh sap of euphorbiaceae leads to a toxic burn of the skin and the
eyes. Since years the sap of euphorbiaceae has been used in the treatment of
different kinds of verrucas. PATIENTS: After contact with the sap of Euphorbia
myrsinites three children developed a toxic dermatitis. In addition, the
youngest girl showed a conjunctivitis and an occlusion of the right eye.
Phorbolesters are considered to be responsible for the toxicity of the
euphorbiaceae. All three children have resulted in a restitutio ad integrum.
CONCLUSION: This case report is demonstrating the danger of toxic burn of this
kind of plant.
PMID: 10528288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
64: J Environ Sci Health B 1999 Mar;34(2):289-303
The influence of environmental factors on the molluscicidal activity of
Euphorbia milii latex.
Oliveira-Filho EC, De-Carvalho RR, Paumgartten FJ.
Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National School for Public Health,
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of biotic (snail
size and presence of food during the test) and abiotic factors (temperature,
water hardness and concentration of organic materials) on the molluscicidal
activity of Euphorbia milii latex. Bioassays were conducted with B. glabrata (10
snails per concentration) and snail lethality was evaluated after 24 hr and 48
hr of exposure to lyophilized latex solutions. Neither the degree of water
hardness, nor the presence of food during the test affected latex-induced snail
mortality. The snail size had a minor influence on E. milii-induced snail
lethality. Newly-hatched (shell diameter < or = 1 mm) as well as young (3-8 mm)
snails were slightly less susceptible than older (10-25 mm) mollusks. On the
other hand, the molluscicidal effect of E. milii latex was modified by
environmental factors such as temperature (i.e., LC50 and LC90 values were
halved for every 10 degrees C rise in temperature) and concentration of organic
materials in the water (i.e. the higher the concentration of organic matter, the
higher the LC50 value). The efficacy of E. milii latex as a molluscicide can be
modified by factors such as water temperature and concentration of organic
materials, and to a lesser extent by snail size.
PMID: 10507917 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
65: Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999 Aug 2;261(2):499-503
Piceatannol, a stilbene phytochemical, inhibits mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase
activity by targeting the F1 complex.
Zheng J, Ramirez VD.
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA.
Piceatannol is a stilbene phytochemical from the seeds of Euphorbia lagascae,
previously identified as an antileukemic principle. Piceatannol is considered an
inhibitor of several tyrosine kinases. We recently reported that resveratrol,
another stilbene phytoalexin from grape seeds, was an inhibitor of ATP synthase.
Here, we demonstrated that piceatannol potently inhibited the rat brain
mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase activity in both solubilized and submitochondrial
preparations (IC50 of 8-9 microM), while having relatively small effect on the
Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity of porcine cerebral cortex (no effect up to 7
microM). Piceatannol inhibited the ATPase activity of the purified rat liver F1
with IC50 of about 4 microM, while resveratrol was slightly less active (IC50 of
about 14 microM). Our results indicate that piceatannol and resveratrol inhibit
the F-type ATPase by targeting the F1 sector, which is located to the inner
membrane of mitochondria and plasma membrane of normal endothelial cells and
several cancer cell lines. This mechanism could potentially contribute to the
multiple effects of these chemopreventive phytochemicals. Copyright 1999
Academic Press.
PMID: 10425214 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
66: J Nat Prod 1999 Jul;62(7):1016-8
New diterpenoids from euphorbia teheranica
Ahmad VU, Jassbi AR.
HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270,
Pakistan.
Two novel pentacyclic diterpenoid esters of the cyclomyrsinane type (1, 2), and
one tetracyclic diterpenoid ester of the myrsinane type (3) were isolated from
the aerial parts of the plant Euphorbia teheranica. The structures of the novel
compounds were determined by spectral data interpretation.
PMID: 10425130 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
67: Phytochemistry 1999 Jul;51(5):673-7
Jatrophane diterpenoids from Euphorbia peplus.
Hohmann J, Vasas A, Gunther G, Dombi G, Blazso G, Falkay G, Mathe I, Jerkovich
G.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University, Szeged,
Hungary.
From the pro-inflammatory active extract of Euphorbia peplus, a new diterpene
polyester (1) based on the jatrophane skeleton was isolated together with the
known compounds 2-5. The irritant activities of some jatrophane diterpenes (2, 3
and 6-9) were also investigated: only compound 2 was found to exert a weak
pro-inflammatory activity on mouse ear.
PMID: 10392470 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
68: Yakugaku Zasshi 1999 May;119(5):319-39
[Terpenoids and steroids from several euphorbiaceae and pinaceae plants]
[Article in Japanese]
Tanaka R, Matsunaga S.
Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan.
