A historical analysis of Pintado (Euphorbia heterophylla)

Abstract

A histochemical study on Euphorbia heterophylla, a shrubby plant of the Family Euphorbiaceae was performed to screen the plant for the presence of medically important substances that could be responsible for its curative powers. Results of the analysis showed that aldehydes are highly detectable in the stem (xylem and phloem); moderately detectable in the leaf (xylem), stem (epidermis and vascular cambium), root (phloem) and flower (ovary); and slightly detectable in the flower (calyx). Alkaloids are moderately detectable in the stem (xylem, vascular cambium, and phloem) and slightly detectable in the leaf (xylem, vascular cambium, epidermis, and phloem). Amygdalin is highly detectable in the leaf (xylem) and stem (epidermis); moderately detectable in the root (phloem), and fruit (seed and pericarp); and slightly detectable in the root (xylem) and the flower (ovary). Arbutin is highly detectable in the xylem of the leaf and pericarp of the fruit; moderately detectable in the phloem of the leaf and vascular cambium of the stem; and slightly detectable in the stem (xylem, phloem, and epidermis), root (xylem), and flower (ovary). Saponins are highly detectable in the leaf (xylem, phloem, and epidermis), (xylem), root (xylem and phloem), flower (calyx and ovary) and fruit (seed). Formic acid is moderately detectable in the leaf and stem (epidermis), and slightly detectable in the stem and root (xylem). Oxalic acid is slightly detectable in the stem (phloem). Tannins are highly detectable in the stem (xylem and phloem) and fruit (pericarp); moderately detectable in the leaf (xylem and phloem) and fruit (seed); and slightly detectable in the stem (epidermis).