Therapeutic potential of Euphorbia tirucalli L. (bone-breaking tree): a comprehensive literature review

I. Ketut Suanda; I. Made Jawi; I. Gde Ardika Nuaba; I. Wayan Lolik Lesmana

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20262400

Authors

I. Ketut Suanda Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia; Prof. Dr. I. G. N. G Ngoerah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
I. Made Jawi Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
I. Gde Ardika Nuaba Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia; Prof. Dr. I. G. N. G Ngoerah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
I. Wayan Lolik Lesmana Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia; Prof. Dr. I. G. N. G Ngoerah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20262400

Keywords:

Euphorbia tirucalli, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Antioxidant, Chemoprevention

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy with high prevalence in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, in which oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated cellular proliferation play important roles in carcinogenesis. Exposure to carcinogenic substances, such as formaldehyde, can induce excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in cellular damage, genomic instability, and abnormal proliferation. Euphorbia tirucalli L. (bone-breaking tree) is a medicinal plant that has attracted considerable attention due to its diverse phytochemical composition and broad range of biological activities. Bioactive constituents, including polyphenols, flavonoids, diterpenes, triterpenes, and ellagic acid, have been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. Experimental studies have demonstrated that E. tirucalli extracts can scavenge free radicals, modulate oxidative stress pathways, suppress pro-inflammatory mediators such as NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation through apoptosis induction. These findings suggest that E. tirucalli may exert chemopreventive effects through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular proliferation. Nevertheless, current evidence remains largely limited to in vitro and animal studies. Further investigations focusing on molecular mechanisms, safety profiles, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and clinical efficacy are required to establish its therapeutic potential and support its future application as a chemopreventive agent, particularly in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.

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