The name derives from the Greek words pedilon, meaning “slipper,” and anthos, meaning “flower.” Botany Half-Woody plant growing to a height of 1.5 meters or less, with fleshy branches which produce milky juice. The leaves are fleshy, smooth, alternate, deciduous, ovate or oblong, 3.5 to 7.5 cm long, pointed at both ends. Flowers are reddish. Capsules are 9 mm broad. Parts utilized
Leaves Properties
Considered emetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antihemorrhagic, antiviral, antitumoral and abortive. Milky juice is caustic, irritant, and emetic. Constituents A study assessing its scavenging properties yielded the antioxidant principles: a kaempferol, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and scopoletin; phenolics and flavonoids – gallic acid and rutin. • A new proteolytic enzyme, pedilanthain, with antiinflammatory activity was isolated from the latex. • Caustic, milky juice of the roots, stems and leaves contains euphorbol and other diterpene esters which are irritants and cocarcinogens. A lectin and proteolytic enzymes are experimentally indicated.
Uses Folkloric
Used for venereal disease. In other folk systems, leaf tea used for laryngitis, mouth ulcers, venereal disease, asthma, cough. Root tea has been used as abortifacient and as purgative substitute for ipecacuanha. Latex has been used to treat cancer and umbilical hernia; also, dripped into painful dental caries and aching ears. Used for treating warts, calluses and ringworms. The centipede leg-like leaf arrangement has given it folkloric application for treatment of centipede and scorpion stings.
Studies
Anti-inflammatory: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of a medicinal tincture from Pedilanthus tithymaloides: A Cuban study showed inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema while scavenging assays showed it to be effective against all assayed ROS and RNS. Study results support its traditional use as an anti-inflammatory medicine.
Anti-malarial / Anti-tuberculosis: Study yielded six new poly-O-acylated jatrophane diterpenes along with five known compounds from the white latex of P tithymaloides. Antimalarial and antituberculous poly-O-acylated jatrophane diterpenoids from Pedilanthus tithymaloides: Compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 showed antiplasmodial activity and antimycobacterial activity agaiinst Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Antifungal: Antimycotic Screening of 58 Malaysian Plants against Plant Pathogens: Of 58 Malaysian plants screened, PT was one of 34 plants that showed selective antifungal activity. Antioxidants: Study yielded principles identified as kaempferol 3-O-B-D-glucopyranoside-6″-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate), quercitin, isoquercitrin and scopoletin.
Mosquito Control: Ethanolic extract study of P tithymaloides yielded flavonoids, steroids and phenols and showed that phytochemicals from spurge exhibit significant biological activity against mosquitoes and presents a potential as a natural product-based biocide for disease vector control.
Lectin / Diabetes: The usefulness of a galactose specific lectin from P. tithymaloides was examined to study the hemagglutination pattern in patients with diabetes mellitus. Significantly low titer was seen in patients with insulin dependent diabetes and no significant change in non-insulin dependent diabetics. The low titer was shown to occur along with increased duration of the diabetic condition. Studies
Toxicity: Ingested, a few drops of the juice produce irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting and diarrhea. Externally, the juice produces irritation, inflammation and skin blistering. In the eye, it produces intense and painful irritation, followed by keratoconjuctivitis and temporary reduction of visual acuity. The seeds cause violent persistent vomiting and drastic diarrhea. In livestock, skin lesions are prone to secondary infections. Treatment / Prevention: Avoid contact with the sap. Wear goggles when cutting the plant. Skin contact should immediately be washed with soap and water. Topical steroids reduced pain and inflammation. Fluid replacement and hydration may be needed for acute gastrointestinal manifestations.