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This study assessed the medicinal properties of Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp echinus (Hook.f. and Coss.) Vindt (Euphorbia echinus, known for their pharmaceutical benefits. Extracts from their flowers, stems, propolis, and honey were examined for phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total condensed tannin (TCC) were determined using specific methods. Antioxidant potential was assessed through various tests including DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and Total antioxidant capacity. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using phenolinduced ear edema in rats, while antibacterial activity was measured against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 10536) bacteria. Among the extracts, the aqueous propolis extract of E. resinifera demonstrated exceptional antioxidant capabilities, with low IC50 values for DPPH (0.07 ± 0.00 mg/mL) and ABTS (0.13 ± 0.00 mg/mL), as well as high TAC (176.72 ± 0.18 mg AA/mg extract) and FRAP (86.45 ± 1.45 mg AA/mg extract) values. Furthermore, the antiinflammatory effect of E. resinifera propolis extracts surpassed that of indomethacin, yielding edema percentages of 3.92% and 11.33% for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. Microbiological results indicated that the aqueous extract of E. resinifera flower exhibited the most potent inhibitory action against S. aureus, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 21.0 ± 0.00 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.125 mg/mL. Additionally, only E. resinifera honey displayed the ability to inhibit E. coli growth, with an inhibition zone diameter of 09.30 ± 0.03 mm and a MIC of 0.0433 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissopalynological knowledge, regarding the uniflorality of honeys, in terms of pollen content, depends on the plant source, but, in many cases, it is difficult to establish the threshold of pollen percentage for a honey to be considered unifloral. This research aims to increase knowledge for the classification of unifloral honeys through pollen analysis. The use of fresh experimental beehives placed under controlled conditions in 11 different specific areas of Euphorbia resinifera (resin spurge) enabled the production of the purest possible honey samples, which could then serve as a reference for testing uniflorality of this type of honey. The experimentally obtained results of the pollen analysis of these pure honey samples revealed a low absolute number of pollen grains and a low percentage of pollen of E. resinifera, which confirms the under-representation of the pollen of E. resinifera in honey labelled as this type. The pollen analysis enabled a combination of pollen grains to be established which greatly facilitates the differentiation of this honey type. Furthermore, we propose that the threshold that delineates the percentage of pollen necessary for this honey type to be considered unifloral can be lower than 10% if combined with a high percentage of the sum of Ceratonia siliqua/Eryngium f./Capsella f./Lactuca f. pollen. Using this approach, the uniflorality was tested of ten honey samples sold commercially as resin spurge using the aforementioned criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Euphorbia includes about 2,000 species commonly widespread in both temperate and tropical zones that contain poisonous milky juice fluid or latex. Many species have been used in traditional and complementary medicine for the treatment of various health issues such as dropsy, paralysis, deafness, wounds, warts on the skin, and amaurosis. The medicinal applications of these species have been attributed to the presence of various compounds, and most studies on Euphorbia species have focused on their latex. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on chemical composition and biological activities of the latex from various species of the genus Euphorbia. Our aim was to explore the applications of latex extracts in the medical field and to evaluate their ethnopharmacological potential. The databases employed for data collection, are obtained through Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus, from 1983 to 2022. The bibliographic data indicate that terpenoids are the most common secondary metabolites in the latex. Furthermore, the latex has interesting biological properties and pharmacological functions, including antibacterial, antioxidant, free radical scavenger, cytotoxic, tumor, antiinflammatory, healing, hemostatic, anti-angiogenic, insecticidal, genotoxic, and mutagenic activities. However, the role of other components in the latex, such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids, remains unknown, which limits the application of the latex. Future studies are required to optimize the therapeutic use of latex extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unifloral honeys are highly valued, and their botanical and geographical characterization plays an important role in quality control. This work is an essential contribution to the limited knowledge of the unique resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) honey. Palynological and geographical characterization was performed on 29 unifloral resin spurge honey samples distributed along the protected geographic indication (PGI) area in the Middle Atlas Mountains (Morocco). The quantitative pollen analysis shows that resin spurge honeys were characterized by its low to very low pollen content (mean NPG = 1490/g honey) and honeydew indicator elements (mean HDE = 28/g honey). The most characteristic accompanying species are Ceratonia siliqua, Echium plantagineum, Olea sp., Plantago coronopus and Quercus. The proposed markers could further contribute as a useful tool to the quality control of the unique resin spurge honey and thus, guarantee its commercial value, both in the local and international markets. It also allows us to distinguish them from other unifloral honeys from highly related botanical origin, such E. officinarum subsp. echinus and E. regis-jubae honeys. The present characterization will allow further strengthen and protect the reputation of this honey especially since it is being registered in the EU list of protected products. Lastly, considering the lower percentage of E. resinifera pollen found in most of our resin spurge honey samples, we encourage for a revision of the established threshold and propose to lower it to 20% of pollen of E. resinifera to be considered as unifloral honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, microbiological profile of thirty-seven samples of labeled honey were collected in a Protected Geographical Indication "PGI" area of Tadla-Azilal region, which is an endemic zone of Euphorbia resinifera plant. A profile was assessed using conventional microbial methods, like enumeration, detection and/or germs identification, in accordance with ISO norms. This is the first study in which a honey with Moroccan "PGI" was tested, in order to assess its compliance with bacteriological recommendations. Coliforms (Total and fecal Coliforms), Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Sporus of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were not detected. The numbers of Standard Plate Count "SPC" were less than 102 CFU.g-1 for all samples. The molds and yeasts were found among samples and 32% and 40% of samples were positive, respectively. However, no samples showed a higher value than recommended limit [102 CFU.g-1]. We conclude that samples of labeled euphorbia honey of Tadla-Azilal analyzed present good commercial quality parameters (SPC, molds and yeasts "absence of unwanted fermentations"), a good sanitary quality (absence of coliforms and S. aureus) and are safe (Slam., Shig., Sporus of B. cereus and C. perf.). Standardization (regulation and specifications) and a rationalization of beekeeping techniques throughout Euphorbia "PGI" area studied may further sustainably improve the quality of this unique honey, and ensure it over the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]