Abstract

PHARMACOLOGY OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA: AN OVERVIEW

Mukesh Kumar Chaudhary*

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants/herbs are the local heritage with global importance. Medicinal plants/herbs have curative properties due to presence of various chemical substance of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of these plants. These plant metabolites are grouped according to their composition as alkaloids, glycosides, corticosteroids, essential oils etc. A bibliographic analysis was carried out by gathering and analyzing the recognized books, including the Internet (Google Scholar), and scientific databases (Pubmed, Scifinder, Scopus, CNKI, ACS, and Web of Science) for available information on Euphorbia hirta. Whole plants of E. hirta have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its properties that can cure and detoxify fever, promote diuresis, stop itching, and induce prolactin. Modern pharmacological research demonstrated that its crude extracts and active compounds possesses wide pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, anti-allergy and diuretic. This study summarizes the updated information concerning the pharmacology of E. hirta as well as its toxicology, and discusses the existing problem and future research direction of E. hirta.

Keywords: Antibacterial, anti-allergic, diuretic, sedative effects.