Anti-inflammatory lanostane triterpenoids with rearranged spirobi[indene] scaffold and their biogenetically related analogues from Euphorbia maculata

Rutaecarpine derivatives synthesized via skeletal reorganization alleviate inflammation-associated oxidative damage by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

In recent years, skeleton reorganization based on bioactive natural products has emerged as a novel alternative strategy to the classical approach, mainly focusing on the peripheral modification of the inherent natural skeleton. Such reorganizations not only afford structurally unique molecules but also provide unanticipated bioactivities compared with the unaltered natural precursors. Herein, by rebuilding the inherent rigid skeleton of cardioprotective rutaecarpine (RUT), thirty-three structural derivatives were designed and synthesized, with 5Ci being the most representative example, which exhibited superior protective effects against inflammation-induced ROS accumulation and cellular damage compared with the clinically used anti-inflammation drug indomethacin.

Jatrophane and ingenane diterpenoids with anti-inflammatory activity from Euphorbia esula

A phytochemical investigation into the plants of Euphorbia esula L. has yielded 19 diterpenoids, comprising 17 jatrophane-type (1-7 and 9-18) and two ingenane-type (8 and 19). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectrum elucidations, quantum chemical calculations, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Biological evaluations demonstrated that compounds 6, 8, 18, and 19 show significant anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values within 10 μM, without displaying any morphological signs of cytotoxicity. Further biological analysis revealed that euphoresulin A (8) is involved in the suppression of inflammatory response by blocking the activation of NF-κB/MAPK and activating Nrf2/HO-1 singling pathways.

A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Other Applications of Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba

Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba (EHH) is a globally distributed plant commonly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and health food within China. The dried aerial parts of EHH are well-recognized as health foods for the management of diarrhea and other intestinal diseases. Known for its therapeutic effects, such as heat-clearing, detoxification, blood cooling, hemostasis, dampness, elimination, and jaundice relief, EHH has yielded 197 bioactive compounds identified to date, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, sterols, lactones, coumarins, and other constituents, with flavonoids and terpenoids, highlighting its wide-ranging pharmacological properties and medicinal significance. Despite its popularity in research, limited systematic and comprehensive information has been provided on the EHH. Therefore, we provide an in-depth overview of EHH, covering its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and additional applications. Furthermore, it addresses the current challenges and limitations in modern research on EHH, offering critical perspectives to guide future studies in this field.

Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Compounds Isolated from Plants of Euphorbia Genus

Euphorbia is a large genus of the Euphorbiaceae family. Around 250 species of the Euphorbia genus have been studied chemically and pharmacologically; different compounds have been isolated from these species, especially diterpenes and triterpenes. Several reports show that several species have anti-inflammatory activity, which can be attributed to the presence of diterpenes, such as abietanes, ingenanes, and lathyranes. In addition, it was found that some diterpenes isolated from different Euphorbia species have anti-cancer activity. In this review, we included compounds isolated from species of the Euphorbia genus with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic effects published from 2018 to September 2023. The databases used for this review were Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar, using the keywords Euphorbia with anti-inflammatory or cytotoxic activity. In this review, 68 studies were collected and analyzed regarding the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of 264 compounds obtained from 36 species of the Euphorbia genus. The compounds included in this review are terpenes (95%), of which 68% are diterpenes, especially of the types ingenanes, abietanes, and triterpenes (approximately 15%).