Medicinal applications of Euphorbia umbellata, as an antitumor agent, antiulcerogenic and other applications: Review

Abstract

The demand for herbal medicines is steadily increasing. Within this perspective, compounds derived from the latex of the species Euphorbia umbellata have acquired a prominence presenting antiulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, homeostatic activities and mainly antitumor activity. Studies carried out with tumor cells indicate that their fractions and subfractions act by modulating the apoptotic pathway by decreasing the mitochondrial electrical potential, as well as activating caspases 3 and 7. Concomitantly, its antiulcerogenic activity is related to the ability to capture radicals and species reactive oxygen, in addition to its inhibitory action in a peroxidase model. Other studies regarding other functionalities of this species are still in progress.