During the course of a search for biologically active constituents from
unexamined plant sources, several biogenetically interesting new di- and
tri-terpenes and steroids were isolated from several weeds and shrubs of
Euphorbiaceae and the bark, leaves and cones of several Pinaceae trees which had
been treated as wastes in the forestry industry. Euphorbia supina contained
3,4-seco-5 alpha- and 5 beta-adian-4(23)-ene-3,5-diols and related oxides,
oxygenated fern-8-en-3 beta-ols named supinenolones A-E and unusually migrated
oxyfernanes having (9S)- and (9R)-7(8-->9)abeo-9-D:C-friedo-B':A'-neogammacerane
skeletons named spirosupinane and neospirosupinane, while E. chamaesyce
contained 3,4-seco-oleana-4(23), 18-dien-3-oic acid, 3,4-seco-8 beta
H-ferna-4(23),9(11)-dien-3-oic acid and two oxygenated obtusifoliols. The bark
of Phyllanthus flexuosus (Euphorbiaceae) contained 11
beta-hydroxy-D:A-friedo-olean-1-en-3-one, lup-20(29)-ene-3 beta, 15 alpha-diol,
olean-12-ene-3 beta,15 alpha-diol and olean-12-ene-3 beta,15 alpha,24-triol
together with trichadenic acid B for which we revised the structure to 3
beta-hydroxy-D:A-friedo-oleanan-27-oic acid. Two 26-nor-D:A-friedo-olean-14-enes
were isolated from P. watsonii. Regarding Pinaceae trees, an unusually migrated
abieslactone [(3R, 7S, 9R,
23R)-7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-8-oxo-7(8-->9)abeo-lanost-24-eno-26,23-lactone], named
spiroveitchionolide, was isolated from the bark of Abies species, besides nine
abieslactone analogues. Two pairs of unusually migrated serratanes, piceanonols
A and B and jezananals A and B having novel skeletal systems of 14(13-->12)
abeo- and 16(15-->14) abeo-serratanes named piceanane and jezanane,
respectively, were also isolated from the stem bark of Picea species, besides
three 14 beta,15 beta-epoxyserratanes and two 13 alpha,14 alpha-epoxyserratanes.
The leaves of Larix kaempferi contained two deformed abietanes named karamatsuic
acid (9,10-seco-9,10 alpha-epoxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-18-oic acid) and
larikaempferic acid [9 alpha,13 alpha-epoxy-8-oxo-9(8-->7)abeo-7
beta-abietan-18-oic acid], as well as the cones to contain 8 alpha,12
alpha-epidioxy-15-hydroxyabiet-13-en-18-oic acid, three diepoxy-abietan-18-oic
acids and two new dehydroabietic acid analogues. Several of the above compounds
exhibited inhibitory effects against tumor-promoting and DNA topoisomerase II
activities.
Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 10375995 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
69: Phytochemistry 1999 May;51(2):289-95
Tumor promoting diterpenes from Euphorbia leuconeura L.
Vogg G, Mattes E, Rothenburger J, Hertkorn N, Achatz S, Sandermann H Jr.
Institut fur Biochemische Pflanzenpathologie, GSF-Forschungszentrum fur Umwelt
und Gesundheit GmbH, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
Diterpene esters of the phorbol and ingenol types are known to be highly active
tumor promoting agents that typically occur in members of the Euphorbiaceae. In
the present work, Euphorbia leuconeura, a rare indoor plant, is analyzed for its
tumor promoting potential. Latex as well as total leaf extracts exhibited
Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV) inducing activity comparable to
12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-O-acetate, a well known tumor promoter. The
activity of individual fractions correlated with their ingenol ester content.
Three ingenol esters with EBV inducing activity could be isolated and
identified. They belong to the milliamine type of diterpene esters that contain
aromatic peptidyl groups. Two of them (milliamines L and M) are already known
from E. milii. The third compound is identified as an isomer of milliamine F
with a novel 3,20-diester arrangement. The data show a close relationship
between E. leuconeura and the more popular indoor plant E. milii whose latex is
also used as a powerful molluscicide.
PMID: 10365450 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
70: J Ethnopharmacol 1999 Apr;65(1):63-9
Euphorbia hirta leaf extracts increase urine output and electrolytes in rats.
Johnson PB, Abdurahman EM, Tiam EA, Abdu-Aguye I, Hussaini IM.
Department of Pharmacology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Euphorbia hirta is locally used in Africa and Australia to treat numerous
diseases, including hypertension and edema. The diuretic effect of the E. hirta
leaf extracts were assessed in rats using acetazolamide and furosemide as
standard diuretic drugs. The water and ethanol extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg) of
the plant produced time-dependent increase in urine output. Electrolyte
excretion was also significantly affected by the plant extracts. The water
extract increased the urine excretion of Na+, K+ and HCO3-. In contrast, the
ethanol extract increased the excretion of HCO3- decreased the loss of K+ and
had little effect on renal removal of Na+. Acetazolamide, like the water
extract, increased urine output and enhanced the excretion of Na+, K+ and HCO3-.
The high-ceiling diuretic, furosemide, increased the renal excretion of Na+ and
Cl-; but had no effect on K+ and HCO3- loss. This study suggests that the active
component(s) in the water extract of E. hirta leaf had similar diuretic spectrum
to that of acetazolamide. These results validate the traditional use of E. hirta
as a diuretic agent by the Swahilis and Sukumas.
PMID: 10350369 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
71: Phytomedicine 1999 Mar;6(1):59-66
Biological screening of traditional preparations from some medicinal plants used
as antidiarrhoeal in Kinshasa, Congo.
Tona L, Kambu K, Mesia K, Cimanga K, Apers S, De Bruyne T, Pieters L, Totte J,
Vlietinck AJ.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Kinshasa, Dem. Rep. of Congo.
