How does Euphorbia pekinensis work as a purgative?

Euphorbia pekinensis contains active compounds including euphorbin, jolkinol, and ingenol terpenoids that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. These compounds act as irritants to the intestinal lining, triggering strong peristaltic contractions and fluid secretion. This mechanism produces the herb's characteristic drastic purgative effect. The diterpene esters, particularly ingenol derivatives, are responsible for the herb's potent biological activity. Evidence level: C (preclinical and traditional use data).

Does Euphorbia pekinensis interact with other medications?

Due to its powerful purgative effects, Euphorbia pekinensis may reduce the absorption and effectiveness of orally administered medications by accelerating gastrointestinal transit time. Patients taking medications with narrow therapeutic windows should exercise particular caution. No specific clinical drug interaction studies exist (Evidence level C). This herb should never be combined with other laxatives or purgatives without medical supervision, as this may lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

What is the recommended dosage of Euphorbia pekinensis?

The traditional adult dosage of Euphorbia pekinensis is 1.5 to 3 grams of dried herb daily, always used within a formulated preparation rather than as a standalone herb. Due to its potent purgative nature and narrow safety margin, this herb requires medical supervision and should never be self-prescribed. Dosage must be adjusted based on individual constitution and condition severity. Evidence level: Traditional/C.

Is Euphorbia pekinensis safe during pregnancy?

Euphorbia pekinensis is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy. The herb has documented abortifacient properties and can stimulate uterine contractions, posing significant risk of miscarriage. Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies this as a "drastic" purgative unsuitable for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or those attempting to conceive. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception if prescribed this herb. Evidence level: Traditional use strongly contraindicates pregnancy exposure.

What is Euphorbia pekinensis used for in traditional Chinese medicine?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Euphorbia pekinensis is primarily used as a drastic purgative for treating ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen) and edema. It is reserved for severe cases of constipation where gentler approaches have failed. The herb has also been investigated for potential anticancer applications in preclinical research. Evidence level: C, based primarily on traditional use documentation and preliminary laboratory studies.

Euphorbia Pekinensis (Euphorbia pekinensis)

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 pekinensis is a traditional medicinal herb used primarily for its diuretic and antitumor properties [PMID:37948776, PMID:39205630].

Contexte

Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr. is a medicinal herb endemic to China and distributed across northern China, North Korea, and Japan [PMID:36046110, PMID:39205630]. The dried roots, known as 'Jing Da Ji', are the primary part used for medicinal purposes [PMID:39205630].

Usages traditionnels

It is used in traditional medicine to expel water and rheum, disperse swelling, dissipate binds, and treat edema, pleural effusions, uremia, nephritis, and cirrhosis with ascites [PMID:39205630]. It is also clinically utilized for treating malignant tumors [PMID:37948776].

Composés actifs

The roots contain structurally diverse compounds, primarily diterpenoids (including casbane, isopimarane, abietane, labdane, and cembrane types), triterpenoids, tannins, phenols, and volatile constituents [PMID:39205630, PMID:35182782, PMID:32400187, PMID:26654567]. Specific identified compounds include euphpekinensin, pekinenal, pekinenin G, and the flavonoid kaempferol [PMID:11914963, PMID:19560525, PMID:25849283, PMID:34573051].

Mécanisme d'action

Anti-tumor activity is associated with the induction of apoptosis via caspase 3/7 activation [PMID:41643782] and the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment to enhance peripheral immunity and sensitize colorectal cancer to PD-1 blockade [PMID:39368338]. Anti-angiogenic effects are observed through the inhibition of VEGF family members, Met, and NRP2 [PMID:28602865, PMID:34670180]. Laxative effects are attributed to the alteration of aquaporins (AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4) in the colon [PMID:28335427].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DHepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Compound (3β,11β)-3,11-dihydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-7-one exhibited potent cytotoxicity against Hepa1-6 cells and suppressed tumor growth in vivo [PMID:41643782].

Preuve DColorectal Cancer

Euphorbia Pekinensis extract sensitizes colorectal cancer to PD-1 blockade by remodeling the tumor microenvironment [PMID:39368338].

Preuve DProstate Cancer

Euphopanes A, B, and a known compound showed significant cytotoxicity against human prostate cancer cells C4-2B [PMID:32400187].

Preuve DMalignant Ascites

Water extract of EP vinegar preparation demonstrated anti-angiogenic activity in zebrafish models [PMID:28602865].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In its raw form, the herb is toxic and can cause gastrointestinal stimulation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea [PMID:37948776]. Total diterpenoids (TDEP) can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal mucosal damage by inducing gut microbiota disorder [PMID:34523246, PMID:28335427]. It has also been associated with nephrotoxicity and hepatorenal toxicity, evidenced by increased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in rats [PMID:29421944, PMID:3642674H].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell assays and in vivo animal models (mice, rats, zebrafish), indicating strong pharmacological potential but a lack of human clinical trial data. Evidence level is predominantly D.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 26654567 (2015) — Terpenoids from Euphorbia pekinensis. · Journal of Asian natural products research
2.PMID: 39368338 (2024) — Euphorbia Pekinensis Rupr. sensitizes colorectal cancer to PD-1 blockade by remodeling the tumor microenvironment and enhancing peripheral immunity. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3.PMID: 11914963 (2002) — Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Euphorbia pekinensis. · Planta medica
4.PMID: 34523246 (2021) — Gut microbiota disorder caused by diterpenoids extracted from Euphorbia pekinensis aggravates intestinal mucosal damage. · Pharmacology research & perspectives
5.PMID: 35944737 (2022) — Phytochemical and pharmacological review of diterpenoids from the genus Euphorbia Linn (2012-2021).

Euphorbia Pekinensis

Sources et citations