Euphorbia kansui

Euphorbia kansui, commonly known as Kansui, is a perennial herb deeply rooted in traditional East Asian medicine. Valued for its potent diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is primarily used to treat edema, hypertension, and various skin conditions. This medicinal plant requires careful handling due to its bioactive chemical compounds.

  • Scientific name: Euphorbia kansui
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Euphorbia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Euphorbiaceae WCVP
Genus Euphorbia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Euphorbia kansui, is recognized by several specific common names depending on the language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 甘遂 (zh), and similarly, in Cantonese, it is also called 甘遂 (lzh).
Language Common Name Source
zh 甘遂 Wikidata
lzh 甘遂 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within the Asian continent. In the country of China, its presence is noted throughout the North-Central regions. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. These distinct areas represent the primary natural habitats where the species thrives. Consequently, its distribution is concentrated in these specific eastern and central territories.

Region Area Source
China China North-Central WCVP
China Tibet WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Euphorbia kansui, is highly valued in traditional medicine for the specific components harvested from its underground structures. The most significant part of the organism is the root, which serves as the primary source of its medicinal properties. Practitioners often focus on the dried tuber or the dried roots to ensure stability and potency during processing. From these harvested elements, a specialized substance known as kansui is derived, which is essential for various therapeutic applications. Ultimately, the medicinal value of the plant is concentrated within these roots, making the careful collection and preparation of the subterranean parts vital to its use.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
10
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 3 ★★☆☆☆
root 3 ★★☆☆☆
kansui 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried tuber 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried root 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Euphorbia kansui has 34 reported phytochemicals identified across 49 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol, ingenol, terpenoids, 3-O-(2'E,4'E-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol, 3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)-20-deoxyingenol.

Total chemicals
34
Scientific sources
49

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol 5 ★★★☆☆
ingenol 3 ★★☆☆☆
terpenoids 3 ★★☆☆☆
3-O-(2'E,4'E-decadienoyl)-20-O-acetylingenol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
3-O-(2'E,4'Z-decadienoyl)-20-deoxyingenol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
5-O-benzoyl-20-deoxyingenol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
epi-kansenone 2 ★☆☆☆☆
kansenone 2 ★☆☆☆☆
kansuinine A 2 ★☆☆☆☆
kansuiphorin C 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Euphorbia kansui has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative, Diuretic, Anticancer, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Total activities
7
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiproliferative 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Purgative 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Toxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Euphorbia kansui has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include edema, ascites, asthma, breast cancer, cancer.

Total uses
11
Scientific sources
19

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
edema 5 ★★★☆☆
ascites 4 ★★☆☆☆
asthma 2 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colon cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastric cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malignant pleural effusion 1 ★☆☆☆☆
nasopharyngeal carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