Forty six aqueous extracts from 38 medicinal plant species belonging to
different families were selected on the basis of their traditional medicinal use
as antidiarrhoeic agents. They were submitted in a broad biological screening
including antibacterial, antiamoebic and antispasmodic activities. The results
of the testing have indicated that 37 extracts (80.43%), 33 (71.74%) and 32
(69.54%) exhibited some level of antibacterial, antiamoebic and antispasmodic
activity respectively. Only 8 plant extracts (17.39%) would act as
antidiarrhoeic agents by a triple pronounced antibacterial, antiamoebic and
antispasmodic action. They include aqueous extracts from Euphorbia hirta whole
plant, leaves of Psidium guajava and Tithonia diversifolia, root bark of
Alchornea cordifolia, Heinsia pulchella, Paropsia brazzeana, Rauwolfia obscura
and Voacanga africana.
PMID: 10228613 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
72: Phytother Res 1999 Feb;13(1):31-6
Inhibitory effects of Sudanese plant extracts on HIV-1 replication and HIV-1
protease.
Hussein G, Miyashiro H, Nakamura N, Hattori M, Kawahata T, Otake T, Kakiuchi N,
Shimotohno K.
Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Traditional Sino-Japanese Medicines), Toyama
Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Forty-eight methanol and aqueous extracts from Sudanese plants were screened for
their inhibitory activity on viral replication. Nineteen extracts showed
inhibitory effects on HIV-induced cytopathic effects (CPE) on MT-4 cells. The
extracts were further screened against HIV-1 protease (PR) using an HPLC assay
method. Of the tested extracts, the methanol extracts of Acacia nilotica (bark
and pods), Euphorbia granulata (leaves), Maytenus senegalensis (stem-bark) and
aqueous extracts of A. nilotica (pods) and M. senegalensis (stem-bark) showed
considerable inhibitory effects against HIV-1 PR. Inhibitory principles were
isolated from M. senegalensis and their activities were also discussed.
PMID: 10189947 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
73: Planta Med 1998 Dec;64(8):754-6
Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of the compounds from Euphorbia kansui.
Zheng WF, Cui Z, Zhu Q.
Eleven compounds including four triterpenes, one sterol, and six diterpenes from
E kansui had been assayed for their cytotoxicity and activiral activity. The
relations between structures and bioactivities have also been noted.
Publication Types:
Letter
PMID: 9933994 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
74: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1998;93 Suppl 1:235-7
Effects of Euphorbia milii latex on Schistosoma mansoni eggs, miracidia and
cercariae.
De-Carvalho RR, Maldonado Junior A, Oliveira Filho EC, Ribeiro AC, Paumgartten
FJ, Rey L.
Laboratorio de Toxicologia Ambiental, Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Fiocruz,
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
PMID: 9921358 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
75: Mycoses 1998 Dec;41(11-12):529-33
Euphorbia hirta leaves and Musa sapientum fruits in culture media for fungi.
Emele FE, Agbonlahor DE, Ahanotu C.
Medical Microbiology Department, Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital,
Sokoto, Nigeria.
Two plant products, Euphorbia hirta leaves and fruits of Musa sapientum, were
evaluated as principal ingredients for selective cultivation of fungi. Sapientum
glucose agar supported the growth of both dermatophytic, yeast-like, and
saprophytic fungi; growth on this medium compared favourably with growth on
Sabouraud glucose agar, a standard mycological medium. Sporulation and pigment
formation were stronger on sapientum glucose agar than on Sabouraud glucose
agar, although fungal growth on the latter was more luxuriant. Addition of
Euphorbia extract to mycological media remarkably enhanced fungal growth on the
media, and concomitantly suppressed bacterial growth to a similar extent as did
antibiotics. The results of this study suggest that Euphorbia sapientum glucose
agar can safely be recommended as a cheap and efficient medium for routine
isolation of fungi in both clinical and general mycological studies.
PMID: 9919898 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
76: J Nat Prod 1999 Jan;62(1):176-8
A novel lathyrane diterpenoid from the roots of euphorbia lathyris
Hohmann J, Evanics F, Vasas A, Dombi G, Jerkovich G, Mathe I I.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University, P.O. Box
121, H-6701 Szeged, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Medical University, 4 Somogyi u., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary, and Spectr.
A new lathyrane diterpene (1) has been isolated and characterized from a CH2Cl2
extract of the roots of Euphorbia lathyris. Detailed spectral analysis revealed
that the structure of 1, including relative stereochemistry, is that of a
diester of a hitherto unknown, polyfunctional diterpene parent alcohol.
PMID: 9917314 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
77: J Nat Prod 1999 Jan;62(1):110-3
Isoterracinolides A and B, novel bishomoditerpene lactones from euphorbia
terracina
Marco JA, Sanz-Cervera JF, Yuste A, Jakupovic J.
Departamento de Quimica Organica, Universidad de Valencia, E-46100 Burjassot,
Valencia, Spain, and Institut fur Organische Chemie, Technische Universitat
Berlin, D-10623 Berlin, Germany.
An extract of Euphorbia terracina L. has yielded six acylated polyhydroxy
terpenoid lactones (1-6), which all display the C22 17-ethyljatrophane carbon
framework. Four of these (1-4) are delta lactones belonging to the previously
described terracinolide type, and two of them (2, 3) are new. Two further new
compounds have been named isoterracinolides A (5) and B (6) and exhibit an
eight-membered lactone ring. Another isolated new compound is the
jolkinolide-type, ent-abietane gamma lactone (7).
