Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr. roots: a comprehensive review of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control, and toxicology

Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr. is a traditional herb generally distributed in most areas of China, north Korea and Japan. The dried roots of Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr. (REP), famous as 'Jing Da Ji' () have been applied as traditional herb medicines to expel water and rheum; disperse swelling, dissipate binds and to treat edoema, pleural effusions, uraemia, nephritis, cirrhosis with ascites, as well as other diseases. Recent advances in botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control, and toxicology of E. pekinensis roots are methodically outlined and current limitations as well as future perspectives also are discussed in order to guide scientifical investigation and rational application of REP. Up to now, 79 structurally diverse compounds have been obtained and characterised from REP, principally including diterpenoids, triterpenoids, tannins, phenols, and 29 volatile constituents. Among which, diterpenoids are considered as primary characteristic and active constituents. The extracts and individual compounds from REP have demonstrated significant pharmacological effects such as diuretic and purgative, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects. REP are widely used in traditional medicine due to diverse chemical constituents with obvious pharmacological effects. Modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies justified and explained relevant traditional uses of REP and offer worthy clues for new medical fields of industrial application. Nevertheless, a great number of thorough and detailed investigations should be carried out in active constituents, mechanisms of action, quality-marker, toxicology assessment, and detoxification mechanisms of REP.