Chemical Components of the Dried Latex of Euphorbia resinifera Berg and Its Medicinal Features

Abstract

A great deal of research has been carried out on the latex of Euphorbia resinifera Berg, which is an important source of several compounds of therapeutic and medicinal interest. Extraction, synthesis, and hemi synthesis pathways continue to reveal the existence of other new products with anticancer, antioxidant, antidiuretic, and antimalarial effects. Despite the huge number of existing drugs, plants are still used mainly as a treatment for pain and as a source of inspiration for new drugs. In this study, the different components of the dried latex of this plant and their effects on human health have been studied. It should be noted that resiniferatoxin, with a pain-relieving activity superior to capsaicin, has proven to be effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis, a painful disease with no specific treatment.