PMID: 9917294 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
78: J Nat Prod 1999 Jan;62(1):107-9
Isolation and structure revision of pepluane diterpenoids from euphorbia peplus
Hohmann J, G nther G, Vasas A, Kalman A, Argay G.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University, P.O. Box
121, H-6701 Szeged, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Medical University, 4 Somogyi u., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary, and Instit.
A new pepluane diterpene polyester (2) was isolated from a CH2Cl2 extract of the
whole, undried plant of Euphorbia peplus, together with the known compound 1.
The structures were established by high-field spectroscopic methods, including
2D NMR techniques, and by X-ray crystallography, and the stereostructure of the
first member of the pepluane diterpenoids (1) was revised.
PMID: 9917293 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
79: J Nat Prod 1999 Jan;62(1):76-9
An expeditious procedure for the isolation of ingenol from the seeds of
euphorbia lathyris
Appendino G, Tron GC, Cravotto G, Palmisano G, Jakupovic J.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Giuria 9, 10125 Torino,
Italy, and Institut fur Organische Chemie, Technische Universitat Berlin,
Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
A short and practical process for the isolation of ingenol (1a) from an
agricultural commodity (the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris) is described.
Macrocyclic diterpene esters are obtained as byproducts, and the esterification
pattern of the Euphorbia factors L2 (3), L3 (4a), and L8 (4b) was established by
2D NMR measurements. Full spectroscopic data for these compounds are reported.
PMID: 9917286 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
80: Bioorg Med Chem Lett 1998 Oct 20;8(20):2829-32
In vitro inhibitory effects of DNA topoisomerase II by fernane-type
triterpenoids isolated from a Euphorbia genus.
Wada S, Tanaka R, Iida A, Matsunaga S.
Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan.
Several kinds of naturally occurring fernane-type triterpenoids isolated from a
Euphorbia genus were tested on the inhibitory effects of DNA Topoisomerases I
(Topo I) and II (Topo II) activities. A-ring cleaved 3,4-seco-8 beta
H-ferna-4(23),9(11)-dien-3-oic acid and its 3-hydroxyl derivative were found to
be selective inhibitors of Topo II activity without the stabilization of a
DNA/Topo II cleavable complex.
PMID: 9873631 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
81: Cutis 1998 Nov;62(5):221-2
Botanical briefs: leafy spurge--Euphorbia esula l.
McGovern TW, Barkley TM.
Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven,
Connecticut 06519, USA.
PMID: 9836052 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
82: Med Res Rev 1998 Nov;18(6):375-82
Recent advances on bioactive natural products from Chinese medicinal plants.
Qin GW, Xu RS.
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's
Republic of China. gwqin@server.shcnc.ac.cn
China has accumulated a rich body of empirical knowledge of the use of medicinal
plants for the treatment of various diseases throughout its long history.
Chemical studies on Chinese medicinal plants provide a valuable material base
for the discovery and development of new drugs of natural origin. In this
article recent chemical work on various Chinese medicinal plants is reviewed,
including Mussaenda pubescens (Rubiaceae), Isatis indigotica (Cruciferae),
Euphorbia fischeriana, and E. ebracteolata (Euphorbiaceae), and Stemona species
(Stemonaceae). The structural diversity of the medicinal chemical constituents
of the above plants is discussed.
Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 9828038 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
83: Dakar Med 1997;42(2):169-71
[Application of phytotherapy in odontology: the case of Euphorbia balsamifera.
Endodontic clinical trial]
[Article in French]
Yam AA, Gaye F, Dieme FA, Bassene E, Ba I.
Institut d'Odontologie-Stomatologie, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar.
Phytotherapy is a medicinal and ancestral practice in Africa. It deals with all
the fields of human pathology. We wanted to ascertain the efficacy of some
plants used in odontology as Euphorbia balsamifera traditionally used as
antalgic treatment of acute dental pulpitis. The latex of the plant was caught
and treated as to get enough stable paste. We used that paste in the same
conditions we use arsenical nerve caustics, a pulpal devitalizer widely used in
dental offices. The study carried out on 37 teeth has shown that latex of
Euphorbia balsamifera is an effective pulpal devitalizing in contact with the
pulp. Its lifetime action was comparable to that of the pulpal nerve caustics.
The active principles are not known, however the product seems attractive as a
pulpal devitalizing agent.
PMID: 9827145 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
84: Scand J Urol Nephrol 1998 Sep;32(5):331-4
Intravesical resiniferatoxin for the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia
refractory to capsaicin in patients with chronic spinal cord diseases.
Lazzeri M, Spinelli M, Beneforti P, Zanollo A, Turini D.
Department of Urology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Resiniferatoxin (RTX), a substance isolated from some species of
Euphorbia, a cactus-like plant, shows pharmacological effects similar to those
of capsaicin. We have studied the possibility of treating detrusor hyperreflexia
refractory to intravesical capsaicin in patients with chronic spinal cord
injuries, thereby providing insight into the mechanism of action of RTX on
sensory neurons and its possible future pharmacological and clinical use.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: RTX saline solution (30 ml at a concentration of 10(-5)
M) was instilled into the bladder of 7 patients with detrusor hyperreflexia,
refractory to intravesical capsaicin therapy, and left in place for 30 min.
