Euphorbia kansui (Euphorbia kansui): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Euphorbia kansui work as a purgative?

Euphorbia kansui works through its diterpenoid esters and kansuinine compounds, which irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and stimulate intense intestinal motility. These compounds increase fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen, producing a strong purgative effect. The herb also demonstrates diuretic properties that help eliminate accumulated fluids from tissues. Evidence Level: C (preclinical studies). The mechanism involves stimulation of peristalsis and increased capillary permeability, making it effective for severe edema and ascites in Traditional Chinese Medicine applications.

Is Euphorbia kansui safe during pregnancy?

Euphorbia kansui is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb is classified as unsafe due to its strong purgative action, which can stimulate uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. Evidence Level: Traditional/C. The diterpenoid compounds may cross the placental barrier and cause fetal harm. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception while taking this herb. If pregnancy occurs during use, discontinue immediately and consult a physician. This herb ranks among the most toxic substances used in TCM.

What is the correct dosage of Euphorbia kansui (Gan Sui)?

The typical TCM dosage of Euphorbia kansui is 0.5-1.5 grams of processed herb daily for adults. The raw herb is highly toxic and requires careful processing, typically vinegar-frying, to reduce toxicity before internal use. Evidence Level: Traditional/C. Dosage must only be determined by a qualified TCM practitioner or physician, as individual tolerance varies considerably. Self-medication is strongly discouraged due to the narrow therapeutic window between therapeutic and toxic doses. External application preparations may use different concentrations.

Does Euphorbia kansui interact with any medications?

Euphorbia kansui has significant drug interaction potential due to its strong purgative effects and toxicity profile. It may potentiate diuretics, laxatives, and cardiac glycosides, increasing the risk of dangerous electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrhythmias. Concurrent use with potassium-depleting medications compounds hypokalemia risk. Evidence Level: C. In TCM practice, this herb should never be combined with licorice root (Gan Cao), as this pairing is classified as an eighteen-incompatible combination that increases toxicity. Always disclose all medications to your practitioner.

What conditions does Gan Sui treat in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Gan Sui (Euphorbia kansui) is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for severe edema, ascites, pleural effusion, and stubborn constipation where milder treatments have failed. It is classified as a harsh purgative that drains fluid accumulation through powerful downward-draining action. Evidence Level: C/Traditional. The herb is reserved for patients with strong constitutions and excess water patterns. It is contraindicated in individuals with spleen deficiency, gastrointestinal weakness, heart conditions, or kidney disease due to its aggressive nature.

What are the side effects and toxicity of Euphorbia kansui?

Euphorbia kansui causes significant gastrointestinal toxicity including severe abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and violent diarrhea. These effects can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, which may trigger cardiac arrhythmias. Evidence Level: C/Traditional. Additional adverse effects include dehydration, dizziness, and in severe overdose cases, respiratory failure. The herb's irritant properties can cause contact dermatitis during handling. Long-term use damages intestinal mucosa. Due to these serious risks, Euphorbia kansui should only be prescribed by qualified practitioners who monitor for adverse reactions.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Euphorbia kansui is a traditional Chinese medicinal root used primarily for treating fluid retention and cancer, though it is characterized by significant toxicity [PMID:27080940, PMID:27977742].

Contexte

Euphorbia kansui (also known as Kansui) is an endemic species in China, and its dried root is used as a traditional herbal medicine [PMID:31818367, PMID:27080940].

Usages traditionnels

It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat ascites, edema, fluid retention, cancer, asthma, and pertussis [PMID:27977742, PMID:27084456, PMID:36985801].

Composés actifs

The primary bioactive constituents are diterpenes (specifically ingenane-type and jatrophane-type) and triterpenes [PMID:27080940, PMID:36857981]. Other identified compounds include C21-steroidal glycosides, volatile oils, and the PKC agonist ingenol [PMID:36170888, PMID:36857981, PMID:40158708].

Mécanisme d'action

Mechanisms include the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways [PMID:39337608], modulation of IFN-γ production via NF-κB activation in NK cells [PMID:26282882], and the inhibition of the PTGS2/PI3K/AKT signaling axis [PMID:40158708]. It may also promote HepG2 cell apoptosis via degradation of ATP1A1 and down-regulation of AKT and ERK signaling [PMID:36985801].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DMalignant Ascites

Used in formulas like Gansui Banxia decoction to treat abnormal accumulation of body fluids [PMID:40356964].

Preuve DInsulin Resistance/Obesity

A single dose of 6g powder in humans showed potential for body weight loss; in mice, it attenuated insulin resistance and reduced liver/adipose tissue inflammation [PMID:29234441].

Preuve DLatent HIV

Extracts reactivated latent HIV in CD4+ T cell models and HIV+ HAART suppressed PBMC by inducing CD69 and P-TEFb [PMID:27977742].

Preuve DPsoriasis

Methanol extract effectively reduced acanthosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in an IMQ-induced mouse model [PMID:28761880].

Preuve DCancer (In vitro)

Various constituents exhibited cytotoxicity against colon (HCT-116), gastric (MKN-45), and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines [PMID:29292735].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Euphorbia kansui is toxic and can cause skin, oral, and gastrointestinal irritation [PMID:27080940]. It has been shown to cause liver injury and significant alteration of liver microstructure and function in zebrafish larvae [PMID:31132752], and liver and kidney tissue damage in rats [PMID:22406398]. Vinegar-processing is traditionally used to reduce this toxicity [PMID:31931159, PMID:30059729].

Interactions médicamenteuses

In traditional Chinese medicine, the co-use of Euphorbia kansui and licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is recorded as contraindicated in the 'eighteen incompatible' medicaments [PMID:27084456, PMID:40356964].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (rats, mice, zebrafish). There is limited human data (small-scale observation for obesity). Overall evidence strength is low to moderate (Level D).

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 27080940 (2016) — The Chemical and Biological Properties of Euphorbia kansui. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
2.PMID: 27977742 (2016) — Euphorbia Kansui Reactivates Latent HIV. · PloS one
3.PMID: 29292735 (2017) — Chemical Constituents from Euphorbia kansui. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 31132752 (2019) — Hepatotoxicity evaluation of Euphorbia kansui on zebrafish larvae in vivo. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 40356964 (2025) — Kansui-liquorice enhances the "water-expelling" effect of Gansui Banxia decoction in rats with malignant ascites by targeting the NPs/NPRs/cGMP/PKGⅡ pathway and T cell immunity. · Frontiers in pharmacology

Euphorbia kansui

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Euphorbia kansui