Aditi Sharma, Megha Chaturvedi and Abhijeeta Nandha

Euphorbia hirta Linn is a widely recognized medicinal herb utilized in traditional medicine systems for treating respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disorders, skin conditions, and wounds. This review consolidates current ethnomedicinal knowledge and recent pharmacological evidence related to the plant. Phytochemical screening has identified several active compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and phenolics, contributing to its reported therapeutic activities. Experimental studies have demonstrated a range of pharmacological effects, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, wound-healing properties. Despite promising preclinical results, comprehensive clinical trials are lacking, and toxicological profiles remain underexplored, thereby limiting clinical application. Standardization of plant extracts and mechanistic elucidation of bioactive compounds are crucial for advancing its therapeutic credibility. Future directions include pharmacokinetic assessments, in-depth toxicology, and formulation of standardized extracts. Euphorbia hirta holds significant promise for novel drug discovery, particularly in addressing infectious and chronic diseases. Integrating ethnopharmacological knowledge with modern biomedical research could lead to the development of effective and affordable plant-based medicines for global health challenges.

Pages: 388-395  |  1117 Views  691 Downloads