Effects on bladder function were monitored during the treatment and at follow-up
(15 days and 4 weeks later). RESULTS: Fifteen days after RTX, the mean
cystomanometric capacity increased significantly from 190 ml +/- 20 ml to 407.14
ml +/- 121.06 (p < 0.01), and it remained high four weeks later (421.66 +/-
74.40 p < 0.01). After 15 days, four patients had a pharmacologically induced
detrusor areflexia. They emptied their bladders by clean intermittent
catheterization. After four weeks, only two patients still had a
pharmacologically induced detrusor areflexia. Clinically, three patients
remained dry, and the other three reported a significant improvement in their
incontinence and symptoms (frequency, urgency and nocturia). CONCLUSIONS: By
interfering with sensory unmyelinated fibers, intravesical RTX seems to be a
promising treatment option for selected cases of detrusor hyperreflexia. The
ideal dosage and treatment interval have not yet been established, and further
studies are necessary to confirm our preliminary results.
PMID: 9825395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
85: Contact Dermatitis 1998 Oct;39(4):166-70
Immediate skin and mucosal symptoms from pot plants and vegetables in gardeners
and greenhouse workers.
Paulsen E, Skov PS, Andersen KE.
Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Short-lived occupational skin symptoms of irritant or urticarial nature were
commonly reported among 253 attendants in a clinical study on occupational
dermatitis in Danish gardeners and greenhouse workers. Aimed prick or
scratch-patch testing for immediate skin and mucosal symptoms was performed in
105 persons with plants as is. 35 persons (33%) had at least 1 positive reaction
and a family history of, or personal, atopy was significantly more prevalent
among these compared to attendants with negative reactions. Positive histamine
release tests made immunologic etiology probable in Schlumbergera cacti,
Stephanotis floribunda, Euphorbia pulcherrima and Gerbera reactions. Other new
species implicated in immediate-type reactions included Ficus pumila, Gardenia
jasminoides, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Campanula, Columnea, Epipremnum aureum,
Pelargonium and Primula vulgaris. Because of the high prevalence of short-lived
skin symptoms and because contact urticaria may present itself as a dermatitis,
it is recommended that one supplement patch tests with tests for immediate
reactions.
PMID: 9817221 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
86: J Enzyme Inhib 1998 Aug;13(5):311-25
Inhibitors of plant copper amine oxidases.
Padiglia A, Medda R, Pedersen JZ, Lorrai A, Pec P, Frebort I, Floris G.
Department of Biochemistry and Human Physiology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
In this review, inhibitors of plant copper amine oxidases from Lens esculenta
seedlings, Pisum sativum seedlings, and Euphorbia characias latex are described.
Reversible competitive inhibitors and non-competitive inhibitors, irreversible
active-site directed inhibitors and mechanism-based inactivators are reviewed in
regard to their mechanisms of action.
Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 9793836 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
87: J Nat Prod 1998 Oct;61(10):1198-201
Diterpene polyesters from euphorbia seguieriana
Oksuz S, Gurek F, Qiu SX, Cordell GA.
University of Istanbul, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Chemistry, 34452
Istanbul, Turkey, TUBITAK, Marmara Research Center, Department of Chemistry,
P.O. Box 21, 41470 Gebze, Turkey, Program for Collaborative Research in the
Pharmaceutic.
An Me2CO extract of Euphorbia seguieriana (Euphorbiaceae) afforded seven new
diterpene polyesters (1-7). Five of them (1-5), having a new parent alcohol that
was named 17-hydroxymyrsinol, were structurally related to myrsinol. The other
two compounds (6, 7) were new derivatives of the known parent alcohols
cyclomyrsinol and lathyrane. The structure elucidations of the new compounds by
highfield spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, are
described.
PMID: 9784151 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
88: Yao Xue Xue Bao 1996;31(7):524-9
[Studies on chemical constituents of roots of Euphorbia pekinensis]
[Article in Chinese]
Kong LY, Min ZD.
Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University,
Nanjing.
Nine compounds were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr., a
traditional Chinese medicine. By combination of chemical methods and spectral
analyses, the structures of the compounds were identified as lanosterol (I),
octadecanyl-3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzeneacrylate (II), beta-sitosterol (III),
7-hydroxycoumarin (IV), 2, 2'-dimethoxy-3, 3'-dihydroxy-5, 5'-oxygen-6,
6'-biphenylformic anhydride (V), d-pinoresinol (VI), quercetin (VII), 3,
4-dimethoxybenzoic acid (VIII) and 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (IX). II and V are
new compounds which have not been reported in the literature. The other
compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. VI is a lignan which
was first isolated from the plants of genus of Euphorbia.
PMID: 9772694 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
89: Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 1998;45(2):195-207
Saprophytic and cycloheximide resistant fungi isolated from golden hamster.
Bagy MM, el-Shanawany AA, Abdel-Mallek AY.
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Egypt.
Healthy hair samples from golden hamsters were examined for the presence of
dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes using baiting technique and direct
inoculation. Thirty-four species and 2 varieties attributed to 17 genera were
recovered. Paecilomyces variotii (isolated from 84.4% of the examined hair) and
Aspergillus niger (81.3%) were the more frequent isolates on Sabouraud's
dextrose agar (SDA) without cycloheximide. Our results have clearly demonstrated
that the hair of hamster was free from true dermatophytes. Using the dilution
plate method many fungal species were isolated from cage material (7 genera and
10 species + 1 variety); from faeces (10 genera and 17 species); from standard
chow (3 genera and 6 species) of hamster. P. variotii which was the most
frequent fungus in the preceding 3 substrates was completely absent in the
presence of cycloheximide in SDA. The present study has demonstrated for the
first time the isolation of Trichophyton rubrum from hamster faeces. Also,
several saprophytic and cycloheximide resistant fungi were isolated. In the air
of hamster cage Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum,
Alternaria alternata and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were the most dominant
species on SDA with or without cycloheximide. Using the agar diffusion method,
Aloe sap, onion oil, garlic bulb extract and aqueous leaf extracts of Andropogon
citratus, Euphorbia sp. and Ruta graveolens were tested for their antifungal
activity on 10 fungal species. It was observed that onion oil exhibited a high
inhibitory effect against most of the tested fungi.
PMID: 9768288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
90: Plant Mol Biol 1998 Nov 1;38(4):531-8
Cloning and characterization of cold-regulated glycine-rich RNA-binding protein
genes from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and comparison to heterologous
genomic clones.
Horvath DP, Olson PA.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, State University
Station, Fargo, ND 58105-5674, USA.
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) is a perennial weed which is capable of
acclimating to sub-freezing temperatures. We have used the differential display
technique to identify and clone a cDNA for a cold-regulated gene (cor20) which
hybridizes to mRNAs that accumulate specifically during the cold acclamation
process. The cor20 cDNA was used to isolate two different genomic clones. Both
clones were similar but not identical to each other and the cDNA. Sequence
analysis of the genomic clones indicated that they share considerable homology
to a group of glycine-rich RNA-binding protein genes. Comparison of the promoter
region from the three clones (Ccr1 from Arabidopsis. BnGRP10 from Brassica
napus, and GRRBP2 from Euphorbia esula) have identified at least two conserved
motifs. CAGC is most likely involved in cold regulation and AACCCYAGTTA, is
conserved but has no known function. RNAs which hybridize to cor20 reach maximal
expression in less than 2 days after exposure of the plant to temperatures of 5
degrees C, and remains at high levels in the plant for at least 30 days so long
as the plant is left in the cold. These RNAs drop to control levels within 24 h
when the plant is returned to normal growing temperatures. Transcripts which
hybridize to cor20 do not accumulate under conditions of drought or heat stress.
These transcripts are induced in response to low temperatures in roots, stems
and leaves, but are expressed constitutively in tissue culture at control
temperatures.
PMID: 9747799 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
91: Acta Pharm Hung 1998 May;68(3):175-82
[Macrocyclic diterpene polyesters of the jatrophane type from Euphorbia esula]
[Article in Hungarian]
Hohmann J, Vasas A, Gunther G, Mathe I, Evanics F, Dombi G, Jerkovich G.
SZOTE Gyogynoveny- es Drogismereti Intezet, Szeged.
Three new jatrophane diterpenes, esulatin A, B and C (1-3) were isolated and
characterized from the whole, undried plant of Euphorbia esula. By means of
spectral analysis, the structures were established as penta- and heptaesters of
hitherto unknown, polyfunctional diterpene parent alcohols. Esulatin A (1) and C
(3) are the diterpenoids with the highest degree of esterification identified to
date from the family Euphorbiaceae.
PMID: 9703704 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
92: Plant Physiol 1998 Aug;117(4):1363-71
Characterization of Euphorbia characias latex amine oxidase.
Padiglia A, Medda R, Lorrai A, Murgia B, Pedersen JZ, Finazzi Agro A, Floris G.
Department of Biochemistry and Human Physiology, University of Cagliari,
Cagliari, Italy.
A copper-containing amine oxidase from the latex of Euphorbia characias was
purified to homogeneity and the copper-free enzyme obtained by a ligand-exchange
procedure. The interactions of highly purified apo- and holoenzyme with several
substrates, carbonyl reagents, and copper ligands were investigated by optical
spectroscopy under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The extinction
coefficients at 278 and 490 nm were determined as 3.78 x 10(5) M-1 cm-1 and 6000
M-1 cm-1, respectively. Active-site titration of highly purified enzyme with
substrates and carbonyl reagents showed the presence of one cofactor at each
enzyme subunit. In anaerobiosis the native enzyme oxidized one equivalent
substrate and released one equivalent aldehyde per enzyme subunit. The apoenzyme
gave exactly the same 1:1:1 stoichiometry in anaerobiosis and in aerobiosis.
These findings demonstrate unequivocally that copper-free amine oxidase can
oxidize substrates with a single half-catalytic cycle. The DNA-derived protein
sequence shows a characteristic hexapeptide present in most 6-hydroxydopa
quinone-containing amine oxidases. This hexapeptide contains the tyrosinyl
residue that can be modified into the cofactor 6-hydroxydopa quinone.
PMID: 9701592 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
93: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1998;124(6):301-6
Dietary cancer risk from conditional cancerogens in produce of livestock fed on
species of spurge (Euphorbiaceae). III. Milk of lactating goats fed on the skin
irritant herb Euphorbia peplus is polluted by tumor promoters of the ingenane
diterpene ester type.
Zayed SM, Farghaly M, Taha H, Gminski R, Hecker E.
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Special procedures were developed to investigate poisonous milk of lactating
goats fed experimentally on aerial parts of the herb Euphorbia peplus L. In
extracts of the milk, weakly irritant in the mouse-ear assay, three diterpene
ester toxins were detected by techniques of high-performance liquid
chromatography. They are of the ingenane structural type: Euphorbia factor Pel
(ingenol 20-acetate 3-angelate), Euphorbia factor Pe2 (20-deoxyingenol
3-angelate) and Euphorbia factor Pe4 (20-deoxyingenol-6alpha,7alpha-epoxide
3-angelate). From goats milk collected 15 days after cessation of the
experimental feeding period, extracts were completely free of diterpene ester
toxins. The toxins polluting the milk are identical to diterpene ester entities
occurring in the aerial parts of E. peplus. Of these, Euphorbia factors Pel and
Pe2 are known as promoters of tumors of mouse skin. Apart from the toxic
Euphorbia factors, the non-toxic parent alcohol ingenol was also detected in the
milk. It is absent in the plant, and may have been generated metabolically from
a certain portion of the toxic diterpene esters picked up by the goats from
their fodder. The results presented here provide, for the first time, data for a
novel interpretation of the locally high incidence of esophageal cancer observed
in certain areas in the Caspian littoral of Iran, associated with a greater
consumption of goat's (and sheep's) milk.
PMID: 9692836 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
94: J Ethnopharmacol 1998 Jun;61(2):101-10
Study of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants used as antidiabetics.
Alarcon-Aguilara FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Perez-Gutierrez S, Aguilar-Contreras A,
Contreras-Weber CC, Flores-Saenz JL.
Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana
Iztapalapa, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
The purpose of this research was to study the anti-hyperglycemic effect of 28
medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Each plant was
processed in the traditional way and intragastrically administered to
temporarily hyperglycemic rabbits. The results showed that eight out of the 28
studied plants significantly decrease the hyperglycemic peak and/or the area
under the glucose tolerance curve. These plants were: Guazuma ulmifolia,
Tournefortia hirsutissima, Lepechinia caulescens, Rhizophora mangle, Musa
sapientum, Trigonella foenum graceum, Turnera diffusa, and Euphorbia prostrata.
The results suggest the validity of their clinical use in diabetes mellitus
control, after their toxicological investigation.
PMID: 9683340 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
95: J Nat Prod 1998 Jun 26;61(6):749-56
Macrocyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia semiperfoliata.
Appendino G, Jakupovic S, Tron GC, Jakupovic J, Milon V, Ballero M.
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Giuria 9, 10125 Torino,
Italy. appendin@pharm.unito.it
In addition to known compounds, the aerial parts of E. semiperfoliata afforded
an abietanolide (3), 13 jatrophane polyesters (4-9, 12, 14-19), two
4-deoxyphorbol diesters (23, 24), and a pair of epimeric diterpenes (21, 22)
with a novel carbon skeleton, which was named euphoperfoliane. Structures were
determined by spectroscopic analysis, and the main conformational features of
jatropha-6(17),11-dienes are discussed in detail. The obtained isolation yield
of several jatrophanes was unprecedented within the spurges (Euphorbia spp.),
making E. semiperfoliata a unique source of macrocyclic diterpenoids.
PMID: 9644058 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
96: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1998;124(3-4):179-85
Dietary cancer risk from conditional cancerogens in produce of livestock fed on
species of spurge (Euphorbiaceae). II. Pathophysiological investigations in
lactating goats fed on the skin irritant herb Euphorbia peplus and in their
milk-raised kids.
Nawito M, Ahmed YF, Zayed SM, Hecker E.
Department of Animal Reproduction, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo,
Egypt.
Lactating goats were fed on aerial parts of the herb Euphorbia peplus L. admixed
with their usual green fodder. During the experimental feeding period they
showed symptoms of general poisoning. In necropsy the main toxic effects were
seen in the heart, lung and liver. Histopathological examinations revealed that
the primary toxic effects originated from degenerative changes in parenchymal
and endothelial cells. Adverse symptoms in the liver and kidney were also
reflected in an alteration of the levels of certain serum enzymes and of blood
urea nitrogen. The milk of the goats fed on E. peplus, consumed by their young
kids, caused poisoning and even death, with signs similar to those observed in
the adult dams. These observations support the hypothesis that the poisoning
observed in both milk-raised kids and mother goats is caused by diterpene ester
type toxins present in the aerial parts of the herb contaminating the dams
fodder. Generally, such skin irritant and hyperplasiogenic toxins are known to
be highly active tumour promoters of skin and other organ, e.g. in mice.
Lactating goats--as an important source of milk around the world--in a setting
similar to that described, may provide a valid experimental etiological model
for investigation of food polluted by tumour-promoting diterpene ester toxins.
PMID: 9619744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
97: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1998;124(3-4):131-40
Erratum in:
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1998;124(6):351
Dietary cancer risk conditional cancerogens in produce of livestock fed on
species of spurge (Euphorbiaceae). I. Skin irritant and tumor-promoting
ingenane-type diterpene esters in E. peplus, one of several herbaceous Euphorbia
species contaminating fodder of livestock.
Zayed SM, Farghaly M, Taha H, Gotta H, Hecker E.
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
The hypothesis was proposed that there is a risk of dietary cancer from
conditional cancerogens in produce of livestock polluted with irritants of the
diterpene ester type, picked up by feeding on species of Euphorbiaceae (spurge).
To challenge this, several herbaceous plants of the genus Euphorbia, widespread
as weeds and contaminants of livestock fodder, were identified botanically and
extracts of their aerial parts were tested for irritancy on the mouse ear. As
compared to a standard probe of croton oil, the extracts of E. peplus, E. nubica
and E. helioscopia displayed irritancy. The most active extract (that from E.
peplus) was investigated by a fractionation procedure monitored by the mouse ear
assay, and five molecularly uniform irritant Euphorbia factors Pe1-Pe5 were
identified as diterpene ester-type toxins. Together these factors comprise at
least 11 ppm in the aerial parts. They were characterized individually to carry
the diterpene parent alcohols ingenol, 20-deoxyingenol, and 20-deoxyingenol-6
alpha, 7alpha-epoxide. The irritancy of the aerial plant parts was shown to be
caused mainly by the Euphorbia factors Pe1 and Pe2 together. Upon chronic
administration of these irritants and hyperplasiogens as principal cancerogenic
risk factors in the mouse skin initiation/promotion bioassay, Pe1 and Pe2 were
established as tumor promoters. These findings together support the initial
hypothesis and suggest the need for further investigations to determine whether
there is a consequent risk of dietary cancer.
PMID: 9619738 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
98: J Ethnopharmacol 1998 Mar;60(2):163-72
Screening of Australian medicinal plants for antiviral activity.
Semple SJ, Reynolds GD, O'Leary MC, Flower RL.
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia,
Adelaide, Australia.
Extracts of 40 different plant species used in the traditional medicine of the
Australian Aboriginal people have been investigated for antiviral activity. The
extracts have been tested for activity against one DNA virus, human
cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and two RNA viruses, Ross River virus (RRV) and
poliovirus type 1, at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The most active extracts
were the aerial parts of Pterocaulon sphacelatum (Asteraceae) and roots of
Dianella longifolia var. grandis (Liliaceae), which inhibited poliovirus at
concentrations of 52 and 250 microg/ml, respectively. The extracts of Euphorbia
australis (Euphorbiaceae) and Scaevola spinescens (Goodeniaceae) were the most
active against HCMV. Extracts of Eremophila latrobei subsp. glabra (Myoporaceae)
and Pittosporum phylliraeoides var. microcarpa (Pittosporaceae) exhibited
antiviral activity against RRV.
PMID: 9582007 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
99: J Pharm Pharmacol 1998 Feb;50(2):237-41
Comparative analysis of the vascular actions of diterpenes isolated from
Euphorbia canariensis.
Miranda FJ, Alabadi JA, Orti M, Centeno JM, Pinon M, Yuste A, Sanz-Cervera JF,
Marco JA, Alborch E.
Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Hospital La Fe, Spain.
We have analysed the effects of 2,3-diepiingol 7,12-diacetate-8-isobutyrate
(compound 1), ingenol-3-angelate-17-benzoate (compound 2),
ingenol-3-angelate-17-benzoate-20-acetate (compound 3) and
3,5,7,8,9,15-hexahydroxyjatropha-6(17),11-dien-14-one-5,8-bi
s(2-methylbutyrate)-7-(2-methylpropionate) (compound 4), four diterpenes
isolated from E. canariensis, on the isometric tension developed by isolated
rabbit basilar and carotid arteries. Concentration-response curves to these
compounds were obtained cumulatively in both arteries at resting tension and
active tone (KCl, 50 mM). At resting tension a concentration-dependent
contraction was induced by the four compounds. In the basilar artery the order
of potency was 3=1>2=4, without significant differences between Emax values. In
the carotid artery the order of potency was 3>2=1=4 and there were no
significant differences between the Emax (maximum effect) values of compounds
1-3, all of which were higher than that of compound 4. In pre-contracted basilar
artery compounds 1-3 induced concentration-dependent relaxation and compound 4
was almost ineffective; the order of potency was 3>2=1 without significant
differences between Emax values. In the carotid artery with active tone the four
compounds tested induced further contractions; the order of potency was 3>2=4>1
without significant differences between Emax values. These results show that the
four diterpenes are potent active substances in rabbit basilar and carotid
arteries and that there are regional differences between their action. The four
compounds tested contract basilar and carotid arteries at resting tension.
Compounds 1-3 relax pre-contracted basilar artery but not carotid artery.
PMID: 9580339 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
100: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1997 Sep-Oct;92(5):719-24
Evaluation of the molluscicidal properties of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii
(N.E.B.) latex: experimental test in an endemic area in the State of Minas
Gerais, Brazil.
Mendes NM, Vasconcellos MC, Baptista DF, Rocha RS, Schall VT.
Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Following the positive results obtained regarding the molluscicidal properties
of the latex of Euphorbia splendens that were corroborated in laboratory and
field tests under restricted conditions, a field study was conducted in
experimental streams located in an endemic area. After recording the average
annual fluctuations of vectors in three streams, a solution of E. splendens
latex at 12 ppm was applied in stream A, a solution of niclosamide at 3 ppm that
was applied in stream B and a third stream (C) remained untreated for negative
control. Applications of E. splendens and niclosamide resulted in a mortality of
100% among the snails collected in the streams A and B. No dead snails were
found in the negative control stream. A monthly follow-up survey conducted
during three consecutive months confirmed the return of vectors to both
experimental streams treated with latex and niclosamide. This fact has called
for a need to repeat application in order to reach the snails that remained
buried in the mud substrate or escaped to the water edge, as well as, newly
hatched snails that did not respond to the concentration of these molluscicides.
Adults snails collected a month following treatment led us to believe that they
had migrate from untreated areas of the streams to those previously treated.
PMID: 9566245 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
101: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1997 Sep-Oct